The ‘Tinier’ House Movement
WARSAW — Let’s talk about a tiny issue. It’s not a tiny problem, but some have found it to be a tiny solution.
The tiny house movement has become increasingly appealing to families across the country along with local Kosciusko County families.
What Is A Tiny House?
Tiny houses are compact versions of livable homes. The average American single-family home is about 2,600 square-feet, while a tiny home averages at just 186 square-feet. Most of these homes, however, are anywhere from 100 to 400 square-feet. Tiny houses can be as simple or as complicated as the builder desires. Electricity, Wi-Fi and cable TV are all viable options. The goal of a tiny house is to provide all the necessary comforts without utilizing a massive space.
Why A Tiny House?
Tiny house owners may consider several factors in the decision including environment, money and freedom. It’s easy to see how this tiny house, nearly one-eleventh the size of a normal home creates less of a footprint in the world. Property can be purchased in a smaller section, building materials will be reduced and overall energy consumption can be lessened.
The facts stacking up with American tiny houses are highly favorable for many. For example, 68 percent of tiny house owners are living mortgage-free, compared to around 29 percent of all homeowners in the U.S.
Facts gathered by thetinylife.com show significantly less debt in areas concerning credit cards, mortgages and building costs. The website dedicated to tiny house discussion and tips boasts a building cost total of just $23,000.
There are some hang-ups, however, that come with an authentic tiny house. Cities like Goshen have minimum square footage requirements within city limits. Those looking to stay under 1,200 square-feet would need to find land outside the limits. Kosciusko County does not have an inspector, but cities like Warsaw do. The Warsaw building inspector checks each home to make sure permits are active and the property meets code requirements. Each home that is built must still have building permits. Kosciusko may not yet be seeing an increase of 400 square-foot homes, but local real estate shows a trend in the tinier homes all over.
A Tinier Lifestyle
Warsaw residents Mike Garee and wife LaDell have been living the smaller home lifestyle for more than 30 years. Now age 65, the home he purchased was a whopping 560 square-feet, not quite the definition of a tiny home, yet much smaller than the 2,600 square-foot average American house.
“I have never lived in a bigger home of my own that was larger than the one we are living in now,” said Mike. What others find to be a downsizing chic movement, Mike finds to be a good life. A smaller home means a simpler life for this couple, and Mike finds “the ease of maintenance, heating and utilities (we can light the whole house up with only four lights) and the low taxes,” to be part of the benefits to keeping it small. “I’ve got to go where my money takes me,” laughed Mike.
Mike purchased the home through an auction after a local farmer declared bankruptcy, and said the home was previously used as a shelter for migrant workers. Mike and LaDell have done some repairs over the years, including new siding plus adding an addition 128 square-feet for a laundry room.
According to thetinylife.com, about 76 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and the smaller houses can help ease the stress of owning a home. Whether the tinier homes are a trend that is here for good is anybody’s guess, but local home shoppers are sure to see new options opening up around them that won’t be the square footage of the years past.