There are a number of strange but intriguing cabins and homes for sale on the internet giant that are low priced. But they’ve often got big downsides and additional costs.
Prefabricated and modular housing — where homes are pre-built in factories — is having its moment. From 2013 to 2018, industry revenue grew an annualized 8.6% to nearly $10.5 billion, including growth of 4.1% in 2018 alone, according to research firm IBISWorld.
These homes have even hit Amazon AMZN, -0.07% — and are apparently selling out there. Indeed, multiple news outlets like real estate sites Curbed and The Real Dealreported that this 172-sq-ft $7,250 prefab cabin, which the manufacturer claims can be built in eight hours, on Amazon sold out. (The house offers free shipping.) Then many again reported that the home was back in stock.
And it’s not the only home for sale on the internet giant — and some can even become residences. “I’m not surprised to see [homes for sale on Amazon],” says Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at TrueTrae.com — as “selling these homes online presents a new level of opportunity for the retailer to reach consumers who are outside of their local area.” Here are a few homes for sale on Amazon — ranging in price from a few thousands dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
The 292-sq-ft Lillevilla Allwood Getaway Cabin, about $19,000
The company notes that this 292-sq-ft cabin (square footage does not include the additional sleeping loft) “is large enough to function as a summer house, home office or even a stand-alone retail building” and that “by adding the utility hookups this cabin can be converted to a residence.” Of course, that will cost extra, and the company notes that if you live in a colder spot you’ll need to add extra insulation. Two adults can assemble this home in 2-3 days, the company says.
The 1,000-sq-ft Ecohousemart Timber Home, for about $40,000
This modern-looking structure made of northern spruce was “designed as a lounge” that “can be used as a house with a lot of flexibility in terms of interior layout.” The company notes that an “experienced architect can turn this into a permanent facility.” For an additional cost, of course.
The 113-sq-ft Lillevilla Escape, for about $5,000
The company says that this cabin is better suited for a structure for your “hobby, garden or pool tools and supplies” or “simply a retreat in your backyard.” And like most of these homes, that low price (though it does include free shipping) is just a starting point — should you want to add basics like insulation that will be extra, as will creating a foundation.
Now, tell me where a person can legally live in one of these? I would imagine they may sell well in some California areas. Didn’t some area of California pass a law allowing granny flats?
Exactly. Once you put in the infrastructure to live on land (water/electric/sewer) which is going to cost about $30K for rural locations (if it is done to code) then why would you want to live in a shed?
I can just imagine the millennial, who saves enough to get one of these shipped somewhere, only to get a visit from the “code enforcer” who tells them: No, you can’t live in one of those, maybe you can store your pokemon collection in their, but that’s about it.
maybe you can store your pokemon collection in their, but that’s about it.
And your lawn mower.
Many places in OK w/ no codes and no permits.
California recently reduced the regulations required to add “granny flats” to residences. It’s probably the only recent example of this state reducing regulations of any kind.
I do see more activity like this locally (north Orange County).
I’m nearby (Tustin/Irvine). I spose there’s a bit of an up tick……but note they are”Allowing” these…..but not “reducing regulations”. All the permits, fees, and fees, and permits, and code inspectors and all the rest make “granny flats” a very expensive proposition nevertheless.
It’s my plan. A 400 SF full height, daylight concrete basement; 200 SF (10′ ceilings) main floor and 2nd floor; enclosed (outside) stairway 1st to 2nd floor. Wrap-around,covered porches. Plenty for me and whoever winds up on my lily pad.
In Clark Co. WA, any building under 200 SF doesn’t need a permit. As long as your grey and black water is connected to a septic tank/drain field, you can live in it. Well, wiring, and yer good to go. Can’t have a stove, but who needs more than a (concealable) 2-burner propane unit when you have a wood cookstove w/small oven?
The real benefit most don’t think of when opting for an ‘unpermitted’, but livable house. It adds no value to your property. It will show up as a zero on the Tax Assessor’s Valuation. You’ll be taxed for an unimproved piece of property (for me, $218/year for 11.2 acres zoned “forestry)’.
“Commuforny is the place ya ought to be, so they loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly…” and bought a tiny-home” at an overpriced, over-regulated “community” zoned for equal animals, by animals more equal than others.
On the note of shipping a house….it used to be called a Sears Home and came by rail.
My mothers house is next door to a 1920’s Sears Home (bungalow) that is around 2K sq.. The woman who’s father built it lived there and she passed away several years back.
Nothing new under the sun. Amazon is having it’s day, but I would bet the life-cycle of that business does not last as long as Sears. When drones, replicators, droids or other game changers, come in force, the life-cycle will quickly see the back side. Just like Sears…..someone will compete…JC Penazon….Montgomery Wards-azon…Newco-azon…
It’s a fucking shed. Has no insulation / wiring / plumbing / single pane windows / no furnace / no a/c- nowhere will you get a CO (certificate of occupancy). Then too you need a foundation, and connections for all utilities: sewer & water/ gas / electric.
Tinker Toy houses? For twice the price of acquiring materials yourself. Plus foundation and services. Just build a little shed like Dutch says. It’s a life lesson for the younger generation.
I heard housing sales were down….
I was interested in the $40k glass building until I saw the details:
“The kit does not include windows, doors, roof and floor insulation, roof covering, plumbing, hvac, electrical, fixtures such as toilets sinks or cabinets, interior and exterior paint/stain, stairways, permits, concrete, erection. ”
I guess after you figure out how much all that extra shit is going to cost, you probably wouldn’t have an erection.
You know some creative jackass is going to start selling pallets of cinder blocks on Amazon and advertise them as “tiny house”. Some assembly required.
Free shipping….some assembly required:
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That is the important part, the fine print. What it doesn’t include. I bought a 10×10 shed for my backyard, to use as a shed, not to live in. I got it on sale at Home Depot for 800$. Sounds like a pretty good deal, and it was, but thats not what it actually costs to install one in your yard with everything you need. They show the one’s put together in their parking lot and the price on it will not get you whats on the dispaly, much like these ads: what you are buying for 800$ is missing a lot of stuff thats shown on the floor model. Had to buy a few bags of sand and some caps to put it level in the yard, and it doesn’t come with a floor covering so thats a couple thick sheets of plywood and some hardware. It doesn’t come with any roofing material, either, so I had to buy a few packs of shingles, tar paper, roofing nails, etc. I wanted to match the shingles on the shed to my roof as close as possible, so I had to buy the expensive ones for a fuckin’ shed, but oh well, the color matches. It also doesn’t come primed, much less painted. So, I had to buy a couple gallons of primer. My wife wanted it to look like a mini barn, so I bought a couple gallons of “cherry cola” colored paint, as well as white for the trim. Plus a few rolls of painters tape, rollers, brushes, etc. So, all the rest of that stuff cost me close to 400$ with tax. So in reality a shed for 800$ ended up costing about 1150-1200 to actually be functional.
If you extrapolate that ratio to a 40k “house” you will probably be looking at 55-60k to get it functional, and thats without even getting into running power or water to it. And with something like that, I’d probably want a concrete foundation as well. In other words, thats some pretty misleading advertising. Shocking, I know. But then again you’d have ot be a dumbass to order something like that without looking into the details. I knew what Id have to spend when I bouht that shed, because I priced everything out a few weeks before I actualy bought it so I knew exactly what to get at the store when my dad and brother in law were down to help me put it up.
I built a 4000 sq/ft house for 65k. All cement, hardwood posts (80 of them between 9 and 14 feet) and a cedar ceiling. Electrics and plumbing included. Mind you , I still have to finish the railings and put the 16 000 clay tiles over the tin.
Sears used to sell houses…yes assembly was required but everything you needed was there .They sold thousands of them and some are considered to be classic homes of that era.
The same goes with Jim Walters homes in the 40’s . I had one on my farm,it was a 800 square foot house with the basics …nothing fancy . Heck it didn’t have a hot water eater .
I believe Richard Nixon’s birthplace (now part of the presidential library in Yorba Linda) was a Sears catalog house that his father built. Toured it a few months ago. Cozy but very livable.
I bought an unfinished Amish built 12’ by 15’ one room ‘shed’ for $4,200 in 2012. It was going for 5k and cash was king that day. It looks like a ‘little house’ with the outside finish, windows, high pitched shingled roof etc. One side has double doors I love to open in appropriate weather.
Ran electricity to it (no permits…its behind two property gates and well hidden, so far big brother is clueless of its existence – we don’t need no stink’in permits). Had it put up high, put an 8’ wrap around deck around it, grill and umbrella with chairs, insulated it, finished the interior to my carpet/panel taste, huge overhead fan, a small heat/cooling pump, full fridge, well stocked bar, couch that opens into a bed, one lazy boy shaped to fit my mature ass, 3 bookcases, memorabilia on the walls…total cost about 9K…maybe.
My wife says it’s the nicest dog house I have ever had.
We don’t fight often but it’s a great place to sulk and sip…or accommodate make up sex!!! (If that’s T.M.I. I apologize).
It’s a good thing my wife is not on TBP.
Try shipping container homes for less money. This is what I did.
http://residentialshippingcontainerprimer.com/home
Or you can just buy a nice self – contained camper for 20 thousand. Then you can always move it when needed.
Ken’s container home ….
More homes here; https://renaissanceronin.wordpress.com/category/howto/page/3/
The houses in the 1903 Sears catalog were cheaper and much nicer. This is just an internet rehash of Sears.
A few months back me and the gal finished a barn just under the 300 sq ft County rule. Cost upwards of 20 grand, labor not included. It’s completely finished throughout and is a step up from a 187 sq ft renovated Airstream.
I did it right and it’ll withstand more than the airstream will.
What’s my point? I’m reading a few negative comments that need addressing. Yup, County codes mean everything! Do your homework and find a proper piece of property in a County that prefers you being there, paying taxes, over niggly non$en$e. A place where you’d rather spend your days doing something constructive outside.
No argument the buyers of these supposed domiciless are going to be highly disappointed. However, give them credit for getting started, no matter which way.
Bigger ain’t better because taxes go up, insurance Thieves take a cut and worse, you don’t throw stuff out.
One of my best friends in Mexico grew up in San Diego. His mom let him build his own house in the back yard entirely from junk from the dump. He’s been building house in Mexico for 30 years. Encouage your kids and grandchildren to build shelter of any size. It’s an eye-opener.
Funny that I could build anyone a permanent dwelling with a shovel.