Why I Chose to Downsize to a Tiny Home Community

[@katiesmith2985]

I love the fact you can have your bedroom downstairs and not have to climb I to a tiny loft and basically sleep on the floor while having to kiss the ceiling 💯❤️

[@ElizaDolittle]

I couldn't understand where the bathroom was located. Is it in the bedroom? They didn't show the flow.

[@gidgetjohnston6324]

@@ElizaDolittle it showed the bedroom then the bathroom attached.

[@trishalivingston1051]

Well put, climbing up and downstairs to reach the restroom in the middle of the night, then crawling on all fours to get back to bed would get too old for me, in a blink!

[@lisetteem3054]

i think those lofts are good for a feeling of space and for kids to sleep in or play in. Not for me!

[@staceyp434]

Don’t care about what other people think you gotta do. What makes you happy absolutely love your tiny home. It looks so spacious I can’t believe it.

[@elizdonovan5650]

It’s ridiculous how they won’t allow more tiny homes, especially for seniors. Here I am siting in a big family home unable to downsize to the much smaller space which is now appropriate to my needs. I know many others in this position, people who would gladly downsize to a smaller space if allowed. ☘️🌝🌲

[@robinhorton4462]

I have reached this fork in the road too. Trying to figure out where to turn. Any advice?

[@elizdonovan5650]

@@robinhorton4462 unfortunately no advice. If politicians changed the tax laws so that we wouldn’t be penalized for either downsizing or renting out our homes and we renting smaller (elder friendly) spaces, it would be a step in the right direction. However, I don’t have the energy for campaigning for any changes in policies these days. If you come across any possible solutions, let me know. Wishing you all the best. ☘️🌝🌲

[@anonymous915]

Another senior here, but I still don't want to go smaller than 850. Like he says, "you gotta use every square inch you can" in a tiny home which is why I don't understand why they don't make use of all the space in the top half of the things for storage. Space is important when cleaning, too. I need elbow room. That said, they seem to have more space than my little house. (It was useful info about the property taxes, but if you put it on a foundation, I'd bet the property tax and personal property distinction would go away. It would make it permanent. Bet it's got to be on wheels to qualify as personal property.)

[@robinhorton4462]

Yes, absolutely! What do I need with a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. Plus a huge yard to maintain. I need something smaller and more easily maintained. Wishing everyone the best of luck abstaining what they need.

[@Whydoyoucare1437]

Who are “they”? There are tiny homes everywhere

[@suzannecranford6819]

I live tiny and ended up buying an RV and living in an RV park, within city limits, so that I'm close to work. I'm 73, and have no plans of retiring. I have adapted my toy hauler to have regular, everyday furniture, artwork and all of the important creature comforts of a regular home. You're right, community is the important thing, and I'm lucky to live surrounded by really good neighbors, in a safe community owned and managed by wonderful people. I've been here for 5 years and I love it. It is quite a challenge to live tiny, this the solution I came up with, and luckily it works beautifully for me. I hope one day it will become easier to live tiny for more people. It's so freeing. Thank you for the tour of your wonderful home!

[@tamerabyrd7869]

My husband and I will soon be empty nesters. We will go tiny when we get a home.

[@Bess9779]

I'm still debating RV vs Tiny Home. You get more in an RV, but as a single female, I would worry about needing a repair or fix & have to always deal with a dealership as opposed to any handyman being able to do this on a Tiny Home.

[@streetsmartintelligent]

Sounds like a great place for seniors. Where & what's its name? Also I am a senior artist 😊

[@suzannecranford6819]

@@Bess9779 there are mobile RV technicians who can do the work at your location.

[@suzannecranford6819]

@@streetsmartintelligent I'm in Dallas, TX and it's Good Luck RV Park.

[@briancollins3177]

To All who have asked where is this community. The name of the community is Village Farm Tiny Home Agrihood (We have a restored historical organic farm at our core as an amenity) and it is located about 6 miles east of Downtown Austin, TX on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country. Lot rents range from $650 to $750 depending on location and includes Internet, Cable TV, Trash and recycling pick up, propane tank refill, The Farm house which has been restore, and the barn are amenities, along with numerous fire pit areas and dog parks. It's not for everyone, but will say that all that live here love it and prefer it to the traditional suburban home many of us owned before buying here.

[@sira451]

Thank you for your tour, mentioning the cons about the washer/dryer combo unit, and the tip about 399 sq ft being the maximum size to avoid paying dreaded property taxes! As many others have mentioned, this is a great floor plan. Having outdoor space is a bonus. Thanks again!!

[@jershuw]

yup! I'm working towards getting a tiny right now and doing my research on appliances and general consensus I see on combo units is stay far far away. They take twice as long as a normal seperate unit, they apparently shake tiny houses quite violently, and its questionable if they actually even fully dry. lol

[@nb947]

What a wonderful man getting the conversation flowing... and what a beautiful, cozy home. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story.

[@annmartin9357]

This is the 1st time I've heard about the 399 sq ft rule-thanks for the info. and you have a lovely home

[@madamemaai5387]

Very, very good info here, a solid guy. The quote “The more stuff you own, the more your stuff owns you”, really makes you think, glad he shared it. Very nice home, too.

[@FM-uk8rs]

I really liked how you see community as the value in your life !

[@heidibarrett1956]

What a nice guy! Seems like a wonderful community and lifestyle. This might be my favorite tiny home floor plan ever. Very homey all-around.

[@cecilealonso7446]

I agree

[@bonnies9861]

Thank you for sharing! You speak exactly what I have been saying for years" the more stuff you have, the more it weighs down on your soul" ~ I love these tiny home videos and hearing how people are downsizing!! Enjoy every moment, as it seems you are. Sending you love, light, peace, joy and abundance always. I love you

[@yellowbird5411]

Tiny spaces can feel so much bigger with a high roof, which I see you have for most of it. White paint, light from windows, light colored furniture and mirrors placed to reflect the light from the window and lamps work wonders. So do tube lights in the ceiling. I had my house built with a tube light in the upstairs bathroom that is between two bedrooms and with no wall. I cannot say how thankful I am that I did that. I had a conversion done on an attached garage where I left the garage beams and supports across the bare roof, hung a light with fan, and kept all the colors white. It was about less than 400sq ft, including a full (small) bathroom. But the way I did it, it was comfortable, and the high ceiling with beams opened up the whole thing to look so inviting! One tenant I had lived there 11 years. Any time you can open a ceiling space for an otherwise small living area, it can almost double the perception of living area. Thank you so much for sharing your home with us!

[@peggylindenthaler6169]

You are soooo right. The more stuff you own, the more your stuff owns YOU. No words were ever truer.

[@mygypsyadventure3610]

I love everything about this home and the owner. What an awesome neighbor he would be. I love his home and his van!

[@catherineferguson7646]

You are right. I live in Canada and have been looking for communities until my head ached. I don't want to live on a piece of land by myself. My purpose as I come into my more senior years is being in a sense of community, and friendship. Lot of times especially being single like you said in apartment, condos, townhomes even homes have neighbours they don't even know.

[@lemurianchick]

There are eco villages.

[@lisahurst1940]

All those guitars! How nice! Looks like the perfect place to relax. Love the coffee table and fire pit combo. And your right… less is more in terms of stuff!

[@luvyatubers]

I love it when people are creative as the coffee table/fire pit invention! The home is very nice

[@tiffanyh8065]

Thanks Brian for the explanation behind 399 Sq ft. I have watched countless TH videos and didn't know this. ❤️ the Tiny House.

[@thirstingknowledge]

I read it online. Some places require Tiny Homes with foundation (safety in storms tornadoes) as in NC.

[@donnagrebe501]

Good to know there are no taxes on homes 399 sf. or less!

[@---Joy---]

This is by far the nicest tiny home I've ever seen. I really like the interior and vaulted ceilings and the exterior is very nice as well. The decomposed granite gives the yard a polished look. Definitely a home I'd consider if downsizing.

[@deborahgallagher9976]

❤

[@booshebeauty924]

I’m absolutely in love with this Tiny House. It’s so perfect!!!!

[@karendeckman1694]

Beautiful home!!! I moved and downsized 3 years ago! Donated most of my stuff! My rv I was gonna turn into a mini vacation home, but I told the builder I need time to think about it, good thing too, air conditioner broke, the heater would be next, so I traded it in for a brand new one! I love it, has your fireplace, n TV above it! Enjoy yours!!! ❤

[@erinbrown6962]

He is SO right about the more stuff you own, the more your stuff owns you!

[@barbarajoyhuhtala3495]

I did not know the 399 sq. ft. thing. Valuable to learn. Nice home, but I must say that I love the bedroom: so spacious and easy to walk around to make the bed, which is something often forgotten. Yes, those combo washer/dryers do not work well, especially if they are not vented properly and the loads are too big (don't know your case, though). Great fire pit idea! "Inadequate"? Nothing could be further from the truth. I have been following Tiny Homes (not the wheeled kind) since the '80's when I picked up a book called "Tiny Homes." I will never forget how that changed my perspective on what a home is. And now there are Communities of them popping up all over. Beautiful!

[@kathycowan2221]

I've always been proud of tiny house living! Almost 6 years now, and still happy. And I love my tiny dog and tiny car!

[@praptimahyuddin4476]

Your fire pit under your coffee table is impressive. 👍

[@janinafisher101]

Thanks, Brian. You are about the only person I have heard of who has been following the tiny home movement for as long as I have since back in the original Jay Shafer days! This video had some great info and I look forward to checking out your Tiny Home Community Forum. I'm trying to get one going in the township next to where I live now - one of the only places in my neck of the woods that allows tiny homes. But... it's an idea whose time has come. It's only a matter of time!

[@ricardomoseley]

❤😅YeS 🙌🏾 💃🏾🔥🤗🫶🏾✊🏾

[@TomLloyd-18]

What a gr8 layout. I would never guess it's under 400sf. I'm sure the 2 decks help to make it feel a lot larger and provide more comfort.

[@CharleneOrtizTraining]

We live in a 30 ft shuttle bus so his house looks so big to me. My friend lives in a van and our bus looks so big to her. 🤣 What a beautiful little home!

[@parisivana]

Love your house and how you put in the effort, so beautiful. It is very peaceful and warmth feelings, you're not awkward or abnormal, you're smart and intelligent to make this choice for living in this beautiful house, it doesn't look like 399 sqft at all but looks like at least 800 sqft to me, bcos of it nice arrangement, a big front and side porch and beautiful outlook, I wish I could have a beautiful and cosy house like yours, your life style is my planned lifestyle too, to own a tiny home, a campervan, a motor that easier to get around, PERFECT !!!! Enjoy your retirement life, and you looks great too ! Thanks for sharing your beautiful house with us. 🥰

[@elimgiang6410]

It is great to live in a cottage for healthy elderly! Thank you for your share 🙏🏻

[@jhingbangayan762]

Wow that's a very nice tiny home🏡❤️ very spacious and tidy. He even got the collest bikes and a nice van

[@stcroixlover1]

I love his honesty about what he does not like about his home.

[@unforgivinglyhappy9697]

I live in a 398 sq foot tiny home in a tiny home community in Oregon. We pay lot rent and own our homes. This state charges us around $1000 per year “personal property tax”. I was livid when I found this out. Also, we don’t get a deed to our house, we got a DMV title, just like a motor home. I have owned 5 motor homes in Oregon and have never paid personal property tax on one of them. The state also charges property tax on the land so it sure feels like they are double dipping.

[@kathysamsom2302]

Where are you in Oregon?

[@ldancer2340]

I enjoyed the tour and explanation of all the features in your tiny home. I send a smile from Canada.

[@johnmorgan4405]

Love this layout. So far my favorite.

[@eeenyc5959]

I appreciate people who are orderly and yet have a nice cozy environment. I could not get a small home in my area when I sold a large home, but pleased enough with first floor co op. 650 sf. I feel his place was larger due to all the porches...very nice..

[@gratefulgram]

So lovely, I could live in that no problem. Where is it? I mean the community. Thanks for sharing, much love and many blessings

[@briancollins3177]

Austin Texas

[@mollizi2131]

Use dryer balls intead of dryer sheets and they will come out wrinkle and static free. Be sure not to over dry, as the dryer balls will need less time to dry! You're welcome.

[@kathleenp9643]

What a beautiful, functional, comfortable home!

[@revekat2053]

I love the decomposed granite ground cover.

[@lisavanderwiel7582]

Wow! That was great . . . two tours . . . a tiny home and a camper van! Thanks so much for sharing your house and van with us.

[@observer1256]

Thanks for the video! I'm motivated to downsize and these videos keep me moving forward. Looks like the perfect size!

[@TinyHomeTours]

You can do it! We hope you get your dream home one day. :)

[@arlenedrake9305]

Love the white cabinets

[@mslinda9470]

He has got a lot of stuff for one person. Lovely plc and nice community

[@Hollywoodhat]

Your home is just perfect. Love all the changes and amenities❤

[@leanneadams2549]

Throw a crinkled piece of tin fiol and your clothes won’t be as bad. I love everything about your home and everything I want. A fireplace with mantle, a kitchen with stove/oven , and for a guy I’m pretty impressed by the decor ! So great job ! This is my goal !! Thanks for showing me ! ❤️🏡

[@tmoni7839]

This looks like a cozy and peaceful community that’s a gem 💎 to live in. Please enjoy it

[@daisybb8148]

Such a beautiful tiny home, space, design, decor, colour scheme, lawns, your bikes, van, your presentation etc. Very impressive 👍

[@rebeccarendle3706]

Great guy. Living his best life.. I wish Europe was open to Tiny House Living... its so frustrating they aren't!

[@robinmiller5256]

That’s a very cozy place you got there…love the sink!

[@IloveSituandbob]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very creative ideas and found this to be very inspirational for myself personally. Keep plugging along Brian.

[@patblckw100]

Love his home and one of first I liked.

[@Anntea9699]

Absolutely LOVED this interview! Brian: You're such a well spoken, intelligent person. I learned so much about tiny home communities in this video. Thank you for sharing and for opening up your home and life to us!

[@TinyHomeTours]

So glad you enjoyed it! Brian is definitely a wealth of knowledge, and we're so honored to share his wisdom with this community. Thanks for watching! :)

[@keokiscanlan4350]

Love it, the fire pit is an awesome idea. Love the layout, I would prefer a bigger bathroom.

[@almurry8943]

This is a lovely tiny home. As for the washer/dryer combo, I have heard that they take a long time to dry clothes. If I lived in a tiny, it would be a MUST that I had two separate units, either a stackable or a side-by-side. That is one of the things that I would not compromise on in living in a tiny home.

[@amandarenee4370]

Lots of tiny homes do have the stackable units I've even view normal sized ones in a fold away closet. This is probably something you can just find to make fit in your tiny home really easy.

[@judykeown]

Years ago we had a small dryer that was run off 110. It took FOREVER to dry towels or jeans. A 220 dryer is much faster.

[@mariedriskell8752]

Nice to meet you Brian love your 🏠. Have a happy life.

[@janettawallace3722]

This is an awesome home. Lovely structured and nicely decorated.

[@sherylclements2846]

Love him, his lifestyle and the home is a great layout!

[@stacyjones-erickson3147]

Truly beautiful!

[@PinkMusia08]

You have such a beautiful home! It was great to hear your knowledge on tiny homes, thank you for sharing your home with us!

[@emiliagarcia6868]

Beautiful tiny home 🏡 and decor ❣️😊

[@observerobserver6040]

A handful of ice 🧊 cubes when drying will make sure you never have to iron again. Or a dry towel inside at the same time cuts down your drying time as the dry towel heats up. And cut down the time needed. Roll into a ball tin foil the size off a golf ball is another alternative and purchase an eco drying balls after washing insert it then put dryer on. All is too insert once washing done and drying is now starting.

[@rhondamckinley4373]

Thank you for sharing your home with us.

[@msdebagain1]

this has got to be my favorite tiny home i've seen! all i can say is "some day"

[@michelemccracken6602]

Thank you I love this tiny home..

[@christinegomes3030]

Great video! Lots of information, and inspiration.

[@lisaremy4817]

Great home! Wonderful use of space.

[@allie1953]

I love the coffee table/fire pit!

[@feliciasampson8032]

Great tiny home. Love all the lightness and lack of clutter! The porches really enhance the living space. I love the "less is more" philosophy (though I could stand to trim down my clothing and shoe collections!).

[@TinyHomeTours]

Definitely love the outdoor living spaces tiny homes often prioritize. 🤗 Good luck with the shoes and clothes trimming--not always the easiest to let go of things!

[@feliciasampson8032]

@@TinyHomeTours the clothes and the shoes and the ski gear...oh my!

[@raffinataonline]

Lovely tiny home. 👏👍

[@leighterry943]

This guy says the more stuff u own, the more it owns u, but he's got a lot of stuff for tiny living!

[@jongolsteyn9680]

Beautiful home. You did a nice job making it good for you. I think that would be nice to live in a community that all live the same way. I also like what you did to store your bikes.

[@lisetteem3054]

great use of space in a luxurious feeling home very clever coffee table.

[@lisashields2513]

What an interesting guy! I think it would be a great way to live.

[@christineboone2850]

This is so beautiful!

[@chelsreellife786]

Beautiful home, gentleman, and outlook. 🌹🙏🏽

[@sanantoniotonight5569]

Bravo, Brian!!

[@Sherry61]

Lovely home! Thanks for sharing

[@tammyrobison120]

Glad to see someone finally put the appropriate size appliances in a tiny home!

[@catherineferguson7646]

I have seen so many lately that provide a cook top. I suppose you could use a toaster oven or an air fryer but who could cook everything on a cooktop.

[@conniegnesda9720]

Beautiful place, well decorated and very comfortable! Well done sir!

[@rollingrock5916]

Awesome guy. Awesome life.

[@plantsbythemoon9049]

Excellent info and insight into living tiny.

[@startuphub4097]

You are one of the neatest single men I've seen showing off his house. Hates wrinkles, too. Didn't know that about the wash/dry single. Former military?

[@briancollins3177]

no, bad knee, the military wouldn't take me.

[@sjladuke75]

Just came across your YT video as I no longer use FB. I've been an avid tiny home community advocate since the early 2000s & know exactly what I want for my future tiny home. People look at me strangely when I mention this is my dream but once I explain my rationale many seem to "get it." The freedom of being able to live tiny is similar to my feelings about freedom & riding motorcycles. Although I just sold my beloved bike, at some point I may get another. Your lifestyle embodies exactly what I hope to achieve within the next year or so. I'm on the east coast where there are such limited possibilities for tiny home communities. I don't want to be isolated but also don't want to be crammed into a parking lot of tiny homes which is the case for some. My daughter lives in California so I'm looking at communities in the PNW. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home, incredible BMWs & VW van as well as your thoughts on the lifestyle. You're living your life, your way & seem to be thoroughly enjoying it- that's what's key!

[@bevtrue6937]

You sure do have a lot of guitars. Cool. VERY beautiful home. Yes, even big dryers will leave clothes wrinkled if you don't take them out right away. Thankfully they have a buzzer, although i hate the noise.

[@sabinamock4799]

Nice. Thank you for showing your home.

[@margaretzaharias6755]

Lovely home!

[@elvacartwightneesites]

Evening enjoyed your narration and video and your home is quite lovely and also looks very spacious I wish I was in an area where I could do a tiny home for myself because I do agree with you that the more stuff you have the more it has you very well put thank you very much for allowing me view your home

[@cindyscanlan7826]

This was awesome! Thank you for sharing 😊 Wish the community was near me here in Kentucky Because this is the kind of living/retirement that I really want to do It is so difficult to find a tiny home community Wishing you all the best !

[@nygrl6102]

Especially as we age community is so important. It's ridiculous with the homeless problem being what it is that there are so many restrictions on tiny homes. They could solve so many problems.

[@BG-ig6fd]

Agreed! However, the cost of tiny homes needs to also come down to make them accessible to the very demographic who truly needs them.

[@trudyletson1264]

very nice tiny thank you for showing

[@christeljansenvanvuuren69]

Love 💕 your house

[@latonyalee7821]

Why do people always complain about the price? No matter the price, if you can afford it and are willing to pay the price you're comfortable with, pay it and screw those that think it's too high. There are some I think are too high, but that's only because I can't afford those and will buy what I can afford, but not judge those that spend more.

[@annaburns5382]

I looked on the website of the tiny home community where this man lives and I am shocked at how expensive the homes are there! The lowest listed one that I saw was $165,000. and they go up $192,000.!

[@briancollins3177]

Yes, I never would have guessed this would be the case. 4 years ago, they were $85,000 to $105,000. During that same time the average traditional home value has gone from $350,000 to $560,000 in Austin as of last June,......and now has come back down to $460,000. So, by comparison, these are "Affordable". Also, we are about 5 miles from the new TESLA factory,.....So that has pushed up the need for housing locally.

[@sjladuke75]

Tiny Homes are available in different sizes, styles & a huge range of prices. You get what you pay for in most cases. Quality building is more complex in tiny homes & it's especially important that they are RVIA or NOAH certified in order to be placed in many TH communities & for safety & insurance purposes. This ensure the building process is up to code.

[@MS-gy7bk]

I love this home so much …. I could live in that no problem!

[@ricardomoseley]

Thank You for sharing This with Us! ❤ Absolutely Beautiful ☝🏾✅😅🤗

[@lindacastillo4429]

I love your home!

[@patriciadavis937]

Love your home and nice bikes just love it all

[@myrapickrom4054]

Beautiful home