NAVIGATION
Buying Land For A Tiny Home
Tips For Buying Land For A Tiny House
Tools For Planning Your Land
Expert Advice On Buying LandThe tiny house movement has made huge strides in the past few years by promoting efficient living spaces and minimalist lifestyles in 400 square feet or less. More homeowners are seeing the benefit in downsizing to lessen environmental impact, save money and eliminate home-related stressors.
While it’s true, building a small home is generally less complicated than planning and constructing a large home, there are a few challenges presented with embracing the tiny life. Aside from downsizing, simplifying and the logistical aspects of living in a tiny home, one of the main questions is: where do you put your tiny house?
I put together a video that outlines the challenges involved when searching for land for a tiny house, whether you choose to lease, buy or borrow. Please check it out.
The Challenges of Buying Land for Your Tiny House
When you decide it’s time to find and buy land for a tiny house, you may be faced with a big challenge: it’s more difficult to find appropriately-sized and cost-effective land for micro homes than it is for average-sized homes. Most micro home builders aren’t looking to pay full price for open plots, since tiny homes are more economical to build. At the same time, small lots are hard to find and come by. Landowners often aren’t eager to split up their property to sell, especially in rural areas.
This presents a major challenge for those who are ready to take the plunge. How do you find the right-sized land to buy for your tiny house?
If you’re ready for a simpler life and you’re interested in joining the tiny house movement, consider these three tips for finding and buying land for a tiny house.
Tips for Buying Land for a Tiny House
1. Look for the Right Location, Size and Price
First the good news: Micro homes can be built anywhere as long as construction follows state building codes. Some states even allow homeowners to build micro homes in their backyards also known as accessory dwelling unit commonly referred to as ADUs.
However, a lot of people considering building tiny homes don’t have preowned properties to use for construction or to park on. After all, economics is usually a big reason behind the shift toward smaller space. Property is expensive, and chances are, you need to find a plot of land that fits your needs and your budget. It’s important to have the size, location and price in mind before you begin your search.
Use sites like Zillow, LandWatch or Land And Farm to find land based on location; just search within a designated city under home type: lots/land. You can also search based on size or price, if any of these factors are negotiable. Of course, regardless of size, prices will vary by location, accessibility and other factors. Typical tiny house proponents stray from city centers, as the land is more expensive and prone to complicated building codes and zoning laws.
If you’re still weighing the merits of exactly how much space you’ll need, you can even check out sites like Try It Tiny to rent of visit a tiny house for a short time. Before you take the plunge to purchase, this will give you a taste of small-space living.
2. Consider Zoning Laws
I wrote an in-depth post about all of the considerations that need to go into your land setup for your tiny house. One of the biggest concerns is zoning and building codes. Especially if you plan to connect to city water (or if you plan to be on the grid). It’s extremely important your tiny house is up to code because each of these connections will require a building inspector to come to your house and see it in person.
Zoning is a set of rules about how land can be used—think of it like rules that help neighbors get along. Zoning will dictate the type of building, its placement and its function; while building codes regulate how it should be built safely.
Tiny house builders sometimes find that building codes will require them to build a larger home than they first thought, and zoning might require you to park your tiny house in a campground or trailer park because it’s on wheels (and thus considered close to being a camper).
Tiny house folks should start with a basic plan and a conversation with their local municipal building code enforcement office. From there, you’ll be able to understand some of the requirements of your local town hall, identify issues that need to be addressed, and get a realistic picture of what can and cannot be done in when it comes to tiny houses.
There are also some cities who encourage building and will even offer lots for free to interested parties. Cities such as Spur, Texas, Portland, Oregon and Marne, Iowa use these incentives to encourage city development and boost revenue. That said, it’s important to review the zoning restrictions for building even on these free lots. In the case of Marne, dwellings must be at least 1200 square feet. There are opportunities for free and very inexpensive lots available throughout the U.S. but be sure to research the restrictions thoroughly.
It’s also worth checking out government auctions. There is a lot of land out there and the government holds auctions where you can buy it for dirt cheap. Some of this land is seized for tax reasons while some is surplus land. Other properties are environmentally degraded, needing extensive bio remediation. If you go this route, be sure to do an extensive search on toxic waste sites through the EPA’s website. If you have a desire and willingness to revitalize such land, it can be an incredibly cheap way to acquire property. Check out Govsales.gov to view these listings.
For all you need to know on tiny house coding and zoning, please check out my book, Cracking the Code where I outline all you need to know.
3. Use Your Network
A few years back, I had to suddenly move my house to a new piece of land. I’ll admit, finding a plot I could lease was one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had when it comes to tiny homeownership. Fortunately, in my case, I was able to find someone who was willing to let me lease his lot in exchange for covering the insurance on the property and helping him with computer work. I realize everyone isn’t so lucky.
One of the biggest ways to help yourself on your tiny house land search is to network with other tiny home owners. When I was starting out, my network was so valuable to my journey. In fact, connecting and sharing with other tiny homeowners was largely the impetus for my starting the blog as well. If you’re wondering how to connect with others and find local tiny house owners, check out this video below.
If you decide to purchase land, whether large or small, it’s important you search for a real estate professional who will aid in your tiny land search. This is another member of your network who will really boost your search and point you in the right direction. There are agents who specialize in niche markets—tiny homes included. Make sure to check up on an agent’s qualifications before hiring them to ensure they are the best fit for your tiny house land search. A well-versed agent will lead you through the process without too much stress.
You may wish to search for property online first; once you have a piece of property selected, check on the listing agent. If the property is for sale by owner, you may still wish to get a buyer’s agent to help you through the process. It’s tempting to forgo an agent (and paying the commission) but you’ll face fewer problems down the road if you have someone in your corner.
It’s important to remember land often can’t be leveraged in a loan with the bank. For most land purchases, the property will need to be paid for outright and in full. An agent will walk you through the process and help you navigate.
While these steps won’t guarantee the perfect plot for tiny home construction, they certainly help homeowners get started. Leasing property is of course another option (and the route I took). There are considerations to be made when you’re leasing property too, but in many ways the pros may outweigh the cons.
Tools For Planning Your Land
Even at the early stages when you’re just looking at the land, possibly under contract, you need to start to imagine how things will layout. I love this part because it’s fun to think about what the land could one day be. It starts to feel real when you are thinking about where you’ll put things and how it will all come together. Here are the tools I use to plan out my land:
A Good Measuring Wheel
This let’s you measure distances easily and help with planing where things will go. You want a larger wheel because it can bridge the bumps in the land and make it a bit easier when you are going over logs etc. I recommend this particular measuring wheel if you’re looking for one.
Avoid the Kenson brand, I’ve found that they don’t hold up. And when you’re planning your land, make sure you know where the property lines are and that most places require at least a 15 foot setback from any property line. I always figure what it is and double it just in case I’m off in my property line.
Marking Flags
Once you have an idea where you want to put things, start marking them out with these little flags. It will give you a better sense of space and let you understand where things are going to be in relation to other things like storage, solar, patio space and parking areas.
You can get these marking flag for cheap here.
A Waterproof Notepad
I always take notes when I’m doing this so later I can refer back to them when I draw things up back at home or for figuring out stuff after I’ve left. My go to notebook is a Rite In The Rain Notebook which is an amazing little note pad that doesn’t matter if it’s wet. They’re tough and super helpful.
Whatever you use, make sure you write stuff down because so many numbers will be going through your head.
Tiny House Experts Weigh In On Finding and Buying Land
Because this is such a challenging topic for tiny homeowners (and what I would argue is the number 1 dilemma we face), I asked 12 top tiny house experts to give their best advice on such a big topic: finding land for your tiny house.
I asked them, “What is the one tip you would give to someone looking for a place to park or land for their tiny house?”
Talk to friends and community members about it all the time. You never know where the parking spot will come from. While I have been lucky on Craigslist, I think by far the best way to find parking is through a friend of a friend of family or friends. Network and ask all your local contacts before resorting to CL. — Alek Lisefski: tiny-project.com
Get out and talk to people. You need to expand your social circle in a big way. Have a solid game plan in place, develop your pitch for landowners, focus on overcoming objections and putting fears to rest. Then let people know what you’re looking for in a clear concise manner. — Ryan Mitchell: TheTinyLife.com
Ping your own network of folks that really enjoy and support what you are doing. Provide a quick message about who you are and what you are looking for, that they can forward along. They are far more likely to connect you with people of a similar mindset, therefore more open and willing to help you out or further your cause. — Jess and Dan Sullivan: livinginatinyhouse.blogspot.com
Honestly – be secretive. Get along with your neighbors and they’ll have no reasons to rat on you – zoning enforcement is often complaint-based. In some areas, it’s legal or “more legal,” and in others it just won’t happen, so do your research. Farmers too – look into talking to them, they could use the rental income, and have the land. — Deek Diedricksen: relaxshacks.com
Check out wwoof.org, a fantastic organization that places volunteers with organic farms the world over. I see it as a great resource for someone looking to move somewhere unfamiliar. Find a willing farm, tow your house over and you have a place to park, food to eat and work to do. — Ella Jenkins: littleyellowdoor.wordpress.com
Start with people you know and put the word out. Your network will produce your best leads when it comes to finding parking. — Ethan Waldman: thetinyhouse.net
Flyers on local supermarket and library walls are actually a very sensible place to advertise this kind of information. We know a lot of people who have found their tiny house parking matches using those channels. — Gabriella Morrison: TinyHouseBuild.com
Reach out to local communities. Try Facebook groups, Meetup and Craigslist. Don’t be afraid to talk about your Tiny House. The more people that you meet, the more likely you will have an opportunity to park it somewhere. — Jenna Spesard: TinyHouseGiantJourney.com
I think the best way is to find land and then ask the owners if you could work out a deal. People are more receptive than you might think. — Kristie Wolfe: Kristiewolfe.com
I wish I had a good answer. We bought land well before we decided to build a tiny house, so it wasn’t an issue for us. I do recommend that people get involved in local politics to make changes in their own communities that can help pave the way for tiny homes. — Laura M. LaVoie: 120squarefeet.com
Get creative, build your network, be open and honest and try to be ‘on the radar,’ it will make you feel more secure during the ‘living’ part of tiny house living that you will appreciate once you are living. It stinks to feel like any knock on the door may be asking you to go. — Macy Miller: MiniMotives.com
Don’t be afraid of building your tiny house before finding a place to park it. The majority of my clients and other tiny housers found their spots during their construction. After finishing the shell with the exterior siding, you can place a photo with a description of what you’re looking for on Craigslist. Most property owners will rent their space only after they can see an image of your tiny house, and what utilities you will need. This has proven a success time and time again. — Vina Lustado: vinastinyhouse.com
Check with local codes in the area you wish to build or park a tiny house. If it is not allowed you need to find an alternative route or do it under the radar somehow. — Kent Griswold: tinyhouseblog.com
A special thank you to all the experts who weighed in on this important topic. Finding and buying land is one of the toughest aspects of the tiny house lifestyle. It may take time, but eventually, using these smart strategies, you’ll find a spot. Explore all your options before you decide.
If you’re looking for land to buy, it’s possible. For more on finding land to buy or lease, check out my Ultimate Guide to Finding Land.
I agree with all of the above! Good points, all. I especially like number three, to get an experienced realtor involved, who knows the area you are interested in moving too. I spent a lot of time on the phone with agents from various areas, telling them what I wanted and asking about the “reality” of being able to do so. I was polite, I was clear in what I wanted to know, and not one of them gave me the impression that they were annoyed by the time spent with me, even though of course most of them gave me bad news, heh.
When I found the right area, with the TREMENDOUS help from my agent, it was so smooth….he drove me around for two days, looking at properties far and wide. I fell in love with one, and when the owner rejected my offer, my agent, on his own, contacted the owner of my second-favorite, and got me a heck of a deal! Funnily enough, this piece of land was my agent’s number one recommendation. 🙂
I was able to save a whole lot of money, got treated to first-class attention, and found my future home by reaching out and asking. You’ll possibly save a lot of time, as well, and might even make a new friend.
HOME OWNERSHIP IS NEW TO ME, BUT I’M SURE I CAN HANDLE A TINY HOUSE. WOULD YOU BE SO KIND AS TO SHARE HOW YOU FOUND YOUR REALTOR (WHAT AREA) AND ARE YOU PERFECTLY HAPPY WITH YOUR DECISION? I CAN’T SEEM TO GET THIS IDEA OUT OF MY HEAD AND HOW PERFECT IT WOULD BE FOR ME AS A SINGLE WOMAN WITHOUT A MAN AROUND TO DO THE “MAN THINGS” THAT A REGULAR HOME DEMANDS. FEEL FREE TO CALL ME @ (718) 490-9794 THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT IF YOU DECIDE TO RESPOND
Susan,I feel the same way. I can’t get this notion of downsizing into a tiny house out of my head. It’s just me and the two dogs so 400 sq ft or less would be fine for me.
I’ve been reading some of these blogs and it’s kind of interesting how many single women are out there looking for tiny homes I’m in the same category single senior citizen with four dogs so I’m looking for a tiny home preferably in the North Carolina area is just hard to find any communities that allow multiple pets more than two so then I’m forced to kind a look for Landon then you get into zoning and digging wells and sewage and things which is far more complicated than I want to go so finding the right realtor is it Best most important thing in the search so any information or numbers would be very welcomed and appreciated thank you
Hey Donna,
I heard that there is tiny house community in or near Asheville, NC. You may want to check them out.
Single woman with 3 dogs hear, looking to do the same. In about two years my kids will both be at college so there’s no need to keep paying so much for a house. Too much to keep up with anyway. I’m hoping this site can help me get started and avoid any major mistakes
Check out www.TinyHouseRealEstateAgent.com
My name is Ron Mann and I own several real estate Companies in East Tn. To find land you have to find the right realtor!! You need to find a realtor that specialize in Land, to do that talk with friends and people in the area you want to buy property and find a realtor that specialize in land. Search websites that specialize in land in your area also websites that will allow you to search for land only. You need to find a realtor that will think out side the box. To lower the initial cost of you might find other like minded people and go in together to find land. Have a your financing our money together. Most lenders have shy away from financing land. When you are searching for land don’t make the first priority the price. Accessibility location, how much of the land is useable should be the first consideration, then the price. Get familiar with the Google Earth website. There is a free version that can be down loaded. This will allow you to see the surrounding area with out traveling to the area. Have your realtor send you a copy of the Tax Map of the property. Network with people that familiar with the internet. If your interest in in East Tn. I can help you
Ron Mann
Hi Ronn, im actually looking for a place in TN… Ideas?
Please give me a call some time. I exclusively work in East Tn. The land that I have is in Hancock, Grainger and Hawkins Co. Are you looking for a Tiny Home community or land just for your self. Because of the up front costs of a well and septic it is easier to pair up with other like minded people to share those expenses. Give ne an idea on what you are trying to accomplish It would be easier if we could talk.
Hi Ron
I am looking for a small lad purchase in Simcoe county preferably in Georgina ontario
Hi Ron,
I am looking for a lot for a tiny house, preferably with water and sewer hookup. Tennessee is lovely country. I am wanting to relocate from Philadelphia and build a tiny house. As I am on a limited budget, I am looking for a good price for a good location. Inside a town or city would be excellent.thanks
thank you. I would love to buy a tiny home somewhere remote but on the grid, near water , somewhere warm, but… I don’t know where to begin.
Wh
Where did you find land ?
Thank you
Rochelle
Terlingua Texas anyone know of anywhere else tiny homes are permitted on land you can buy? USA or outside the USA
Yes I would like to know about land to lease or by in Santa fe tx or west Texas
Check out www.TinyHouseRealEstateAgent.com
Hi!
Were you able to find land to rent for your tiny home or was this a purchase? My husband and I want to find land to rent so we can maintain mobility.
Bonney
we want to find land to rent, too!! any leads? I have no idea where to start.
Check out www.TinyHouseRealEstateAgent.com
Although not always glamorous surroundings, a couple of good places to start the search for property (land only or land/utilities) rentals is with rv parks or mobile home parks. Even if they don’t have the space you are looking for, they are at least knowledgeable of the sort of property you are seeking. They might be able to point you in the direction of someone who has what you’re looking for.
Depending on your location, you might also execute a web search for tiny house lots. There are places in which the movement has caught on in a big way, leading to tiny communities springing up. I have plans to begin one such community within the next year.
Good luck in your search!
check out www.tinyhouserealestateagent.com to connect with real estate agents specializing in tiny homes
Where are you looking to start you community? I would love to one day start my own. I am young & my funds are low so for right now I am looking to expand my knowledge in the movement. I current travel in an RV & would be more than thrilled to work are a low wadge just to learn & get my foot in the door!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Coffewitholiver, Can you share the realtors name and contact information with me?? I have a tiny house and would like to find land. Most of these realtors dont even want to bother with tiny houses.
thanks
Lisa
7204189319
Thanks for effort on this article. Hopefully this is constructive criticism rather than just anonymous web-bashing.
I hoped this article would provide more information than just the recommendation to contact an agent. What are the considerations in terms of utilities for rural versus urban? What are recommendations for minimum plot size? Where have other tiny home owners had success in acquiring property? Are their alternates to owning land i.e. renting land? What search words are recommending when using zillow to search for vacant lots?
I think answers to these questions goes further to help potential tiny home owners. Just a thought.
Also, I would suggest that urban settings are potentially a more ‘eco-friendly lifestyle’ option because they cut down on development of ‘green’ land and locate the owner closer to amenities (which reduces potential driving miles). Urban living is typically a resource efficient option.
Anyway, thanks for the article
I’m with Joel on this one.
I have been having a tiny house fantasy for over a year now and have had NO LUCK finding any affordable lots/land which are buildable to purchase within a reasonable driving distance from work. If the lots are buildable, then the house would have to pretty much totally off grid because there are no amenities. I’m not apposed to being off grid, but the zoning laws are.
If the tiny house movement is going to blossom we need some help on this front. I would love a tiny house team to organize with developers to start building us tiny house communities in urban areas! That would be fantastic.
I’ve also looked into renting or buying an RV space, but that is even really challenging to find. Anyone else having any other ideas, suggestions,success stories, luck finding land to put a tiny home on who are still working day jobs? I would love to hear about it.
Thanks for the tips, still waiting for more…totally craving a way to make my tiny house fantasy come true!!!
Tammy 🙂
Are you interested in Arkansas?
Yes,,we have a large lot in Dover, Arkansas, has septic, water & electricity, we have an older airstream on it right now…hope to build a 500-600sf house on it too.
I’ve been interested in Arkansas, mainly because I think the cost of living is lower. How much is a couple of acres there, do you know? I’d like to be out in the woods, with trees around, however, I’m an older woman and would also be fairly close to a small to medium size town.
Thank you for your response.
Hi Helen. We have 3 parcels of land not that far from beautiful Beaver lake Arkansas. We have just recently been considering building tiny or small homes on them to sell or offer them as a rent to buy opportunity for those with limited finance.
But before we go ahead with it we need to know if anyone would be interested in this opportunity.If you or anyone you know are interested please let me know.
All the best…
yes, rural areas.
Helen, did Ian ever get back with you on the property in Ark. I live in the area and would also be interested, but can’t contact him.
Hi Tammy,
All I can think of right now is to find someone you know who might invest in a piece of land and develop it as a tiny house development. You know for about 20 tiny houses.
I am with you Rod! It is a dream of mine to create a communal living space with tiny houses and a community “family” center building with a kitchen, etc. Looking for an investor.
Check out the article written by Erika Lundahl, in Yes magazine posted 2/20/2014. This may help with some ideas for you.
I feel the same!!! I want a step by step on what needs to be done to finding land to feel safe in an area you can put your tiny house.
Check out www.TinyHouseRealEstateAgent.com We can help evaluate your goals and identify land that is a good fit.
The Grand Marais, Minnesota (Cook County), zoning laws are open to putting a tiny house on your own lot and living in it full-time. You can have your own sewer and water. They simply require you to take your wheels off. Murphy Mountain, which is 5 miles west of Grand Marais, has lovely, very private, wooded lots for sale, and you can easily have electricity. Grand Marais is a beautiful harbor town (with a lighthouse) on the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Yes, Tammy
I bought my park model tiny house about a year ago and it was a nightmare finding somewhere to put it. Still looking for another option than renting a lot at a RV park. My only suggestion is dont buy anything until you have secured somewhere to park it and get everything in writing. Oh and make sure the land or lot is legal, in otherwords make sure there are no restrictions and it is out of Austin City limits.
My wife and I are truck drivers I am also a disabled vet in roughly 4-6 yrs I will need a double knee replacement we are looking for a tiny home in the gulf coast roughly 350-500 sft all single single level would like to be lake front or river front to help w my rehab willing to be in a park community and rent a lot but want to own home can some one help us please
I know I’m late but check out wolf river rv park in pass christian mississippi.
they have lots for around $15,000.
Great advice! It’s important to always consider zoning laws when working with large amounts of land. Thanks for the tips!
My husband and I would like to purchase a large piece of land around a lake in upstate NY, build our tiny home and rent out the lots to others who would like to park their tiny home on wheels. Once we’ve saved up a bit of money from the rentals, we’d like to start building other permanent tiny homes like or own on the property and rent those out as well. I’ve barely gotten started and have realized that we may have to wait several years for this to catch on a bit more and for some of the laws to change. It’s amazing to me how difficult they make this when it seems like such a reasonable practical thing to do.
so agree with you Donna
I agree. I would love to do the same in Austin. I would love to buy 5-10 acres, build one for myself and my two dogs;then lease to a few tiny home owners and establish a community garden. I have the ability to do this now, but definitely in about 2 years when I retire, but do not know where to start.
alma, has your dream materialized yet? we are retiring too and are in the early stages of pursuing tiny living – Austin may be worth considering for us. Presently we live in Washington state but are open to moving elsewhere.
To Lynx and JB, we may have a WA State option for you for visit us at www.tinyhouserealestateagent.com
Donna let me know exactly where you’d be permitted to live in a Tiny home or more of them on one parcel of land how small or big can the land will be.
I am an agent and I am new to this movement in this capacity. I have a client that wants to live in a tiny house on wheels, other than a campground community I can’t think how else to help her. Any ideas? Chicago Area…. codes are an issue!
I think the whole tiny house movement is busy ignoring reality. There are very few places you can set up a home like this. I’m all for it, but it’s fraught with so many difficulties, it’s almost not worthwhile. Oh, you can find lots of cheap land on sites like Billyland.com. Often it is zoned recreational and you can’t build anything there. Or it has no access. Or there is no water available and you’ll need to spend $20,000 on a well. Or pay the water company $5,000+ to hook you up if there is any. Or $10,000 plus to get electricity to your place, even if it less than 100 feet. These are real numbers in some places. We all know the legal hurdles with trailer mounted houses; but with “regular” small houses, you’ll need permits and inspections etc that will often cost more than your house. And some places simply forbid you to live in anything less than 1800 sq.ft. Isn’t low cost one of the prime reason people want to live this way? Not to be slaves to a mortgage? Well, reality won’t let you, even in the land of the free (HA!) The only person I know who has had a tiny house built for her ($53,000!) lives semi-legally in a corner of a farm, where she gets power from an extension chord and has a bucket toilet. I’m sure the authorities could pull the plug on her situation any time they wanted to and who wants to live with that threat ? It’s depressing…
Peter, I totally agree with you. This whole process is easier said than done. The biggest hurdle is not buying the home. It looks like some builders are offering financing options, but like w/most homes; land is an issue. And that is the reality of the tiny home movement.
Yes, Peter, I agree as well. I wish someone would start a mobile home type of park for THOWs. The same hook-ups, but people bring their own TH.
Peter, you’re a very smart man. I would like to know more of your thoughts concerning these very profound points that you make. I would love to travel and sell my children’s books and my wonderful potato salad and I am going to need water and a stove to cook. This is very depressing.
Thank you for the tiny home tips. We are in the process of getting a loan and buying another home. The tiny home option is a good one. We just need to go find some land.
thanks
I would like to add a thought regarding construction. One can easily expand any tiny home using manual or automat roof expanders.
I never see this being applied.
Look at a T6 Volkswagen ocean van.
The roof expands! This could add a beautiful skylight effect while allowing an upper loft “standing room”.
Any thoughts please share..
I have a one acre lot for rent in Lexington, Georga. Rural huntng area wth lots of deer, fox, geese, etc. ths is a five acre property wth a stream. I live on the ffth acre.
Property is off grid although you can tie nto the electrc grid whch is by the property at your own expense.
You would need a compostng toilet. The stream water is okay for everythng but drinking.
Located 25 miles east of Athens, Georgia with plenty of civic and cultural events. Eighty miles from Atlanta.
$300.00 per month with a $250.00 depost. Good for a tiny home or RV.
This is rural Georga. The neighbors are retired but do target practce. Hunters do hunt nearby.
I wll not be addng a well or septc. You can do so at your own expense with no reduction in rent.
I’ve always thought that if like-minded people could connect, several people purchasing a piece of property would significantly cut the cost of the land. Obviously, the details would have to be worked out, but it could be done. Also bringing in sewer and water could be shared. Normally the power companies are required to provide power, so the ‘infrastructure’ for that would be minimal. Of course, if you wanted to off-grid, that solves many problems.
I am trying to find land or small cottage near or on the gulf coast I need to be in warmer weather for health reasons and I love to be near water all that is available is condo living of which I’m not particularly interested.
I’m also very interested in this. I’m from upstate New York, 30 and single. I would like to move to warmer climates in Florida. No idea where to begin. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Florida is seeing a mass exodus to Georgia and others Southern states. You might want to watch a few BP oil and drilling into the New Madrid fault in the
Gulf before choosing Florida.
Yeah, I think the hardest is to find a piece of land to build the tiny house, I beeing looking for land ,for over a year in California or anywhere,don’t .
I’d love to be able to buy land in upstate New York think Clinton, Franklin counties. It would be great to build a tiny house &/or tiny house on wheels. Heck perhaps both, using one for rental income.
Would it possible to get a loan to purchase land, build the home(s), making them green? Solar/wind, etc.
I’m looking for a place to build a tiny home in AZ on a slab and have an RV parked adjacent. Want enough land for a garden. Tiny home would be around 400 sq ft. Can’t find property north of Phoenix. Need some land owner to be willing to develop a tiny home community here. There would be plenty of takers I’m sure. I’m a retird architect and have been through a myriad of zoning and land development projects.
Jerry,Not sure if your know about pinetop lakeside az. They are starting a new communityear it’s called lux tiny. I am also looking for over a year.
I have 2,2.5 acre parcels of land for sale in upstate NY, in the town of Delanson. There is a drilled well on one parcel, new electric at the road, driveway with culvert professionally installed. Septic site started. Husband and I started to develop for a home, had all building permits. Quiet tranquil location with beautiful views. Easy travel to market and entertainment locals. Plenty of room for home, patio and porch / deck. Land is flat and treed. Enjoy photography? The wildlife and views will not disappoint!!
I have an acre in the river in liberty hill Texas. I have three of my RVs there and I go only on eke ends. I’m selling the trailers and putting a tiny home on it. I’d like to share it with two other tiny home owners.
Anyone interested?
Yep, we’re interested.
How do I go about finding a realtor? I have Googled “specializing in tiny houses” but am not finding what I need. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks.
Check out www.TinyHouseRealEstateAgent.com
70000+ for Tiny House, 15-30000 at least for lot land, assuming already cleared?? Another 15-20000 for well, and septic at least for a total of 100-120,000??? WHERES THE VALUE???
Looking for land to lease for a tiny home in Portland Oregon area (west Portland / Beaverton / Hillsboro). Anyone know if any agents?
Check out www.TinyHouseRealEstateAgent.com
I don’t want huge piece of land, I want small, not even a car.
Is that possible to get that small a land?
I discovered tiny living in 2012 and have been fascinated every since, but the problem is the zoning laws and finding land. I would love to live in a stationary home 500-600 square feet but it’s hard to anything in NJ. Land is sometimes very expensive, the tiny house community needs to form an organization to change how america view small and tiny living. I too would love to buy land and build a tiny house community but its so hard to get started.
I love in Ohio, Summit County, looking for land to build a 500 to 600 sq tiny house. Want flusing toiket, a priority. Can anyone help?
i also live in summit county,ohio and an looking for lad for a tiny house have you had any luck
Any ideas for central oklahoma ?
How far from Fort Mill SC/ Charlotte, NC?
Looking at finding some land in Eastern NC for tiny home or tiny home community. In and around Wilmington? Anyone interested ?
I’m looking in Western NC. Let me know if you change your mind on location in NC!
I am planning on retiring and buying a tiny house on wheels in Northern California. Hopefully early 2018. Thank God California is becoming more liberal and by then I hope to find a plot of land to call home. Good luck to all of you Tiny House dreamers. It’s going to get easier!
Let me know what you find out.
I didn’t know that there is a certain size requirement for land when building a house. If I was going to build a house then I would want to make sure that I was inside the law requirements. Maybe I should speak with a professional before building a new house. https://www.triangleareaproperties.com/Pages/ClaytonNC.aspx
Does anyone have any information on tiny houses in Kentucky? I live in Louisville, and super anxious to purchase a tiny house. All of the land I have found is way over my budget, but I don’t want that to be the deciding factor on purchasing/living in a tiny home.
If anyone is looking for land or offering land for Tiny Houses you can check out TinyHouseFinder.net
If free to search for and list land for sale or rent.
Another great resource for land is tinyhousecommunity.com
Does someone know of land where it’s permissible to have a house put on in Missouri prefer Southeast No. Thks
A tiny shed house
Your suggested tips are so much impressive. You wrote the right thing that I am looking for.
Can anyone tell connect me with a Tiny House Realtor in New Mexico. What are the zoning laws in Albuquerque.
I don’t know why this isn’t addressed in any articles – can you buy land and put a tiny house “RV” on it? How much would that land cost?
Hi everyone .. this is such a great resource. I am currently trying to relocate my 85-year-old father in Florida, near Orange City or nearby, and have found a wonderful tiny-house built into a 12×32 foot (384 square feet) barn-style shed. I have been trying to find land to purchase on which to put it, but the zoning laws all around that area require a minimum of 850-square-foot house. I am allowed to put this building on my own land _if_ I first build a “regular size” house and use this as an accessory structure — but I am not interested or financially able to build a “regular house”. Does anyone know of anywhere near Orlando where zoning would allow me to buy my own land and put _only_ this 384-sq-ft barn/house on it, connected to water/sewer and electricity?
This is really crazy and sad how the greed of the government takes over everything. Zoning laws require homes to be 850 square feet or more. They make those stupid laws because they want more money from property taxes.
In my area they tore down the old abandoned factories, apartment buildings and commercial buildings to build 1-2 bedroom luxury condos at 600-850 square feet. Starting price for 1 bedroom $1600, the 850 square foot apartment has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, priced at $2400 a month; the greed in my town is disgusting. The mayor thinks it’s the best thing since sliced bread; he doesn’t understand that nobody can afford those apartments. Even if they could, who wants to pay $1600 a month for 1 bedroom. Just plain crazy.
Houses were originally a modest 500-700 square feet, until society started doing better financially as a whole; then house sizes went up. Now, they don’t want us to go back to modest size homes. I wonder if they will allow more than one tiny home on a lot; to add up to the 800+ square feet, like a cul de sac community. How does the manufactured home communities do it? Each manufactured house has a very small yard, if they have a yard at all.
The tiny home community needs to come together to get the zoning laws changed.
I think the problem is that too many people get the tiny homes on trailers and not enough people want to build a tiny home on a foundation. I want a tiny home on a foundation, I don’t want a lot of land because I hate yard work; but zoning laws don’t allow for small lots of land to be sold.
What can we do today, so in 2-3 years zoning laws will be favorable for all housing types and sizes?
How do we get land? Even if we can buy land, this being america, we still don’t truly own it. Do they still allow homesteading?
Im new..dont kno anything about this other than wanting to own my own tiny home. I dont kno what to do. I need some guidence please…
I am afraid that all the reality shows about tiny homes has turned simple and modest living into a fad; which is skyrocketing the price for land and for tiny homes (someone is selling their vacation cottage in the middle of the woods for $350,000). I live in a metropolitan/urban area, which makes tiny homes illegal. The closest living space to tiny homes in the city are studio apartments which goes for $800-$1200 a month in my neck of the woods. That amount of money in 2 years time is average price of a tiny house on wheels.
I wish homesteading was still allowed; to my understanding Alaska, North Dakota and South Dakota still allow homesteading. No one wants to live in those states because the the winters are terrible.
This is some really good information about properties for small houses. I liked that you pointed out that you need to look at zoning laws. I wouldn’t have even thought about checking that out for a tiny home. But it does make sense in some areas like a city.
I like that you took the time to include how important it really is to find an experienced agent. Just like you explained to us, you should look for contractors and agents who are professional and know what the state’s zoning laws are. I have been wanting to build a home for quite some time now but have not come across any land that really interests me. I think that if I were to consult with an agent, they would be able to show me the potential of the land and give me some options. Thanks again for all the help!
Okay, guys… Nobody needs to hire a realtor or hit their heads against a wall. Here’s what you do when you want to build a “tiny home” (home under 1,800 sq. ft.) on a parcel of land.
1. Create a Zillow account.
2. Search either very rural or Southern counties for land – make sure that the lot is NOT recreational-use only!! If not made obvious, contact the agent selling it and just ask if it’s residential. Another thing – ask if there are any HOA or zoning restrictions on the lot.
3. Zillow has a powerful search engine that allows you to narrow down by cost, zip code, and even keywords. So use it to your advantage.
4. When you have finally found land that meets your tastes (location, price, size, etc.) – the next thing you must do is to contact the county in which you plan to reside and ask about building codes and laws on the books for residential structures. The local government will guide you as to what you are allowed to build. (Other simple dwellings such as yurts are also becoming popular because they are usually legal.)
5. Get to work with a draftsman and handyman who know what they are doing. If building the house from the ground up, watch as many youtube videos and read as many Amazon books and how-to’s online as you possibly can. Learn the lingo when it comes to construction and engineering terms so that you aren’t taken for a fool.
6. Energy/water – if this is important to you, then make sure that during your search, you specify a lot that has an electrical hook-up for your appliances. Water, same thing. It’s no guarantee with rural land. You may need to get used to hauling water from a water source, i.e. nearby stream. Or buy gallons of water every week from the supermarket to bathe in and wash your clothes and dishes/cookware.
7. If there aren’t any pipes on the property (once again, this is another luxury people don’t think about) – learn about outhouses. Especially if it’s just one or two people residing on the property, an outhouse doesn’t have to be a gross operation. They are easy to maintain. You need to study irrigation best practices and/or how to empty the thing every week, in a way that doesn’t make for a biohazard-type situation.
These are all things I have learned thus far in my internet research.
TLDR: Rural, rural, rural. (And Southern.) Know the county’s laws. Study your options and research like crazy.
Many Southern counties do not allow tiny homes.
You also will not be able to claim a homestead exemption if you are not connected to the power grid. Just about
any property in the Georgia mountains has restrictions or
hoa’s.
Hauling water is a big pain. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot wash your clothes in stream water or they will smell of fish.
Rainwater is your best bet.
Also, many jobs from home require Internet connection
that require a hook up to the power grid.
A realtor may be worth it to save you a lot of headaches.
Really, in Georgia, you may be better off purchasing a run down house and fixing it up. It will already have a well and septic tank.
Don’t forget about the cost of generators, solar, cutting trees, heating and especially air conditioning in the South.
The cost of having a drilled well is about $7,000.00.
Septic is best avoided by having a composting toilet.
If there is anyone in the Cleveland, Tx. area please reply. Need help finding or sharing lot and a little on some electrical and pluming. Harvey wiped me and my 13 yr. old daughter out of our home and 43 years of my posssessions. So instead of renting another problem I am wanting to buy a premier basic tiny home and build the inside. The parts I cant do are the electrical and pluming. The rest I have done or can figure out. I am a disabled single mother looking for a stable single female with the same dream. My own home when no way was possible. Right now I am helping my father get into one, his home just burnt down in April. I know I can. Please….text 281-806-0410
Hey everyone,
I am looking at doing this in Arizona, preferably around Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, or Sedona. I am currently looking for a piece of land to buy with enough space for 3-4 tiny homes. Is anyone interested in talking about getting a project started in AZ?
Please reply if you have any interest in my area!
“A Dream You Dream Alone Is Only A Dream. A Dream You Dream Together Is Reality” Yoko Ono
Hi Sarah, was wondering if you have made any progress? I live in Sedona and am planning on building a tiny home next year. I have thought of the community idea myself. Please let me know if you have an update. Thanks
That sounds like the best plan. I live in Georgia on a beautiful piece of property but it doesn’t have acwell or electricity.
The cost of a well is expensive.The power company
will run electricity for free but my tiny cabin is t wired.
I think in order for tiny homes to be fully utilized
you would need land with a well or stream.
Thankfully, we have abundant rainfall here and I
have a strean.
They do place limitations and any tiny Home
has to be at least 450 square feet and be considered
an accessory dwelling unit.
I’ve had several people try to stay here in campers
but didn’t know how to rough it.
One thing that was definitely a surprise was having
bears, black panthers, and mountain lions here.
I am in the piedmont but not in the mountains.
I hope you find like minded people who share your
goals. tinyhomegeorgia
If you need an offgrid hotwater shower system check out my Pinterest store tiny Home Georgia and tiny home design ideas.I also have lots of tiny home do it yourself ideas.
Cook County, Minnesota, is very open to full-time tiny house on wheels living, on your own land! And, in addition, it’s absolutely beautiful there – right on Lake Superior, with the town of Grand Marais being a delightful mix of artists, music, and quaint shops. Murphy Mountain is just minutes from Grand Marais and has wooded private lots.
I want to find tiny houses and buy a lot of land. Thank you for letting me know that a real estate agent can help me accomplish this! “[A real estate professional] will really boost your search and point you in the right direction.” After reading this, I will need to find the perfect real estate company to help me out!
Where in the area near Canby Oregon and how do we go about getting a new tiny house.And where can we find a place to live in the tiny house