When a Tiny House is NOT the Answer

You might think that our goal at Mint Tiny House Company is to sell every person on planet Earth a tiny home. And, hey, to be fair, that’s what a lot of companies aim to do.

At Mint, however, we’re committed to building a product that creates well-being, and in order for a house to create well-being, it has to be the right fit. This brings us to today’s tiny house blog post.

Much as we love tiny homes, a tiny house is not a universal tool that can be used in any
situation.

So, if you’re curious, here are a few examples of when a tiny house might NOT be the answer.

A Tiny Home Might NOT be the Answer if You Plan to Live on the Road…

Mint tiny homes hold up very well on the road. In fact, if you wanted to live on the road, you’d have no problem doing so.

So why do we steer people away from a tiny home if we learn their plan is to travel full time? Well, the main reason is that tiny homes are heavy.

Tiny homes are heavy for a reason- they are supposed to feel like real houses! But just because we build tiny homes so they can move, that doesn’t mean that being on the road full-time is the most productive use of one.

Can you do it? Sure. But is it the best type of structure for that type of lifestyle? Ehhh.. less sure.

We’d never stop you, but a tiny home might not be the answer if you plan to truly live on the road.

A Tiny House Might NOT Be the Answer if You Don’t Want to Downsize

Do you have a massive closet, a spectacular shoe collection, and a ton of sporting equipment?

If you have a lot of stuff and no intention of downsizing, a tiny house might not be the answer.

There’s no shame in owning as much as you need to fuel your life, but if your life involves a substantial amount of things, you might find that moving into a tiny house cramps your style.

There is nothing fun about sleeping with a kayak in your loft bedroom, OK?

Again, absolutely no judgment, but if you have a lot of stuff and zero plans to downsize, a tiny home might not be the answer.

A Tiny House Might NOT Be the Answer if You’re Looking for the Cheapest Possible Housing

At Mint Tiny House Company, we seek to make more affordable, high-quality housing that promotes flexibility, well-being, and value-based living.

We are not trying to sell you the cheapest possible house.

Affordability will always be a part of the conversation about tiny homes, but one huge myth about tiny homes is that they are supposed to be “cheap.”

We would argue that tiny homes are supposed to facilitate a life lived on your terms.

If your goal is the cheapest possible housing, a used traditional RV, renting a bedroom, or getting a job that provides housing could all be less expensive options.

So while a tiny house is far cheaper than owning a traditional house in many areas, it’s not necessarily the cheapest possible option. So if you’re looking for that, a tiny home may not be the answer for you.

A Tiny House Might NOT Be the Answer if You Have a Very Specific Vision With No Flexibility

Maybe you dream of a tiny house, but you only want a tiny home IF:

  1. You can live in it legally.
  2. …in the middle of a bustling city.
  3. …on your own land.
  4. …without building or buying any additional structures.
  5. …and without doing any real estate development like getting permits or bringing in
    utilities.
  6. …and you want chickens, but no neighbors or HOA fees.

Look, we love your style. Who wouldn’t want urban chickens, with no HOA rules, chill neighbors, and a government that has a plug-and-play way to say yes to your tiny home dreams?

Someday, we hope this highly specific vision is achievable, but for now, your tiny home dream may have to come with a few compromises.

Maybe you can live in a tiny house in a city… but in an RV community.

Or maybe you can enjoy your tiny home legally on private land with chickens… but you’ll need to be in a more rural area.

The point is that there is a version of your dream that’s doable, but if you have a highly specific vision and are unwilling to compromise, a tiny house might not be the answer- at least at this stage of the game

So When IS a Tiny House the Answer?

Great question!

A tiny house is the answer if you have a touch of grit and a sense of adventure. If you are excited to build a value-based life and spend less than you would on a traditional home, a tiny home may very well be for you.

If you are open to living in an RV community, the tiny home dream can even be easy, and if you have that aforementioned touch of grit, you may even have what it takes to try to legally place a tiny house on private land.

A tiny home is not for everyone, but it is for anyone who wants to look back on their life with the satisfaction of knowing they went after their dreams.

If plastic consumption, gag gifts, and endless micro-conveniences make you feel bogged down, a tiny home is the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for.

Are tiny houses the easiest or least expensive possible housing? No.

But if you’re looking for well-being, have a pioneering spirit, and are seeking an integrated life that blends seamlessly with your values, you’re going to need a tiny house.

Are you ready to learn more about buying a tiny home? Just click here to book your free tiny home consultation.

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