Anonymous wrote:It is so much more "green" to update an existing old home to suit your purposes. It is so ridiculous that people buy empty green lots and put tiny houses or re-purposed materials houses on them and think they're living "green". You should just buy a house that's already there. There are plenty of small houses that wouldn't have to have all the wasted energy and materials to build a tiny house.

Yes, you are right, there are many small houses here. I would not say there are many houses in the 500sq ft. to 800sq. ft. range which is our sweet spot. We are willing to go as low as 400 though. Furthermore, the design is part of the thing. If you are living somewhere that small you actually want it built exactly how you need it not a bunch of cubes inside a big cube but lots of windows, open areas, and so forth. Lastly, many older homes would require a lot of money to get solar panels, top-notch insulation, water efficient toilets, heating, water catchment. Many of these dwellings are built to last and green, something that converting or tearing down (completely out of our price range) would take years and tons of $$ to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it sounds like a great idea. I can't believe Montgomery County permit fees are $50,000.

This is ridiculous. No way can permit fees be $50,000. Can the person who posted this provide some kind of documentation?

OP, here. I will check more into this but I think the person is over zealous in their estimate. Furthermore, the houses run from 24k to 100K so there is still room under the 300K budget.

Anonymous wrote:I think it sounds like a great idea. I can't believe Montgomery County permit fees are $50,000.

This is ridiculous. No way can permit fees be $50,000. Can the person who posted this provide some kind of documentation?

It is so much more "green" to update an existing old home to suit your purposes. It is so ridiculous that people buy empty green lots and put tiny houses or re-purposed materials houses on them and think they're living "green". You should just buy a house that's already there. There are plenty of small houses that wouldn't have to have all the wasted energy and materials to build a tiny house.

Anonymous wrote:That's the thing, isn't it? Many of us live in tiny houses in the DC area, not by design but because that's what we can afford in the location we want.

That's a good point. There are tons of small houses in this area if that's the priority.

Anonymous wrote:I think it sounds like a great idea. I can't believe Montgomery County permit fees are $50,000.

I find that hard to believe too. It would not be the case in DC. Perhaps OP should look for a lot in DC?

Anonymous wrote:All I can say is if you were to do something like this, Takoma Park is the place to do it.

And land will not come cheap.

All I can say is if you were to do something like this, Takoma Park is the place to do it.

That's the thing, isn't it? Many of us live in tiny houses in the DC area, not by design but because that's what we can afford in the location we want.

Although we are not building in MoCo, we are in Arlington. One of the things that surprised me with the process was that we had to get written permission from two of our neighbors before the tear-down process could begin. So, not sure it would apply here but you may want to investigate further.

Why not just buy a teardown and update it.

I love this idea. I currently live with my kid and my dog in an apartment not much bigger than the houses you linked. Our indoor space is plenty spacious, in fact I think we could happily make do with less. But what I'd really love is outdoor space for my dog to run, or to set up a grill, or to just enjoy the fresh air. Add a porch with shade and rocking chairs and it sounds like heaven.

I think it sounds like a great idea. I can't believe Montgomery County permit fees are $50,000.

I know you did not ask, but I get claustrophobic just thinking about living in a house that small with children . . . There are relatively few months in this region where it is actually pleasant to be outside. Most of the year is cold and/or hot/muggy. I would go crazy but more power to you if you and your family can do it!

Is dc becoming so expensive that people are considering housing worst than 3rd world?