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More and more people are turning to tiny homes as an alternative. Yet, the tiny house movement is not new. In fact, its roots date all the way back to 1845. In fact, Henry David Thoreau enjoyed spending over two years in a tiny cabin on Walden Pond. He had a revelation that helped plant the early seed for the tiny home movement. 

Thoreau believed: “A man is as rich as his ability to live without things. 

What are your thoughts? 

Now, 200 years later, the tiny home movement is alive and well. 

It’s not only for nature enthusiasts or minimalists any more.   The tiny home movement  is capturing the hearts and minds of all types of groups today. 

In 2019,  there were roughly 10,000 tiny homes in the U.S. That number has exploded in the last 2 years. 

What exactly is a tiny home, though? 

Before you jump on the tiny home bandwagon, you may want to first gain some clarity on what the term tiny home means.  According to a report in the International Residential Code, from 2018,  a tiny home is one that has a maximum floor area of 400 square feet, not including lofts.

Now, in recent years, tiny homes have gotten bigger and bigger. 

There are now tiny homes as large as 600-900 square feet and are very luxurious. You might enjoy a tiny home because it allows you to downsize. For others, a tiny home in Arizona means a return to a simpler way of living.  

One of the biggest reasons to get a tiny home in Arizona is it’s more affordable than a standard home and land sale. 

You can explore more reasons to get a tiny home in Arizona in the coming sections.  And some of the benefits and reasons to get a tiny home may surprise you. And let’s face it, regardless of the idea of getting a tiny home, if you’ve never had one before, it can be a bit scary. 

Downsizing from a standard size home to a tiny home may seem like a big step for you. Yet, if you use the guide below, you’ll have clarity, confidence, and direction on what to look for in a tiny home.  And, you’ll know where you can find tiny homes for sale in Arizona. 

Types of Tiny Homes in Arizona 

There are a lot of misconceptions about tiny homes.  In the old days, tiny homes had limitations in their design, shape, and floorplan. Today, you’ll find tiny homes that come in all types of sizes, shapes, floorplans, and designs. Most of today’s tiny homes come with luxurious technology and storage features. 

  • Some tiny homes feature lofts. Others boast decks. Some are on wheels. Yet others have a foundation. 
  • Some have luxurious features with high end kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and more. 

The bottom line is, there are a variety of tiny homes you can own in Arizona . . . And if you cannot find the home of your dreams, you can have one built. 

That said, to get a better idea of your wants and needs in a tiny home, consider your options.

Tiny Homes on Wheels for Sale in Arizona

One of the most popular types of tiny home styles is the tiny home on wheels.  Many people who get a tiny home want the freedom from stuff.  A tiny home on wheels frees you up to go anywhere your heart desires.  

Your only limitation is deciding where you want to go and your budget. 

With a small home on wheels, you can wake up in a new place every day without ever actually leaving home. A tiny home on wheels comes in several sizes and styles. 

 Three popular options for a small home on wheels are as follows:

The difference between the first two models is the size of the living spaces. 

The third model features a separate bedroom, with a queen bed, and extra storage and closet space. 

And while a tiny home on wheels gives you a lot of flexibility, you should also make sure you know the following: 

  • What are the housing regulations in the area? 
  • What are the sources of power for your tiny home? 
  • What are the things you don’t know that you should know about a tiny home? 
  • And what happens if you want to get a bigger tiny home in the future?

Tiny Homes on Foundations

The second most popular type of tiny homes Phoenix, AZ, is the tiny home on a poured foundation.

Tiny homes on a foundation offer many of the same benefits of a traditional home. You get an actual address, security, and permanency.  They are not as expensive as buying or building a traditional home. However, they are more expensive than a tiny home on wheels. 

You also get more freedom in your design with a tiny home on a foundation versus being on wheels.  Because you’re on a foundation, there are options where you expand and add on to your tiny home as well.   A tiny home on a foundation gives you some extra flexibility. 

Of course, make sure that you check with the regulations and building codes in the area you plan to build.  And, if you do not have a piece of land, then another option for your tiny home is to build your home on skids or runners. Skids and runners are a semi-permanent foundation and a good option for some tiny home buyers.  

Building your tiny home on skids also gives you the option to move your tiny home if you want to. 

Tiny Shed Homes

A tiny shed home is affordable and gives you the ability to build it onto a current property you may own.  As the DIY market has grown, more and more people are looking to add space to their homes.  The tiny shed home is a simple alternative to get started.  Some people even turn their tiny shed home into a trailer version too.  Although it may not have the same features and benefits of a high quality tiny home today, it is an option. 

If you’re looking for a high quality, affordable tiny home in Arizona, you may want to look at the Companion or Companion Plus listed on the page. 

Mobile Homes

Mobile homes were some of the first modern-day tiny homes in Phoenix, AZ. 

If you were to research tiny homes in Arizona, you would come up with something that looks like this:

  • These homes are very popular in Arizona. 
  • They are also known as manufactured homes, trailer homes, and mobile homes. 
  • These homes were made available in response to increased housing costs.
  • There was a boom on these types of homes due to the affordability. 

That said, mobile homes do not exactly have the most positive reputation in America. 

Like anything else, you can transform a mobile home into something more luxurious. 

In fact, here’s an example of how a  California couple turned their mobile home into a higher end home.  As an alternative to a mobile home, more and more people are turning to tiny homes.  The newer tiny homes have many amenities found in a traditional home. And at a fraction of the cost. 

Motorhomes

A motorhome is yet another structure that some people transform into a tiny home.

As time is going on, this is happening less and less. However, it is an option for some people – especially if you have a motorhome collecting dust.  Due to the new types of tiny homes available today, many people find that a home like the Companion or Companion Plus is a great a alternative. 

Arched Cabins

There are two main draws to this style of tiny homes for sale in Phoenix, Arizona. The first is that it comes in a kit, making it a desirable option for DIYers everywhere. 

The second is its affordability. The kit costs no more than $5,000 to purchase, with some going for as low as $1,000.  You can bring your arched cabin to life with amenities like windows, doors, and siding.  An arched cabin comes in a variety of styles, colors, and materials. 

You can also find them in different sizes varying for as small as eight x eight, to as large as thirty by thirty.  You can pack a lot into a home with 900 square feet.  The arched home is a great option if you’re a do it yourself. 

If you’re looking for an alternative, then check out the tiny homes in Arizona we make available.  You can choose from the Signature Line or the Back Porch Line to start. 

Reasons To Buy a Tiny Home in Arizona

So, now that you are familiar with your tiny home options in Arizona, it is time to consider the top reasons to go small. 

Below are the most cited reasons that individuals and families invest in a tiny home in Arizona.

Affordable Starter Home

The number one reason that more and more people are turning to a tiny home is the affordability.  The housing market has priced a lot of middle class American’s out of traditional homes.  And as the housing market booms, owning a traditional home becomes more and more of a risk. Most people don’t want to have the burden of high, long term debt. 

A lot of middle class Americans are being priced out of the market for a traditional home. And a tiny home gives you an affordable — albeit untraditional — path to homeownership.

The data shows that a tiny home costs, on average, one-fifth of the cost of a traditional home. In a buyers market, the median price of a new build type home is $383,900, while the average price of an older home is $275,000. 

The average cost to have a firm build a quality, affordable tiny home for you is as little  $45,900.  The tiny home explosion is giving middle class American’s the pride of home ownership — with lower costs, debt, and risk. 

And of course, if you’re better suited for a DIY, you can find them as little as $23,000-$29,000.

And,  you can also upgrade your tiny home it’s size and amenities and find an amazing home for as little as $180,000-$200,000.  

Initial costs aside, you can save more money with a tiny home than you would with a traditional house. As many as 60% of tiny homeowners live debt free.   And more than 50% have more savings that a traditional homeowner. 

A big reason for this is that with the right tiny home company, you can get up to a full thirty year mortgage on your tiny home.  That means that the expense and housing costs for tiny homeowners will max out at $600 per month. 

And, investing in a tiny home is a great way to still have home ownership.  And it’s a smart money move that many middle-class American’s are turning to everyday. 

Great Way to Downsize

Say you already own a home and want to downsize so you can save money, travel more, and worry less about trivial matters, such as finances. Looking into tiny homes in Arizona is the way to go.

In addition to reducing your housing costs, moving into a tiny home can help you beef up your savings. When you sell your traditional home, you can use a portion of the proceeds to purchase a tiny home in cash. You can then pocket the remainder of the money — or invest it so that it works harder for you.

A Great Investment

Another reason to look at getting a tiny home is that it’s a great investment opportunity.  You don’t have to live in a tiny home.  You can be an investor in the booming tiny home market.  A lot of smart business people are investing in this growing market. And tiny homes in Arizona is one of the fastest growing markets in the country. 

One of the common ways investors are taking advantage of this growing market is by renting a tiny home.  These rentals can be long term, short term, or even as a vacation getaway. 

For example, you could get a tiny home as a personal vacation property, and then rent it out when you’re not using it.  There are so many opportunities for the tiny home marketing in Arizona.  For a small investment, you can be a real estate investor and use it as an income property. 

And you can get excited and turn one tiny home in Arizona, into many tiny homes in Arizona.

And this gives you the ability to grow a great real estate business. 

Tiny Homes are Eco-Friendly

The biggest appeal of tiny homes in AZ is their eco-friendliness.  By living in a tiny home, you can reduce your carbon footprint. 

The research shows that a tiny home produces 5,500 pounds less emissions per year than a traditional home.  It also helps reduce your contribution to the greenhouse effect by as much as 36%. If you’re ready to find a tiny home in Arizona, check out our Signature Line and Back Porch Line here. 

Who Buys a Tiny Home in Phoenix, Arizona?

Now that you know the what and the why, it is time to talk about the who of tiny homeownership. The answer may surprise you.

There are two primary demographics that make up tiny homeowners. The first group are millennials.  They are adults in their late twenties to late thirties. 

This demographic makes up approximately 42% of tiny homeowners. Per the data, 21% of tiny homeowners were under the age of thirty at the time of the study. Another 21% were between thirty and forty. The next largest group of tiny home buyers are adults aged fifty and up. 

These are baby boomers.  They represent 38% of the total population. And, as many as two out of every five tiny homeowners are adults aged fifty and above.  More retired boomers are downsizing in search of simpler and more affordable lifestyles.

Others who buy a tiny home in Arizona include newlywed couples who aspire to be a homeowner.  And, more and more couples who have young kids are buying a tiny home in Arizona too. Choosing to buy a tiny home allows you to have lower debt and  helps the environment. 

At the end of the day, buying a tiny home gives you the ability to enjoy home ownership, travel, family, and hobbies. 

The Problems Associated with Going Small

Though tiny living appeals to many people, going small is not necessarily easy. 

People who wish to downsize into a tiny home often face several hurdles. 

Some of the common problems include:

  • Many sellers of tiny homes do not have the proper certifications needed to build a tiny home.  Make sure that when you work with someone, they have the proper certification. 
  • Many firms do not offer long term financing.  Many firms offer “short-term” loans between 36 and 72 months. Others only accept HELOC financing, which is contingent upon a previously-owned property.  Make sure when you work with someone, you have the flexibility to finance it for the long term.  Reputable companies will give you the ability to finance it up to 30 years. 
  • Many firms cannot build your tiny home in less than eighteen months.   So make sure you find out the true time it will take to get your new tiny home. 

The right firm can help you overcome these obstacles with ease. 

The best firms that build tiny homes in Arizona are fully certified, can provide easy financing, and can build it in as little as 90 days. 

If you’re working with a good builder of tiny homes, they can give you easy and flexible financing. They are certified  and meet the code and building requirements. And lastly, they can build your tiny home in as little as 90 days. 

If you’re ready to find a tiny home in Arizona, check out our Signature Line and Back Porch Line here.  

Quick Facts About Tiny Homes in Arizona

Before you head off in search of a tiny home in AZ, there are a few other quick facts you should know:

  • The price of a tiny homes in Arizona ranges from $35,000 to $50,000, depending on the size and quality of finishes. And, prices can go all the way up to $200,000 for more luxury models.
  • Some Arizona cities are more tiny home friendly than others. Although there are many cities you can build a tiny home, here are the most friendly: Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, Pima County and Lakeside.

Many firms will finance the new build of a tiny home, but oftentimes, it is not enough. You may need to work with a firm that can help you with funding and financing. 

  • A tiny home in Arizona that has a foundation can be no smaller than 200 square feet.
  • Make sure you know the Building codes for tiny homes. A reputable builder will help you.  

If you’re ready to find a tiny home in Arizona, check out our Signature Line and Back Porch Line here.   

Make Your Tiny Home Dreams a Reality

There you have it — (almost) everything you could want to know about tiny homes in Arizona. If you are ready to learn more about getting a tiny home, contact United Tiny Homes. 

Our team can help you with all the options available for you and your new tiny home in Arizona.