The Ultimate Off The Grid Tiny House Homestead ~ Thriving In The Arizona Desert!

My number one goal in life at the moment is to build a 100% off the grid skoolie conversion that I can bring to remote locations and live simply. Visiting this awesome couple was very valuable for me personally because I got a glimpse into my future. Hopefully this motivates some of you to realize the possibilities of living simply.
Their DIY Tiny Home Website ~ www.diyhomesteadprojects.com/
Link for Handeeman: / @handeeman
Link for wife High Carb Hannah: / @handeeman
Help Us Provide Content ~ / tinyhometours
Thank you to Stephen Havens and Jim Hoadley for your support!
Need Something On Amazon? Shop With This Link - amzn.to/1R7HfqE
Check Out Our Skoolie Bus build~ goo.gl/7EfmMF
Like Our Facebook Page! goo.gl/GQvcvK
Add Us On Instagram! goo.gl/5Eq5yH
Music from Epidemic Sound: goo.gl/07pc4t
My Camera ~ amzn.to/2fDnbyN
Wide Angle Lens ~ amzn.to/2ysTSH2
Zoom Lens ~ amzn.to/2ysx0aC
Gimbal ~ amzn.to/2ytELNJ
Drone ~ amzn.to/2ytT9VQ

[@TinyHomeTours]

My goal is to live off the grid in my skoolie conversion. Do you think you could do this off the grid type of lifestyle?

[@WelcomeToMyDream]

Looks like paradise to me.

[@NoProGoPronto]

I would leave New York City in a hot minute for a place like that 😃

[@katewizer2736]

Wish I could, the cost stops me dead in my tracks. However your whole set-up is inspiring. My plans are less expansive, but along the same idea.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

we are crushing the off grid lifestyle with no solar =)

[@michaelbandeko3519]

I am and I do for the past 30 years. Tho I did find a tiny house way to small on a working homestead.

[@davesilverman3325]

Nice tiny house. I think you'll find that your fruit trees won't produce though because you don't have enough of each type to pollinate them. Your apple, for instance not only needs another tree to make fruit, but also (if it's a red variety, like Macintosh) needs a yellow tree, like a Golden Delicious in order for both to become pollinated. Red trees won't pollinate red trees and yellow won't pollinate yellow trees, so you need to have at least two apple trees, one of each variety or no apples. My suggestion is that you contact the Arizona State Department of Agriculture and make use of the Agricultural Extension Service and make friends with an extension agent. This person can help you to iron out the wrinkles in your gardening and arboreal projects. The best part about using the extension service is that their services are already paid for by the tax payers in your state and there won't be any additional charge at the time of your consultation, so it'll seem like it's free. These people are ordenairily very astute and often hold advanced degrees and, as such are experts in what they do. What a deal, huh? They can also help you with soil analysis, calculating the amount of fertilizer you need to put out for the type of plants you intend to grow, pest control and much more. It seems that most non-farmers and hippie types (and anyone who had "Carrots Grow From Carrot Seeds" read to them as a child) have this notion that if you throw a few seeds down in the dirt it will result in prize winning vegetables appearing magically and that's just not the case. Without providing the proper PH and correct soil type you may get a result, but it may not be what you're looking for. If you give them what they need you'll get greater yield and bigger, better veggis and fruit. Considering the size of your plot and the scarcity of water where you are and all the trouble you go through to gather it, I'd think that would be paramount. Not that I, myself am an expert, but my family has farmed for six generations in the piedmont of North Carolina and those things I mentioned are things we've considered in order to grow in the volume that is required to support us. It's a tricky business sometimes. Good luck.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

They are proof that a well thought out set up can bring peace and comfort! nice vid!!

[@michrech]

Watch some of their more recent videos. They're both tired of the tiny house and are currently building a far larger home (using insulated concrete forms). While the traditional house they're building will not use city water (they had a HUGE tank installed), it will be using grid power (with plans to install a grid-tied solar system down the road).

[@TheREALOC1972]

@@michrech That's because they didn't do enough planning when it came to the size of the actual house itself. 330 sq feet for 2 people may seem fun and cozy at first but eventually they are going to get tired of being in each others way and not having some room to breathe, year one is cool but by year 2 or 3 your just sick of being around each either. It's too small long term when it comes to your mental health. My Financee' and I just bought 6 acres in the Colorado River in Northwestern Arizona and are building a 18x25 (450 sq ft) tiny house out of a prefab Garage. 450 sq ft is still small for 2 people but we have figured out ways to get around being on top of each other all the time. Were building an actual bedroom with actual walls and a door instead of a sleeping loft so when one of us want some "Me time" we can go taker a bubble bath or go into the bedroom and watch some t.v. or walk down to the river and wet a line or just stare at the river. As a couple you have to have some time away by yourself for your mental health and most tiny houses don't allow that because even going up into the sleeping loft to be by yourself your STILL in the same room and the bathroom is so small you can't go in there either.

[@kevinharvey9500]

What makes a tiny house amazing to me is the land you have around it, and you guys nailed it. I've always wanted to live off grid desert or forest.

[@alanmcrae8594]

This is one of the most awesome tiny house homesteads you are going to see anywhere. I love the way they have designed & built to fit into the real world conditions of a desert. Compared to the typical ginormous water & energy guzzling house that other Americans seem to prefer, this tiny house homestead is light years more efficient, less impactful and more sustainable. My wife & I want to do something like this on our land in a mountain forest in Virginia, so I hope we can learn some creative engineering ideas from watching Derrick & Hannah's well-made videos. Very inspiring!

[@smallfootprint2961]

Love the peace and serenity they have there. It's been hard work so anyone who wants what they have, it's all documented. They have done a great job to make their dreams work. Thanks for bringing us this video.

[@stilcrazychris]

Oh yes indeed. Derek how's his stuff. I watched every video he has made on his Handyman channel. He does a great job on them explaining as he goes. I remember when he got his drone. It was when he was building the tiny home in there friends back yard. It made his videos out of this world. He did a great job on editing his videos. I don't know how he did all 3 jobs. Building the tiny, filming, & editing everyday for about a 7 month period. He did a wonderful job. Great video Chris on Derek & HCH. Thanks Chris

[@Sheilamaizi]

These guys are my peeps. I follow them all the time. I learn so much from them. They are a true blessing on KZbin!!!!

[@AmberJBaldwin]

I've been following both of them for years and it helped inspire me to travel off grid in a 20 ft van! I love their house and love seeing them build their other home on the same property.

[@mandixoloveyourself7788]

This amazes me, I just recently took my first trip to California and flying over the desert seeing people living out there peaked my interests. So cool to see videos about this!

[@ritarichardson3881]

Fantastic job! I give you an A+. Proud of you kids! Please be really watchful of your fur babies. That's day and night. Hawks and many other wild critters,snakes.....

[@rawlawgirl]

LOVE seeing a familiar couple. Their home and outside grounds are just AMAZING. Derrick is an old genius in a young body. Absolutely brilliant and motivated he is! Bravo!

[@michaelharris1455]

Dude.... for 35 large, you could buy a good used travel trailer, build a pole shed for over it (shade & rain collection), and do all that other stuff, with money left over.....

[@profflux]

I love all the systems on property. The placement is marvelous in the same way a sim-city or engineering concept is... Great work!

[@PidasianHippie]

They have a great setup with all their different off grid systems. You can tell they put a lot of thought into their build.

[@WereReallyRelayCamping]

I followed the build as it happened, it was a great series of vids and these two are great to watch.

[@joycejudd5109]

fantastic video! Derrick and Hannah are awesome in their talents and abilities. However...in the beginning when he says, "it's easy..." The biggest lesson to learn from this young couple is they have been purposeful, thoughtful and studious from the beginning of their journey to this point in time. They are industrious, hard-working people, quicker to do the job than to "write the check". They recognize what they are able to do - and do it; and then they know exactly what they cannot do - i.e. drywall and such - and the leave that to those who do it well. I have watched their channel from the beginning, and have been amazed at the purposefulness and intensity to achieve their goals. Anyone - everyone! - can learn from this young couple, and the best thing we can learn from them is...if you really want to and you're willing to work, you CAN achieve your dreams. Thank you for this video!

[@beachlife1411]

I love the rain water system bud and your rain roof , super , one of a kind for dam sure , Iv been watching you from day 1

[@MulroePhoto]

I've always wondered how you store that water for extended times and not have it get moldy / crappy etc. HOW DOES IT STAY POTABLE??

[@immortaltripjeffrey3533]

bud ..lol

[@anitaarchibald6138]

Peter Mulroe, You can add a small amount of bleach or chlorine to the water to prevent algae from growing. Also if you get tanks in dark colors it prevents algae growth.

[@annaw4387]

Beautiful ! Enjoy every moment living your dreams.

[@rosabivins2558]

Such a beautiful home it is so amazing to see all that loveliness thanks for sharing 🤗

[@OscarsWilde]

I watched the whole series of this while Derek was building the house and all the add-ons on the property. Was so interesting. He is so smart and even more capable. They have a great philosophy and were easy to watch.

[@johnrivers9657]

They spent a lot of money on what they have and the cost is like $200,000 on the land and tiny house and the solar energy and storage and water storage and who really has that kind of money to go start a life in the desert.I used to watch their videos when their youtube channel was called (life in a box).

[@TomBTerrific]

Kudos to the both of you. Enjoy watching and seeing you special place. Thanks for sharing.

[@angellosmalefakis1321]

YOU have an amazing set up and off grid. One of the best so far that I have seen. Wow.

[@MrJRW1]

What a fantastic set up! So well planned and executed! I really liked the Tesla batteries from the car idea. Good job!

[@jofalltrades31]

Love these people! Been following their journey for years!

[@sashamoore9691]

i love arizona because of its freedom and lack of zoning restrictions! plentyful views and can truly live off grid, self sufficient and debt free~ i loev arizona!!! i just bought land in mohave county and cant wait to do the same thing

[@offgridsweden]

Awesome video man! I love all that you have achived on your homestead. Its just amazing. Greetings from Andreas on Off Grid Sweden

[@jensallis2]

Oh we hear the Canadian accent in 'out', 'about', 'house' etc. Nice!

[@sinned2080]

Was looking for this comment. Definitely not a Tucson native.

[@debmck70]

I remember reading that High Carb Hannah was from Minnesota. Not sure where her husband or boyfriend is from.

[@leveronefamilyfarm1644]

I was going to say Minnesota after hearing “about”

[@DubShack]

We’re Loving getting ready to go off grid with our children and shipping containers

[@debswan5750]

I love how immaculate their site is!

[@aldralee]

That is such an impressive layout across both indoor and outdoor space.

[@wasblind4835]

Been following them since the start. Love this couple.

[@donnasaunders4220]

Pollination rates are higher with two cherry trees. Awsome home and area! love all the solar

[@DnSAdventures]

Another awesome video tour there Chris! Awesome water catchment system! Very great idea for being out in the middle of the desert. Thanks for sharing man - Shane

[@adamcarroll1975]

I love coming across videos by people who are intelligent, environmentally responsible, interesting, nice, and doing things the way I want to do them - simply, cleanly, minimally. 👍🏻😉 Subscribed!! Best, Adam

[@ranjanbanerji1152]

Stupendous stuff guys!. You have done just great. & Say hi to the dog and the two cats. Thanks for the share.

[@tamaraweber3296]

They've thought of everything. Awesome!!!

[@Dinty51]

Tamara Weber except explosive diarrhea. I wanna know how those Barbie toilets handle that.

[@joshuaramsey8105]

A very inspirational video. This helping my case with my fiancee whom I'm in the process of convincing that desert living is peaceful

[@gregoryclark7566]

40 acres is huge. Awesome place to live and have freedom to do whatever you want and create. Appreciate all of your home, solar, water recycling, and creative enhancements.

[@MrChipBryant]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Well done.

[@tjh4115]

LOVE your catchment / rainwater system. VERY clever

[@ashqelon7267]

This was a very excellent very high grade informative video, I'm quite impressed, congrats.

[@brad-awesomechannel2512]

Simply living should be paramount, in a free society. I will push for that everywhere. I enjoyed the tour. Enjoy your tiny house

[@NoProGoPronto]

This young guy is brilliant! I yearn to live in such a wide open space self reliant. This video was way too short Chris, but great camera work. I'm catching all of your creative little nuances 👍🏽😃

[@rawlawgirl]

NoProGoPronto Just too short. Derrick is brilliant and has so much to share! However, maybe Derrick wanted it short so that folks will troll all his information videos especially if they are monetized.

[@workingmansdead44-ug8hl]

it takes a lot of getting used to.its a severe head change,ive been doing it for a few years and I have a ranch and its hard.The high desert its a tough enviroment,beautiful but its unforgiving.

[@Simplefng]

Handeeman is a KZbinr. He has a bunch of videos on this build and his ICF built house.

[@pdarling6812]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful tiny home🌺🐞

[@yasuewho480]

They have an interesting channel. They are very generous about teaching others through their videos.

[@coolcatcarolena4951]

This is my favorite tiny house/land/water/energy resource. He's awesome.

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

and good peeps

[@davidmyers5417]

great job on your tiny house I live offgrid in Puna Hawaii for the past 12 years..solar and cathement system ..

[@casadonnelly2498]

This is the future! I totally love it.

[@poges]

Hi from canada. We follow several utubers who bought IN AZ. BUT nobody who has a tiny home. Cool. Now I'll go back to see your house build. Way to go.

[@vitalynedzelsky754]

That's cool! Not every girl would agree to live that type of lifestyle. You guys are awesome!

[@juanpalos3657]

Exellent video beautiful tiny house and property as well. Nice to see young couples living completely off grid and enjoying life. Greetings from Mexico my friend new subscriber here.

[@andybishop8437]

Damn that is impressive work!

[@xpuglifex420dabs6]

My guy repping that ETHCS gear, Incredible homestead!:D

[@binshamak]

I am encouraged to live off the grid. Thanks.

[@kevinmaedel481]

Your set up is so cool, you are really talented!👍

[@bethminer7634]

Very informative. Love that you get your own water and recycle it..

[@OFFGRIDwithDOUGSTACY]

yep, closed looped systems rock

[@creativeplayandpodcastnetw5402]

You guys are awesome and I love the features you've added to the homestead!

[@yamabiru4553]

Very nice! Outdoor space is so well done!

[@HB90210]

Home Sweet Home, this is Awesome

[@BigMommaC]

I own land in Welton Az and your video has encouraged me that living there off the grid, which is my dream is definitely doable!

[@Lovelace069]

Awesome!! You even have Gaz's new cookbook on deck!!!!!

[@MogulFarmer]

Mold in the desert!!! Never. Ever. Cool property. Well done video. Thank you for sharing!

[@Sarah-xw2ff]

Tons of dust though.

[@ritabroils6190]

I love Derrick and Hannah!!❤ I want to say they have both grown since my first introduction to them when the lived in the apartment. Great couple. How do find used lithium batteries from Smart cars?

[@jknocal]

Rita Broils craigslist

[@getbusylivenordien5394]

They have grown for sure

[@ZeroEntropy.]

I was loving them initially and actually unsubscribed after the second or third name change. I felt like they lost touch with their audience and started being rather unrealistic. Like Pippi they have some good content but she's another one that just sorta lost touch.

[@ritabroils6190]

vexedne: She has her own channel focused on Vegan cooking and health.

[@ZeroEntropy.]

Rita, I'm super aware, I think everybody who's seen then is very, very aware of their dietary choices.

[@jimrylander9143]

Well done! Have you considered using Wye strainers or basket strainers on the intake lines for your water tanks?They have flush valves & the mesh can be removed & cleaned. Your rain catching system probably will get a lot of sand/dirt during the monsoon season. To eliminate dirt or sludge from developing in your tanks the strainers work really well. Just a thought

[@tonysoprano9864]

Good on them . What a cool couple .

[@kingsovarinfreedom3581]

Dude I love you set up that is awesome I'm off the grid ER love it

[@SilverFireStoves]

Well done! Inspiring. Great planning & execution. SilverFire Off-Grid Stoves & Cookware

[@rossie273]

Good luck to you guys . I hope it all goes well . You certainly know your stuff . regards from Australia

[@offgridmgtowhomestead2520]

This is such an amazing homestead. #goals

[@princearthur4946]

Amazing! Beautiful!

[@efromhb]

Great video. Another idea would have been to have a truss roof over the home with ample space for parking vehicles underneath. It could serve as not only solar area but also water run off too. There's a home in Morongo Valley with a truss shade structure over the home which keeps it cooler in the summer.

[@karilynn3535]

great planning.....go for you .... wish you decades of success and peace.

[@michellem.9669]

Wow! Great video and great job! Thank you for sharing this! We all need to figure out how to survive this economy. May I ask about the 40 acres and how did you go about finding this land. Can you recommend some tips on how to find and buy land and any things to watch out fpr etc. Thanks so much!

[@damianloder6080]

That is the nicest most organised off grid place in the desert ever. Every other one I’ve seen looks like a junkyard compared to this.

[@mrstratau6513]

The water collecting roof on the ground is an excellent idea!

[@SerenityHills-he7uu]

Thank you!

[@loodasau5201]

4:57 “The problem is that gardening, requires water” *squats down with a bone cracking noise* :,)

[@rav_666_]

Omg Hannah and Derek!! That's awesome they did a tiny house episode on you guys!! I was like "hey I recognize that lot" :p

[@edbighead2244]

Great job! Awesome sunsets down there

[@glenngoodale1709]

Thank you my friend ... 😊

[@natejosich]

Wow amazing

[@unclejack41]

Nice Set-up !! I'm living the same dream here in Golden Valley arizona

[@creativeplayandpodcastnetw5402]

As a fellow Tusconain who’s planning to homestead I got to say Right on you guys!

[@crazyazmommy]

Very inspiring! I need to figure out how to get back to AZ, there is something about it , I maybe had to move away to appreciate what it is , now all I can think about is get me back home!!! the dry heat is great as long as you are blessed enough to have a.c. Some live just fine with a swamp cooler and only suffer during monsoons

[@kkstv9798]

Love Derek & Hannah ❤️❤️❤️😺

[@driverguy7]

Great video. Thank you !!

[@giovanninopanderino5235]

Remarkable how many ‘off-grid’ people are constantly uploading videos to KZbin! Off-Grid has gotten so chic, even the wildlife are rolling their eyes.

[@Intro2Tech]

lol! I get what you're saying. But, some of us look to these types of videos to try to learn and get started.. ya know?

[@internet_internet]

I smell jealousy

[@lucasmaria9730]

You are just jealous because you can't have sex outdoors.

[@lewis1180]

NoFap baby! Congrats on your channel. Loved the video.

[@micki777]

Well done video!

[@brittongodman7769]

Nice....! Your video was eckspecially good, thanxx.......

[@bkeithmontgomery]

Hey!! Love the video!!! Also - I saw your copy of Gaz’s ( Avant Guard Vegan ) book!!! We just got our copy too!! You guys are amazing!!

[@moppman3191]

Good video -lots of useful information. As an Arizona resident I was wondering what do you use to keep cool in the summer? I know a lot of the time you can use an EVAP or swamp cooler but during the monsoon season that doesn't work very well.

[@monalizakuhns8902]

Great job..You should put a couple of ponds to store even more water..

[@unknowncomic617]

Good job and design

[@workingmansdead44-ug8hl]

a well probably would be a good idea down the road to augment your water supply you can run the pump off the inverter,which youd only have to run just long enough to top off your cisterns,just a thought,and maybe a carport to protect your rides from the sun and hail..hey dude i live out in the desert too.

[@shoofly9403]

Great video - thanks!!! Do you have any recommendations on finding land in AZ - Tucson, Bisbee, Safford, Benson, etc.?

[@robertmattox9715]

Nice build . The desert is a great place for the solar system cause of all the sun u get . Collecting the rain water is a great idea. But I don think I could deal with the heat .

[@cynthiagonzales9131]

Good. I'm tired of people saying they live off the grid but go to the store!! You've shown more off grid than some of these. Other Utube video's I seen. Thank you!!

[@pete1853]

I'm sure they go to the store plenty. Their garden is quite small so far.