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386 Sq. Ft Park Model Tiny House by Palm Harbor Homes


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To have a park model tiny house / log cabin on your own land somewhere does sound pretty awesome.

This particular model is only available in Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Check out the Pacific Lodge built and manufactured by Palm Harbor Homes.

It is a 386 square feet wooden cabin with one bedroom/one bath and a sleeping loft.

The dimensions are: 34 x 11’2. It’s classified as a park model home.

Maybe some of us should consider designing and building our tiny houses to park model specs if we want more space and a downstairs bedroom?

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The Pacific Lodge

Check out the rest (including floor plan) below:

Exterior

The Pacific Lodge Exterior

Kitchen and view of loft

Kitchen And View Of The Loft

View to Porch

View of The Porch

 The Pacific Lodge Blueprint (Floor Plan)

Images: Palm Harbor Homes

This charming cottage has full sized amenities, sleeping loft and plenty of storage. Have this built as a mother-in-law suite, outdoor office, fishing camp or your very own private get-away. More info 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.
{ 30 comments… add one }
  • February 20, 2014, 12:39 pm

    Ooh, I love this one. A kitchen that’s not so claustraphobic!

    • Eric
      November 27, 2020, 11:12 pm

      Really? Not claustrophobic? Well I’ll be darned and here was me thinking it was just that. Hard to move around without bumping into anything.

  • john
    February 20, 2014, 1:08 pm

    There doesn’t seem to be many people who can last long in a tiny home if you look into the resale market over at tiny house listings.
    I would imagine there’s a lot of ‘buyers remorse’ when downsizing to 100-200 sq. ft. I could do it for a time, but long term i’d need a bit more room to feel comfortable. The park model is a much more livable space than most tiny homes, and one i’d imagine is a better first step for those downsizing.
    Central Florida has loads of them, mainly near the attractions, but also near the rivers and beaches…they’re used as winter getaways for the ‘snow birds’ fleeing northern winters, also vacation rentals as opposed to hotels for small families.
    I’ve been in them and they range from cheap and plasticky to pricey and palatial. Money is your best friend or worse enemy here, you get what you pay for. New park models built well and loaded with high end fixtures can exceed 70k…older used models can be as little as 5k…again, you get what you pay for.
    Buying a bit of land is definitely the way to go, down here in florida lot rents run from 200-600 per month and come with amenities from swimming pools to lawn services. You can buy an acre of land for 3-10k with a payment of around 100 per month, but then you have to figure out water, power, and sewage yourself.
    Installing a septic system and digging a well here is about 5k, running power depends on where the nearest source is, i’ve heard from some it can be as high as 10k per mile, but for many it’s close enough to cost just 2 or 3k.
    All told, i my area, the land and services to hook up to starts at about 15k and goes up…the alternative is to rent forever and that’s going to cost you much more and misses the point of downsizing altogether. Freedom and independance of living tiny is going to end up with you owning a bit of land, we all need a home base somewhere even if we want to travel for a time.
    The longer you put it off, the more money you’re wasting paying rent instead of paying off your land and small home.
    It’s also a myth that you can do this in a city, unless it’s a really small town in the middle of nowhere. The cities and counties don’t want this in their areas where land and home prices are higher, they want us out in the country away from the sheep so they don’t get ideas or jealous. It’s better for governments to keep you indentured to your overpriced lifestyle, and the economy is counting on that.
    It’s a myth that it’s going to be cheap to get into, to set up, but the fact is that it is cheaper in the long run by far…especially when compared to renting.

    • Bill burgess
      May 10, 2015, 11:19 am

      John I have an idea there may be a possible solution. Mobile Home parks. Many mobile home parks have empty lots as financing has become a real issue for Park owners. I imagine some cities have ordinances against mixing Park Model RV’s and Mobiles but in most it is a “Don’t ask. don’t tell” situation and I have found most Park owners want their spaces fill desperately so they are more than willing to work a deal. I found whole Parks almost deserted in sites from Tuscon to Gainsville while researching my book series on Park Model Designs so I know they are there.

      • Lisa E.
        May 10, 2015, 11:46 am

        Does your book include a listing of where these various Parks can be found and what the average or ballpark cost(s) might be? if not, you might consider a publication of some sorts (inexpensive pamphlet in PDF format for a modest price) that would be really helpful to a great many people since finding a place to land and being able to afford a place to have one’s THOW is the primary obstacle these days.

        I also think that THOW’s aren’t for everyone but they are good for young couples getting started, singles and single retirees on a tight budget will get the most out of this kind of housing. As for those who want to start a family or who already have a family, then the much smaller THOW’s probably would be a tight fit.

        As long as there is some semblance of an economy, there will be a large swath of people who will want bigger places to live, but if the housing market crash and the financial crash coupled with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) beginning to float their (funny) money some time after October 20th of this year, as announced, gets under way, I think we will see a lot of people giving the THOW a second glance or chance.

  • jane
    February 20, 2014, 1:39 pm

    I would love to have this size and layout, but with clapboard (or fiber cement) siding, so it would blend into the neighborhood. It would fit PERFECTLY on the “back yard” of my sibling’s corner lot, if the city would allow it.

  • Dominick Bundy
    February 20, 2014, 3:33 pm

    Personally this is way too big to be considered a tiny house..I’d rather have it downside some more in space . As long is there a nice large walk in closet for storage and hanging clothes.

  • Comet
    February 20, 2014, 4:51 pm

    @JOHN—Thanks so much for pointing out the actual (approx!!!) costs of actually DOING a place like this in Fla. I could not tell you what it would be in Upstate NY but I am SURE it would be many times more. The land alone—it is usually CHEAPER here to buy land with a building ON it than vacant land. Which used to be a few hundred bucks an acre but now is many many times that. I know there are small “hunting camps” scattered about so there is precedent for these smaller places but I don’t know if you could legally occupy year-round–and we have WICKED winters! As a summer “base camp” tho–gorgeous scenery and lots to see and do.

    A lot of these smaller places get put in places without these long cold gray wicked winters. And have the ever lovely decks and porches. Which are only useable for–how many months out of the year? Nice but not practicle for these parts in some ways. We have so much snow on our entry deck–where we go IN the house—that we are down to a narrow shoveled path between steps and door. We even tied a rope between our porch swing and the porch rail to hold onto in ice and snow. We also had to use the roof rake on our roof yesterday for the first time in years. Too much snow and it if rains–which it started to do yest!—and the load can bring down even a well built place.

    The LIVING SPACE on this unit is not all that different from what we have in our actual house as far as what we USE—we have a bit more than double this size for single floor living altho four other people use the other two bedrooms (adult kid and family) So I know we could do this with 2 people and guests–I might do a few things to the layout but I like the kitchen a lot and the shelves are great; is that a real staircase or a ladder? Hard to tell!

    • john
      February 20, 2014, 5:57 pm

      Upstate NY or not, the country is what you want if you’re looking for cheap land. The closer to town, the higher the price.
      What kills the deal for many cheap land sales is when the potential buyer finds out what it will cost to bring services like electricity, cable, internet, etc. etc…out to the property.
      Septic systems for sewage and wells for water are relatively inexpensive provided you don’t have to drill through a mountain to find drinkable water.
      Roads are another big cost, finding a road that is serviced and plowed regularly is going to add to the cost of the land being sold.
      Don’t simply buy a bit of land without having it thoroughly checked out for lots of things, like was it built over an old landfill, does it lie in a flood plain, old indian burial ground…lots of things can keep you from building on your new land.
      Land is sometimes sold as ‘improved’…those improvements can be as simple as running a bulldozer to clear a driveway or homesite, or can include any combination of water, power, sewer, septic, etc…those improvements are going to add value to the sellers land and cost you more….but, usually you get what you pay for. Have it all inspected, tested, certified…
      It all sounds so very complicated and scary….but it isn’t really.
      Don’t try to be cheap…get a lawyer, get inspections, get pro’s to check the well, the septic, etc…talk to the county the land is in…every step you skip trying to save money adds a 20% chance that you’ll get screwed…
      Do it right the first time, take your time finding the right land, go see it in the morning, go back at noon, go back at sunset…where does the sun rise and set in relation to the lot, which part of your house do you want facing the morning sun, where’s the best views…pick the tree’s that you want to keep, and which ones have to go by wrapping reflective or bright tape around them.
      It’s really a once in a lifetime chance to create the perfect setting for a home….tiny or not so tiny.

      • Chel
        May 11, 2015, 5:53 am

        John this is great information and very sensible advice. I would just like to add that if the site allows for solar power, wind generator, or even a small hydro power on a stream then some costs can be avoided for long term supply. Initial installation does cost but does pay for itself in the long run.
        Finding a place with a year round stream isn’t so straight forward, I understand, and rainfall is too sketchy to be harvested in many areas.
        I suppose the trick is to figure out your ideal and then see what has to be done to make it viable.

  • February 20, 2014, 5:50 pm

    I am so glad to see more Park Model size homes on these pages. I am striving to show many options of this size and building systems at the 4FAthoms Designs pages and am just putting up the Mission Style today. Again all with 1.5 bath and W/D, D/W, L.E.D. lighting/ On Demand H/W….Now if we could just get a manufacturer like Diamond Industries in East Texas we could start a Renaissance in Park Model Homes..

    • j
      February 20, 2014, 6:04 pm

      Bill i wish they could get them back into production…they seemed to disappear for a while and i’m not sure what the cause was, perhaps it was the banks not wanting to finance them, or the economy dropping…who knows, but the smart builders are going to offer a smaller, more affordable home to compete with the exploded rental industry.
      In the central florida area the rental market has a 90% occupancy rate after the mortgage disaster…the wealthy are building new apartment complexes like crazy here trying to meet demand.
      I hate apartments…i hate that they take advantage of the people who can’t, and never will in an apartment, buy a home of their own.

  • Otessa Regina Compton
    February 20, 2014, 7:51 pm

    This home is ready to compete with the Hollywood mansions. I must say, it does somewhat look like an average apartment.

  • CathyAnn
    February 20, 2014, 8:42 pm

    Thank you, John, for explaining all of the things one has to consider when buying cheap land. Taking such things into account will surely save us a lot of grief!

  • joan
    June 8, 2014, 9:56 pm

    Hello, am still hunting for that perfect tiny to small home. they are either way to big, or way to tiny, or just to far away, I wished in this area of SC we had more tiny home builders, ten years ago I could have built my own, but my health isn’t to good I have copd………..I will for sure be buying 3, to six months, to me I love the murphy beds, they are very expensive on some sites, but I thought that would be perfect, to have my bed in a wall, then have a place on the wall for t.v. storage as a artist is very important, if any tiny or small home builders ever come to sc within this year, I need you haha, I love the rustic cabin look for the exterior,

  • Dominick Bundy
    June 10, 2014, 12:00 pm

    No, I wouldn’t want to live in it… It looks too big…and the loft I’d have no use for. …Keep things on one level without any wasted space..

  • Catherine Wilson
    June 11, 2014, 11:20 pm

    Thanks for showing this home.
    It seems like the perfect size to me. (With only one porch off the living room) That area for the staircase to the loft looks like it could accomodate an alternate tread staircase, depending on the ceiling height below. Also, if you got rid of that little closet in the hallway, you could expand the shower area to hold a Japanese style bathtub/shower (o furo) to soak in. There is a certain alure to trying to find the minimum space possible one could live in, but I can tell you after living in a small space, that I can spend a lot of time unpacking and packing things to get at what I really need. I always have some kind of hobbie on the go and that upstairs loft could be perfect for that.
    This design gets a thumbs up from me.

    • Mr. Lonnie
      May 10, 2015, 8:22 pm

      Halleluia – Yes, Chaterine, a bath ROOM with a big, deep tub – the entire room is a shower room a floor drain – you soap and shower THEN immerse your tensions over in the tub – no soap in the tub – you’re clean so the whole family can use the same tub of hot water (no not gross at all) – once you experience ofuro you can’t go back! please folks learn to separate the crapper room – from the room you shower or bath your body and mind in.

      • Mr. Lonnie
        May 10, 2015, 8:25 pm

        ‘Catherine’ – sorry – typing before 2nd cuppa …

        • Eric
          November 27, 2020, 11:22 pm

          and of course there is “ofuro”

          Obviously some obscure alien language.

  • Glema
    June 12, 2014, 3:45 am

    For those who want a tub to soak their bones as they are older folks 🙂 i’m gettin there. What about those walk in bathtubs? Anyone check them out for how much room they would take? Just a thought. I realize they would be very expensive, however one could use the same type of idea or style and tweak make one themselves maybe if they were so inclined. hmmm think think lol
    Happy Trails! God bless you all.

  • SteveDenver
    May 10, 2015, 11:18 am

    This appeals to me because I know my needs. I can sleep anywhere, but I enjoy cooking and want bathroom facilities that aren’t a “struggle.”

  • Trish
    May 10, 2015, 12:29 pm

    Two photos at the top —- Can you say PhotoShop?

  • gail poulton
    May 10, 2015, 11:55 pm

    I have been on this site for about 3 years now. Most of the small homes are interesting but, the space I have to put up a small home, I require a footprint of a building that is about 25 x 25 maximum. Yep it’s square, but it could be made to look quite cute and is a good livable size (500 sq ft). Why do they all have to be 12 ft wide and 30 – 35 ft long. Being square would make it better to heat it would think.. anything out there that is about this size?

    • Samantha
      May 16, 2015, 8:38 pm

      This one in particular is a park model home – so the specifications are very exact so they’ll comply with most vacation spots requirements. (Under 400 square feet) Also this house and many of the others are made to be able to travel – so they can’t be more than 12 feet wide in most places without special permits and requirements to go down the road.You MAY be able to find something in the size you’re looking for – but more than likely it would need to be built on site. Good luck!

  • linda
    July 17, 2015, 12:36 am

    my husbnd would like to build a mobile home himself…..looking for 35′ frame.?

    • Bill Burgess
      July 17, 2015, 7:33 pm

      Linda you might want to brows my 4Fathoms Designs site on Facebook for Ideas. My design books are available at Amazon.com and Blurb publishing.

  • Michael
    October 16, 2016, 8:35 pm

    I keep seeing mention of the cost to get electric power. I work as a designer / engineer for a solar power developer. I have designed systems that can run a complete home off solar power and storage batteries. It’s not very hard at all. A system for a 2000 sq ft home with electric heat an air, electric washer and dryer, double door fridge, and full 3 day autonomy with a propane backup generator can be had for less than 25k. A more modest setup with gas appliances and for 500 to 800 sq ft could be had for half that.

    • Natalie
      October 18, 2016, 4:31 pm

      Thanks for sharing that Michael — Tiny House Talk Team

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