I Stayed in a $60,000 Prefab House to See If I would Buy One

[@ItsKimJava]

The LA backyard edit around the 3 min mark was stellar. Another great video!

[@vremster]

Yes! The one next to the pool, with it's own little patio looked idyllic.

[@RyanRosenquist]

It’s great to see that you still are posting high quality and well edited videos Shelby!

[@ShelbyChurch]

Thank you so much!

[@joshuadominictoling5310]

@@ShelbyChurchLiving in Bel Air Homes, north of Beverly Hills.

[@ericimi]

@@ShelbyChurch she shoots on imax cameras.

[@TheFrugalAudiophile]

$400,000 is crazy for a tiny house no matter how innovative it is! In the Midwest one could build a really nice full size, regular house for that price, maybe even less.

[@allyjmjm]

There is a reason the Midwest is cheap.

[@Dan-bj8he]

but then again.. you'd have to call the midwest home :(

[@TheFrugalAudiophile]

@@allyjmjm Yah...cuz its awesome!

[@gatesurfer]

Went to college there back in the 70s. Will never set foot there again. It’s only gotten worse.

[@frankramirez6411]

go to texas and you could have a large house and a pool - this prcing is nuts

[@brat32179]

Having JUST hooked up home up to city water in Woodinville WA. It was about $26k, and that was with the water main already running down the street right in front of the home. The city will quote you the minimum cost to drop the meter at the front of your lot, then hooking it up to your home, installing the backflow, etc is all on you and that cost can vary a lot depend on what you're doing.

[@ShelbyChurch]

Oh this is great info thank you!

[@zurielsss]

26K to hook up water from the mains in front of the home is ridiculously expensive

[@frankramirez6411]

use a well

[@buzztrucker]

I lived in Bothell. I don't how sure footed the tiny home movement will be in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. It would just take one city council or a county/state ordinance that would restrict or even outright ban them. Very dangerous path to tread IMO but I can understand given the insane real estate prices in Seattle. I even thought homes were expensive in like 2011 when I had the chance to buy a house near Puget Sound for like 400k and the home is probably with 1.3 million now.

[@Fivetimesthree]

Your videos are seriously some of the best on this platform. They're literally always informative, beautiful, interesting, well-edited, and I always share them with my husband. You are seriously good at this and one of the few people I never ever skip.

[@ShelbyChurch]

Wow, thank you!

[@salinah.1220]

True I learned so much from her! She introduced us to so many kinds of businesses and topics. Her videos are high-quality from content to editing. And her voice is so captivating.

[@DarrenMalone253]

Well, I just found you an after two videos. I feel like you are my financial/real estate girlfriend. 😂 I’m learning and you’re amusing.

[@mrstealyourgurl3910]

hehe I skip alot of things in life hehe

[@leok7193]

on behalf of men this gets shared to: don't.

[@HotepSaoirse]

The most surprising so far is nobody in the comment section saying how dystopian this pod is. But it would be more viable if you were able to have an independent power source like a rector or a turbine if you're set up close to a river.

[@Fivetimesthree]

@@HotepSaoirse I think smaller homes that are more affordable are closer to our original way of living. But with all the added benefits of modern technology.

[@ryvulet8639]

@@Fivetimesthree This smaller house is no more affordable than a normal 800-1000sq foot home with all the associated costs

[@EIyssium]

welcome to the future where you can live in a box and be happy about it.. it's so close to our original way of living, but with all the added benefits of modern TECHNOLOGY

[@exploringfindeverything]

Shelby, I'm so glad that you shared both places and Lauren did a great job of hosting her place while you videotaped. I think if you installed things yourself I think the price could be lower. Thanks for sharing such beautiful places. I always adore it when I see your videos. They inspire me and you are the best in making the videos POP!

[@ShelbyChurch]

thank you!!

[@joshuadominictoling5310]

@@ShelbyChurchI like to live in Santa Monica as well!

[@cordinarcher1054]

Great video! Bottom line, this thing is a non-starter at that price. The reason these units aren't moving is because they simply don't even come close to making financial sense. The look is cool, the features are cool, being "off-grid" is cool, but it's all pie in the sky because it's just ridiculously expensive for the square footage.

[@farmeunit]

Sort of agree, but with median prices being $300,000, it makes way more sense than renting for $1000/month. Pay it off in 6-7 years, build a house and rent it out. Lots of options. Not for everyone for sure. Personally, building a big shop with more living space would be a great addition.

[@cordinarcher1054]

@@farmeunit For me personally, it goes back to the issue of sqft. For 350k I bought a house with 2100sqft. 4 Bed, 3 bath and a garage. Now, I would buy these tiny, off-grid, Mars dwellings all day long if they were anywhere near reasonable in pricing, but they aren't. 6-7 year pull-through isn't reasonable for such a small space. What's not mentioned in the video and I would bet my bottom dollar is an issue: maintenance and repairs on a specialized product like that. What does the warranty look like on that little space house? What kind of tech support do I get with it and how much extra does that cost? Nah, It's just too much money for the size. If you have the skill set, you can build your own high tech house for a lot less and pay it off in a fraction the time because you'll be renting it out to a broader demographic.

[@farmeunit]

@@cordinarcher1054 If you are talking building, sure. Obviously, this is a completely different conversation. If it's a rental, you don't need 2100 Sq ft. Even to live. We live in a 900 Sq ft house with a basement. Even that is $250,000 in this location. Lots of variables to take into account in California vs Middle of Missouri, prices are drastically different. You act like owning a house is free? It makes fine financial sense when you talk about taxes, space, upkeep. Sure we don't know lifespan, but again, you can put this on a lot that nothing else can fit on. Use as a guest house, etc.. Then you can have it moved at a later date if needed.

[@cordinarcher1054]

@@farmeunit I hear you, but does it really make sense to you to pay that amount for a tiny guest house in your back yard? Even if I were very wealthy, (I'm not.) I'd have a hard time justifying that cost for a tiny room large enough for one person or maybe 2 people max. With more space, I can airbnb it or rent it to a family or to groups. with such limited space however, options are also limited. I like the idea of building a slightly larger space with SIP panels and add my own automation/tech. That way I don't rely on a third party, who may or may not be available to me when I need help or troubleshooting or repairs.

[@frankramirez6411]

amen the true construction cost for a nice home is close to $200 sq ft. these guys are smoking somethng hallucegenic

[@nafnaf0]

I feel like if it was just a little larger it would work pretty well. The huge windows are awesome

[@DJ-6972]

Those prices are terrifying when compared with that traditionally built ADU you showed, which is so much more inviting. I’m sad for what Gen Z will be able to afford or not afford in their lives.

[@Brandon-w4y]

!!!! 🤣🤣🫵

[@RecklessFables]

These are literally worse than mobile homes.

[@supercoolyguy]

This thing is a dumpster fire of bizarre unusable overpriced space.

[@MegaspeedX300]

The architecture is fenomenal I would like to say , I couldn't ask for more difinitely. The light throught the windows and the scene when you wake up at morning in the middle of the forest uff. The next level!. ❤😊

[@S.Lim_Innovations2LC]

Cute, but a little bigger where the sleep area is partitioned from the eating area would be a good investment for an Airbnb at 60K, give or take. Love the structural design and modernization applications within. Probably a nice place to put it is behind the Tramway mountain, Thomas Mountain area Hwy 74, from Palm Desert. It looks great with Douglas Fir trees in the background. Thanks for sharing, Shelby! 👍👍

[@NathanJ7132]

So cool-An electric skillet to plug in is always an option for a stovetop replacement too, as well as an electric and/or gas grill for outside 🙂

[@kathbrandon8023]

Love their solar ability!! Design, aesthetics, space planning is amazing😍

[@derryXDINES]

Lauren is really good at the Cribs tour! Fun video. Seems a little cramped for me, but it would be fun for a short stay.

[@ShelbyChurch]

She’s great at hosting!

[@jbrinkley9-t1r]

Shelby, very impressive. All the extra work you did with the fees was amazing! Thank you. Subscribed.

[@NicksDynasty]

Would love to build a prefab home myself. We definitely need more companies doing this. I can see it bringing the prices of homes down tremendously

[@redwolfexr]

The issue isn't the cost of the homes, really. Its the cost of connecting them to utilities, and being FORCED to do so even if you would prefer an offgrid solution. The only reason ADUs are reasonable is because you connect them to the already existing utilities of the main house.

[@NicksDynasty]

@@redwolfexr yes that's a cost of having a dwelling and it's prohibitive. Off grid would be beautiful and low cost to hook up to the grid would be nice

[@cyrusmagnus]

Here's hoping your voice healed up well! Also, fun little romp through the two units. Informative and cheerful, it really gave me a good feel for the little one. I didn't get as much of a "I'm going to sleep right now" lived in vibe, but it was very cool to see. The bathroom was especially fun.

[@StephenOshea]

both pods are lovely and so modern

[@danieljones5217]

This doesn’t feel like a home. It feels cheap and overly expensive at the same time.

[@Brandon-w4y]

!!!! 🤣🫵

[@Hawkxphos]

Right? For those prices I'd expect more...

[@smulan1984]

I liked this video a lot. I appreciate the work you put into your videos. I rarely comment, but always watch them. Both places looked really nice. Especially the bigger one.

[@ShelbyChurch]

I appreciate that!

[@THERE.IS.NO.DEATH.]

this prefab and/or the OOD prefab is on my dream list! also you 100% do not need makeup and are absolutely gorgeous without it!

[@larrydaniels6532]

A very informative video, thanks for the info as these seem to be all over the internet!!!

[@andrew01974]

😱I'm speechless, minimum phenomenal with the projector!!! excellent size!!!

[@sheldoncooper0]

The black tights with baggy white hoody combo is super cute!

[@kst7347]

Too expensive. Not enough storage.

[@Dashikardashian]

Ummm not too bad. I think expensive is $100k

[@trollof229antthevariable9]

Be cheaperr to rig up a couple home depot houses, and do most of the work yourself.

[@e.s.5529]

I was just commenting that I really miss the real estate stuff you used to do. Thanks for this; I love it when you report on things like this.

[@StephenBolger]

There is something very appealing about living in a home that has just what you need and nothing more.

[@Jeroen74]

I love the automatic lights in the drawers 😀but those huge windows... I would feel so exposed, like I'm in some kind of glass prison. The second unit is more practical indeed.

[@Brandon-w4y]

😂

[@allstarwatchg]

Thanks for this since housing it's getting so expensive to own this is another option to own something I appreciate you guys

[@augustbrante8117]

I dated a young lady about 8 years ago in the Phoenix area. We went to her place one time, and it was in a mobile home park. I have to tell you it was bigger than this and super cute. It didn't look like a mobile home at all. She was selling at the time for $35k. I wouldn't like living in a mobile home park. But besides that, it was super cool. Had a living room, bathroom, and one bedroom. I believe it was a pre-fab home with a deck with a gas-powered fire pit. It would be perfect to live in if single with a dog and cat too. All the additional fees and buying property up near Flagstaff or the mountain portion of Presscot would be fantastic. I now live in Medellin, Colombia, and I don't know if we have the option for the home you are showing or the prefab, like the one I spoke about in Phoenix. But Nice condos here are about $185k then annual fees too. We are surrounded by Mountains 360 degrees so putting one of either up there for the weekends would be great! Thanks is this one of Elon's homes?

[@MeghDonovan]

Loved this and also love your other recent ADU feature - think we're really going to see more of them as the boomers age and can't maintain their previous homes

[@julianjessepe4255]

Shelby our house loves your videos everytime.

[@gyasibarberhehim7982]

I love Haus. They're a great company for sure.

[@CapsLock33]

the M1 is pretty cool. Thanks for the review. You got me thinking now.......

[@Helen_white1]

More than 80% of newly-built single-family homes sold in 2019/2022 belonged to an HOA. during the 2004 housing boom-home prices were significantly inflated, leaving people unable to sell later because they owed more on the house than it was worth. I know several people who bought during that time, thinking it was a good investment, but it wasn’t until the COVID housing boom that prices finally returned to those original levels.

[@berniceburgos-]

To balance out your real estate holdings, I suggest investing in equities. If you're cautious, even the worst recessions can present fantastic buying opportunities. Additionally, volatility can produce fantastic short-term purchase and sell opportunities. This is not financial advise, but you should buy immediately away because money isn't king right now!

[@Grace.h-t8o]

If you are in cross roads or need sincere advice on the best moves to take now its best you seek an independent advisor who knows about the financial markets. It's better to hire a skilled financial planner especially if you're not one yourself. I hired one after my retirement pension took a hit in April due to the crash.

[@Lewistonwilliams-f5i]

Market behavior can be complex and unpredictable. Mind if I ask you to recommend this particular coach to whom you have used their services?

[@Grace.h-t8o]

I've stuck with the popularly ‘’Stacy Lynn Staples” for about five years now, and her performance has been consistently impressive. She’s quite known in her field, look her up.

[@Thompson-e7h]

thank you for putting this out, it has rekindled the fire to my goal... was able to spot Stacy after inputting her full name on the web, she seems highly professional with over a decades of experience.

[@NicksDynasty]

This is definitely perfect for back yards and building a micro community. Would love for it to be slight bigger but not as big as the last model

[@millerpeter1991]

Based on the variable prices, utilities, taxes and fees etc, buying a mobile home would be the better option. I've seen these mansion looking houses out in Texas for less than $4 less than $300K. I've seen some ADU/Prefab houses off of Walmart for like $15-30K Lol. All in all, being that I'm single (by choice) and probably will be single for quite some time, I actually would buy one of these homes.

[@Chutney1luv]

Wow Shelby! The Prefab Pod you stayed in was nice for a senic back yard or beach private areas! Thank you for showing Lauren's M1 Pod too! Both are great escapes! 👍

[@rsuriyop]

These prefabs aren't good for every day living. Those glass walls alone (although pretty) not only prevent you from having any privacy but may even lure people with bad intentions to try to break in. Also, more glass walls means less indoor warmth when it gets really cold outside since there is no insulation between them. Overall, these homes are probably okay as a vacation home only during certain times of the year.

[@Deepskysunnyside]

Really good video Shelby and Lauren

[@brandtc.7991]

Hey!! its been a while since one of your videos popped up!! Love your videos! Always so good and informative! Also love how you interact with us still on here!

[@bjjohnson4418]

Thank You for the break down of all the costs it was very helpful ! ! ! I wish it wasn't so expensive for the larger unit.

[@DelanaGrayWest]

Excellent midstream narrator switch! You two could become the QVC of major purchases (5 figures and up).

[@MsCdngrrl]

Cool video. You can also get a microwave/convention oven (sort of like an airfryer in a microwave).

[@Outsageous]

I love how you think about the numbers and get down to the niddy griddy

[@claudiavasquez1368]

Love this! Great video!

[@JuicyFashion11]

That Villeroy and Boch coffee mug is a nice touch.

[@frankb1]

I could listen to your voice all day.

[@Brandon-w4y]

🤣

[@pineapplesoda]

Nice to see solar tiles on the M1. I wish more prefab tiny houses did this!

[@rachelrdh5671]

I love this video! I hadn’t seen your videos on the algorithm in so long, so I actually search for your name this time. I saw you mentioned something about that and one of your videos don’t worry your true fans will always search for you. Your videos are so great and you are the best at editing your videos make me happy. Keep doing amazing.❤

[@danielyang3995]

These units are really convenient👍

[@RosyBibliophile]

I absolutely love the M1 Pod. Wish it was more affordable than $250K. The little one is nice too

[@EricMoore790]

I would for sure buy one of those!

[@Dygear]

Your VO is popping SO MUCH. Pop filter or even the "dead cat" would massively help.

[@jeannine1991]

Really great concept and design. It looks looks practical for inexpensive housing. The view is everything and I love the hidden bathroom.

[@mullholand]

Looks awesome! It is amazing how little room you really need if you one would just downsize.

[@ionageman]

I’d say this off the shelf housing is definitely the future of housing .

[@gauravsgifts284]

Nice Presentation 👍 With good information.

[@zappl1437]

Your video quality feels too good to be on KZbin. Great work

[@loitersquadX]

These are cool. I hope one day we get "Lego" style houses, where if you have a lot of children as you grow, or maybe your parents get old and live with you, you can add more rooms and space.

[@DanFrederiksen]

Maybe one utilities hook up can supply 10 of the little pods or more. Align them all so they don't look at each other. Maybe on a slope for a bit of views. In certain locations sloped lots are actually cheaper. You could even bring them to some of los angeles' steep or nested otherwise useless lots and maybe make it work because they aren't dependent on daily parking cars right at the location.

[@chloescoolcreations9719]

Thank you for this video!

[@eljj7968]

Was looking forward to this since seeing it in your vlog. I really loved the tiny one, those windows were magical, would be so nice to lie on the bed and just look up at the trees. Also, I have a Murphy bed in my apartment and I just leave it made all the time - it doesn't get messed up at all when I flip it up, so maybe that would be an option with this one? Also, just wondering if you had a couple of acres and wanted to put a few of these on, would it just be one connection fee or do you have to pay for every one individually? I imagine setting up a few in one spot could be more cost effective.

[@akita96th]

It looks like a peeping Toms heaven with all them windows.

[@AL-vw7kx]

I'd have that pod elevated maybe have a deck of which preferred what side maybe wrapped around the pod... then have downstairs where you can build an open kitchen.. dining area maybe a living room modern minimalistic but inexpensive.. maybe zen design.

[@cosmokramer9139]

Could you hook up your own generator and water source to any of these units though? If you think about it you'd just need rain collection or proximity to freshwater, and a solar generator.

[@ConwayCreatorWebDevelopm-oq1ii]

Pressure cooker would be a healthy alternative for kitchen ware. Chicken & Potato's would taste fantastic & make the economy space smell good 👩‍🍳

[@kdcounseling]

Love this type of content

[@ShelbyChurch]

Thank you!

[@jayronn.christian]

I'm considering prefab houses too. This great information. Hopefully, in the coming months you'll vlog your experience from buying land choosing between Seattle or LA (and other nearby cities in both Washington and California), building prefab up to showing how much it actually earns in AirBnB

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

My goal is to eventually have an aquarium bigger than this. So crazy! I paid $69,900 for my small 3-bedroom home with a garage in Minneapolis 32 years ago. This defines shrinkflation.

[@berklia]

great video! I learned a lot. In the larger model, the other woman called the kitchen a 'kitcheonette' - I get it - as I didnt see a stove, however - very curious : what are the black/stainless steel units there? washer/dryer or dishwaher?

[@nickbutter9270]

The Bigger Model is perfect for full time living. You can have friends and family over for movie night

[@motogal7944]

Very informative video

[@enriquealedius]

Here cause I wanted to see how the editing effect at 3:12 turned out from your vlog 😂 - really cool

[@ShelbyChurch]

Thank you hahaha

[@Jordan-dr9hq]

Seems like a decent option for a backyard WFH office space (especially as a business expense write off), doubling as a guest space for weekend visitors. I don’t think anyone could live there for extended periods

[@nicoleluke3249]

This was so interesting ❤ Do they design them with climate disasters in mind? (Aside from the offgrid aspect?)

[@ryanhenderson8908]

It's funny, initial impression I could never live here, but I work from home, in my bedroom, and I'm in there 95% of the time. 🤣

[@alexandermuir8160]

Excellent video Shelby. I can't believe all the utility fees and the associated costs. It would be much better installing the pod in an existing property with a house. Looking at it, that's probably the only way it becomes an attractive option. A granny flat for the aging parents or to lease out.

[@Nordic_Sky]

On my house, the water connection fee was $80,000 and it's in a regular CA neighborhood, not in the boondocks.

[@pvw732]

Reminds me of the home Bruce Willis' character had in 5th Element: "Autowash!" I'm sure these are the homes of the future, more efficient, more economical.

[@BuildNewTowns]

Cool video! good job

[@anthony7440]

would be nice if the bed goes up the long way up for the dual window scenery.

[@jkstudent222]

cool video. i want one of these dawg

[@carolynm.8868]

I would like to stay in the M1 for a weekend in that vineyard type setting. I don’t think I would want to live in one permanently.

[@georgivelev77]

The quality of the video is superb! Now, on the topic, the first “house” is a complete No, the second is kind of doable for a short stay, especially if you have a nice 20+ sq m terrace beside it. Next to absent storage space, very small bed. Anyway, these are luxury items, not cost-effective solutions. Many thanks for the video!

[@barenekid9695]

All you need is a 3/4 Million $$ bldg site Where youcan Actually Park/Locate the Prefabbed "house' . It needs to be Outside of any Bldg Code regulated area. AND it needs Power Water and Waste connection capabilities.. Good Luck !!

[@norwegianblue2017]

For the same price you could get a Boxabl Modular Casita which is 3x larger and has a full kitchen.

[@microchip470]

It would’ve been nice to see the tinted window option so that you can get the views while maintaining privacy. At least they have zombie protection.

[@denniszenanywhere]

Curious to know if the blinds have manual mode. Automated blinds fail sometimes.

[@ashishpatel350]

youd probably get a larger adu with a similar build out. but it does look nice.

[@mpacino1224]

I agree about all the fees. At that point you can buy a small one bedroom house. Depending where you live.

[@nwalters7]

You forgot to send my invitation again, Shelbs!!!!!! I would have loved to stay in a prefab house. lol

[@JoeCuv]

Off grid? What do they do for fresh running water and for drains and black water? Doesn't that have a cost even if going off grid or are there tanks and service options in that $400K upgraded version?

[@louanndunlap]

What a fascinating video! Thank you.....

[@allisonross8696]

What a great summary. Than you!

[@TheGroovyGuitarDude]

I actually really dig the idea and design of these, but they definitely seem too expensive for what they are.

[@MiamiCereal]

moisture and temp issues unless you have consistent weather year round

[@remocres]

except in extremly expensive areas 60 k for 120 sq foot is high plus foundation plumbing sewer or septic and permits and impact extortion fees probablt at least 2 to 3x and still only have equivilant of 1 bed room

[@Lion_McLionhead]

We need a man cave ADU with just a bathroom & a shop, but suspect it would cost the same.