Building a tiny home is a lot of fun, but comes with a lot of challenges. This first big challenge is finding a plot to place your miniature dwelling. You do not need much land for a small home, but getting your hands on a suitable plot with access to municipal utilities like water and power can be hard to do. Here is a quick guide to give you a hand on your search and point you in some directions you may not have thought of.
Budgeting For Size and Location
The highest cost to your plot will come from its size and location. The closer it is to amenities, the more expensive it will be. If you want the peace and tranquility of the countryside and are planning to live off-grid, you can expect to pay a lot less. Most tiny home dwellers want to be close to a town, if not a part of it and have access to water, gas, and municipal sewers. This will add a little extra to the cost of a plot.
You can use the power of the internet to help you search for an empty plot of land, or an existing home to restructure and get research land prices across the country and your state. Using EZHomeSearch, you can search real estate in New Bern, North Carolina, to find homes for sale and plots of land. They can help you get in touch with local real estate agents too, who can help you on your quest for a plot of land or property to develop into a tiny home.
Reach Out
There are tiny home enthusiasts around the world that can help you in all kinds of ways, from support and advice to planning tips and premade designs. Whatever area you plan on building a tiny home in, the chances are you are not the first person to think of doing it. Look online for forums, websites, and social media groups that can help and that have members willing to share information and advice.
The greatest resource available to you is the experience of the other people who have built tiny homes before you. Even if there are not many details on building a home in your chosen area or state, there will still be a huge amount of useful information that can save you time and money. You can contribute to the community too, and add your experiences to the pool of information for tiny home enthusiasts online.
Research Zoning Laws and Local Regulations
With an area in mind or a suitable plot or property identified, you then should begin to research local laws and regulations to make sure you can build there. This can get complicated, and you should consider consulting with a local construction firm or planning authority to help you navigate the planning process.
Many tiny home builders find that local zoning regulations can mean they have to alter their plans, often having to build a slightly bigger dwelling than they wanted. Many government zoning regulations will require a home to be of a specific size or larger to have access to municipal resources like water and sewage. Before you settle on a design for your tiny home, make sure it satisfies these requirements. You may need to find a new plot in a new area to be able to build the tiny home you want.
Ask Around
If you have investigated land purchases online and what solutions other tiny home fans have found you may have noticed a trend. Many people build their miniature dwellings on property that a close friend or family member owns. Be open to this type of arrangement, it may save a huge amount of time, stress, and money and get you on the road to a tiny home in record time.
You may have an aunt and uncle or a friend of a friend that has a large plot of land with a few spare acres out back. One of the beauties of building a tiny home is you only need a tiny plot of land to build upon. Many old family homes in the countryside are on larger plots of land, and all you need is a small corner or an unused backlot to build your new tiny home. You will also have access to utility supplies. Be open to unconventional arrangements and ask around, it may help you find the perfect plot for your tiny home.
Talk To Farmers
This is a top tip that many experienced tiny home builders rely on. It is hard out there for farmers. The prices of crops are changing all the time while the cost of their supplies and taxes increase. Many are open to the idea of renting out a small piece of their land for a regular stream of low-maintenance income. Some may even be willing to sell a small corner or strip of their land for a good price.
If you want a picturesque spot in the country to set up your small home, speaking to local farmers could be the solution you are looking for. The biggest advantage you have when you are looking for a plot of land is that you do not need much to build the home you want. A corner of a field, a sliver by a river, a patch of scrubland by a forest are great locations for a secluded and rural tiny home. Talk to farmers and you may find your perfect plot at a discount price, to rent or to buy.
Build First, Plot Later
This may sound a little crazy, but just because you do not have a plot of land ready it does not mean you cannot start building your tiny home. Time is money, and if you can save some time by building your house while you search for some land you should look into it. Many tiny home builders have used this tactic before. Use the positives of a tiny home to your advantage, and start building early.
Most tiny homes will fit onto a flatbed truck. This means you can move them around if you need to. Downsizing to a bigger home should mean you have the space in a yard or even on a driveway to begin the construction of a tiny self-built home. Make sure you include house transportation in your plans and budget. The house does not have to be livable, just the basic shell with the external siding and roofing installed.
This can also make it easier to find a plot to buy or rent. Farmers, family members, and friends will be more comfortable renting or selling a piece of their land if they know what is going to go there. This method can save lots of time and money, and make moving into a tiny home easier.
Follow these tips to speed up your hunt for land. Try unconventional routes to find a patch of property for your tiny home. Harness the incredible power of the internet to find hints and tricks from experts. Most of all, have fun. Building a tiny home is an adventure.