Photography: Daniel Ott of True North Tiny Homes
The tiny home movement is making a big impact. Whether you’re a baby boomer whose kids have left the nest or a millennial interested in buying an affordable first home in your dream location, downsizing to a tiny home is more than living in a smaller space, it’s about simplifying your life and getting down to the things that matter most.
We’ve noticed these tiny, innovative home options have gained widespread appeal across Canada and even globally. Why? Because they give homeowners more control over what makes sense for their lifestyle and future. We’re all for anything that helps homeowners live their best life.
Here we share just a few of the ways you can upsize your life by downsizing your home:
Redefining the home
There’s a major movement toward redefining the home. Instead of viewing it as the biggest investment of your life, more people are making a move towards living the tiny life because it’s a more affordable path to homeownership. Whether mobile or static, it’s also a move that can give you more flexibility – and who doesn’t crave more of that? Live debt-free faster or just enjoy living in a custom-designed home that’s within your means. In addition to financial freedom, there’s also just freedom. Take your passions with you – literally. With mobile tiny homes, you can travel with your home sweet home in tow, reduce your carbon footprint or live off the grid. There’s nothing holding you back from your next adventure.
A minimalist approach
Life can be a lot – a lot of stress, a lot of pressure, a lot of everything. More and more people are choosing to simplify their lives, there’s a reason why Marie Kondo’s KonMari method of tidying up has taken off. The minimalist approach to tiny living can help you separate what you need, from what you want. Do we all really need to live in 2,000 square feet? For some, that simply sounds like a whole lot more square footage to clean up. It’s also a great way to assess what’s really important in your life. Living in a tiny home can encourage you to focus on the absolute necessities, and let go of the stresses that come with that a lot.
Unbeatable views
Get that million-dollar view without the million-dollar price tag. Living in a tiny home gives you increased mobility, so you can have it parked just about anywhere you’d like, with the view of your choosing. Suddenly, that lakeside oasis you’ve always dreamed of owning is now affordably within reach, or even that trendy downtown neighbourhood, thanks to the growing laneway living trend for tiny homes. If you only want to use it for getaways, tiny homes also make great low-investment Airbnbs, perfect for those who are always on the go.
Make connections
Living in small quarters has its pros and cons, but one big advantage is the amount of time you get to spend with your housemate(s). Whether it’s friends or family, when you have a smaller space, it’s difficult to avoid quality time together, so inevitably, it leads to closer connections. With more of our time being spent “plugged in,” this lifestyle allows for more face-to-face communication and more time outdoors to truly enjoy the value of experiences over material possessions.
While tiny homes may not be for everyone, there’s no doubt that they are a low-investment homeownership opportunity that provide more freedom and more time for the little things in life that greatly impact our well-being. We’re on team tiny because we believe in the Canadian dream of homeownership, living within your means, and most importantly, that everyone deserves a space to call home. Downsizing, whether it may be to a tiny home or a smaller space, is a great way to make this dream a reality.
Who says you can’t go small and go home?
For more information on tiny houses, check out True North Tiny Homes .
Ken LeBlanc and Walter Melanson founded PropertyGuys.com in 1998 in Moncton, New Brunswick. Today PropertyGuys.com is the largest private home sale network in North America. Their ever-expanding circle of franchises helps customers in over 600 communities from coast-to-coast take control of their real estate experience.