The tiny house movement is trending across the United States, which involves finding alternative and more affordable housing. This movement originally gained popularity across the country for promoting simpler lives in smaller spaces.

The tiny house movement is a growing trend for people wanting a more modest and less cluttered lifestyle. Also, tiny houses champion shared community experiences and financial prudence.

Tiny homes reflect a shift in consumerism-driven mindsets and are economically safe overall. Moreover, this trend has inspired Netflix’s latest hit- Tiny House Nation – which sees renovation experts travel across America to help people design and construct their own tiny houses in the smallest spaces. According to Tiny House Nation, size is not what matters; it is creativity that counts.

Tiny houses are typically no larger than four hundred square feet and no smaller than eighty square feet. They are easy to maintain with low energy consumption and more affordable to buy right away for people on small budgets.

Photo By Nathan Anderson – Unsplash Copyright 2016[/caption]

Tiny homes use clever design hacks similar to IKEA furniture to use the allotted space for all the necessities like a living space, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and essential storage.

Tiny houses can be built on foundations like traditional ones, but many tiny homes are made with movement in mind and built on wheels or trailers. Furthermore, it allows the owners to move their houses wherever and whenever they wander. Moreover, it also avoids planning permission, which can be costly and invasive.

Additionally, it appeals to those seeking a minimalist lifestyle and has gained popularity on Airbnb, where homeowners can sit comfortably and gain extra income by renting out their houses. Also, the tiny house movement attracted young people who were priced out of the housing and rental market because of their low salaries. High rents and astronomical mortgage deposits also push these young people to seek alternative living solutions.

It is important to note that some states are not so friendly to tiny houses. According to the government’s rules and regulations, only 26 out of 50 states are the most friendly towards tiny homes in America.

As listed in Business Insider, the ten most popular states for tiny home living are Utah, New York, North Carolina, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Florida, and California.

Tiny House Builders

The best tiny home builders list is as follows:

• Minimaliste – Best Overall
• Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses – Best Budget-Friendly
• Custom Container Living – Best Container Houses
• Tumbleweed Tiny House Company – Best Do-It-Yourself Options
• New Frontier Tiny Homes – Best Luxury
• Tiny Heirloom – Best Pre-Owned

Downsizing to a tiny house can be tempting, but thinking about building your own can be difficult or nearly impossible for non-experts. With complexities like selecting trailers, framing, plumbing, and more, constructing a new tiny house may be best left to a tiny house builder.

The best tiny home builder offers a range of floor plans, high-quality building materials, and beautiful interior finishes at a reasonable price.

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1. Great Lakes Tiny Homes

Location– 9435 W Walton, Blanchard, Michigan

Great Lakes Tiny Homes provides solutions for an incredible life involving downsizing and living simple lives. It is based in central Michigan, where the tiny home movement is just starting. Moreover, Great Lakes Tiny Homes is a family-run business passionate about living a sustainable lifestyle. They build custom homes to suit the wants and needs of residents. Each home is created with detailed specifications and built using reclaimed, high-quality materials and finishes.

Its objectives are to understand people’s goals and provide space-maximizing solutions integrated into your surroundings using many innovative ideas and a think-outside-of-the-box methodology. Their passion for exploring the outdoors has inspired tiny home designs and model names.

Services

1. Tiny home designs built to suit custom designs and reclaimed materials
2. Tiny home construction is built according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) regulations as well as to local building codes
3. Tiny home insurance for peace of mind with third-party THOW insurance coverage for Michigan.

To know the pricing details for your tiny houses, visit the official website whenever you want.

2. Lil Bear Tiny Homes

Location- 4132 Heath Rd, South Branch, MI 48761, United States

Lil Bear Tiny Homes are located in North East Michigan in Ogemaw County bordering the Huron National Forest. Their main business is custom tiny homes on wheels that are 12-30′ long and are surprisingly spacious. Lil Bear Tiny Homes also builds small log cabins that can be delivered like a portable shed.

They recently purchased eight acres in a rural area with recreational activities. Michigan ATV/Snowmobile trails are located just down the street. Also, dozens of watersports & fishing lakes are nearby for kayaking, nature trails, hunting, and camping.

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Vacation Rental/Model Tiny Homes, Log Cabins & a Treehouse are currently in the planning stages. Hence, they can share their beautiful new location with tiny home enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

The Owner/Designer, Mark White, is an award-winning landscape designer. He specializes in outdoor living areas as well as building custom log and timber-frame homes. He studied community & regional planning and landscape design in college. Also, he has a personal focus on living simply in harmony with nature by creating garden cities, recreation centers, and more.

​2021 Pricing

• Rule of thumb pricing is $2,500 per ft. long. 
• The average base price is $2,500 per foot of length for an 8.5′ wide tiny house. 
• $40,000 – 16′ long – 1 GVW (gross vehicle weight capacity)
• $50,000 – 20′ long – 1 GVW
• $60,000 – 24′ long – 1 GVW
• $70,000 – 28′ long – 1 GVW +$2k upgrade to 21 GVW

The Cub-House 20′ Long – Latest Model – $65,000

The Cub-House, as of Jan 2021, is the brand new Display model available for touring at Lil Bear Tiny Homes’s brand new 80-acre location.

It is only twenty feet long but fully equipped for full-time living with the following:

• ​14′ long kitchen counter with a huge stainless farmhouse sink.
• Bartop table with three seats, Rec Pro burner gas stove, and 24″ wide refrigerator
• 10′ wide floor-to-ceiling windows can be upgraded to Trapezoid upper windows
• Two loft bedrooms that can fit up to 2 king-sized beds
• Loft Selves with three rows of high storage.
• Sectional couch, which converts to sleep two more people
• The curved staircase leading to both lofts has an additional bedroom for pets under the 1st 2 steps.
• ​3′ wide closet with extra storage behind the upper steps.
• The washer/dryer combo is tucked under the kitchen counter.
• Infrared heat fireplace, Electric in-floor heat, and HD Smart TV mounted to the fireplace
• Bathroom with a space-saving sink, soft-close RV toilet, and porcelain tile rainhead shower.
• Waterproof premium vinyl plank flooring.
• Interior natural T&G wood walls, lofts, ceiling.

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3. Cool Tiny Homes

Location- 3753 Orion Road, Oakland Charter Township, MI  48363

Cool Tiny Homes is a Michigan-based Tiny home builder. They thrive to use materials which are sourced locally. Putting good, hardworking people to work, they continue striving for community growth. Moreover, each tiny home uses up to 20% reclaimed material.

Cool Tiny Homes also has an apprenticeship program to help with the down-fall of construction trades. Each tiny home program teaches recruits about all construction areas. Cool Tiny Hunter Homes are designed for outdoor adventures and hunters. A quick and easy hook-up to your vehicle means you have tough and rugged shelter at any time. Cool Tiny Homes builds tiny homes for peace of mind and abundant amenities.

List of Models or Tiny Homes

• • The Galavant
  • The Dog House
  • The Day Trip
  • The Weekender
  • The Transport
  • The Stay

The Galavant Model – 312 Sq. Ft. – $84,900

The Galavant Model has two large lofts with stairs, a comfortable dining area, and seating in the kitchen, which is perfect for family living with a little class and charm.

The Dog House Model – 204 Sq. Ft. – $53,900

The Dog House model is perfect because of an off-grid living or taking a trip across the country. 4 bunks can be converted into 2 king-size size beds or just one bed with storage above/below. This unit had fresh and gray tanks above the floor to be used in the harsh winter months. There is an inverter that will power the 110-volt appliances and 12-volts too. 

The Day Trip Model – 170 Sq. Ft. – $29,900

The Day Trip Model has an exterior shell ready to go for the handyman or adventure seeker to finish as you please. A weather-tight exterior with your choice of finishes is provided with the model. With an overall height of just 12′, the day trip model is a portable house, which makes traveling easier.

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The Weekender Model – 220 Sq. Ft. – $69,900

The Weekended Model has a spacious interior with a queen bed and a full-size couch. There is no lack of storage space as there are places on the first floor and in the loft to store anything. 

The Transport Model – 100 Sq. Ft. – $42,900

In the Transport Model, You get the convenience of being able to carry your 4-seater side-by-side and have a place to stay all-in-one easy-to-pull unit. With a spring-assisted ramp to help secure the cargo, it will also double as steps to get in and out safely. Above the cargo area is a covered porch with more storage and an optional outdoor entertainment system. There is plenty of storage inside with a full bathroom and functioning kitchen.

The Stay Model – Preorder is available now. It is 26′ long and sleeps 4 – fully loaded for $83,900

4. 400 sqft House for sale- Monroe, Michigan

Next, Immo has a listing for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, four-hundred square feet house for sale in Monroe, Michigan. This home is situated on a half-acre of land and has been freshly painted.

Assets include:

• A Wood Front Porch,
• Living Room & Bedroom has hardwood flooring
• Lots of Natural Lighting
• New Ceiling Fans
• Eat-in Kitchen along with refrigerator, full bath, and stove. 

Main characteristics:

• • Location – Monroe, Michigan
  • Price – $64,900
  • Square footage – 400 sqft
  • Number of bedrooms – 1
  • Number of bathrooms – 1
  • Amenities – Refrigerator

Source: Freepik[/caption] 5. Tiny Home On Wheels 

Location- Burr Oak, Michigan

Price – $90,000

Tiny House On Wheels is a mobile tiny home with 320 sq. ft. one bedroom and one bathroom.

• • 37’x 8’9″ Tiny Home built in 2021
  • 2×4 construction
  • Foam board insulation, metal roof, and siding
  • A 72″ sliding glass door
  • 50 amp electrical service
  • 9000 BTU Seville heat / ac mini-split
  • Dog door, 48″x36″ rain shower
  • Kohler Santa Rosa Elongated flush toilet
  • LG front load washer/dryer combo
  • Ashley Boxberg Double reclining loveseat with console
  • Duxtop LCD portable double induction cooktop
  • LG microwave, Sports Afield 48 gun safe.
  • This home is for direct water and sewer hookup.
  • Internet / Cable lines are available. 

Do you want to build your own tiny home? Here is an interesting story that occurred in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Photo By Jonathan Mast – Unsplash Copyright 2017[/caption]

People in many states are building rustic tiny homes on land or turning a trailer into a dream tiny home. Michigan tiny house lovers are lifelong interested in mobile homes, great outdoors, and accessory dwelling units. People sometimes make their own tiny homes or buy from the listings. 

A woman in Grand Rapids downsized to a tiny house after she faced a big frustration with the housing market. Sara Simon had a small house built in 2020, but she cannot find a place to permanently and legally place it. She sold her condo to start exploring other housing options. But then the pandemic occurred, and she reconsidered an idea she had years ago.  Simon started thinking about a tiny house, but it seemed like a dream, not something adults would do or think about. However, the housing market became an extreme seller’s market, and houses in the West Michigan area became smaller. So, Simon did not want to overpay for something she did not love. She received encouragement from her family and reconsidered the tiny home idea.

In May, she decided to go through the idea of building her own home because she needed something positive through COVID-19. She started building with a company – Great Lakes Tiny Homes. Simon was able to build a perfect space to include all her specifications, like a pebble-stoned shower and a cat patio. 

This tiny home was built like a trailer, about 250 sq. ft., and 24 feet long with a three-foot front porch. Furthermore, it has a washer, dryer, full shower, composting toilet, two-bed lofts, a desk area, two sinks, and about ten feet of counter space in the kitchen. In addition, Great Lakes Tiny Homes were about to build the house right down to Simon’s favorite color – blue. 

Construction for houses like these typically ranges between $30,000 and $80,000. Moreover, it is doable for people who do not want to go through banks and all the hassles of buying, building, or renting a regular house. However, Simon did have a problem after the house was built. She could not find a permanent and legal spot to place and live in the mobile home. 

Simon originally wanted to park it in a family member’s or friend’s yard and pay them the rent. But, mostly, this is not legal, and when she called around the townships, they said it is not on the books. Nothing is set in stone, making it hard to plan for the future, move it, or park it without the fear of fines.  Later, Simon considered living in a campground once her lease is up in the fall, but it is only a short-term solution. The tiny home is sitting unused at her family’s property in Lower Northern Michigan. According to Andrea Brown – executive director of the Michigan Planning Association – no state regulations are guiding siting for Michigan tiny houses. This decision lies wholly with zoning boards at the municipal level.

The local municipalities were not innovative in accepting alternative housing types like tiny houses. However, there could be multiple effective uses for transition homes or those facing homelessness. In short, Simon’s newly built tiny home had a full shower, washer, toiler, oven, dryer, and two sinks. 

Andrea Brown said that the density resistance from residents is one of the largest challenges. Additionally, they just do not want too many people living in one space. The demand for such houses is not yet there in Michigan. Also, there are still challenges with water and sewer hookups in cities. For example, people can build accessory dwelling units on properties in Grand Rapids. This is just a second structure to live in. However, a zoning ordinance sets the minimum square footage at 400 sq. ft. Moreover, a township in Northern Michigan amended the codes to be more tiny-house friendly. Briley Township defined a new type of economy-efficient dwelling, allowing homes between 240 and 500 sq. feet.

Meanwhile, Simon is even considering going out of state so she can live in her tiny house. She hopes more municipalities closer to her can examine codes to allow this alternative type of living. She was frustrated because she knew it could be something good for her community. Grand Rapids and Michigan could benefit from this, she thought.

Closing Thoughts

In short, there are a limited number. Make sure they suit your needs and test their practicality before buying them.

Tiny houses for sale in Michigan, in its largest city and traverse city, offer all the amenities, an arbor, and are fully mobile. Hopefully, the above article has given you a general idea.

Takeaway Points From This News Piece:

1. Thoroughly research before even considering buying or building a tiny home
2. Always seek professional help while designing and building
3. Have multiple options ready for any unforeseen circumstances
4. Make sure your home follows all the protocols, rules, regulations, and guidelines 

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Last Updated on July 19, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology