Portable Tiny Home With Outdoor Space Selling For $18,000 - Newsweek

Most people have used Amazon to purchase some of their everyday needs, from books and electronics to home goods and beyond. But what about an entire home?

Those looking to downsize their living space can bag a "portable tiny house," equipped with a separate living room, bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom as well as outdoor storage space, from around $18,239 on Amazon.

The 20-foot by 20-foot prefabricated tiny home from the brand Hi-Touch can be customized to feature anywhere from one to three bedrooms, with either one or two living rooms.

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It is a mobile "expandable container home" that's been "fabricated in a factory, folded for efficient shipping, and easily unfolded upon arrival," its listing on Amazon describes, adding that "assembly and disassembly are hassle-free, allowing for frequent relocation."

Prefabricated houses, or modular homes, are constructed at an off-site facility rather than at the property where the home will be permanently located. After its sections, or modules, are built at the facility, they are transported to the property to be assembled there. "Once the modules are assembled, a modular home looks like any other house," explains the Modular Home Builders Association.

Tiny homes, which typically measure around 100 to 400 square feet, have been gaining traction as a minimalist and sustainable living solution, offering a lifestyle with lower costs and reduced environmental impact.

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A 2018 survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that more than half of Americans (53 percent) would consider living in a home that is 600 square feet or smaller.

In a March 2021 report by the NAHB, 67 percent of homebuyers in the U.S. said the COVID-19 pandemic did not change their preference for home size. However, 12 percent said they would prefer a smaller home following the pandemic.

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The latest forecast from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that 4.71 million existing homes are expected to be sold in 2024, marking a 13.5 percent rise from the 4.1 million anticipated in 2023.

According to the NAR, "annual median home prices are expected to remain largely unchanged at the national level in 2024, for the second straight year, modestly improving affordability from rising income."

The tiny home listed on Amazon is described to have been "built with environmentally friendly materials" and "designed for longevity."

Constructed with a "sturdy" frame made of alloy steel and flame-retardant foam wall panels, the mobile tiny home "offers waterproofing and thermal insulation, ensuring safety and durability," the listing notes.

Its layout and amenities can be adjusted to individuals' needs, and additional features, such as storage units, workspace areas and recreational facilities, can be requested to increase the functionality of the space.

The home also comes with "optimized ventilation," featuring windows that have been strategically placed to "facilitate natural light and airflow," according to the listing.

Newsweek has contacted Amazon for comment via email.

Have you built or bought a tiny home? We'd love to hear from you. Email [email protected] and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.

Soo covered the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, including interviews with chief medical advisor to the president, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Soo has reported on various major events, including the Black Lives Matter movement, the U.S. and Canadian elections, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Before Newsweek, Soo was a travel reporter and commissioning editor for the award-winning travel section of the Daily Telegraph (a leading U.K. national newspaper) for nearly a decade from 2010, reporting on the latest in the travel industry, from travel news, consumer travel and aviation issues to major new openings and emerging destinations.

Soo is also a South Korea expert, from the latest K-dramas including Squid Game, Korean films and K-pop news to interviews with the biggest Korean actors. Soo is the author of the book How to Live Korean, which is available in 11 languages, and co-author of the book Hello, South Korea: Meet the Country Behind Hallyu.

Soo is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York and the journalism school of City University in London, where she earned a Masters in international journalism.

Languages spoken: English and Korean.

Follow her on Instagram at @miss.soo.kim or X, formerly Twitter, at @MissSooKim

Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.

Soo ...Read more