What to Look for in a Used Tiny House

There are many people who only live in their tiny house for a couple of years and then decide that they need a change. Some of these folks rent out their house or make a vacation cabin out of it. But some choose to sell it. If you are interested in owning a tiny house and are not wanting to build it yourself or wait to have it completed, then buying a used tiny house might be for you. Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware)! There are a few things to consider as you make your way through the secondary tiny house listings. Here is what you need to know when buying a used tiny house.

Find Out Who Built the Used Tiny House

This is probably the most important piece of information that you need to consider. The problem with the tiny house movement is that some folks build without much experience. So there is little regulation when if comes to building and inspecting tiny houses. That means that there are few ways to prove that the house was built by someone competent. Look for houses that were built by experienced builders. Call those builders and find out how many houses they have built and what number house this was for them.  Many contractors learn the nuances of tiny house building as they go so later models will be better than the ones in the beginning. If you have the ability to see the builder’s current work in progress, it may give you a better idea of what you are buying.

Consumer Built Houses

Don’t automatically walk away from a house built by a couple, a family or a kid right out of college. Building a tiny house is not as hard as you may think. But you want some sort of proof of their quality. See if they have taken detailed pictures or video of their build. That goes just as much for professional builders as well. Tiny Home Builders makes sure that we have a video diary for every house we construct. These are also helpful if you are moving to a jurisdiction that has to inspect your house. You would hate to have to take apart your walls just to show how everything was put together. If you don’t have any construction experience you may find it difficult to know what questions to ask when determining if a house is built to a higher quality. This is an area you will want to spend some time educating yourself before making a purchase. Read some blogs or better yet grab a construction book like the Tiny House Design and Construction Guide and do a little studying. The small investment in time now may save you considerable headaches in the future.

Ask "Why is the Used Tiny House for Sale?"

Some people truly do fall out of love with the tiny lifestyle. Others have a couple of kids and realize that they need a little more space. But there may be some people that have problems with their house and are just trying to unload it and move on. Do your due diligence and ask questions of the seller. One of my favorite ways to get good information is to ask, “So if you were building another house, what would you do differently?” It is not that you are looking for them to incriminate themselves, (but it is ok if they do) but truly you would love to hear their sticking points because it might be something that you wouldn’t like either. e.g. “I wish I had put a full sized sink in the bathroom.”

Consider The Price

Remember, because there are no true codes and building regulations in some areas for tiny houses means there is no real way to consider depreciation or appreciation. Make sure you look at what it would cost to have a new home built but also consider the time it would take to build a new house when you can just tow this one away. Also consider the location and transportation costs to get the home to where you want it. One home may have a higher asking price than another, but if it's closer and you don't have to pay to have someone move it, the prices may work out to be the same.

Look At The Features Of The House

Start with the trailer which is probably the most important piece as it is the foundation that everything is sitting on. Find out who made it, was its primary purpose to hold a tiny house or something else. How heavy is the house and what does the VIN plate say the weight the trailer can hold and do they match up? (if not, check the number of lug nuts on the tires, this will usually indicate the axle's weight rating)  Was the house built for a specific climate or for specific usability? Does the home have any kind of warranty left on it? And be sure to see what kind of utilities the house has. It may be set up to be off-grid, but you really want a flush toilet. Or the previous owners were never home so the solar kit that they purchased was enough for them but not for you because you work at home.

The real worry when picking up almost anything used is how it was treated while it was being used by the previous owner. With tiny houses, you have to keep the construction in mind as well, as your usage of the house will probably be different. But don’t worry too hard. With the abundance of new builders coming to the market and the popularity of tiny houses increasing, finding a used tiny house will become easier and easier. One of the best online resources is our marketplace for tiny houses for sale. We make sure that all the listings are current and you can search by a specific house feature that you can't live without. We have also included a video to help you spot a scammer. Be sure to check this out before you begin your used tiny house search.

Popular Tiny Houses from the Tiny House Marketplace

Check out a just few of the most popular tiny houses on the marketplace right now.

"Ginger" the Tiny Zen House

"Ginger" the Tiny Zen House

"Ginger" the Tiny Zen House is for sale! Ginger is a 20ft long tiny house on wheels that has been used as a short-term vacation rental for the last five years. Ginger features: - 20ft long RVIA certified tiny home on wheels - Approx 200 sq ft including loft - Queen size memory foam mattress - Twin daybed - Full kitchen (Smeg fridge, convection oven/microwave, farmhouse sink, propane coo...

Learn more about this "Ginger" the Tiny Zen House for sale.

28’ Modern Tiny House

28’ Modern Tiny House

Very well maintained and cared for tiny house on wheels for sale. Open, modern design with tons of natural light. Second owner with clean title. No land included, will need to be moved after purchase. Details: - NOAH certified - Appendix Q compliant - Steel frame - Trailer Made Trailer (triple axle rated for 21,000 lbs; house weighs 14,060 lbs) - Board and batten exterior with fiber cement...

Learn more about this 28’ Modern Tiny House for sale.

Modern 30ft Tiny House (THOW) RV Certified

Modern 30ft Tiny House (THOW) RV Certified

2016 350 sq ft 30’ (34’ with tongue) Tiny House on Wheels (THOW) custom built and RV certified by Seattle Tiny Homes and featured on Tiny House Nation. 2 loft, 1 bath, full kitchen tiny home with walk-in closet and living/eating space located in Maryland. Specs: 350 sq ft (240 main, 110 loft) 30’ long x 8.5’ wide x 13.5’ high, weight (est 16,000 with furniture, 2k of which is tongue weight) , 3 dr...

Learn more about this Modern 30ft Tiny House (THOW) RV Certified for sale.

Felicity 30

Felicity 30' X 10′

The Felicity 30 X 10′ is a stunning two-story tiny home with two bedrooms upstairs. The main level features a bathroom with a residential size tub, a gorgeous chef's kitchen with beautiful bay windows bringing the outdoor in with natural light throughout the day, a large pantry and a dishwasher. The main level also features a gorgeous and roomy living area complete with a fireplace and vaulted ce...

Learn more about this Felicity 30' X 10′ for sale.

What used tiny houses have you seen that you liked? Would you ever buy a used tiny house? Let me know in the comments below.

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