While Americans may not yet be selling their massive homes in favor of a tiny house just yet, there seems to be increasing interest in the prospect of living in one of these architecturally impressive domiciles. With the popularity of several television shows that advocate downsizing for a variety of reasons from cost to convenience, many real estate professionals are finding that more and more clients are at least inquiring about the possibility of living in a tiny home, yet there seems to be quite a bit of doubt over whether these increasing inquiries are the precursor to a major trend.
Progressive thinkers like David Kravitz would probably argue that tiny homes would be a great way for the younger generation of homebuyers to acquire land on which they can build a larger home when they are ready to expand or start a family, noting that the reduced costs of a tiny home would allow young professionals to focus on repaying debt from college loans or on building equity rather than paying rent and getting little in return other than some level of flexibility.
Others might suggest that tiny homes would be a great solution for homeless populations, as many studies have shown the key to reducing homelessness is to create the sense of stability that is only possible through placement in a permanent home. Since several tiny houses can be placed on a relatively small plot of land, homeless families and individuals can be provided with cost-effective homes that allow them to rebuild their lives without having to worry about where they will sleep each night. This concept would surely be the subject of intense debate, but it represents a possible solution to an unfortunately common issue.
As for the possibility that tiny houses become the future of real estate, it is hard to imagine the majority of families being able to maintain a sense of comfort while living in such tight spaces for so many years. While tiny houses may be unlikely to become the norm anytime soon, it seems clear that there are many who feel these kinds of homes are perfectly suited for their particular lifestyle. Even though a 300-square-foot home may never be the standard space for houses across the country, it appears as though these tiny homes will continue to become increasingly common and will at least occupy an interesting niche within the real estate industry.