With property prices sky high, it can be hard for young New Zealanders to get a foot on the property ladder. One alternative is an affordable tiny homes for sale Auckland.
These are not your average sheds or studios – they’re designed with style and functionality in mind. Features include interior shutters, louvre windows, and a freestanding claw-foot bath with gas fireplace.
Why Tiny Houses?
There’s a lot to consider when you choose to go tiny. First of all, you’ll probably need to downsize your stuff and get rid of a lot of your clutter. This means more expenses, especially if you need to pay for storage facilities.
Another consideration is that living in a tiny house can feel cramped if you have more than one person. If you decide to live with a partner or family members, it will be even harder to find privacy for everyone.
However, the good news is that many affordable tiny homes come fully furnished and ready to move in – including connections for water and electricity. They are also easy to reposition, so you can change locations with relative ease. Plus, they often come with a warranty for extra peace of mind.
Cost
Compared to traditional homes, tiny houses can cost a fraction of the price. This is largely due to the fact that they are usually built using cheaper materials and building labour rates.
Depending on the builder and design, the total cost of a New Zealand tiny home can vary. The most affordable tiny houses NZ are those from Podular, which can be purchased for around $85,000.
Kyron recommends researching designs, builders and your lifestyle before signing on the dotted line. He says: “It is important to understand what you are buying, look at plans, YouTube videos and make sure it suits your needs.”
Living Space
As the name suggests, tiny homes are smaller than conventional dwellings. However, they are still comfortable and functional. Their compact size means they require less energy to heat and cool. This can also lead to lower utility bills.
Unlike traditional houses that may take 25 years or more to pay off, affordable tiny homes can be paid off in as little as five years. This means that buyers can move into their dream home without mortgaging away their future.
This stunning tiny house was built by New Zealand-based company, Affordable Tiny Homes. It features an impressive array of upgrades, including interior shutters, a freestanding tub and a fireplace. It is also equipped with a space-saving electronic bed platform that raises the mattress when not in use.
Energy Efficiency
With a smaller house comes lower utility costs. In the Stuff interviews, many tiny home owners mention that they can save a significant amount of money on power and other expenses.
In New Zealand, tiny houses built on a trailer are deemed not to be buildings and should therefore not require building consent. However, rules can vary between regions and it is important to research council regulations carefully.
Vanessa Parkinson approached Ready Homes in 2021 to have a container home built on her land. However, the director, Warren Sinclair – who is also listed as a director or shareholder for seven other companies on the New Zealand Companies Register – said it wasn’t possible and instead sold her a tiny home through another company, NZ Modular Homes.
Privacy
With reduced upfront and ongoing costs, owning a tiny home can result in greater financial freedom. This means that you can use your savings towards investments or experiences that matter to you.
This is especially true for travelling types who want to hit the open road and ignite their sense of adventure. Tiny homes can generally be hooked up to a vehicle and used for travel, which is a great benefit compared with a standard house.
Despite this, there are still some restrictions and requirements to consider when it comes to New Zealand tiny houses. These rules are largely set at a local council level and can vary widely. Some require the house to be permanently located on a site and others are unclear about whether or not transportable tiny homes are considered vehicles or buildings.