Tiny House on Wheels or Foundation?
Foundation
Tiny houses on a foundation offer a lot to love, including several benefits compared to tiny houses on trailers that could be appealing to you. Let’s take a look at the good side of tiny houses on a foundation.
Total Cost of Ownership
Purchasing a tiny house kit for a foundation requires buying land, which should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense. Property can range in price depending on the location and how much you wish to purchase. Over time, tiny houses on a foundation have a lower total cost of ownership because they require less maintenance and appreciate. Tiny houses on trailers require maintenance for the wear and tear of wheels and the trailer itself. They can also take a toll on the towing truck, which can also be costly. One of the most significant advantages of tiny houses on a foundation is safety. Whether you choose to build on a concrete slab or a crawlspace, tiny houses on a foundation are incredibly safe and sturdy. Unlike tiny houses on trailers, tiny houses on a foundation are secure firmly to the ground and withstand harsh weather and even natural disasters.
Financing
The options for financing a tiny home on a foundation are relatively equivalent to financing options for a traditional stick-built home. If your credit is in the neighborhood of 620, and you have a sufficient source of income, you should be able to find a lender for a construction-only or construction-to-permanent loan. One problem you could encounter: some lenders hesitate to write loans on houses with a low mortgage because they equal less money to make for lenders from interest. This is solely dependent on the lender’s stance, but it’s certainly worth researching during your decision-making process. Tiny houses built on a foundation provide owners with home equity. While building equity can be a long-term effort, tiny kit homes on a foundation can give the owners that opportunity, unlike tiny houses on trailers, which tend to depreciate.
Buying/Renting Land
If you’re planning on building a tiny home on a foundation, you’ll need land to put it on. Buying property can be costly, and the total price for land will be dependent on the lot size you choose to buy and the location. One of the issues with renting property is that landowners may end up selling the land that you live on, or ask you to move. This could potentially cause you to lose your tiny house altogether, or force you to spend a lot of money trying to have a crane lift it onto a trailer.
Trailer
For tiny houses on a trailer, most of the pros stem from mobility. If you dream of packing up and hitting the road, a tiny house on a trailer is the better option for you. Tiny houses on a trailer give you the ability to travel wherever you want, whenever you want. They are ideal for adventure seekers, and those who love to road trip and experience new destinations. Most RV parks are tiny-house-friendly, giving you a place to park your tiny home on wheels while also providing access to utility hookups.
Avoiding Threats From Mother Nature
One of the significant advantages of a tiny house on a trailer is the ability to escape an area easily during flooding, a hurricane, a forest fire, or another natural disaster. Whether you live near a flood zone or in a fire-prone area, tiny houses on trailers give you the option to flee an area to avoid disaster quickly.
Relocating from Rented Land
If you park your tiny house on rented land, you face the risk of having to relocate when the landowner decides to sell the land or use it for something else. By having a tiny home on a trailer, you can relocate to somewhere else if, by chance, you were forced to move.
Convenience for Visitors
“Sometimes, tiny houses are used as guest houses for immediate family, in-laws, close friends, and other visitors. Family or friends can use a tiny house for extended periods such as an aging relative, or a close friend trying to get back on his feet. If you decided to move, a tiny house on wheels would allow you to continue housing your guest, without forcing them to relocate. While the tiny house on a trailer has some attractive benefits, several downsides come with them. We’ve compiled some of the cons for a tiny house on a trailer to help show you both sides of the coin.” Great Tip by Maggee Miggins of South Orange Realtors®
Safety
While safety is a pro for tiny houses on foundation, it’s, unfortunately, a con for tiny houses on a trailer. Mobility does give you the option to relocate when you know about inclement weather beforehand. When you’re unaware or not able to leave, tiny houses on a trailer pose a safety risk because they lack a solid foundation.
Needing a Truck
To transport your tiny home on a trailer to and from, you have to have something with enough towing power to pull it. More than likely, you’re going to need a reliable, heavy-duty truck. If you don’t already own a truck, this can create additional expenses by having to purchase one and keep up with the maintenance for it as well.
Total Cost of Ownership
In the long run, owning a tiny house on a trailer can be costly compared to a tiny home on a foundation. When factoring in the cost of a trailer, insurance, a truck, regulations, maintenance, and depreciation, the total cost of owning a tiny house on wheels can be higher than anticipated.
Everyone has different needs and desires, so we recommend taking the time to think about what’s best for you. Do some research on zoning regulations where you live, or where you plan to travel. Also, begin talking with insurance carriers to understand which policies and coverage will work best to meet your needs.
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