Molecule Tiny Homes Tour

When I read the title of this blog in another article, I thought it was going to be about tiny homes that were even smaller than normal, "Molecule".  However I discovered that it was actually a tiny home builder's name; Molecule Tiny Homes.

Since more and more people are interested in living tiny, but don't want to climb a ladder, I found the home discussed in the link below, very do-able.  I would not want to live in a home quite this small on a full time basis, especially with another person, but if you are single it could be made to work.

Again, this home is using all typically unused space for additional storage; under the staircase being the one that most intrigues me. (Why don't builder's do that in traditional 2-story homes?)

This home was built with a solar panel installed on the roof of the home, but accessible by way of the main loft and through the opening skylight.  It has a tub (small), a composting toilet, and the tiniest bathroom sink I have ever seen.

Waring's Induction Range

It doesn't have a permanently installed range or cooktop, but as I have seen in other tiny home environments, the Waring Commercial Induction Range 120V, 1800W, or equivalent, will give you instant cooking without taking up the installed appliance space. You could even have a wall oven installed under the counter top, or utilize a counter top oven like Kitchen Aid's 12-Inch convection bake

KitchenAid's Countertop Oven

countertop oven.

Take a few minutes to view the video where Jason Dietz, the owner/builder of Molecule Tiny Homes provides additional information about this particular home, and how he builds in general.

http://tinyhousetalk.com/molecule-tiny-homes-tour/


Check back often as I post nuggets of information as often as I find them.  Sometimes that is daily, other times just weekly.

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Things to consider before building your Tiny Home

I worked in residential construction for over twenty years, and I have a four year degree in interior design, so I am always thinking about a better way to build something.  In case of my current passion, the tiny home, I have had some issues with some designs I have seen, so I have put my mind to answering them; now I can share these thoughts with you.

Things to consider before you build:

1.  Windows; they need to be tempered glass

for safety’s sake.  They will be less likely to 

break while towing it and less dangerous to 

the human element if they do break.

2. Collapsible awnings to cover your 

windows would add additional protection 

while towing, and would add sun protection 

when you are parked.

3.  Over frame the house to protect it from shearing and distortion from wind shear when it 

is towed at highway speeds.  Consider framing and bracing with metal studs.

4.  Flexible materials throughout.  Plywood is more flexible than drywall.  And don’t tile your 

shower walls; they are not flexible at all.

5. Make sure that all your plumbing and electrical pipes and wires are securely strapped to 

joists/studs so they don’t shirt and/or break.

6. Make sure the weight is distributed evenly within the house.  Don’t put all your appliances 

and the bathroom on the same side.  Also consider how much weight will be riding on the 

tongue of the trailer.

7.  You will need to add extra insulation on the front of the house (tongue side) and make 

sure that all gaps in your cladding are sealed.

8. If you plan to tow your tiny house yourself there are some maximum height and width 

requirements that you need to stay within.  No taller than 13.5’ tall and you can still pass 

under power lines, into gas stations, and through toll stations.  It is also recommended that 

you don’t go wider than 8.5’ wide so you don’t run into issues with large tractor trailers.

9. Like any travel trailer, you need to make sure that your trailer is registered and has a 

visible license plate when traveling.

10. Make sure you have an extra trailer tire.  This special size of tire is harder to find, and 

impossible if you are stuck in a sparsely populated area with no services.

11. Research the towing package of a truck before hooking up to make a cross country 

trip.  

___________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Insuring your Tiny Home

Insuring your tiny home is not something I had actually thought about until I came across this article a few minutes ago. 

Everyone who owns a travel trailer or motor home no doubt has insurance coverage, but what about that tiny home you want to pull across country or put in a park?  

Here is some good news, if you live in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Washington, you can now get coverage for your precious tiny home.  

Click the link for additional information: http://tinyhouseblog.com/announcement/tiny-house-wheels-insurance/

___________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Tiny Living: Living without sacrifice

Many of you groan when thinking about such a drastic downsizing move as living in a tiny house and minimal; by choice.  You may think it is an undo-able sacrifice. Oh, yeah, one more complaint I have heard from others: tiny living must be ugly and and have no style or bling. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I have watched HGTV for decades.  There used to be a program focused entirely on designing for small spaces.  I loved it because the designers always made the small space beautiful as well as functional.  

I found a new tiny home built on a 28' trailer providing 221 sq.ft. of living space plus two lofts that add another 128 sq. ft.  It is modern and sleek and has a full sized range in the kitchen, plenty of light and stairs to the sleeping loft.

This is a great space, but like any travel trailer/tiny home, it needs a good sized truck to haul it around. 

Let me know if you think this tiny home is appealing and functional.

For more information: 
http://tinyhouseblog.com/yourstory/living-without-sacrifice-solutions-top-5-tiny-house-limitations/

___________________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Micro Tiny Home on Wheels

Okay, this home is definitely NOT intended for full time living. It is very cute and well organized with all the essentials - well maybe not all, there is no toilet or shower facilities.

It is a customized travel trailer that is being used by a man named Frank from NC who is a traveling carpenter.  He tows it from one place to another so he doesn't have to stay in hotels, just like any other travel trailer/motor home enthusiast.  

Myself, I would be pulling it to Corpus Christi, Texas in the winter; Ruidoso, New Mexico in the summer; Arkansas in the fall.

For more information click on the link: http://tinyhousetalk.com/franks-diy-micro-cabin/

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

A Green Tiny Home

Even more important to me than my fascination minimal living and tiny homes is the wise use of our environment - Green Living.  

I found a tiny home in France that used only local products to build it with. Plant fibers were chosen to insulate with. The ventilating and cooling are passive.  The owners have opted for solar collectors on the hill behind them, collect rain water and also utilize geothermal energy.  Honestly, the only thing missing is a green roof or wall, but they have a green hill right behind them.

You would think that the house's streetscape might be "dumpy", not a chance.  The interior is also modern and well designed and furnished.  The size of this home does not detract from its beauty at all.  

Click on the link below to learn more.

http://tinyhousetalk.com/tiny-house-rooftop-terraces/

_______________________________________

Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen - Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Tiny House without a Sleeping Loft

This new tiny house design is by Humble Homes.  

For the retiree who wants to downscale to a "tiny home", but is not interested in climbing a ladder to sleep in a loft, this new design really thought outside of the box, how be it, a tiny box, but it provides the user with a living space, kitchen, bathroom, and a side entrance.  Follow the link below and you can view a short video to see the interior in 3D.  Is this a design you would consider for a retirement home?  How about a home for your GenY child who is off to college?

http://tinyhousetalk.com/humble-homes-tiny-house-design-no-loft/

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info