Rose Cottage Ltd

Great news this week that Sgt. Tahmooressi was released after his ridiculous 214 days in a Mexican prison. The irony that we have some 12 million illegals in this country – predominantly Mexican, doesn’t escape most of us. If you missed the interview Greta Van Susteren did with him Thursday, look for replays this weekend on Fox News.

Now on with some real estate news for the week…

++ The Most Expensive Home in America

++ 9 Red Flags – When Picking a Real Estate Agent

++ 6 Best Home Fixes For the Money

++ Energy-Saving Home Remodeling: The Inside Game

++ 59 of 350 U.S. Housing Markets Recovered…

~~ Which means 291 have NOT.

++ Bigger isn’t always better: The standout small homes of 2014

~~ And for any who are looking to relocate for that perfect job…

++ Sotheby’s to sell luxury real estate in Poland

Credit: Tiny House Blog

If you’re spending any time at all contemplating downsizing your living space, you might be wondering if it is actually feasible for you, personally. Yeah, it sounds good to only have to fund, heat, clean, and cool a space less than 1000 square feet, but could you do it?

What is the first word you think of when looking at the image above? Is it “cozy” or is it “cramped?” I think “cozy” and well-organized but claustrophobics among us may not.

There is also the issue of appliances and other “necessaries” for day-to-day living. Notice the smaller refrigerator and more narrow stove. Is this okay with you or might it create a problem?

Most of this depends on the size of your particular family unit. Obviously a family with 4 active kids would likely not survive in this tight environment. But for those just starting out or for us older – but still intrepid – lifestyle hunters, might a smaller space be plenty? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at properties with a nice home – but too large for me, on a squat, quarter-acre of land. 99% of the time I am much more concerned about my privacy and peace and quiet, than in a mansion-style home. Give me 1000 square feet of living space on 5 acres and I will be happy.

Want to see a few more products made just for tiny home spaces? I found this great site on Pinterest

Even if you aren’t looking at gear for a tiny home, you might find some of the design ideas pretty innovative! Also visit Tiny House Blog for more pictures of the great job they’ve done with their small space property.

Each week I try to find the most interesting or least publicized topics regarding real estate. This week, I’ve been taking a little turn from large and luxury properties – well, from looking at them anyway, to “tiny” houses and their designs.

It takes a lot more creativity to get all the necessary requirements into 400 square feet than it does into 4000!

Below are links to some books available via Amazon that may spur some new ideas – not only for someone wanting to downsize, but for anyone wishing to make the most efficient usage of whatever space they have. It’s YOUR space – so don’t think you have to be stuck with what the previous owners or the builder decided on when you study how you use your home.

This book explores the philosophies behind the tiny house lifestyle, helps you determine whether it’s a good fit for you, and guides you through the transition to a smaller space. For inspiration, you’ll meet tiny house pioneers and hear how they built their dwellings (and their lives) in unconventional, creative and purposeful ways. They’ll invite you in, show you around their cozy abodes, and share lessons they learned along the way.

Tiny Houses is an invitation to dream and, perhaps, to build any one of the 43 charming tiny houses. Both playful tribute and handy how-to, this is a wonderfully illustrated volume that features hundreds of photographs and detailed scale drawings. Whether you’re a student of philosophy aspiring to build a replica of Thoreau’s cabin, an ice fisherman in need of four walls to fend off winter winds, or just a dreamer with a vision of a humble cottage on a quite seashore, Tiny Houses is a precious resource for ideas, instruction, and inspiration.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a tiny home? Dream of having a smaller mortgage? Or none at all? Want to live a bit more simply and focus on the things that are really important in life? Tiny houses are becoming more and more achievable for thousands of people all over the world. This is a budding phenomenon that is seriously being considered by many people and for good reasons! There are many different motivations for adopting a tiny home and the lifestyle that comes with it. Less stress, more money in your pocket, more time to focus on other interests.

Inside Tiny House Floor Plans you’ll find over 200 interior designs for tiny houses – 230 to be exact. A tiny house is exactly what it sounds like, a house with many of the amenities you’d expect in a home tucked neatly into a super small space. Often these homes are built on trailers giving them the added benefit of mobility. But these designs could also be built on your choice of foundation. Each chapter focuses on one size footprint to show what can be done inside each size space – 14 in all.

Most if not all of these have a Kindle edition – and you know Amazon, if you want to get started Monday – they can probably get this info to you by then!

Hope everyone has a great and safe weekend!