If you are in the market for a home right now, you might be experiencing some extreme levels of stress. Houses are being snatched up very quickly in many markets, with most of them selling for way above the asking price after negotiations. Or, sellers are just marking up their initial prices due to the level of demand. With no clear end in sight to this trend, and with inflation causing all sorts of other financial concerns, you may be ready to give up on the traditional method of finding a home.
Luckily, you are not the first person to feel this way. For one reason or another, many buyers have forged new paths to finding a place to call home. These alternative options may not be the most conventional way to live, but for the right person, they could be the perfect solution amid a frustrating home-buying process.
If house-hunting is giving you a headache and you are at a point where you can’t take it anymore, consider some of these alternatives for your next living space.
Custom Built Homes
Do you have the money to spend on a house but none of the homes you have seen are meeting your list of needs? Maybe it is time to consider building one yourself. Custom homes give you the freedom to flex your budget, have complete design input, and control the process from start to finish, resulting in your dream home. Though it can be far more complex than finding a home that is already built, you are guaranteed to meet every item on your checklist that is important for the home to have. If you choose this path for your next living space, make sure that you find a custom home building company that can meet your needs and deliver on your vision.
Tiny Homes
Regular homes can be huge investments, especially with the current state of most markets. Perhaps it is time to become a minimalist. Tiny homes are a growing trend for people who want to create a living space that does not tie them down as much as a regular house. These little structures are creatively designed to meet all of the basic needs of the residents while taking up an incredibly small amount of space. If necessary, they can even be taken on the go and moved fairly easily, without all of the hassle of loading and unloading a moving truck and packing everything into boxes. Choosing to go tiny may give you more freedom to travel, save you a lot of money on utilities and mortgage, and cut out excess possessions for a truly minimalist lifestyle.
Manufactured Homes
Otherwise known as mobile homes, these alternative house options are not actually mobile. Though they have been mass-produced and transported as a finished product to a plot of land, they are meant to stay where they are. Even new mobile homes are cheaper than traditional houses on average, so if you are looking to escape from the massive bidding wars that climb out of your budget, a mobile home could be the way to go.
Remodel a Van or Bus
Maybe a structure that is fixed in place isn’t for you. Though some people will look for a van to rent for roadtrips, others are turning them into permanent homes. The same is happening with old school buses. If you have the skills to remodel an old bus or van into a small home on wheels, then you can travel the country by driving your house wherever your heart desires. Interior design has come a long way, and truly creative minds have devised unique ways to incorporate furniture and fixtures that can be easily stowed away to make more space. A table that folds down from the wall can be used during mealtimes, but then put away to leave extra space when it is not in use. Some of the transformations that can happen when creative people remodel a school bus or van are mind-blowing, and if you love to travel, then you could turn one of these vehicles into your home.
Feel Free to Break the Mold
Just because most people will either purchase a home or rent a townhouse or apartment unit does not mean that everyone has to follow that model. People have different personalities, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t consider a unique living space that will suit your tastes. Manufactured homes are a popular choice for those looking to save money. Tiny houses are a fun alternative for the minimalists to enjoy. If you love to travel, buy an old van or bus and get to work. Or you can go big and design a custom home from scratch. These unique options give you the freedom to find your next living space outside of the conventional methods, and it could result in you living out a dream that you never knew you had.
