General Discussion

catnhatnh

(8,976 posts)

59. I want to say something about price per foot....

Fri Sep 9, 2016, 08:12 PM

Sep 2016

Pretend instead of 300 sq.ft. they were going to build instead the size of a porta potty....say 3'x4' for a total of 12 sq. ft. But that 12 sq.ft. is still going to need site work to prep a water line, sewer line, electric service, and either a gas line or fuel storage facility depending on heating unit.

And that will still be needed too-a heating unit-along with electrical wiring and a circuit breaker panel, along with plumbing and a sink and toilet. And insulation and wallboard and roofing AND flooring and so much more. And when you finished your cost per sq. ft. would in fact be very high.

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This tiny house could be a game changer for the low-income population in Detroit [View all] demmiblue Sep 2016 OP

Hugely in favor of these Blue_Adept Sep 2016 #1

As a starter house for a single person or a couple, or for single pensioners, it's a great idea. haele Sep 2016 #2

Apparently, the current plan only allows 2 people per residence. demmiblue Sep 2016 #6

Price is way too high for detroit Egnever Sep 2016 #10

True, just saw a listing for an 8000 sq. ft needs a bit of work mansion for $500K in Detroit. haele Sep 2016 #12

See my reponse here: demmiblue Sep 2016 #15

I know, I bought a 1960's tract house as is, and ended up having to sell it six years later. haele Sep 2016 #22

Sometimes simplicity is the best way to go. demmiblue Sep 2016 #29

I agree with you. LisaM Sep 2016 #31

Good points. A builder told me that ANY house of ANY size is expensive. In other words... Eleanors38 Sep 2016 #47

There are tons of empty lots and land is really cheap in Detroit gollygee Sep 2016 #70

If I had $50k, I would buy a fixer-upper and ream it out, esp. the insulation... Eleanors38 Sep 2016 #77

Video: demmiblue Sep 2016 #3

as long as they meet code...love the idea but fear shanty towns dembotoz Sep 2016 #4

160 dollars per sq/ft Mosby Sep 2016 #5

Right? Egnever Sep 2016 #7

The higher cost might reflect lot price, also Warpy Sep 2016 #28

And ... Lurker Deluxe Sep 2016 #61

Yes, they are Warpy Sep 2016 #65

good idea but too small Angel Martin Sep 2016 #8

The size isn't the biggest problem here, IMO. WillowTree Sep 2016 #36

This is a scam Egnever Sep 2016 #9

Let me clue you in... demmiblue Sep 2016 #11

Who the hell wants to live in a tiny house? kwassa Sep 2016 #13

Right that leaves 35k to make improvements with Egnever Sep 2016 #20

What? Egnever Sep 2016 #14

These tiny houses are rent to own tammywammy Sep 2016 #17

an even bigger rip off Egnever Sep 2016 #18

Yeah, since when did people think rent-to-own was a good idea? gollygee Sep 2016 #72

Yep, plus it appears that the only expense they would have to pay on top of the rent is heat. demmiblue Sep 2016 #23

They are not getting a loan (they are renting with an option to purchase in the future). demmiblue Sep 2016 #19

If they are paying $160 per square foot for anything in detroit they are an idiot Egnever Sep 2016 #25

It's a shame our homeless population doesn't have the education or intelligence you posses LanternWaste Sep 2016 #34

It is a shame Egnever Sep 2016 #38

Agreed. Texasgal Sep 2016 #62

There are literally hundreds available in detroit Egnever Sep 2016 #16

So how does a low-income individual pay for the mortgage, tax, maintenance and utilities? demmiblue Sep 2016 #21

I need to explain Egnever Sep 2016 #27

So how do they pay for the mortagage, the gas, the electricity, the taxes, the maintenance, etc. demmiblue Sep 2016 #32

You keep saying that as if Egnever Sep 2016 #35

Paying $300 for rent a month is feasible for low-income individuals. demmiblue Sep 2016 #42

and again you rely on the scam used car dealers do Egnever Sep 2016 #43

They probably pay much more in apartment rent for same or less space. Doremus Sep 2016 #54

an example of the scam here Egnever Sep 2016 #45

Lol... I am cheering on the robbing of the poor?! demmiblue Sep 2016 #48

And yet despite all kinds of examples of how this is not fairly priced. Egnever Sep 2016 #58

This is targeted towards those who wouldn't qualify for any kind of mortgage loan Kaleva Sep 2016 #26

And it is taking advantage of them Egnever Sep 2016 #30

It doesn't look like the tenants would be paying for the full cost. Kaleva Sep 2016 #46

"30k you could correct most if not all deficiencies" NickB79 Sep 2016 #74

(One of) the tragic reasons houses are so cheap in Detroit FrodosPet Sep 2016 #56

Are these tiny houses somehow immune from getting broken into? gollygee Sep 2016 #68

I still contend KatyMan Sep 2016 #24

so cute. Liberal_in_LA Sep 2016 #33

Tiny Houses are awesome! kydo Sep 2016 #37

This one is one of my favorites demmiblue Sep 2016 #53

A group of NGOs is attempting this in Dallas, TX LanternWaste Sep 2016 #39

A similar community has started on the east side of Austin. Eleanors38 Sep 2016 #49

Townhouses (terraced houses, to me) are cheaper than detached ones muriel_volestrangler Sep 2016 #40

Don't know... there are townhouses downtown, as well as many, many apartment buildings. demmiblue Sep 2016 #44

As long as they don't or will never need enough space to use a walker or wheelchair loyalsister Sep 2016 #41

Yeah, families are over-represented too gollygee Sep 2016 #69

Just depends on if mass consumers will get use to the idea. Rex Sep 2016 #50

Wouldn't an apartment building be more energy efficient? JonathanRackham Sep 2016 #51

Sorry, I think this whole "tiny homes" thing SoCalNative Sep 2016 #52

I'm certainly NOT interested in one, but.... Adrahil Sep 2016 #55

Housing is not a problem in Detroit. Abandoned houses are a problem. Taitertots Sep 2016 #57

I want to say something about price per foot.... catnhatnh Sep 2016 #59

why does it have to be SOOOO small Skittles Sep 2016 #60

I also think about Texasgal Sep 2016 #64

That's not even big enough to have a decent sized dog for safety LeftyMom Sep 2016 #71

Great idea, and not just for the homeless... Wounded Bear Sep 2016 #63

Iirc Detroit has a massive housing surplus. LeftyMom Sep 2016 #66

That's what I thought too gollygee Sep 2016 #67

Very wary of this project. romanic Sep 2016 #73

Tiny houses: the kind of place in which other people should live. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2016 #75

Does anyone else find this disgustingly demeaning to the poor? Odin2005 Sep 2016 #76