According to two entrepreneurs, more and more young Australians are considering moving into a small house to break the crushing rental cycle and save money.
Alison and Ben Metcalf, 41 and 44, are the proud founders of Tiny Tect Tiny Houses on the Sunshine Coast, which launched two years ago.
Due to the rising cost of living across the country, the couple has noticed a spike in inquiries from young Aussies looking for alternative housing methods.
The pair told FEMAIL that tiny houses could act as a “stepping stone” that could lead to bigger financial endeavors.
“Tiny homes offer so much freedom: you’re not stuck with a crippling mortgage and you gain back time spent building or looking for a home,” says Ben.
“We’ve seen young couples buy tiny houses to live on their parents’ property to save money.”
According to entrepreneurs Alison and Ben Metcalf, more and more Australians are considering moving into a small house to escape renting or paying off large mortgages.
The couple (pictured with their two daughters) started Tiny Tect Tiny Houses on the Sunshine Coast two years ago. Since then, they have received huge interest from buyers, especially over the last 12 months amid the cost of living crisis
Due to the rising cost of living across the country, the couple has noticed a spike in inquiries from young Aussies looking for alternative housing methods. Alison is an architect and Ben is a project manager
Alison is an architect and Ben is a project manager, and they run the company together.
Tiny house prices start at $75,000 – the price of a home deposit in some states – which is another advantage for buyers.
“People like knowing they own the whole property, rather than having to rent or take decades to pay off a mortgage,” says Ben.
‘Not only are small houses cheaper, but they also take less time to build and bring residents closer together. Customers tend to reconnect with the outdoors through gardening or soaking up the sun.”
At the moment, the couple believes that life in tiny houses is just beginning and will likely grow in the coming years.
The disadvantages, however, include the large upfront amount required to buy the tiny house and the need for land to set up the house.
“Each municipality has different rules and restrictions regarding tiny house locations, and some are more lenient than others,” Alison said.
‘Tiny homes offer so much freedom – you’re not tied down to a crippling mortgage and you gain back time spent building a house or looking for a house to buy,’ said Ben, adding: ‘ We have noticed young couples buying small houses to live in. on their parents’ estate to save money.’
Tiny Tect offers four different tiny houses of different sizes – the ‘Wildscape’ is the largest at 8.4 by 2.4 meters (photo: inside the Wildscape house)
Inside is a spacious kitchen with oven and four ring hob and washing machine
Tiny Tect offers four different tiny houses of varying sizes – the ‘Wildscape’ is the largest at 8.4m by 2.4m.
It is two stories with a ceiling height of 4.25 meters and can comfortably accommodate four adults and two children.
Inside is a spacious kitchen with oven and four-burner hob, cozy dining area, working bathroom, master bedroom, work space and relaxation area.
The smallest tiny house called ‘Om’ is 4.2 meters long and 2.4 meters wide and has a ceiling height of 3.4 meters. This comfortably accommodates two adults and can ideally be used as an AirBnb.
Each build takes between two and three months – a start that contrasts with the development of an ordinary home, which can typically take up to 24 months.
Tiny Tect homes have also caught the attention of single mothers, older clients and investors.
Each build takes two to three months to complete – a start that contrasts with the development of an ordinary home, which can typically take as long as 24 months
Other options include ‘Artista’ (photo), with a length of no less than 7 meters
The smallest tiny house called ‘Om’ is 4.2 meters long and 2.4 meters wide and has a ceiling height of 3.4 meters. This comfortably accommodates two adults and is ideal for use as an AirBnb (pictured)
A few years ago, the couple and their two daughters gave up their life in the suburbs to live in a caravan for eight months. During this time, they realized how little you really need to live a fulfilling lifestyle.
“We tried it and fell in love with little life,” Alison said.
So they set their sights on helping other people live similar lifestyles by designing and developing tiny homes – and they haven’t looked back since.
“We love seeing the happiness on people’s faces and how empowered it makes them feel. It’s really life-changing,” she added.
Ben and Alison’s biggest piece of advice to curious customers is to ‘try before you buy’ to see if Tiny Living is right for you – but don’t be afraid to take the plunge either.
“The devil is in the details when it comes to tiny houses, so we have to make sure we do everything right and don’t cut corners,” said Ben.
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