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From 1908 to 1942, Sears sold houses as kits. These were houses you could have delivered to you by rail that included all necessary parts and blueprints for the build. At the time, kit houses were a less expensive option than traditionally built homes. In the first catalog, the prices ranged from $650 to $2,500 — that’s a range of approximately $23,000 to $90,000 today.
The current median home-sale price in the U.S. is $408,776 as of June — a 2.2% year-over-year rise, according to Redfin. With this in mind, some Americans are finding a modern alternative to the Sears house in the form of sheds in an attempt to save money and still have the opportunity to be homeowners.
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Take TikTok user @kpierce98, for example, who bought her Texas shed home from a hardware store — and even made an addition when she had the money for it.
“If you feel hopeless, like you’re never gonna own a home cause they’re just so expensive, I recommend going this route” she said in a video.
Even with a small house, @kpierce98 is able to enjoy features like french doors, a balcony and a walk-in closet. She even plans on doing further additions when she has the money for it.
Could this be your future path to homeownership too?
What is a shed house?
Homestead Supplier defines a shed house as “a residential structure either converted from an existing shed or built new to serve as a livable space.”
They can vary widely in terms of their complexity — some are a single room and others are multi-room homes equipped for full-time living. What makes them different from a typical shed is that they have electricity, plumbing and insulation suitable for living, despite looking like your average backyard shed.
In a TikTok, @kpierce98 shared that her tiny shed home cost approximately $60,000 in total — but the initial build before the addition was around $30,000. She cited that the septic system, electricity and running water were the most expensive components. And she opted for mini split air conditioning units to heat and cool the house as a less pricey option.
Is this legal?
In a Q&A video, @kpierce98 answered a common question she gets on her tiny house videos — is this legal? In short, the answer is yes.
Because the TikToker lives on unrestricted land, it is perfectly legal for her to build her tiny shed house there. That being said, the closer you live to a town or city, the more limiting the housing restrictions will be as you engage with things like HOA agreements and private deed restrictions.
“The closest town is probably 30 minutes away to get to a grocery store” she said, adding that her family likes it that way.
Is a shed house right for you?
Whether a shed house is right for you depends on more than just its cost, though that is an important component.
The cost of land factors into your overall cost for building a shed house. According to LandSearch, the average cost to buy unrestricted property in the U.S. is $16,350 per acre.
To live on unrestricted land typically means living in more remote areas. While you’ll save money on your build, it’s important to consider the cost of buying land, as well as how a more remote lifestyle will impact you.
It’s also important to note that it is not just simply buying a shed and moving in. There are many adjustments and customization that need to happen in order to make it livable. For instance, Classic Buildings — a portable and permanent building company — made a post on TikTok emphasizing things a shed house needs to be practical. This list included a concrete pad or piers for stability, insulated windows and spray-foam insulation for vaulted ceilings.
While you can’t get a Sears house delivered to you anymore, a shed house is certainly a comparable option in these times of high home prices. As long as you do your research and plan for what a shed house lifestyle would look like for you, you could enjoy the benefits of a simple, customizable home without a hefty price tag.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
