Living Small with Apex Tiny Houses

The Rise of Small Living Spaces Like Apex Tiny Houses

Living in a tiny house has grown tremendously in popularity over the last decade. As housing costs continue to rise across the country, more people are turning to compact living spaces that provide the basic necessities and comforts without requiring a large financial investment or property. Key locations seeing substantial growth in tiny houses include the city of Apex, North Carolina.

What Defines a Tiny House

Tiny houses are typically defined as residential structures under 400 square feet in size. Most contain the standard amenities you would find in any home or apartment including a kitchen, bathroom, living area, and sleeping area. What sets tiny houses apart is their emphasis on space and storage efficiency to minimize their footprint. This allows them to maximize function and make the most of their compact layout.

Common features in an Apex tiny house include collapsable furniture, multi-functional pieces, built-in shelving, elevated lofts for the bedroom, and wall-mounted tables or desks. Appliances are often smaller versions of standard refrigerators, stoves, and washer/dryers designed specifically for tiny living.

Why People Choose Tiny Houses in Apex

There are many practical reasons why tiny houses have become so appealing for Apex residents, such as:

• Affordability - Tiny houses can cost thousands less than a conventional house or condo to build and maintain.
• Sustainability - Their small size requires fewer resources like building materials and energy to heat and power.
• Flexibility - Tiny houses can be built with mobility in mind through the use of foundations or trailers.
• Simple Living - The limited space promotes a minimalist lifestyle by focusing more on necessities.
• Financial Freedom - Lower living expenses allow more money to be put toward other priorities.

Additionally, as the Triangle region continues expanding rapidly, tiny houses offer a unique living solution that helps address growth pressures in cities like Apex.

Places to Build an Apex Tiny House

When it comes to finding a location for a tiny house in Apex, there are a few options to consider:

• Backyard Cottages - Sometimes referred to as backyard bungalows or accessory dwelling units (ADUs), placing a tiny home in a backyard is permitted in many neighborhoods and zoning districts.
• RV/Mobile Home Parks - While not all allow tiny houses specifically, some RV and mobile home parks provide space rentals suitable for tiny living.
• Tiny House Communities - A few emerging developments feature compact lots intended exclusively for standalone tiny houses.
• Private Land - Owners of larger rural plots of land have flexibility when it comes to housing, making great tiny house sites.

Be sure to consult Apex planning and zoning laws to ensure your tiny house location and foundation comply with any codes or restrictions.

Designing and Building an Apex Tiny House

One of the particularly enjoyable aspects for many tiny house owners is custom designing their small space. Since every square inch matters, it requires careful consideration of floor plans and multi-purpose furniture built around one's needs and lifestyle.

Key Design Elements

Some important features to factor into an Apex tiny house design include:

• Outdoor Space - Add usable square footage through external decks, porches, lofts and storage options.
• Lighting - Strategic windows, skylights and lighting fixtures prevent dark, cramped spaces.
• Vertical Storage - Floor space comes at a premium, so wall-mounted shelves and lifts help.
• Compact Features - Space-saving fixtures like fold-down tables or combine living room/bedrooms.
• Multi-Functional Pieces - Furniture that serves several purposes such as storage benches and drop-down desks.

Incorporating these elements allows you to have full amenities and plenty of living area even in a tiny Apex house under 400 square feet.

Building Considerations

Constructing an Apex tiny house requires evaluating factors such as:

• Foundation type - Fixed foundation vs. trailer with towing hitch
• Framing materials - Wood, steel or natural material options
• Insulation system - To regulate temperature and moisture
• Window placement - For lighting, ventilation and views
• Wiring and plumbing - Modified scale and space requirements
• Weight and mobility - Important if transporting house occasionally

While tiny homes share similarities with other construction projects, their small size often allows for greater DIY build opportunities compared to conventional houses. There is flexibility when it comes to customizing systems and finishes to suit your needs and budget.

Living in an Apex Tiny House

Among the greatest rewards tiny house owners enjoy are the lifestyle changes that emerge from simplifying living space. Adopting a minimalist approach reduces your environmental impact, along with freeing up money and time towards more meaningful goals. Peace of mind also comes with owning a home free of mortgage debt or excessive utility costs in retirement.

Budgeting and Cost Considerations

Some expenses to note when budgeting for an Apex tiny house include:

• Building materials and construction labor costs if not doing a DIY build
• Plan review, permits, hookup fees and site preparation
• Custom design work from architects or consultants
• Tow vehicle or trailer if locating home offsite
• Basic furnishings sized appropriately to fit the home
• Ongoing utility bills and property taxes

The tradeoff comes through significantly lower monthly housing costs overall. Your tiny house payment, utilities, taxes and insurance often total just a fraction compared to a standard house. This frees up income that can be directed toward hobbies, travel, debt repayment or retirement savings.

Zoning and Resale Value Considerations

While tiny houses are surging in popularity across Apex, obstacles remain when it comes to zoning restrictions and accounting for their value. Many municipal zoning codes still enforce minimum square footage requirements for residential structures that exceed typical tiny home size. This can limit what areas or lots they are permitted on.

Reselling tiny houses also proves challenging since appraisals and comparable sales remain limited. Though market data confirms average tiny house appreciation rates match those of conventionally sized starter homes. As interest continues rising across Apex, both zoning flexibility and documentation of tiny house values are expected to improve.

FAQs

What size are most Apex tiny houses?

Most tiny homes in Apex are under 400 square feet. Average tiny house size tends to range between 100 to 300 square feet.

Can you get a mortgage on an Apex tiny house?

It’s challenging to get traditional mortgages for tiny houses. Most Apex tiny homeowners buy with cash or personal loans. Banks shy from lending since tiny houses can be moved and have limited resale data.

Where is the best place to park an Apex tiny house?

Top tiny house location options include accessory backyard units where zoning allows, RV and mobile home parks with tiny house sections, designated tiny home communities, and rural land outside Apex.

Do you need a custom contractor to build an Apex tiny house?

Because of their small size, building a tiny home allows greater DIY opportunities compared to full scale house construction if desired. But custom builders specializing in tiny homes are available too.

How much does it cost per square foot to build a tiny house in Apex?

On average, expect to spend $100 to $200 per square foot on materials and labor to construct a basic DIY Apex tiny house. Higher end custom finishes can reach up to $300 per square foot.