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204 Sq. Ft. Tiny House For Sale in New Mexico


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Here’s a 204 sq. ft. tiny house on wheels for sale right now with the asking price of $42,000. It’s located in Taos, New Mexico.

The natural materials make this tiny house cozy and warm. With 10 ft ceilings and many windows the space is surprisingly spacious.

“The kitchen was designed with a chef in mind- 8ft long cherry countertops, a classic 50‘s “Roper Rangette” fits 2 half sheet pans, and has four burners, a stainless steel hood above the range for circulation, a generous porcelain farm sink, and large windows for views while doing everyday culinary activities.” – Peter W. Gilroy, owner

Peter W. Gilroy, owner of this tiny house built and designed it himself in October 2012 using new and recycled  eco-friendly materials.

If you are interested in buying this tiny house you should know it can be easily moved with a dually diesel truck.

Below are some photos of this tiny house on wheels.

204 Sq. Ft. Tiny House For Sale in New Mexico

204-Sq-Ft-Tiny-House-For-Sale-001

Images © Peter W. Gilroy

204-Sq-Ft-Tiny-House-For-Sale-002 204-Sq-Ft-Tiny-House-For-Sale-003 204-Sq-Ft-Tiny-House-For-Sale-004 204-Sq-Ft-Tiny-House-For-Sale-005

Images © Peter W. Gilroy

Exterior Features:

  • Built on an 8.5’x24′ custom built trailer, 14,000lb dual axle
  • Recycled polyisocyanurate (rigid foam) insulation- 4″ in walls (R20) & 6″ in floor & ceiling (R35)
  • Cedar/galvanized steel siding
  • Galvanized steel roof
  • Sierra Pacific Windows & Doors- hardwood & aluminum clad

Interior Features:

  • Applewood Ply walls (no drywall) with Bioshield clay paint
  • Hardwood cherry countertops & breakfast bar with beeswax finish
  • Hardwood cherry shelves
  • Ceramic farm sink & Delta faucet
  • Cork flooring
  • Handmade cabinets with retro geometric detailing
  • Energy efficient under counter fridge & freezer
  • Rheem on demand hot water heater
  • Dickson Marine boat stove
  • Vintage Roper 24″ range
  • Stainless Steel kitchen range hood
  • Galvanized steel shower with stainless steel shower pan
  • 2 loft/storage spaces
  • LED Lighting (does not interfere with circadian rhythms)

If you are interested in purchasing this 204 sq. ft. tiny house please contact Peter W. Gilroy here.

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Andrea is a contributor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the Tiny House Newsletter! She has a passion for sharing tiny and small house stories and introducing you to new people, ideas, and homes.
{ 47 comments… add one }
  • Bev
    March 28, 2015, 7:49 am

    I like this home very much–it is artistic. I am hoping the land is included.

  • BrownLuster
    March 28, 2015, 8:37 am

    Wow Andrea!
    I would buy this tiny home just for the vintage Roper Stove!! Lol!
    When I read Peter Gilroy’s description of “The kitchen was designed with a chef in mind” and “a classic 50‘s Roper Rangette”, I couldn’t wait to see the interior, especially the kitchen & that stove! I have an original 1956 Roper 4 burner gas stove (40 in.) that was my Grandmothers. She bought it in 1956 from MichCon (Michigan Consolidated Gas Company) gas utility company and it still works excellently, so I was more than pleased to see a mini/apartment style vintage Roper Stove here!! They don’t build quality like that anymore unless you have the $$$$$ to purchase a commercial restaurant or chef’s stove.

    As for the home, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE container & pre-fab homes! I like the convenience of everything on one level. I really like this one too & the kitchen is so functional all the while being beautiful. Love the farm sink as well!! The bedroom area looked spacious enough from what I saw of it, however it would have been good if they had shown the bathroom area. By the feature listing, I see there is a shower but was wondering if you knew if there was a functioning bathroom, complete w/a toilet & sink.

    The shelving is wonderful and I love the exterior as well. Are those Poppies in the front yard? (You have really sparked memories of my childhood being raised by my Grandparents…*happy tears*) Based on the features list, the home is pretty well insulated w/the exception of the roof. So the questions I have are: What is being used for soundproofing for that metal roof? I know that when there is a robust rainfall the metal roofs make a lot of noise. Secondly, how is the Roper stove being powered? That stove was designed back in the 1950’s to be powered by natural gas + electricity if it has a timer, oven light and/or clock feature. Was the stove converted to be powered by propane maybe?

    I am so pleased to see this home and Thanks for this one Andrea! It is not only functional but so beautiful. Love the enamel cast iron skillets too! Happy Face Smile! (^_^)

    • Peter Gilroy
      March 28, 2015, 10:59 am

      Hello,
      I built the house.
      The roper stove is amazing! It was converted to propane and does not use any electricity. The roof has 6 inches of polyiso insulation so it is very well insulated. We live in the mountains and have gone through week long periods with the temperature around zero and the nights hitting -22 F and still been super warm.
      We used a composting toilet in the bathroom but right now there is an open space available for any kind of toilet you may want.
      Thanks!
      Peter

      • gale
        March 30, 2015, 1:04 pm

        What type of shower do you have..
        Enclosed or wet bath?

      • BrownLuster
        March 30, 2015, 5:26 pm

        Thanks Peter Gilroy!
        This home is beautiful and it is hard to believe that this home is only 204 sq.ft. because you made use the space wonderfully! I also visited your website and your RV is just as phenomenal & functional. Your designs look modern and sleek, however this THOW has a somewhat rustic homey feel with some modern touches. I LOVE IT!

        Your home is wonderfully built & insulated and just wondered if noise (rain, critters) is an issue with the metal roof? I’m sure whatever sounds of nature you hear in the serenity of the mountains, may very well be welcomed!

        In any event, your attention to quality, craftsmanship and design in building this home is impeccable! Thank You for sending your photos of your beautiful THOW for sale. When I make my plans a reality for my SH (Small Home), the kitchen will be my focal point as well and I most certainly plan to fit my 40in Roper Stove in there too!

        Thanks Peter!

  • Dennis Reynolds
    March 28, 2015, 10:14 am

    It’s a cute little home, but definitely not my style. And it’s hard for me to see $42,000 for this house, unless there is some land with it. For $42,000 I could build me my tiny “dream home” that’s larger than this. I guess it comes down to what you like/want, and what you are willing to pay.

    • BrownLuster
      March 28, 2015, 3:06 pm

      Hi Dennis!
      As you & Bev stated, I too would hope that some land acreage would come with this THOW for the $42k price tag. All jokes aside, as much as I Love that lil Roper stove and farm sink…that alone does not carry this THOW into the $42k price range. I was thinking if it had a functional bathroom (toilet, sink along with the shower) it would fall somewhere in the $26k-$30k range. Too, if the asking price does include land, I wonder what the price would be if you only wanted the THOW? Hmmm…

      Though the listing states there are 2 lofts/storage spaces, as Nancy stated, the addition of a small closet & additional shelving would be excellent on top of that! I just wished they could have shown pics of the loft spaces & shower/bathroom. That could in my eyes, justify a small increase in price but nothing to the level of $40k or higher.

  • Nancy
    March 28, 2015, 10:37 am

    LOVE this tiny house! So light and airy, and sleeping on the ground floor! However, not seeing the bathroom does leave a few questions. Two things I would have to change. 1. Raise the bed (storage underneath); 2. Include a very small hanging closet, possibly over the foot of the bed, as I don’t see any other place it could go. Those would be easy changes to make, and would increase storage significantly!

  • ann
    March 28, 2015, 12:18 pm

    $42,000 for just the house is simply too much!

  • James Chapman
    March 28, 2015, 1:01 pm

    Not that its not nice,it is but if the dwelling dont come with at least a couple acres of land then its not a very good buy at all,and I assume since it has wheels there is likely no land.For 42000.00 I could by land,and build a nice cabin,if these small homes/trailers( trailers I dont care for) are going to cost as much as a used home with land,that needs a little work,I would buy the used home and do the work.In the small home game one can do a lot with $42000.00

    • Michelle
      May 28, 2015, 1:11 am

      All these people who talk as if you could buy land AND this house for $42K. . .it depends where you live! Where I live, it literally costs 5 or 6X that amount for just a small, bare lot WAAAY out of town. 10X that for anywhere close to town, easily. It is all relative, and the added costs are in the details (eco-friendly, reclaimed materials, etc.) and the charm. I LOVE this house, and could easily see myself living in it or something similar.

      • J.E.Chapman
        May 28, 2015, 3:04 pm

        I agree with what you say about location,in Cali. a $150,000.00 home where Im at on a 1/2 acre lot would be a half million bucks.The big thing with me and the houses with wheels is you may as well buy a trailer house or camper ,which trailers are being given away some places in VA.as I guess they are in other places also.I just cant see paying that much,when I could do more with the cash.

  • Jan
    March 28, 2015, 1:02 pm

    I have to agree, the price should include some land there?? And no toilet is ever mentioned? I suspect it has an outdoor toilet? A man would not mind no indoor toilet, but a lady?I also have to agree, It is nice to see the bed downstairs and storage up stairs ?For the price without any land, anyone could build a new one..

  • Larry Job
    March 28, 2015, 2:40 pm

    I do not see any mention for either a heater or AC unit. What do you use for heating the space in winter and cooling it in summer? Maybe interested in purchasing it and moving it to Colorado.

    • Comet
      March 29, 2015, 9:25 pm

      There is a Dickson Marine Heater and other features in a list above–perhaps this was added after this posted? And the builder replied to the first post above with nore info.

  • Susie M
    March 28, 2015, 3:02 pm

    Really like this one – wish there were pics of the bathroom – or better yet – a video tour detailing how the wiring is run, the type of plumbing used, specifics of the trailer – what was done to it, brakes, axels, weight capacity and total weight load; thought process behind decisions etc. That has been really helpful in past videos.

    As to a couple of the previous posts inquiring if land was included – I doubt that very much – the interior of this has some very high end finishing – I mean 6′ long cherry counter top!! come on people; Mr. Gilroy has hand built this THOW – and quite beautifully, I might add – the Roper stove, the farmhouse sink!! Cork floors – I’d love a closer look at the detailing on those handmade cabinets…

    It might not be everyone’s taste – but if I had the cash – if I could unload my 5+ acres in VT fast enough – I’d be down there in a heartbeat!! All that light – a side entrance which leaves more useable space at the end… NO ladder to climb every night – raising the bed to install more storage would be a doddle.. drooool…. dare I say that this is Tiny House porn????

    It is quite long for the average THOW and as the owner states, can be moved with a duel axel diesel truck.
    It’s great that there is a list of the features – btw – BrownLuster – if you read the features list – the roof and floor insulation is 6″ of rigid foam – 2″ thicker than the walls.

    • BrownLuster
      March 28, 2015, 3:39 pm

      Oh Suzie M… LOL!!
      Cracking up @ “drool…” & “Tiny House porn” (^_^)

      Yup…I saw the 6″ insulation in the description but that was for the floor & ceiling. With the pitch of the roof, I just wondered how much empty space (if any) is in between the roof and the ceiling? That empty space contributes to the noise during rainy days or critters running around on the roof. The insulation may very well be in between the ceiling and roof. Idk. If so, then that would muffle the noise I guess. Also, I wondered what is being used for ventilation of that metal roof? Small vents up there on the other side of the roof that they didn’t snap a pic of maybe? It doesn’t look like there’s a ridge vent on the roof.

      In any event, it is hard to believe that this home is only 204 sq. ft as it looks much more spacious than that…and it’s lovely (for my tastes) to boot. You really made me laugh out loud Suzie M!! Thanks, that really made my day!!

      • Susie M
        March 28, 2015, 4:25 pm

        —> BrownLuster : Ah… Glasshopper, the wisdom of muffling noise pollution lies in empty space; for nothing can exist in a vacuum – how wise you are! Or is it the other way around with a cat on a hot tin roof? Idk either – that’s why sites like these are so helpful for when we build/purchase our own.

        As to square footage – that would be including the outside measurements – 8.5 x 24 = 204
        now – here’s where things get really tricky, which is probably why Mr. Gilroy applied the KISS principle – Interior square footage would need to deduct not only the framing, but also the thickness of the wall materials – then there is that porch to consider – he’d have to measure the interior dimensions and minus those from the total square footage – which – unless he had measured and recorded once the interior walls were up, but before anything else was installed, would be a tad awkward to do with a tape measure, unless he had worked from an exact to scale set of blue prints.

        Bearing in mind that he is a chef, and obviously a talented visionary artist – I would guess ( but of course have no way of knowing for sure, except that as an experienced chef/writer/artist myself) one thing inspires another, and before you know it – whatever you started with has evolved beyond the original conception. That’s just my guestimate – and artistic license…lol

        So glad to have brightened your day. BTW.. if the insulation is not between the ceiling and roof… where else would it be…? You are making my brain work too hard, ha ha!

  • Racerboy53
    March 28, 2015, 4:42 pm

    $42k!? You have got to be out of your mind. You can get a beautiful 5th wheel for half that.

    • Alex
      March 28, 2015, 11:00 pm

      I’ve seen 5th wheels go for as much as $80k new. It all depends! That being said, it isn’t always about price. Take the ideas. Those are free. 🙂

  • susan
    March 28, 2015, 8:53 pm

    I love it, although I’m wondering about the bathroom situation as well. As for the price….I think it’s reasonable with all the high end touches. I’m sure it could be built for less, but I, for one, would rather go with all the special and unique features.

  • Mary J
    March 29, 2015, 2:04 am

    very nice tiny house. there’s alot to love about this one. the price is more than just a figure, there are some high quality looking finishes and that makes a very pleasant place to call home. I would love to see the bathroom sometime. There should be some water saving features – spouting, or guttering along the roofline to catch rainwater would be a good idea, of course, that adds to the outside dimensions so maybe that is why there is none but this does seem to be a common thing with tiny houses!

  • Mary Ann
    March 29, 2015, 10:59 am

    Peter, you have done an excellent job. Your home would be ideal for many who are seeking a “quality” build. When you compare the price of commercial TH builders, without these premium finishes, $40K is not an unreasonable price. Of course we can buy cheaper. But would it have apple ply, high R insulation, demand hot water, premium windows and flooring… I think not. And as many good ‘Marketers’ know… Your ad should leave the readers with questions unanswered. Those are the issues you would discuss with buyers who contact you. Of course, all of us voyageurs would love to see what you did with the bathroom… But that privilege has been reserved for interested buyers.

  • Zephyr
    March 29, 2015, 8:37 pm

    Everything is expensive in NM. If land came with it the price would double!

    • BrownLuster
      March 30, 2015, 5:48 pm

      Thanks for the clarification Zephyr!
      I live in Michigan and prices for land, building, etc. are most likely are much lower and in some cities in Michigan, it’s essentially a steal! So in comparison to New Mexico, I guess $42k would seem a bit more than what it would cost to build here in most parts of Michigan.

      Thanks Zephyr!

  • March 31, 2015, 12:06 am

    Hello All!
    Thanks for all of the great comments!
    A little clarification on price, first of all we have been working with realtors to sell our house so the $42000 price tag included some negotiation and their commission. Our direct sale price would be $37,000.
    Sure, you could build one for yourself for cheaper but how much is your time worth. I put about 400 hours into this house and I built it very well. I am a furniture maker and artist, check out my website. I also chose premium materials with an emphasis on low chemical emissions. It is very efficient and has gone through 2 winters here in Taos where it can easily reach -20 degrees F and we were very cozy, never paying more than $35 per month in electrical bills for heat and light. Propane cost is at most $12 per month for hot water and cooking.
    The cost of construction for this house is $181 per sq ft. In Taos, NM that would get you what is called an economy house, essentially a tract home. Land in Taos, NM starts at $65,000 per acre, and for a nice piece of land it can easily be $100,000. I spent 3 years searching for foreclosed houses and for $140,000 you could get a beat-up shell of a house with barely functional systems and a bare dirt yard. So that is why I ended up building a tiny house. And yeah, I absolutely loved my tiny house but am selling it to downsize again and live out of a sprinter van! Tiny living is wonderful! Thanks Alex for all of your work and all the other online tiny house forums as well!

    • Alex
      April 2, 2015, 11:39 am

      Thanks Peter!

      • Mary
        May 26, 2015, 3:36 pm

        Does the Eames come with it 😉 I think it’s well designed and the price is very reasonable! If could afford one without financing, I’d pick yours! Lovely

  • Leigh Jackson
    March 31, 2015, 2:09 am

    Isn’t Taos, New Mexico the same city where earthship is located?

    I have to agree 42k is a bit high, but I never counted the hours I put into my THOW’s so it might be a decent price. I know a lot of people will say they “could” build something way nicer with that kind of cash, so why haven’t they yet? As an artist, when I price a piece of art I almost never take into account m hours because if I did I’d be stuck with a piece of art that although admired by passer-byes would never be sold. No matter how wonderful it makes you feel to look at it.

    So for all those people that are saying 42K is way to much money, get off your rears and go build one, and be sure to could your time, and give yourself at least minimum wage. I’ll bet you come close to this number.

  • Denise
    March 31, 2015, 3:15 am

    I am getting so sick and tired of people posting things like “I could build that for a fraction of the price…they’re crazy”, “Does that include the land? If not, they’re insane” Really? Then why aren’t you building that dream home for next to nothing that you claim you’re capable of building, instead of combing THs for sale and insulting all of them from behind the safety of your screen name?

    Additionally, guess what? There’s a huge difference between a Kia and a BMW. I’m sick and tired of people dismissing the work and craftsmanship of quality TH builds just because they’d be perfectly satisfied with ugly veneer siding, linoleum floors, plastic cabinets…the same people who buy 100% polyester clothes at Walmart that rip apart after a few washings, but make fun of people who spend more for 100% cotton. Guess what folks, you get what you pay for. Stop ripping people apart for charging more for their beautiful hand-craftsmanship. If it’s too “fancy” for your tastes, then move along to the next junker or better yet – build your own as you keep claiming to be able to do!

    Sorry for the tirade, but I’m sick of all these posters with champagne tastes and beer budgets…or actually beer tastes and welfare budgets…who are angry about their station in life and jealous of anyone who’s done a bit better for themselves. They belittle the sellers of THs that they secretly covet but could never afford, and so they spew hate while hiding behind their little computer screens. Get a life instead of ripping on everyone else when you clearly have no idea what the market rate for ANYTHING of quality is, including labor. I’d say it’s sad, but I have no pity for jealous haters.

    • BrownLuster
      March 31, 2015, 12:35 pm

      Denise,
      While I respect your opinion and understand your frustration, to cast aspersions about posters budgets, tastes and making assumptions that posters are “jealous” of the design, deco & craftsmanship of a home is just plain disrespectful.

      Based on the locale of some posters, it may very well be a different price point to build & aquire quality materials than other locales….so that could possibly determine why some posters felt the price was a little steep for this well crafted THOW. Who knows? Some posters may already have a quality home and haven’t made the jump to purchase or build a TH for numerous reasons, none of which being the ones that you went on a tirade about.

      In any event…while I respect and understand your opinion, I just ask that you respect other posters opinions as well. I mean, they are only OPINIONS. Like Alex stated in bis above post, “it isn’t always about price. Take the ideas. Those are free. :)”
      No disrespect intended.

    • leili
      April 1, 2015, 12:01 am

      Denise, thanks for saying what needed to be said here. I’m afraid I might have ranted too if you hadn’t done so first. Heck, the commentary here has been getting so appalling, I may turn this into a rant too.

      People seem to think that everybody else’s design work & labor put into crafting these handmade homes should be free to them just because they read this blog or something.

      Of course you can get a cheap aluminum or fiberglass, poorly insulated 3-season one-size-fits-all factory-made RV for 21K. (On second thought I’m not really sure you can, at that.) You can get a machine made mass produced rocking chair cheaper than you get one handmade by a craftsman, too.

      And of course, presuming you have all the requisite carpentry & MEP skills, you could put in the extensive effort to source all the materials yourself & spend the hundreds of hours required to put a custom, stick-built hand-finished project like this together a lot more cheaply yourself. I guess if you’re unemployed and your going rate is $0/hour, that’s what it will cost you not working at another job when you are designing & building your project instead of getting paid in negotiable currency for applying your skills & hard work on something else.

      But I share Denise’s frustration with the awful manners of everybody so casually denigrating the projects that are showcased here now. The owner was nice enough to respond to questions, too! I do wonder why anyone would voluntarily subject themselves to these thoughtless critiques by professional anonymous internet know-it-alls who, if they actually *could* design & build something “for half this price”, would have already done so and wouldn’t have even bothered to click on this offer.

      If you think you can do better, then by all means do it and maybe Alex will give you the opportunity to show us the pics here too. If you can’t, then please have some consideration, hold your obnoxious know-it-all tongues for once, & spare the rest of us the incessant whining insults flung at the people nice enough to let us see their hard work.

      The world doesn’t revolve around you & you really don’t *have* to share with the rest of the world every single vapid & callous thought that comes into your head, you know. Yeesh!

  • Denise
    March 31, 2015, 8:25 pm

    BrownLuster – you are absolutely correct, and my post last night was every bit as inflammatory as those of some of the other people who blast their negative opinions of high quality THs that come with high price tags. I was obviously worked up and sunk to the same level of vitriol, and you called me out on it in a very rational manner. Thank you!

    I’ve been receiving these listings every day for the last nine months, and it’s rare that I don’t see one or more comments calling out the sellers as “crazy”, “rip-off artists”, “ruining the tiny house movement”, etc…and after seeing this again and again I finally blew my cool. I’ve seen dozens (maybe even hundreds) of listings that I find unattractive, poorly laid out, poor quality materials, etc, and I simply move on. I don’t feel the need to insult the build, the price point, or judge the intentions of the builders…because I don’t see the point of it. If the feedback is constructive, then it completely makes sense, but if the reasoning is just to diminish the person’s taste or accuse them of being an Enron-level rip-off artist who’s out to take advantage of the TH buyer community, I think it’s counterproductive and turns off other readers. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.

    However, I most certainly should have stated my point more eloquently, as I typically do with my online posts. No one enjoys having strangers make assumptions about their character or motivations in an online forum, but unfortunately that’s the ugly side of the internet. Who knows, maybe if just one of those commenters who constantly posts negative comments realizes something from this dialogue, then it was worth it. The TH community that I’ve met are all about positive lifestyles and attitudes, not people who live for the next chance to rip apart another TH build.

    I appreciate your response, which gave me the opportunity to APOLOGIZE and clarify my frustration. Final point to those who are in different stages of life and/or socioeconomic situations: a person or couple who owns a “regular” house in an area of booming property values (say they bought their house for $250k a decade ago and it’s doubled in value since then, for example), can realistically sell that house for $500k, pay off the bank note, and walk away with a large chunk of cash that allows them to be able to afford to pay cash for a high end TH. Tiny houses, and the lifestyle, are NOT only for people who were never able to afford to buy a standard house…they’re also for people who opt to use the profit from selling their standard house in a hot market and change their financial outlook and lifestyle dramatically for the better. I think many readers don’t understand how buyers can get their hands on so much cash, when it can easily be explained with this scenario. What’s wrong with a house-poor person making a profit, because they bought in the right place/right time, and now choosing to use that windfall for a dramatic and positive life change? Is there anything wrong with them wanting to buy a TH with extraordinary workmanship and high end fixtures, something they could never otherwise afford in a regular house, and paying a premium for it? Does that somehow diminish the movement? I don’t think so.

    • BrownLuster
      March 31, 2015, 9:04 pm

      Denise,
      Thank you so much for your eloquent clarification and apology. And I completely understand your frustrations with some posters that post negative statements about the various tiny/small homes that people have showcased on this site and other sites. Believe me Denise, I’ve read some dooozies and I’ve read some comments that don’t have a dern thing to do with the home, deco, floorplan. In those csses, those posters usually get thier coat tails pulled for being outright offensive, as they should. Alex put that “Report Comment” link there for a reason! Lol.

      There have been more than a few TH that I didn’t particularly care for or that wouldn’t fit my lifestyle now or in the future & I’ve have seen some butt ugly interior designs as well but you wudn’t know it because I simply don’t post my displeasure with it. It serves no purpose to decimate someone else’s pride & joy. I do however, appreciate your purpose as sometimes posters need to know that thier comments, though encouraged may be aggressive, distasteful or outright rude.

      Once again, I say Thank You for apology and truly appreciate your perspectives. (^_^)

      • Alex
        April 2, 2015, 11:32 am

        You all are the best 🙂

  • Denise
    April 2, 2015, 4:14 pm

    ALEX – I think an article explaining the various ways that “regular people” are able to afford to pay cash for more expensive, high-end tiny houses (without simply being independently wealthy and buying another toy for their collection) would not only bring some important insights into the increased volume of “designer tiny houses”, but also spur some very constructive dialogue among your readership.

    I would be happy to provide some input and collaborate on the piece with you. There are a few different perspectives that many are missing, perhaps for no other reason than that they never looked at it that way. My impetus for wanting to do this has nothing to do with any type of personal gain, but instead because I think it’s an important discussion that hasn’t yet been addressed on any Tiny Living blogs or sites that I’ve run across since becoming part of this community (admittedly later than many others, but no less passionately!) If you’re interested, please contact me directly by email, which I enter every time I log in for a comment.

    I hate to see this community become more and more divided, with such extreme viewpoints, and would love to provide a different perspective that might help some to meet in the middle, so to speak.

    Hope to hear from you. Cheers, Denise

  • Mary Ann
    April 2, 2015, 9:48 pm

    Denise, I’m not sure we are a homogeneous now. I’m not receptive to being in the “middle”. Some THOW’s want to travel regularly around North America, but not in an aluminum can currently classed as an RV. (Provost may be the only exception) Others want to travel but stay from a few days to a year or so in one place. Then there are some who want a THOW to be a permanent structure with land, but want to live small.

    I regard Alex’s site as a small/tiny home resource… not a financial reserve of information. How people save, spend or earn their money is a different subject altogether.. For me, since my first part time job at age 14, I put 10% of my pay into savings. My parents insisted I also pay for my own clothes and school supplies… There were no freebies even though both my parents were professionals with well paying jobs. Then when I started my career, in addition to the 10%, I saved every other pay raise. And… Always live below your income… It is surprising how the dollars add up…to tens of thousands of $. If you want to try a frugal life style then follow http://www.mrmoneymustach.com.

    And just so you know, I raised children without any financial help from their Father. I have travelled the world and owned homes in several locations. I have never wanted for anything… Because I knew I could have had it…. Because I still had those tens of thousands of savings $ well invested.

    I am now ready to downsize again, and trying to convince my second husband travelling in a tiny home would be a great experience: staying several months in each location around the continent. So, for me a THOW with all the upgrades is my criteria. Unless you have used high end appliances and lived in R30 insulated homes you won’t understand why some people would not settle for less in a Tiny Home.

    How we manage our life and money would result in thousands of stories. Subjects dealing with money are complex and should take into consideration taxes, investments and 401k’s and RRSP’s. Every situation is unique. We should never follow what other people have done, no matter how well intentioned that advice is.

    Personally, I’m not interested in how others can afford a TH. Whether you earn $13K or $213K it all comes down to how you spend and save ..and that’s a very personal matter.

    Alex’s site specializes in Tiny Homes — with and without wheels. He has worked hard to achieve this success and recognition. I hope he does not dilute this resource by cluttering it with peripheral topics. Hopefully we, his readers, have planned what lifestyle we seek, and how each of us want to live in a Tiny Home. With planning and hard work anything is achievable. You just have to want it bad enough and not be satisfied with being in the “middle”.

    ps.. I went to Lowe’s and just one insulation ceiling panel was $53.00. This home would require a minimum of 12 panels for the roof. Then walls and trailer bed are also insulated… Do the math… and that is just one of hundreds of items need to be bought and installed. As I said, your desired lifestyle will determine what quality of Tiny Home you want to live in….

  • Denise
    April 2, 2015, 11:15 pm

    Maryann – my comment above had absolutely nothing to do with trying to persuade the wide variety of TH enthusiasts to become homogenous or conformist! If you knew me personally, you’d know that I’m more individualistic than 90% of society, and am drawn to unique and creative ideas and lifestyles as a whole. There’s nothing that sends shivers down my spine like the term “master planned community”, and I have never and will never consider the idea of living in a suburban neighborhood with all matching houses and a homeowners association that stifles creativity and individualism. My idea is also NOT to guide or suggest ways to save for and buy a quality TH if one doesn’t have the skills to build it.

    My frustration is that I read these listings regularly, even though I already have my own unique backyard THOW that I’m thrilled with and very proud of, yet I enjoy the creative ideas that get my own artistic wheels turning for both enhancing my current TH and incorporating future ideas for converting my attached 1-car garage with TH principles in mind.

    However, so many of these posts get hijacked by people who accuse professional builders and individuals who’ve built their own, and are now opting to sell their THs, of being thieves and rip-off artists, and insinuating that the people who purchase expensive THs in the $60k+ range of being “idiots who are being taken advantage of” or “rich people jumping on a trend” and “ruining the whole premise of the TH movement”, and on and on and on. I’ve seen people be lambasted for not building their TH with their own two hands, for “trying to show up other tiny house owners with their obnoxious, overly fancy and pricey THs”, and still others who’ve had their integrity called into question for having the nerve to build a TH as a vacation rental for an additional source of income as “ugly capitalists who give the movement a bad name by financially *raping guests* (direct quote on one blog site) in the name of profit, when they don’t give a crap about the values of what this movement was originally about”. Yea, that one was directed at me, and I didn’t like it one bit! I designed an adorable, functional, and fully stocked weekend retreat where guests can experience what tiny living feels like, and I bend over backwards to ensure that my guests love the entire experience while making myself available not only during their stays, but also weeks and months after, to answer their many questions about everything from structural questions to finding a builder to where I found a particular appliance or fixture to recommending places to go and things to do while visiting my city…all those things a true capitalist pig would bother to do, while simultaneously ensuring that every single guest also enjoys their private space and feels 100% at home in my backyard without intrusion from me (while I live in the front house). Those comments are hurtful, and they gain momentum when the negative commenters succeed in taking over a particular thread instead of just moving on if the place is not to their taste or budget.

    It’s a real buzz-kill for those of us who want to enjoy viewing the innovative ideas and creativity, only to read countless comments from people who TRULY BELIEVE that the TH movement essentially “belongs” to only those purists, who founded it on the premise that THs are for people who cannot afford standard homes and are innovative enough to build their own for under $10k, that the premise of forgoing many modern conveniences and “unnecessary” creature comforts (in their opinions) makes them superior human beings, and that anyone who can afford to pay cash for such an expensive TH is someone they don’t want as part of the TH community because “those people” don’t share the values of the movement and are ruining it.

    There are even a lot of people who have ridiculously concluded that Tiny Houses are no longer affordable to anyone but the most wealthy, so they might as well stop dreaming about one because they’ll never be able to afford one. WHAT??? The unique and innovative works of art (that happen to have a higher price tag) get more press just because that’s what they are – exciting and interesting to look at for ideas – but they are by no means the only options on the market!

    Admittedly, I’ve read a lot of the more radically negative comments on other TH blogs, but this one (which is obviously established with wonderful intentions and has a lot of respectful commenters) still receives enough negative comments about rip-off builders, stupid rich buyers jumping on a trend, and opportunistic people trying to trick the TH buying community out of its money. It DOES turn off readers, so my suggestion isn’t to teach people how to save for a TH at all! I suggested ONE POST that explains how and why Average Joes ARE able to buy nice THs, and it has nothing to do with stepping on THEIR community, and why those builders and buyers should not be publicly denigrated because they’re able to adopt the tiny lifestyle without having to downgrade their lifestyles or personal comfort.

    That is all I suggested, and from what you explained about yourself I would think that you would agree with me wholeheartedly if you hadn’t misread the intentions of my suggestion.

  • Denise
    April 2, 2015, 11:29 pm

    And to your point of the intent of Alex’s website, I get it…but unfortunately there are a lot of others who don’t, and they instead come on here and post comments like “who could afford to buy a tiny house for $X amount of money?”, which invites a string of others who divert the conversation into how the TH movement is being “ruined” by greedy builders and bandwagon buyers. I don’t believe in censoring comments, and instead thought that ONE post explaining how some high-end TH buyers are no different than many others, but people are not looking at the whole picture on how some people actually are able to accomplish this goal.

    I’m sorry to offend you with what I thought might be ONE article that might make some of the many angry people stop posting rude comments almost every time an exceptional build is featured, simply because it can’t be purchased for the same price as a used car. It was simply a suggestion, to people who don’t understand finance as well and like to snub these houses, builders, and buyers…being the worst kind of reverse snobs ever. Apparently, someone who wants to TRY to diffuse the negative comments with just a small bit of information (not suggestions or financial guidance) is also seen as an annoyance. Never mind.

  • Mary Ann
    April 3, 2015, 7:35 am

    Hi Denise, I was not offended by your posting. Obviously I misinterpreted your writings about ‘affording’ TH’s. I certainly did not consider your posting an annoyance.

    I was trying to emphasize to Alex, not to dilute his content with other subjects especially financial matters. I believe posters who spurn out negativity about a seller or their listing, would react the same negative way to ANY well intentioned advice.

    It is their negativity which is holding them back… Most say they “could” build/buy/do etc. Do they actually do what they say they “could”? I doubt it, or they would have done so already… Negativity does not change based on facts; no matter how many articles are written to inform them. Negativity, comes from within a person. Hopefully Peter Gilroy does not take the negative comments for anything more than what they are worth.

    Mr. Gilroys home is pretty perfect, especially for those living in very cold and/or hot climates. An impressive, fully loaded and luxury abode. Some suggestions, such as extra storage were well intentioned and should be viewed as positive and constructive. I hope future sellers and those willing to share their “homes” with us can also see the difference between unfounded negative and positive suggestions.

    As far as price is concerned… “reasonable” is determined by the buyers desire for the extras not generally offered in other TH and regional real estate values. For me, I think Mr. Gilroy’s TH is a ‘steal’. I’m in the north east. Here, lesser equipped and poorly constructed homes are sold at substantially higher prices. Unfortunately, the timing is not right for me yet, otherwise I would be on a plane to New Mexico for “let’s make a deal”.

    • Julie J.
      May 26, 2015, 5:06 pm

      Personally, I would like financing information posted here. I do not own a home that I can sell, and then use the profits to buy a THOW. Due to very poor health, my income went from 40k a year to 12k a year. I raised a child on my own and money was very tight. I would like nothing more then to be able to finance a THOW and have it be my own once paid off. Instead, I throw away money on a rental every month. I would like nothing better than the security of owning my own little home.

      • Mary Ann
        May 26, 2015, 8:26 pm

        Julie J. You sound like you have fallen for ‘the American’ dream..owning your own home. You are not throwing your money away renting. Do this exercise. List the cost of your rent, cable, utilities, etc. Total what you are paying now.
        Then do a second list. Here, determine the cost of a THOW you might want to buy. Go to any bank web site and calculate the monthly payment required assuming the bank would finance it. Now add the extra costs. Home maintance and decorating, utilities, telephone/cable, water, sewer, trash pick up, and let’s not forget taxes (generally 1% to 1.5% of purchase price). Add in cost of land if you don’t have any or amount it costs to lease a trailer site. Otherwise add in cost of gas and vehicle maintance if you plan on traveling.
        Here is how you get the money for your THOW… Add up both columns. The difference between your apartment costs and the cost of owing a THOW is the amount you should allocate as savings. Investing this money … conservatively… will give you a plan and a goal to buy. You may be surprised to find owing is not everything it is built up to be. Many find they cannot afford to buy. If this is the case then start some amount of savings plan… It is wonderful knowing you have money in a savings account for your future (no cheating or withdrawals). You may learn to love your apartment and be prepared to commit to long term renting. While others are struggling to pay mortgages, you are waltzing with cash. Good luck!

  • Elle
    May 17, 2015, 6:09 pm

    This is a beautiful TH, with room to expand! There appears to be room for lofts which would free up some floor space on the main floor as well. Isn’t there a bathroom at the end of the kitchen?

    I find all the comments interesting. I doubt a negative comment is going to “divide” the TH community if read by anyone with the ability to think critically. It’s quite disturbing to know that someone here would attempt to intimidate me or censure my opinion because they didn’t personally like it.

    So far I haven’t seen any “rules” stipulating that “only positive comments will be posted”, only the expectation that people remain civil with their comments -including those aimed at other posters. The only thing I find offensive here is that a stranger would appoint themselves the “posting police” and single out others to ridicule and belittle their opinions or condescend to ‘educate’ them about issues with have nothing to do with this forum -like personal finances.

    I’m thinking the people who volunteer to submit their photos and videos for display on a are well aware that

  • Elle
    May 17, 2015, 6:27 pm

    People who voluntarily submit photos and videos for public display on a forum that solicits opinions are no doubt aware that they’ll get the good, the bad, and everything else in between. They don’t seem to have a problem with it. If anyone goes too far I’m certain Alex will properly address the issue. You know, because it’s his site and all… If anyone takes issue with another’s opinion that individual should take it up with Alex as opposed to appointing him or herself the ‘poster nazi’.

    Simply put, people are free to post opinions favorable or unfavorable concerning the products featured on this public forum whether anyone else likes it or not. Perhaps the only ‘educating’ needed here -by a few, is perhaps self-control, tolerance and forum etiquette.

  • Alex
    May 26, 2015, 11:29 am

    Hey all- FYI- not sure if this THOW is still available for sale but if you’re interested I’m sure you can contact Peter about getting a custom one built for you.

    => http://peterwgilroy.com/contact/?tinyhousetalk

  • Jane Sutherland
    May 27, 2015, 7:04 pm

    What is the backsplash in the kitchen area made of

  • Kristin
    April 12, 2016, 1:49 am

    What a beautiful tiny home! This has definitely inspired me to see if living smaller can work for our little family of 3. Awesome!

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