All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

Good afternoon Bigger Pockets People!

I was wondering if there's anyone out there focusing on the "missing middle"? If so, what's been your experience? How have you funded your projects?

With humble gratitude,

Joe

@Zach B. - Apologies for such a delay in response, I just saw your reply. That does sound like a pickle and that darn city! My primary focus has been to talk to the AHJ's first. Before attempting to purchase/rezone/etc. Due to the fact that many major markets are experiencing such a shortage in housing, playing on a "free market" and "diversifying housing" resonates with many officials. Especially if you can paint an economic picture for them.

Smaller living is not new, mobile living structures are not new. Tiny houses are generation two of attainable housing and they're better in all sorts of ways, but because of the "newness" cities and counties don't know what to do with them and don't understand the psychographic and/or demographic of people who CHOOSE this lifestyle.

As a society, we're right on the CUSP of shifting the outdated status quo, and I don't know about you, I believe this is an exciting time to be alive!

@Kiwi Mills - Yep zoning, HOA, and ownership structure is a hot button. As well as minimum size requirements. The tiny house movement has been gaining such momentum over the last 10+ years, it's forcing cities and county nationwide to review, update and remove outdated code. Such as the minimum size requirements. The American dream is evolving and the private sector is pushing governments outside of their comfort zones. Which is the main reason I'm doing what I'm doing to help provide support and education about what tiny houses are and what they are not.

Together, we'll all Bring Tiny, home.

With humble gratitude,

Joe

@Chris Montgomery - Maybe there can be some synergy between you and Life Size: Tiny Communities?

@Chris Montgomery - That's awesome! Short term rentals have certainly paved ways and opened windows (not quite doors yet). Wee Casa did a fantastic job in Lyons, which lead to THoWs being approved as ADUs in the city of Lyons.

@Aaron Tobler - County and cities for that matter,  have to be handled almost as a case by case scenario on how they'd handle them. My goal and my company is actively working toward being the big name in tiny house community development on the front range, and eventually the nation. By and large, tiny house have normal plumbing, of which will connect to traditional septic or public utility. I did have a conversation the other day about one sanitation provider has provisions for handling the composting toilet setups as well.  I'll have to dig a little more into how that shakes out. Not all THoW owners have composting toilets, but a lot do.

Hi Lisa. I'm working on establishing a tiny house community in the Denver area and have learned a lot about Denver. If you're looking to do an on foundation small house, you'll have an easier time with the city. 

if you're looking to do a movable tiny house, you'll be better off outside of Denver proper.

I believe any general contractor who works in Denver can give more insight.

@Teri Feeney Styers - You're missing a big aspect of the wheeled variety. Flexibility. By maintaining the mobility, when life changes one can take their house with them. The workforce these days is incredibly mobile and by not having to sell one's  house here, move somewhere else to live in temp housing at the new location while trying to find a new normal in a new place is daunting. Hooking up your house and taking it with you provides some piece of mind. Assuming there's a place to put it. I aim to provide a solution for that. Tiny houses have ALL the required amenities. Sleeping area, kitchen area, bathroom, etc. Many people just dont understand what a tiny house is, and what it is not.

@Michael Evans - Agreed and thank you for that. I'm working on that. I have my attorney, an engineering firm and an RE agent. Financial partners are a bit more challenging, because of the "new-ness" of tiny houses. Even though they aren't new. I have a couple contractors that could be a part of the mix, but nothing has been nailed down. I'll keep moving forward!

That's awesome @Teri Feeney Styers! I'm sure Grand Junction and the western slope can use the more attainable housing, just like everywhere else! My focus is on THoWs. Simply because 75% or more of the movement is of the wheeled variety. Doing an on foundation development shouldn't be a huge challenge, assuming there's no minimum square footage rules.

@Jay Hinrichs - maybe the defining factor is the wheeled aspect? Like I mentioned above, that's my focus because that is the lion's share of the movement. Do you have a copy of Portland's legislation that approves THoWs in R1 and R2? Is this an ADU ruling?

@Jay Hinrichs - Portland is a great example, but things aren't truly legal there. The ordinance passed is basically "turning a blind eye" while the housing market is in a state of crisis. Ultimately, it could lead to a permanent solution but it isn't there yet. My goal is to create the template that can be used as a solution nationwide. 

I can say that I will be gleaning all the good parts from various rules created to form the best of the best.

@Jay Hinrichs- Good point. The tiny house movement has been just that for the last decade. It's becoming a full fledged industry! Due to the popularity and governments coming around, now is the time to strike!

@Greg Dickerson - Indeed I do have the passion. There's been so many things that have happened in my life that has lead me to this point. This is my life's calling. Full time living, ADU's, Short term rentals are all options. Much like companies as Jay mentioned, there's examples of a tiny house hotel right in my own backyard - Lyons, CO. Most of the ones developed are one -offs. I wont stop at one. Every day I see posts and pleads on social media for people desperately needing a place to place their home without fear of being "red tagged".

I'm working to Bring Tiny, Home.

@Karen Margrave - I'll dig a little deeper. The couple of threads I looked over were a couple years old and thought a fresh take would be good. Thank you.

@Greg Dickerson - I agree! I believe I have a good story (home ownership out of reach for so many), I believe my numbers are good, but I don't know what I don't know. That will come with experience but based on my own research and from what others have told me, my numbers are solid. As far as my expertise, well I'm building my own tiny house and am deeply connected to the tiny house market. I.E. I know these people. I relate to them and am part of the tribe. I have aligned myself with some important organizations like a third party inspection company to ensure the safety of the houses, and the Tiny Home Industry Association. THIA is still very much a fledgling in terms of what kind of weight it will carry in the future, so I'm kind of waiting.

Tiny houses are not a solution for all, but they are a solution for many. Even if it's just a stepping stone for one to have better control of their own personal finances in order to get out of debt or save up money for a more traditional home. There are many reasons people choose tiny living and the people come from all walks of life, creed, nationality and origin.

With humble gratitude,

Joe