All Forum Posts by: Lee Ripma

@Mindy Jensen I draw the line there as well! I am looking at the 400 sf model that includes both a kitchen and a bathroom inside the unit! The weather in San Diego does allow the type of configuration below. 

http://www.revampthecamp.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AIRBNB_Venice-LA_02.jpg

@Leigh Ann Smith I think a tiny house trailer park would be fantastic and get a lot of publicity. It seems like tiny house refers to a structure built on a trailer while modular or prefab refers to something that is also small but comes pre-assembled and is designed to be up to code. There so many cool modern prefabs, both large and small! 

http://curbed.com/archives/2015/05/29/prefab-housing-homes-design-buy.php

@Wesley Pittman@Mindy Jensen

The tiny house idea is one I have looked into a lot in the San Diego area. From what I've found you need to actually put the houses in with a foundation. I am exploring the idea of doing a multi-family development using them but they will be installed with City permits and foundations. This is the model I'm thinking about using. 

http://kithaus.com/?modules=k6

I've also had the idea of a tiny house trailer park, but within City limits in SoCal that going to be tough. 

I'm really interested in using modular to add units to lots which are zoned for multi-family but only have one or two homes on them currently. My idea is to do this in prime locations within city centers or other high demand areas. I like the look of the 400 sf. k6 kithaus, http://kithaus.com/?modules=k6.  I've checked with the manufacturer and they are built to be up to code in CA and will pass inspections, they should be valued the same as a "stick-built" home as long as they are installed with a permit and a foundation. There are a lot of options for prefab/modular, note these are NOT the same as a mobile home. Modular is just an alternative construction method where most of the building and assembly is done in the factory and will be valued the same as a home built on site. Many of the modular homes do go for close to retail pricing (or even more!) as pointed out in the thread above can be very high end. But others on BP have had success using them for new construction. I have yet to try it so I can't speak to the true costs, it may be true that prefab is only economical in areas where construction costs are high. A few of the local CA companies I like besides kithaus are listed below, a quick google search will reveal many more! 

http://www.livinghomes.net/primer.html

http://www.connect-homes.com/our-homes/model/2.1/e...

Not my style but a lot of good explanations about modular building and a ton of prefab options

http://www.cuttingedgehomes.net/

I'm wondering the same things, did you ever figure any of this out? 

@Taylor Fender

Did you go for it?

I asked an appraiser in San Diego and he said this: The value is likely based on what income you can generate and what return on investment investors in the market expect. I have neither of those figures at my disposal.

I have the same question! Anyone out there know?

Hello,

I'm also very interested in the tiny house movement but to make it seem less like a fad I've been calling my idea multi-family small home rentals. My vision is to buy an existing lot and add 300 sq. rental units to it. To test the feasibility of my idea I am trying to find a SFH with appropriate zoning so that I can add one to the lot and figure out how hard it is to get city permits, what the true cost of installation is, and what the break even time on the investment is. I was thinking that I could use a version of the refinancing strategy that folks use when they do flips, only my flip would be the addition of a unit. The unit itself with a kitchen and bathroom costs 75k, there is some financing available from the company, and there is always hard money lending.

This is what I'm thinking I would use: 

http://kithaus.com/modules/k6/

In San Diego I'll need the right zoning at at least a 3000 sf lot for the areas I'm looking at (North Park, Normal Heights, City Heights). Does anyone know how much this house if installed up to code and fully legal with the city would add to a property in San Diego? I'm trying to figure out if my reappraisal with the second unit is a good idea or if the reappraisal value wouldn't be what it would cost to put the unit in. If anyone is interested in this idea in San Diego, especially if you have a property that it would work on, then let's chat. I would love get feedback from others on what you think of the re appraisal idea and if a 300 sq. home adds more value than it costs. 

Thanks in advance for the feedback and I look forward to hearing about other tiny home ideas! 

Lee