Young Couple Built Gorgeous Tiny House on a $25,000 Budget (2024)
Saul and Trysh Martinez lived like any other young American couple – renting apartments and rooms while they worked and studied. However, when Saul became an occupational therapist and Trysh a speech-language pathologist, they started having big dreams. They wanted to become travel rehab therapists, working 13-week hospital contracts across the United States.
After seeing the tiny house lifestyle on social media, they wondered whether this way of life could be for them. After visiting Tru Tiny, a tiny house manufacturer in Eugene, Oregon, their minds were made up. They were going to make a tiny house for themselves.It took many hours and $25,000 in materials and labour, but their 22-foot-long tiny home was finally built and ready to hit the road.
Now that Saul and Trysh have been living in their tiny house in San Diego for over a year, they’ve gained insight into what it’s really like to live in a small space.They say it has made them more resourceful and minimalistic, but also financially freer. Rather than spending a fortune on San Diego apartment rents, they find a piece of land and pay a landlord for the use of that space.
Even though they say finding the perfect plot of land can be complicated, they appreciate the lifestyle that comes with living in a house on wheels.
Saul, an occupational therapist, and Trysh, a speech-language pathologist, built a 7 x 22 x 12-foot tiny home in San Diego to become traveling rehab therapists. They made it themselves, with the help of tradespeople, and spent a total of $25,000.
Deciding on the tiny home layout was one of the most complicated parts of the design process. Saul and Trysh thought long and hard about the high-frequency use spaces so they could maximise the space. They opted for an extra-large kitchen, knowing that they would spend the most time in there preparing meals.
Opting for a removable ladder rather than stairs to the bedroom loft also meant they could enjoy natural light, more counter space, and a cross-breeze, which were all essential features for Trysh.
As stunning as the kitchen looks, it’s not new. Saul and Trysh purchased the cabinetry second-hand on Craigslist for under $200. They gave them a fresh coat of paint in ‘Black Evergreen’ and added new handles.
Rather than install stairs in the tiny home, which would take up a lot of space, the pair opted for a ladder. When they need to access the bedroom and wardrobe over the sofa area, they move the ladder into place
The galley-style kitchen is certainly the heart of the tiny home. It boasts seven feet of counter space with a double-bowl farm sink.
There can be a lot of wasted space in the flooring of any tiny home, given that there’s a gap caused by the wheel well. They decided to utilise this space with seven-foot drawers. The drawers tuck away neatly under the kitchen floor and store clothing, footwear, and more.
The drawers under the kitchen floor are easy to pull out to access clothing for the day. They also match the rest of the kitchen cabinetry.
Windows can be one of the most expensive features of any regular or tiny home. However, Saul and Trysh didn’t buy a single window for full price. Many of them were picked up from Habitat for Humanity Restore stores, and some came from Craigslist. Their laminate flooring was free.
Saul and Trysh had custom cabinets made in the kitchen to utilise as much storage space as possible. There is a clever pots and pans rack underneath the fridge.
This tiny home even has a spice rack, which keeps the spices safely in place while Trysh and Saul make their way across the country..
While much of what Trysh and Saul included in their tiny home was purchased second-hand, they decided to opt for a brand-new couch. They were looking for something minimalistic, multi-purpose as a bed, and had storage. The Clara Sleeper from West Elm ticked all the boxes. They also picked it up with an outlet price to sweeten the deal.
Even though this tiny home only has conservative dimensions, Saul and Trysh still found space for a wardrobe. There is a nook above the lounge area that they can access with a removable ladder. Here, they store much of their clothing.
Bedrooms in tiny homes can typically feel claustrophobic and small, but that’s not the case with this one. Saul can comfortably sit on the bed with an 11-inch mattress, and he’s six feet tall. The skylight also offers additional headspace.
The bathroom in Saul and Trysh’s tiny home is quaint, modern, and surprisingly spacious. Trysh said if there’s anything she misses about a conventional home, it’s a traditional toilet and plumbing system. Though, Saul says he doesn’t mind.
As much as Trysh would love regular home plumbing, the bathroom is still her favourite part of the tiny house. She loves the DIY open shelves, four-foot cast iron clawfoot tub, and rainwater shower. The bathroom also features a mirror from her old apartment. Tying the whole look together are the beautiful waterproof laminate flooring and shiplap walls.
Follow Trysh and Saul’s life in their adorable tiny house on Instagram
On average, a tiny home costs about $50,000. Comparing that against the average U.S. home sale price, which was nearly $298,000 in 2021, it's astounding how much a tiny house can significantly save you money. You'll find a broad range of price tags when researching common tiny house costs.
The tiny house movement is still going strong today thanks to its flexibility, affordability, and efficiency when compared to more traditional options. Whether you choose a park model or a shipping container design, Monumental Windows and Doors has the customizable products you need to bring your vision to life.
Log cabins cost between $125 and $175 per square foot. Some factors that influence the cost include whether you build on flat land, if the land needs to be cleared, and the cabin's square footage. Log cabins have a similar price per square foot as the cost to build a house, which is about $100 and $200 per square foot.
The lifespan of a tiny home is largely determined by the quality of materials and labor that go into its construction. Generally, you can expect a tiny home to last 30-50 years. Location may also play a role, though.
While tiny houses on a foundation and traditional stick-built houses often build equity, tiny houses on a trailer offer a little-to-no return on your investment. Key Takeaway: Tiny houses on a trailer depreciate over time, offering you little to no return on your investment.
Not only do you have to consider where you're going to put things, but you also have to worry about how much the things weigh. Tiny home dwellers often decide between two things by going with the item that weighs less. A truck can only haul so much before problems start.
Another way to keep costs low is to buy pre-fabricated kits or plans for tiny houses that come with all of the necessary components and instructions needed to complete the build. These kits usually cost less than buying all of the materials separately and they provide an easier building process as well.
Resale value: Tiny houses are not guaranteed to appreciate in value in the same way a traditional home does. Tiny homes can actually depreciate in value, especially if it is highly customized. These homes also fall into a niche market, so it may be more difficult to sell your home down the line.
About 40% of tiny homeowners are older than 50 years.
Tiny living appeals to baby boomers seeking to downsize. 55% of tiny house owners are women. This housing movement attracts female buyers drawn to minimalist living. The tiny homes market has an estimated compound annual growth rate of 4.88% between 2022 and 2027.
In 2024, the draw towards tiny houses is fueled by two key philosophies: minimalism and sustainability. The minimalist lifestyle, a cornerstone of the tiny house movement, goes far beyond the mere reduction of physical space.
A tiny home built on a trailer isn't real estate, even if you own the land that it's parked on. Tiny homes on wheels are personal property, and like other personal property — such as cars and RVs — they depreciate over time. Real estate, on the other hand, usually appreciates over time.
The average cost of a tiny house is a reasonable $30,000 – $60,000, although they can cost as little as $8,000 or up to $150,000 depending on the amenities you choose to include. It's typically cheaper to build a tiny house than to buy one prebuilt, but don't get too caught up in the savings.
In fact, 58% of people who live in tiny houses have about $11,200 more saved in the bank than the average American and 65% of them have no credit card debt. Living in a tiny home will dictate your spending habits because when you lack storage room, you are less apt to overspend.
Unfortunately, tiny homes often do not retain their value the way traditional homes do. In fact, some sources indicate that you should consider your tiny home's value to be similar to that of an RV or trailer—as an investment that depreciates, rather than increases, in value as the years go by.
The homes may be small, but by no means frail and dainty. As per SPINDRIFT HOMES, with proper maintenance, you can expect the tiny home to last for 30 to 50 years. However, a tiny home's longevity depends on many factors. Tiny homes on a foundation tend to last longer than mobile ones.
Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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