Tiny House Hunters - General Discussion

[debraran]

Yes, the bucket/grey water is not a pleasant thought, but to each his own. I still find it fascinating that people have money to spend on a home and not have a place for it.  The ones with lots of land on parents or friends property is fine, but I always feel it is also a way of having the best of both worlds...going crazy, go to Mom's for a day or two. ; )

 

This is the beach home for sale now, but they never really stayed in it or for very long.

http://tinyhouselistings.com/listing/goleta-ca-santa-barbara-12-tiny-beachnature-house/

[Notmuchofacook]

OMG. These people. Four kids, the oldest a teen age girl, and they're discouraged about the dining table. These are TINY HOMES, people. They don't have much storage or privacy or dining. For crissake, buy a freaking house.

[psychoticstate]

On 4/26/2016 at 8:22 PM, Notmuchofacook said:

OMG. These people. Four kids, the oldest a teen age girl, and they're discouraged about the dining table. These are TINY HOMES, people. They don't have much storage or privacy or dining. For crissake, buy a freaking house.

Agreed.  And they are a military family so why don't they go into housing?  At least get on the wait list.  

The RV was all fine and good for a temporary solution but the teenage daughter couldn't even sit straight up in that loft-ish space.  And one bathroom for six people?  No, thank you. 

[SmithW6079]

On 4/26/2016 at 11:22 PM, Notmuchofacook said:

OMG. These people. Four kids, the oldest a teen age girl, and they're discouraged about the dining table. These are TINY HOMES, people. They don't have much storage or privacy or dining. For crissake, buy a freaking house.

2 minutes ago, psychoticstate said:

Agreed.  And they are a military family so why don't they go into housing?  At least get on the wait list.  

The RV was all fine and good for a temporary solution but the teenage daughter couldn't even sit straight up in that loft-ish space.  And one bathroom for six people?  No, thank you. 

I didn't understand that either. Did they actually say he was in the Navy, or did he just work for the Navy? At one point, the narrator says the family moved to California for his job. I would think that if he was stationed there, they'd say he got an new assignment. I'm pretty sure that's what they've done with other military personnel. Then again, isn't real estate in Monterey sky high? Maybe they couldn't afford a traditional house off-base. 

I felt bad for the daughter at the end; she was all hunched over trying to read. No wonder the boys wouldn't go into her space -- they couldn't fit.

And I didn't get the mom saying the boys had too much stuff to shove into their "room." Uh, wasn't the point of living tiny to have less stuff?

The thing I don't get about the tiny houses is the whole moving them. The first house, which is the one I liked the most, had washer/dryer hook-ups, which would mean having to be somewhere with water and sewage access. I just can't see disconnecting everything, making sure it's all secure, and then having a tractor-trailer move your house. 

[StatisticalOutlier]

Is this where we talk about Tiny House, Big Living?  Because speaking of composting toilets, we have what I believe is a first--a woman who was using a camp-style composting toilet (a bucket in a wood box, instead of one that runs on electricity and circulates air) as the permanent fixture in her tiny house, and who said out loud that she had trained her body not to "poop" first thing in the morning so she can wait until she gets to work.

She also had a horse trough as a bathtub, yet no mention of a source of hot water, and no 6- or 10-gallon RV water heater is going to go far in that thing.

[topanga]

19 hours ago, SmithW6079 said:

I didn't understand that either. Did they actually say he was in the Navy, or did he just work for the Navy? At one point, the narrator says the family moved to California for his job. I would think that if he was stationed there, they'd say he got an new assignment. I'm pretty sure that's what they've done with other military personnel. Then again, isn't real estate in Monterey sky high? Maybe they couldn't afford a traditional house off-base. 

I felt bad for the daughter at the end; she was all hunched over trying to read. No wonder the boys wouldn't go into her space -- they couldn't fit.

And I didn't get the mom saying the boys had too much stuff to shove into their "room." Uh, wasn't the point of living tiny to have less stuff?

The thing I don't get about the tiny houses is the whole moving them. The first house, which is the one I liked the most, had washer/dryer hook-ups, which would mean having to be somewhere with water and sewage access. I just can't see disconnecting everything, making sure it's all secure, and then having a tractor-trailer move your house. 

All of this. I actually liked the family and the episode, but the mom drove me crazy. "This is too much house" -- to the first house, which was also my favorite. Your daughter is almost a friggin' teenager, lady. 

The daughter seemed to be on board with tiny living, although I wonder if that will change in a few years. She might end up living with the friends they uwere crashing with before they bought the RV—excuse me, the Fifth Wheel. 

And I loved that the parents were looking for creative ways to camouflage their "couple time."   In the homes with the W/D hookups, they said they’d run a load of laundry whenever they wanted alone time. I can just see the kids: “Mom and dad are going into their bedroom to ‘Do Laundry.’” (with air quotes). What they say they’re going to do now? Run the A/C? I hope that works. 

[aguabella]

Wow, that family certainly extended their 15 minutes by snarking about doing it, eh?  (!!!)  Incidentally, I posted upthread that, since 2013, their published address consists of a rental home a few blocks from Monterey's only military facility.  Sounds like base housing, to me.

Because it's a home address, I didn't link to it but mentioned that it's easy to locate b/c the wife runs her doula practice from home.  They probably recreated their 2013, summer, cross-country move in a rented trailer in order to have fun appearing on THH with their kids.

[Mu Shu]

10 hours ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

Is this where we talk about Tiny House, Big Living?  Because speaking of composting toilets, we have what I believe is a first--a woman who was using a camp-style composting toilet (a bucket in a wood box, instead of one that runs on electricity and circulates air) as the permanent fixture in her tiny house, and who said out loud that she had trained her body not to "poop" first thing in the morning so she can wait until she gets to work.

She also had a horse trough as a bathtub, yet no mention of a source of hot water, and no 6- or 10-gallon RV water heater is going to go far in that thing.

Oh god.  Work poopers are the bane of my existence.   Maybe my co workers are tiny housers with bucket toilets and that's why they funk up all the bathrooms every morning just as they get in?

I just could not live long term with out a flush toilet   It's what separates us from the animals!

the tiny houses I've seen on YouTube either have a very small water heater in the closet, or the on demand deal   That I could deal with, being a short and lukewarm shower taker.   

[debraran]

Hardly anyone runs the water in the TH shows, but one time, a woman did and the flow was pretty weak, another show, the shower was pretty strong, but then I wondered, for how long and was it cold? One recently said she had flush toilet but had to have it emptied at least twice a month? Must have been a small tank.

In an interview last year, one early TH dweller said they had to conserve water (which isn't bad) but you certainly couldn't be using the dishwasher, shower and sink, but those things aren't discussed. It's the same with electricity. One naive couple thought they could plug in clock and counter appliances on same outlet plugs. They had a fire, just lots of smoke before it damaged more but in a tiny home, that is scary. I have an old home but circuit breakers will shut off power before that happens, it's the little things you have to ask other TH dwellers before diving in. I wonder when some couples insist on getting "normal" size appliances and replacing the apartment or mini appliances, if there is a reason beyond money, the home doesn't have them.

Edited April 29, 2016 by debraran

[Diane M]

On 3/15/2016 at 5:29 AM, Jeeves said:

Dreaming of living near a mountain resort, Kristen and Joe are searching for a place in the Denver, Colorado area. With a budget of $150,000 they are looking for a tiny home close to skiing and hiking. They are ready to downsize to live in this very popular area. But will they be able to sacrifice some modern conveniences for the location of their dreams?

Binge watching today, I saw this episode, and I think it was phony and probably going to be used on weekends, not as their only home.  It was located too far from their jobs in Denver.

 That 'bedroom' had a bed that was squeezed between the walls and would be hell to change bedding.  There was really a horrid excuse for a kitchen with no stove.  Who is going to cook their meals on a two-burner hot plate?  The place looked to me like a motel complex with tiny eating area.  

Edited May 1, 2016 by Diane M

[Kohola3]

The thing that always makes me roll my eyes are the neatly made beds in those head banging lofts.  I would pay someone to do a video of one of the owners putting on the sheets and making it up.  You have to crawl across the mattress from corner to corner, dragging the sheets and blankets whilst trying not to weigh them down with a knee or elbow.  It's a gymnastic feat and I bet dollars to donuts those beds don't get made every day.

[debraran]

44 minutes ago, Kohola3 said:

The thing that always makes me roll my eyes are the neatly made beds in those head banging lofts.  I would pay someone to do a video of one of the owners putting on the sheets and making it up.  You have to crawl across the mattress from corner to corner, dragging the sheets and blankets whilst trying not to weigh them down with a knee or elbow.  It's a gymnastic feat and I bet dollars to donuts those beds don't get made every day.

I agree, and many have said, the bed doesn't get made often, especially the ones that have to pull it out of a drawer like contraption, you have to take everything off of it and sometimes, why bother, if no one is coming over. ; )

You tube has some "tiny house nation first 24 hour" videos, they show how the place looks when they really move in. What I find hard to remember is, that when they go in the first time, that isn't mostly their stuff, that comes later.  One home had boxes of stuff, was much more realistic.

[NYGirl]

I watched a bunch yesterday and all I could do is shake my head, especially at the bathrooms...ugh.  One had a bowl just sitting outside with the shower outside too.  I can't believe it.

Another one had a girl (the one with the horse farm) that had me muting the TV due to vocal fry.

I liked the bass player best.  He was just so nonchalant.

I still say they are crazy.

[debraran]

I like the tiny homes on foundations that have a lot of built in perks. Most small homes, cottages or "starter homes" as they used to call them when I was younger, are just small rooms with small closets. Some of these revamped homes or ones like Zack does on THN, have built in drawers in stairs, floors, ceilings and even outside. That would cost quite a bit of money to do yourself but if someone already did it, it might make a smaller home, seem larger.

I could never be "off the grid" or have just a composting toilet 2 burners for a stove, but if that makes someone happy, all power to them.

My pet peeve is when the writers have them all sound so dumb and say things in these programs like "But it's so small" or "This is the bathroom??" (most are larger than mine) Or "I want a big tub and vanity in 200 sq feet "  I want to think that is scripted .....it's less irritating. If not, the producer should revamp it or they might lose viewers.

Edited May 1, 2016 by debraran

[Diane M]

That bass player passed up on the beautiful wooden house with the bedroom on the main floor, the full kitchen, lovely bath and huge deck for the yellow rectangle.  Crazy!

[NYGirl]

16 hours ago, Diane M said:

That bass player passed up on the beautiful wooden house with the bedroom on the main floor, the full kitchen, lovely bath and huge deck for the yellow rectangle.  Crazy!

And the reason he used was it wasn't his style.  I thought he was crazy too.  That house was beautiful for a tiny house.

[StatisticalOutlier]

On 5/1/2016 at 7:38 AM, Kohola3 said:

The thing that always makes me roll my eyes are the neatly made beds in those head banging lofts.  I would pay someone to do a video of one of the owners putting on the sheets and making it up.  You have to crawl across the mattress from corner to corner, dragging the sheets and blankets whilst trying not to weigh them down with a knee or elbow.  It's a gymnastic feat and I bet dollars to donuts those beds don't get made every day.

Every day?  I I'd bet they never get made. 

I noticed a few years ago, when watching reality shows like The Real World, that kids these days don't seem to value a neatly made bed.  So many of them just have some bedclothes thrown on there, and more often than not there wasn't even a bottom sheet.  I couldn't stand to live like that, but maybe these young TH people are of that ilk.

On my bed in my RV, if I have the slide-out retracted, one side of the bed is against that wall.  I've changed the the sheets like that exactly ONE time and it was a nightmare, and I have a regular-height ceiling to work with and I could stand on the floor at the foot and on the other side of the bed.

It's the weighing down the sheets with a knee or elbow that really gets you, and again, I had clearance to be on my hands and knees.  I can't imagine doing it if even that's not an option.

[debraran]

I also don't think making the bed is that important today either, especially with so many working couples and early commutes, etc. On one of the "first 24 hours" for Tiny House that I saw on you tube, one guy was saying making the bed (he had a roll out) was stressful since having it sticking out, meant walking on it. Nice idea, but depends on your personality and patience.

I have also seen some very low lofts that make me wonder how there isn't more accidents...ouch. TH has shown some you could stand up in and that seems more workable for sudden awakenings or having to get out quickly. I'm a little claustrophobic so cozy to some is stifling to me.

I think next week, THN  The "music house" Zack does has tall ceilings in loft. They have children so it will be interesting.

My daughter has been using airbnb traveling, I found this for tiny homes to stay in for vacation

Might be a reasonable fee for some and a way to see how it feels for a short time. (no composting please!) I wonder if many THN homes end up there sooner or later. I know Tiny House Hunting uses rentals on occasion when they can't find real homes to show.

This was on THN last year:  https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3903669

Edited May 3, 2016 by debraran

[Kohola3]

Quote

I also don't think making the bed is that important today either, especially with so many working couples and early commutes, etc. 

I'm sure a lot of people don't make their beds every day. But you DO have to put sheets and blankets on and launder them which means remaking it (for most people) weekly.  I can only imagine the head injuries involved in some of those low-ceiling places.

[proserpina65]

Quote

This was on THN last year:  https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3903669

Their definition of couch is somewhat different from mine.  That said, this would be a cute place for a vacation.  Would not want to live there long term, though.

[debraran]

Yes,  seems like a nice getaway but not long term. Some tiny houses lend themselves for renting well, others don't. I've seen others like the Rocky Mountain one from THN for rent, (no internet) but the nicest seem to be abroad in UK and other countries. Very unique shapes and locations and some are cheaper than a hotel.

[SmithW6079]

I saw the one with the college students Emily and Joel, who were anxious for some independence so they were buying a tiny house. Sweeties, if you're squatting in your mommy's backyard, using her electric, her water,  her WiFi, you're not "independent."

Someone should teach Emily what "Victorian" style means. 

And you just know her dad, who accompanied them on their house hunt, had to be wondering what kind of moron his daughter was engaged to.

[StatisticalOutlier]

21 hours ago, proserpina65 said:

Their definition of couch is somewhat different from mine. 

To say the least!  In fairness, the ad does say, "This is house is best for those that plan on being outside!"  Which could/should be said about most of these tiny houses.

 

16 hours ago, SmithW6079 said:

I saw the one with the college students Emily and Joel, who were anxious for some independence so they were buying a tiny house. Sweeties, if you're squatting in your mommy's backyard, using her electric, her water,  her WiFi, you're not "independent."

That's what drives me the most crazy about these TH people.  They really believe it.

[OpieTaylor]

Watched a Tiny House, Big Living episode tonight, called "Bridget Culp and Billy Lee's Tiny Thrifty Ski Cabin." This 20-something couple had a $5,000 budget to build a tiny house trailer that they were going to pull from Colorado to Oregon during the winter, so they could ski their way back to Oregon. I think they said it took about 7 weeks to build and it didn't seem that they had jobs to go to in Denver. Maybe they were building it on weekends. And it sounded like they were going to spend the winter skiing. Who are these people that don't need an income?  I was also wondering what ski area is going to let someone park their tiny house in the parking lot?  The set-up for most of these tiny house stories are so crazy.  For this couple, why not buy an old camper or trailer?  They never said they were going to live in their tiny house once they got to Oregon; it sounded like the whole point of it was for their ski trip home.  

[WendyCR72]

These tiny house episodes drive me nucking futs! It's like trying to take a child's dollhouse and actually live in it. No. Just...hell no.

[biakbiak]

1 hour ago, WendyCR72 said:

These tiny house episodes drive me nucking futs! It's like trying to take a child's dollhouse and actually live in it. No. Just...hell no.

Like the Queen of Versailles maid!

[proserpina65]

Just saw a Tiny House episode (not a new one, I don't think) where the couple was planning on moving four cats who don't get along into their plus-sized garden shed.  Admittedly I would never want to live in a house that small, but I certainly wouldn't want to share it with four cats who fight.  I live in a small-ish townhouse and once had a cat who was a bully and another one who was scared to death of the first; I had to keep them in separate rooms and rotate who got the run of the house on a 12 hour basis.  (My third cat, who as the original resident was queen of all she surveyed, got stuck being shut in with one or the other even though she stayed above the fray.)  I can't imagine what it must be like with twice the number of aggressive cats in 1/10th the space.  Those people are freaking insane.

[Kohola3]

Let's put aside the dreamy youngsters who won't stick things out in a tiny house for a millisecond before the trend is over or they buy that extra pair of shoes that tips them over the edge with no more space.  One of my Angel groups has a realistic and hopeful use for them.  Click here for more info.

[psychoticstate]

On 5/10/2016 at 11:52 AM, proserpina65 said:

Just saw a Tiny House episode (not a new one, I don't think) where the couple was planning on moving four cats who don't get along into their plus-sized garden shed.  Admittedly I would never want to live in a house that small, but I certainly wouldn't want to share it with four cats who fight.  I live in a small-ish townhouse and once had a cat who was a bully and another one who was scared to death of the first; I had to keep them in separate rooms and rotate who got the run of the house on a 12 hour basis.  (My third cat, who as the original resident was queen of all she surveyed, got stuck being shut in with one or the other even though she stayed above the fray.)  I can't imagine what it must be like with twice the number of aggressive cats in 1/10th the space.  Those people are freaking insane.

I'd love to see Jackson Galaxy get called in to fix that shit. 

[dga28]

these people have to be mentally ill.   i can understand being in a financial bind and being limited to how much you can spend or wanting something small enough to be mobile....but those who seem to want to intentionally shoehorn an entire family of 5 along with pets into a 200 sq/ft or less space should be brought up on cruelty charges....lol

then most of them complain about how small the space is or seem severely uncomfortable...

Edited May 15, 2016 by dga28

[debraran]

Maybe it's the "dollhouse" syndrome or just wanting something they can call their own instead of apartment.

I have noticed John Weisbarth mentioning in interviews that some couples don't really know what they are getting into but I'm sure they are stubborn and think it will work. Some are immature and don't look into where they can park their house or assume they can do things, some have an idea of living in it and flipping it later while tiny homes are "hot" . And to be fair, it does work for many single and small families or couples if not too small. Not everyone needs a lot of space but the reality part of the show, the "lets to this for ratings" part, might have them pick less than desirable people to show at times. Some couples on all the shows had me just want to turn it off. How that effects the show long term, time will tell.

[NYGirl]

I am watching Tiny House Big Living this morning.  This one shows the people actually designing and building their tiny homes.  At least we are seeing different types of tiny homes and they seem more spacious.  Well spacious to these people.  One even put a clawfoot tub in her bathroom.

This show didn't change my opinion of them though.  They are all still crazy.

[dga28]

this chick Chrissy with the earth friendly tiny house.....what a user.  she talked about being independent but kept using and taking advantage of her friends.  the poor carpenter friend was frustrated at her constantly changing her plans and him having him redoing his work due to her bargain finds, which he didn't charge her for...while she was building the house in his front yard....and at the end, she planted her house in Vermont on another friends property..

i have to stop watching this show.  it raises my blood pressure...lol

Edited May 16, 2016 by dga28

[DG411]

They keep trying to get us used to living in smaller and smaller places until we are all crammed into 2x2 cubes and can be plugged into the matrix. This trend has been driving me so crazy I ended up doing a stand-up bit about it at the Comedy Works in Denver.

Tiny House Hunters Stand-Up  
***Some adult language***
 

[debraran]

Funny...: )  I wish the piece was longer.

The "hunters" shows I watch less than THN. At least they have foundation builds, a couple of those coming up.

I watch young couples buy trailers for 40-50,000 with everything tiny, composting toilet and then it's for sale a year later. Wonder why? I just watched Tiny Home Big Living for the first time, a cute couple who are having a baby, built a tiny house trailer and had a "fitness theme" climbing wall outside, rope climb etc and one bedroom loft. Where is the kid going? Where will a crib go or high chair? I was dumbfounded.

I admit, some foundation homes and some tiny homes, I find cute and workable for certain people but so many, I just shake my head.

[Grneyedldy]

12 hours ago, DG411 said:

They keep trying to get us used to living in smaller and smaller places until we are all crammed into 2x2 cubes and can be plugged into the matrix. This trend has been driving me so crazy I ended up doing a stand-up bit about it at the Comedy Works in Denver.

Tiny House Hunters Stand-Up  
***Some adult language***
 

Very funny!

[Kohola3]

And in the immortal words of Dr. Johnny Fever:  "God must hate trailer parks, because He always sends tornadoes there first!"

Heads up, tiny house people.

[lallalla]

13 minutes ago, Kohola3 said:

And in the immortal words of Dr. Johnny Fever:  "God must hate trailer parks, because He always sends tornadoes there first!"

Heads up, tiny house people.

This is the best! And I spent my first few years growing up in a doublewide (though not in a trailer park, on a huge parcel of land).

[lallalla]

14 hours ago, DG411 said:

They keep trying to get us used to living in smaller and smaller places until we are all crammed into 2x2 cubes and can be plugged into the matrix. This trend has been driving me so crazy I ended up doing a stand-up bit about it at the Comedy Works in Denver.

Tiny House Hunters Stand-Up  
***Some adult language***
 

"S----ing in their kitchen"

"Elmer's glue...f'd up Japanese game show."

"For some reason there's a real estate agent involved in this transaction."

LMAO

"We took a home and put it on a trailer..." (like it's a new trend)

LMAO 

HILARIOUS!

I go back to what others have said, "fresh serving of cholera, anyone? Dysentery? OMG, let's be novel and copy other countries who live small..." Um, yeah, but not the same way people, not the same way.  Had these people ever watched a YouTube piece on small abodes/minimalist living in other countries, or by god, even a Google search, they'd see these houses are NICE and not limited in what they provide, at all. It's not about echoing back to Laura Ingalls Wilder days.

[DG411]

10 hours ago, debraran said:

Funny...: )  I wish the piece was longer.

The "hunters" shows I watch less than THN. At least they have foundation builds, a couple of those coming up.

I watch young couples buy trailers for 40-50,000 with everything tiny, composting toilet and then it's for sale a year later. Wonder why? I just watched Tiny Home Big Living for the first time, a cute couple who are having a baby, built a tiny house trailer and had a "fitness theme" climbing wall outside, rope climb etc and one bedroom loft. Where is the kid going? Where will a crib go or high chair? I was dumbfounded.

I admit, some foundation homes and some tiny homes, I find cute and workable for certain people but so many, I just shake my head.

Thanks.  The full piece is about a 1.5 minutes longer and has a regular house hunter chunk and a closer to the Tiny House hunters part.  They just cut it for short attention spans.  I may post the full bit in the future and if I do I will let you know.

41 minutes ago, lallalla said:

"S----ing in their kitchen"

"Elmer's glue...f'd up Japanese game show."

"For some reason there's a real estate agent involved in this transaction."

LMAO

"We took a home and put it on a trailer..." (like it's a new trend)

LMAO 

HILARIOUS!

I go back to what others have said, "fresh serving of cholera, anyone? Dysentery? OMG, let's be novel and copy other countries who live small..." Um, yeah, but not the same way people, not the same way.  Had these people ever watched a YouTube piece on small abodes/minimalist living in other countries, or by god, even a Google search, they'd see these houses are NICE and not limited in what they provide, at all. It's not about echoing back to Laura Ingalls Wilder days.

Glad you liked it!

[DG411]

3 hours ago, Grneyedldy said:

Very funny!

Thanks!

Tiny House Hunters Stand-Up
 

[lallalla]

I think the incredulity here comes from people not realizing there is such a thing as too much downsizing to where it's impractical, for a single person, let alone a married couple or family, I mean, living "simplistically" has its limits; and the amount of money people are willing to spend to "save" when it's quite clear such living conditions just aren't sustainable for most people, including these participants, long-term. So in the end, it's a waste of money because good luck finding someone who will value your tiny home the same way you did.  There's some ridiculous romanticism by lots of these people about "tiny house living", but I seriously think they fail to consider MULTIPLE long-term scenarios, such as, just tiring of it down to having to pay extra every month for a rental space for all you can't keep there..which totally defeats the purpose of downsizing.

I won't even get into obvious sanitary issues, and I don't mean crazy ones like some of the "regular" (ahem..basketcase but searching for a normal sized house) people go into with their neurotic tendencies, I mean legitimate concerns.  

[debraran]

I found an interview where John and Zack said tiny homes are not for everyone, they are not to be decided just living in one for  a weekend, you really need to know yourself and your spouse. (if alone it's easier) Not having real personal space is a scary thing, so many times, I retreat to my bedroom to be alone to read or watch TV, a loft wouldn't cut it and I'd still see everyone and hear everyone. That is a biggie he alluded too in why many fail. If you lived in one room prior, fine, but it's stressful to be confined in close quarters daily.

Composting with vomiting diarreah, other issues, just makes me cringe, but other people might not care.

Safety is another, one girl said her home was stolen, someone took it. Maybe it was rural and they had a trailer but I was shocked. Another person said they are easy to break into, she had it happen twice. Another tiny home dweller brought up fire safety, one large room, one door...if up in a loft, fire happens (they had kitchen fire from wires) where do you go? Another said to ask how much water you will have (if off grid) to fill and heat the tub you insisted on.  So many questions, that might seem dumb to some, but become big things later.

I do think they are fine for singles or older people if safe and well made but families, I'm skeptical. A victorian cottage ,700 square feet maybe, as a second home somewhere, (in my dreams) would be nice. : ) But I will stay in my old colonial and use the show to help me de-clutter. It does help me see some things really aren't needed.

Edited May 20, 2016 by debraran

[SoCalAgain]

I have a lot of opinions as to the insanity of living in a tiny home full time.  I won't go into them-- and they are numerous- but it's the fire thing that scares me the most.  Only one egress point when you may have multiple people sleeping in lofts, with maybe only a ladder, or better yet, a ridiculous climbing wall.  i can't imagine many of these tiny homes are permitted, which makes me also wonder about transfer of ownership.

[psychoticstate]

On 5/20/2016 at 2:46 AM, debraran said:

Funny...: )  I wish the piece was longer.

The "hunters" shows I watch less than THN. At least they have foundation builds, a couple of those coming up.

I watch young couples buy trailers for 40-50,000 with everything tiny, composting toilet and then it's for sale a year later. Wonder why? I just watched Tiny Home Big Living for the first time, a cute couple who are having a baby, built a tiny house trailer and had a "fitness theme" climbing wall outside, rope climb etc and one bedroom loft. Where is the kid going? Where will a crib go or high chair? I was dumbfounded.

I admit, some foundation homes and some tiny homes, I find cute and workable for certain people but so many, I just shake my head.

EXACTLY.  I saw that episode too and was equally confused as to how this was going to work with a newborn.  They aren't going to cart a baby to and from that loft so is she going to sleep on the convertible dining table?  There is certainly no room for a crib or playpen so where will the baby sleep?  And just wait until they are trying to do other things - - super quietly -- while the baby is napping.  Yeah, good luck with that.

[debraran]

39 minutes ago, psychoticstate said:

EXACTLY.  I saw that episode too and was equally confused as to how this was going to work with a newborn.  They aren't going to cart a baby to and from that loft so is she going to sleep on the convertible dining table?  There is certainly no room for a crib or playpen so where will the baby sleep?  And just waitlo until they are trying to do other things - - super quietly -- while the baby is napping.  Yeah, good luck with that.

Lol, maybe it's better, they don't do anything else, 2 babies is crazy!

Another show had a couple building a tiny house with a small closet size room for the baby but it was across the home, the parents were in the loft, I'm sure for a while so would the baby but so unsafe and later maybe crawling about with them asleep upstairs. As a mom I was so distracted by the layout and what I knew could happen, I had to remind myself, it was a show and maybe if they were that crazy, someone will give them advice.

In contrast to that show, on a THH with an older couple retiring to Cape Cod, I liked the homes shown.They were shown 3 homes, don't know if they all really were for sale, but they were reasonable for 2 people. 400 sq feet or 500 cottage-like, 2 places to sleep, small yard. That tiny to me is workable, expensive being Cape Cod, but reasonable to live in. The converted school house had a certain charm.

Edited May 24, 2016 by debraran

[movingtargetgal]

I loved the converted school house and am glad the couple chose it.  The house was charming and under budget.  They also have plenty of room to expand if they feel the need.

[debraran]

5 hours ago, movingtargetgal said:

I loved the converted school house and am glad the couple chose it.  The house was charming and under budget.  They also have plenty of room to expand if they feel the need.

I saw a crawl space/cellar door on the outside too, so some storage maybe for outside things or plenty of room for a shed. If I had the money, which I don't, a second home there would be heavenly. ; )  I think the "I have to change everything" was played up for people watching but they seemed like a normal couple, I wish more were like that. (but I'm probably not the audience they are targeting) I also saw the real ad for house from 2014 so that one really was for sale, I read many aren't, they just can't find enough sometimes to fill all the episodes.

Edited May 25, 2016 by debraran

[Tony]

On 5/20/2016 at 6:16 PM, debraran said:

...fire safety, one large room, one door...if up in a loft, fire happens (they had kitchen fire from wires) where do you go?

This!

The thought of living in a box with only one door to exit and windows which may or may not open scares the crap out of me.

[auntjess]

Proponents talk about getting cities to allow tiny houses, but I bet they don't want to conform to code.
You'd have to have stairs with proper rises, and bannisters, and you couldn't have an open loft, but you'd need railings, I think, 42" high.
(I think that's Ontario code, which is where many of the DIY shows are.)
And uh, don't you have to have a septic tank or something to dump your composting toilet in.  Surely it doesn't just go onto the garden.