debraran
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Posts posted by debraran
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I just watched the show with the couple from Indiana with 9 kids who move to Italy...what scenery! (which is partly why I watch) The rents seemed so cheap, 700 for a 4 bedroom piazza home? The language barrier and what the husband did for work was never mentioned but I was enamored by the beauty of the villages and the fact someone moved that many children across the ocean and were still sane....well maybe they weren't. lol
I was a little surprised they moved again to Ukraine. But then I read comments and realized they did leave out info on being missionaries, help with church etc. Well, it is TV.
Found this blog on couple... http://www.stillsmiling.net/blog--journal/how-did-your-family-of-eleven-end-up-filming-an-episode-of-house-hunters-international-in-italy
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Another home.....http://tinyhouselistings.com/listing/hinesville-ga-12-330-sq-ft-thow-3/#comment-24467
And on the THN Facebook page, you can win a vacation in it, so I'm confused but maybe they need the cash until it sells.
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If they weren't worried about "cuteness" or a certain demographic, I think showing a veteran or older couple who need affordable housing, maybe a small home with wheelchair access and 2 doors to get in and out of for safety for someone with special needs (zoning always an issue) OR, this is probably too boring, take some already tiny homes, cottages, small homes people live in already, 700 sq feet or so, and make them more livable, put in a murphy bed or other things to up the storage, a Zack creation, but that takes away from the "trailer" theme. With so few states allowing them though and so many "hiding" in back yards and rural areas, it can't keep going on just that....or Tiny House Listings will be full! ; )
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There are expenses with some tiny homes, many who do it with quality workmanship and make sure safety is uppermost on their minds, spend much more than expected. It's also not maintenance free, you still need to fix things, update exterior etc. It's just a smaller space. One couple that THN did a home for had so many leaks when they left, they had to do a floor area over and wall. One couple said they had to fix windows, put in something to make the rain not come in and rot the wood. Never thought of gutters or those type of things. One guy had to put something in the flooring to help with heat, another complained that small area got too warm, even with fans and she was concerned the air conditioner could be the only draw or it might overwhelm the circuits. So many things that superficially you just don't look at or care about on a show.
I laugh when couples say, It looks so big! and John usually says there isn't any furniture or appliances in it yet. But still, they go on. I heard they signed for another 26 shows...can't imagine how they will make them different yet.
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31 minutes ago, auntjess said:
I think of the people with children in these lofts.
The baby they were hoisingt up in the basket, will soon be old enough to crawl around and climb.
If they only only harmed themselves, I'd count it as a win for the gene pool, but there are others involved.Yes, that hoist was almost a joke, cute in a way but totally impracticable. I still enjoy watching THN but now look at it with different eyes so it loses some appeal it had. I find myself looking at the hazards instead of the counter tops. As a mom of 3, no way would I have a loft for them to climb...even bunks scared me too young.
I hope they show more foundation homes next season, they are more regulated and usually get zoning waivers. My coworker has a 700 sq foot home near a beach (but not close enough to get extra insurance) and she loves it. She's over 55, downsized over the last 2 years, and she and her cat enjoy their 2 bedroom, 1 floor home. Her electric and gas is very low and her taxes, but she still has because she wants these things, WiFi charges, phone and cable. A nice alternative to a senior community which she wanted to avoid.
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Many put railings in later, don't know why (they aren't that expensive) they don't do it while building. As far as fire extinguishers and the like, I say with Home Depot being a big sponsor, have them donate them or show them bought in the show. I read about gas and other heaters from tiny house builders and they said some of the tiny homes they see on TV are way too small to have them. And gas without very good ventilation is a tragedy waiting to happen. When one tiny home dweller told of an electrical fire starting from too many things plugged in the kitchen outlet, I wondered if that would have passed inspection. No shut off circuit breakers. Zack Giffin mentioned how many need air cleaner/circulation because of how well insulated some are, but it's not up to him, he wishes they had a show on just what to do and not to do.
I find it scary after plunking down 20-50,000, you can't insure them many times either....that would be a no-go for me, you could lose everything with a storm or fire.
This touches on it a little bit. http://www.treehugger.com/tiny-houses/think-about-safety-when-you-build-tiny-houses.html
I agree with some of the comments that if you built the house yourself and took risks, you shouldn't be able to sell it without disclosing safety hazards. You also shouldn't be close to someone that it could impact if it did catch fire, etc. Many people say it's their life, etc. but not always, other people can be there or visiting.
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47 minutes ago, auntjess said:
Someone on one of these boards said that the mobile ones would depreciate in value, as a vehicle would, rather than appreciate like real estate.
That's true, but it's also because banks don't fix a value on them, no mortgages mostly. Without land, value is diminished also. I think zoning laws are restrictive but I like the idea of a home being inspected and having some codes. I think it can save lives and others around you.
I suppose an inspector (if the builder didn't) would have told some families that they needed a smoke detector and fire extinguisher and maybe an air filter if closed up during winter months. I know some gas stoves caused air problems in some homes, frozen pipes (another issue addressed on inspections) wood that might warp or have termites. I've heard so many stories googling tiny home failures that might not have happened with trailers/RV's because they are regulated.
Of course that leads to more money and taxes but it's a trade-off.
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16 minutes ago, Kohola3 said:
It's just another fad and an opportunity for Fifteen Minutes of Fame on TV. I can't imagine that they is any resale value in those things. And as others have pointed out, if you want to be mobile, buy a nice motorhome with amenities that has been designed specifically to accommodate tiny living. How many of these yahoos actually move those things? Most either park them somewhere on a piece of land or in their parent's back yard. They are probably fine for a little vacation retreat or short term rentals. But I would pay big bucks to see some follow up shows that prove these folks are really living in those things long term.
It's all fake and will go the way of fads shortly.
I agree to a point. Some are real. I have "followed" or googled a few families that have had their tiny homes for a while. Most were foundation homes though, a couple were on wheels but not moving. The last couple on THN, really love their home, they designed it, plan on no children and travel. For them, it's fine. Since they designed it, are engineers, they aren't naive.
But, I would say more than half are selling in a year or so and from what friends who look at TH Listings tell me, they are for sale for a while, some more than a year. I cringe at some couples and can't really watch, it's so obvious they don't really want the home from the beginning, but the casting company thinks they will attract viewers more than a mature couple or older couple who are serious but not as silly.
I like to use the show for space saving ideas and it has helped me in an odd way to get rid of a lot of stuff I don't need or want. I've read books about it, been on organizing sites, but this show has put fear in my husband and his 200 tee shirts.....it has helped me get rid of things that meant nothing but made a home over 20 years. For that I am grateful ;)
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The couple on tonight's THN seemed a little overwhelmed when they revisited. They were so excited in the beginning but the cuteness does wear thin. I can't put my finger on it, but the wife seemed less enthusiastic at the end and I wont be surprised to see it for sale one day but I hope I'm wrong. It was a cute "car theme" home but small for 2 kids. She seemed very surly describing their life now.
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Some tiny homes are larger, this one is really small. To each his own although a weekend in one might be a good idea. So many find the dollhouse size too small. Some love it.
THN had a couple recently that built one for themselves and their backpacking gear and they love it. No plans for kids and they designed it. Others suddenly realize they can't escape each other or going to the laundromat isn't very much fun or not being able to stock up on things. I would miss buying things that were a steal on sale to stock up and to be honest, having space to not see my husband of kids and just be alone for an hour or so. A loft wouldn't cut it, you can hear and see too much. Nothing to do with caring, just needing some space. If I had to I could, but wouldn't be my first choice. I don't like huge homes, but this is too far to the other end.
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That is a big tutorial on composting. ; ) I still would rather have water and flush....just another thing to dispose of and worry about but in limited situations, I can see it work. Someone told me she'd rather have an outhouse than carry out waste every few days but that can get chilly and you have to keep moving the hole.
I saw one that "bagged" waste, reminded me of diaper genie, but that would fill up land fill a bit and again, it's another thing to dispose of.
THN is doing a 'tech show" next, I'd like to see what kind of toilet they have. : )
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I think Tina and Luke will, she's been pretty active on FB and they designed the house. Maybe not for many years, I but i think they actually will live in theirs. They are selling the design and from what she said on FB, not planning on children. They also added a lot of nice things later, a railing for the deck, a nice porch,some kitchen items and replaced Zack's door because it warped. They are hoping to turn it into a table.
The photographers home is for sale though (she's sick), the last one where the wife had so much makeup, etc. and the beach house is still for sale, and I'm sure many more will be in the future.
This article explains some of the drawbacks.
https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/nation/tiny-houses-the-tiny-house-dream-is-actually-a-nightmare
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I love the foundation homes, Tiny House Nation has been having more of them. They might not be as "cute" in some ways, but they last and zoning is cleared ahead of time. The last one, a Victorian, was very nice, they did one in Kansas for a large family, a gothic home for a family of 3 and a few others.
I would love a cottage as a vacation home but that wont happen, maybe a tiny home on vacation one day.
I hope THN is more discriminating with couples in the future, so many think it's a great idea and then realize, they miss the stuff they gave away or want more room, or they want a family.
I saw an episode of Tiny House Big Living(Tanner family) and a father actually made a houst for his upcoming baby to be carried into the loft so they wouldn't have to hold him on the ladder. My daughter was horrified, 'What if it wiggles out as it gets bigger or it breaks?" I just shook my head.
http://www.hgtv.com/design-blog/shows/9-things-you-never-thought-youd-see-in-a-tiny-home
third one down in pics
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10 hours ago, auntjess said:
As to zoning laws, I can't imagine that neighbors don't complain when a tiny house is parked in the backyard next door.
That would seem to violate lot-size restrictions, if you have 2 houses on one lot.Yes. some, especially in the South, when a family might own many acres or an orchard (as in one show) you can try to live there quietly, but how do you hook up for electricity or water without either stealing it somehow or going off grid? That might not be an issue for some but not for me. Also, when you do your taxes, do you own something or just not mention your property. I'm just too honest to fudge things.
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Good suggestions by all. I think what trips a lot of people up is zoning laws also. Many homes are sold or abandoned because no one will let them park there. I was surprised that one couple who wanted to travel,had issues with RV parks because they have RV restrictions the home didn't have. So never "assume" anything.
Things I've heard from some tiny home dwellers, really think about storage for year round, especially if in a 4 season area, winter things take up more room, tools, cleaning items. Make sure it's safe and insulated well, especially underneath and Zack on THN, has been mentioning "bad air" in tiny homes, being so sealed up, you need to circulate the air to keep it fresh and smells from lingering. (he used a clean air machine but even ceiling fan would help)
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9 hours ago, msani19 said:
I know there eventually was a House Hunters drinking game based on all the idiotic things that the participants would end up saying (man cave, entertaining, space, granite, hardwood, stainless, etc). After watching these shows, and I'll admit probably too many, I think there could easily be a Tiny House drinking game as well. I'm just a fan of adding fun drinking games to my TV viewing.
I think you could die of alcohol poisoning if you drank every time "natural light" (do most homes have no windows?), "it seems so much bigger than I thought" or "rustic feel" was used.
The person who does the script needs some new adjectives. ; )
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I've seen shows/blogs where a home or bus or RV was transformed so the table and chairs with about 4 different moves, transformed into a bed. In most updates, the couple just kept the bed and used a tray or folding table for eating. Those things are not very useful for daily living, maybe as a spare for a guest.
I know I still have too much clutter, but I couldn't keep cleaning off my tables for them to be a bed or vice versa. I also can't see it being very comfortable.
Zack has done some creative things with desks and pulling out blocks out of the wall that transform into chairs and tables, but how many people realistically will keep doing that? I wasn't surprised when a desk built into stair that had to be moved or workstation that had to be created with too many steps was abandoned. You can only do so much with a small space, not faulting Zack on being creative, but most of us want ease of use and a novel idea can become tiring in the long haul. Some of the demands of such a tiny space would take a magician! I do like folding tables and storage in stairs or floors, taking advantage of areas usually ignored. I wish larger homes had these things incorporated in them, 1100 sq feet might not be tiny, but could benefit from using space better.
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I agree with a lot of that. 90 minutes is a MOVIE not I a tiny house show. I noticed a lot more sponsors they are pushing, maybe they promised them more air time. I love the foundation homes and the fact they are more widely received but if I see another home for sale right after, it's kind of a joke. And unless they don't take the ad down quickly, most are still for sale, so the THN angle doesn't seem to be a huge pull.
If you watch a lot, the "windows give so much natural light", "the bathroom can fit 2!" does get a bit old but I still like the storage ideas. I really hope they go back to 60 minutes though, I find myself falling asleep at times and FF the next day on demand. ; )
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I agree, that would be too "rustic" for me, especially with kids. I think some couples don't mention it, but they do only live there part time. A lot of tiny homes get on airbnb to rent also. (even some from tiny house nation)
I was watching a show where the couple built a tiny home mostly on their own for 5500 and wanted to take it from Denver to skiing destinations. My daughter who is 24 and looking for work always marvels how many people say they are going across the country to see sites, ski, do a travel log, etc. and no one mentions money or jobs. (that is tv magic)
I assume they have savings or trust funds because gas alone pulling a home, has to be expensive.
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I was reading, at least on TH Hunting, how hard it is to find real properties and one woman wrote on her whole experience, the "pretend friend" or real friend who doesn't have to help, the rental properties or properties not really for sale. I didn't think the rental agent was fake too, but I guess they can be. Is anything real?
The same article said the International shows are more accurate in properties but probably not near 75% With them, it's just a way to see what it's like to live in an apartment in Paris or Dublin or Australia.
The article I read was so descriptive of the whole process, I doubt the show liked the publicity but this from Huffington Post just touched on a little of it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/15/hgtv-house-hunters-fake_n_1600522.html
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/house-hunters-show-fake-16575500
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I can't remember country but it was a cute cottage . (Ireland?) That happens when you binge watch ?
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I don't understand why another home is for sale before it shows on TV. Why do they build them if just to flip it?
http://tinyhouselistings.com/listing/afton-tn-12-country-meets-city-tiny-house-on-wheels/
I think they should be more discerning but maybe there aren't enough people to pick from, although on THN Facebook page, so many seem to want one to actually live in, retire, etc. It doesn't really matter to me, not my home, but if the show isn't just "reality" and wants to make tiny homes a viable option for some, don't show so many who really don't want them.
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I posted about this elsewhere but why are homes going for sale BEFORE they move in and it is on TV?
I know the beach house had to wait until showing...this is crazy. I know one person on FB said her show was coming up in June but she seemed like she was living in hers, this one, I don't know.
http://tinyhouselistings.com/listing/afton-tn-12-country-meets-city-tiny-house-on-wheels/
Tiny House Nation - General Discussion
in Tiny House Nation
Yes, it said "new" I guess because they added new content, but I laughed because some of them are not even in the homes anymore. The couple with the roof deck have had theirs for sale for almost a year.
Next week, is a family with kids and she's pregnant (really) but the house does look bigger, at least the lofts, but scary. You hear the wife say she has no concerns as the toddler is climbing into the loft....none? Will be interesting.