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Content Creators Document What Moving Into A $30k House Bought On Amazon Looks Like
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Content Creators Document What Moving Into A $30k House Bought On Amazon Looks Like

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A new peculiar trend is seeing people buying tiny, expandable prefabricated houses on websites like Amazon, arguably solving some of the biggest housing crisis problems in the USA. “I definitely just bought a tiny home off Amazon,” TikToker “Gilgra2024” exclaimed as he showcased his $30,000 home in a viral video that has amassed nearly two million views.

Highlights
  • A new trend is seeing people buy tiny, expandable fabricated houses on websites like Amazon, arguably solving some of the biggest housing crisis problems in the USA
  • Some of Amazon’s tiny homes offer a generous storage capacity and cost around $30,000
  • The tiny homes sold on Amazon are often prefabricated and expandable
  • America is short around 3.2 million homes, a big reason why prices are still high, new reports suggest

The TikToker subsequently became the owner of a “DOINUO Mobile Expandable Prefab House,” which, according to its Amazon listing, comes with a restroom and an outdoor storage shed.

Amazon’s tiny home in question measures a standard outside size of L19 x W20 x H8 ft and “offers a generous storage capacity,” according to the e-commerce giant.

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    A new trend is seeing people buy tiny, expandable fabricated houses on websites like Amazon, arguably solving some of the biggest housing crisis problems in the USA

    Image credits: amazon

    Image credits: amazon

    The website further describes its product as being: “Designed with convenience in mind.” It further states: “Our Modern Sturdy Steel Storage Container House Building is foldable, allowing it to occupy a small area when not in use. 

    “This feature makes it perfect for those who value space optimization. Additionally, its sleek and attractive appearance adds a touch of elegance to any setting.”

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    Gilgra2024 isn’t alone in becoming a proud tiny home owner. In fact, this type of purchase has become somewhat of a new phenomenon with young adults amidst the housing crisis.

    Some of Amazon’s tiny homes offer a generous storage capacity and cost around $30,000

    Image credits: amazon

    According to Axios, there was a surplus of housing supply in the 2000s that was followed by a growing deficit in the 2010s. As of 2022, there were -3.2 million units. America is short around 3.2 million homes, which is a big reason why prices are still high.

    Amazon features various “portable prefabricated tiny homes” with similar prices. One of these tiny homes, with the brand name Zolyndo, comes in three options.

    A 13-by-20-foot structure with a bathroom costs $19,999, while a 15-by-20-foot one sets you back $22,999. The $34,999 build is bigger and comes with a restroom. This being Amazon, it’s available to ship within four to five days.

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    Image credits: unspeakk

    According to its product page, the unique 380-square-foot structure boasts an “expandable” steel frame, thermal insulation, and sufficient space to be divided into two bedrooms, one living room, a bathroom, and a kitchen.

    A group of social media creators recently tested the functionality of the concept by purchasing one such foldable abode from Amazon and uploading their review to their TikTok, Survive and Thrive Co., The New York Post reported.

    “I bought a house on Amazon,” reads the text over a clip of men cutting open an enormous Amazon box and then exploring the shipping container-like residence it contains.

    The tiny homes sold on Amazon are often prefabricated and expandable

    Image credits: unspeakk

    “There’s a whole bathroom,” comments one user, exploring the compact bathroom, which appears to have arrived with water hooked up. 

    Buying tiny homes is a trend that has its roots in the early 2000s when many millennials rebelled against the McMansion-leaning norms of late 20th-century culture, Yahoo! Finance reported.

    Nevertheless, over the last few years, tiny homes have morphed from a millennial lifestyle trend or life hack into a potential solution to the housing crisis, as per Yahoo.

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    Image credits: unspeakk

    Tiny homes also play into American homeownership aspirations, including a desire for privacy, said Brian Miller, a professor of sociology at Wheaton College. 

    Brian explained: “On the other hand, it’s very different from the typical progression over the last few decades where American homes just keep getting bigger and bigger. Tiny houses are sometimes an explicit rejection of that.”

    “I believe there’s a lot of misleading marketing when it comes to tiny homes, and unfortunately, consumers are often not aware of that,” 37-year-old Elizabeth Illing wrote for Business Insider.

    “This feature makes it perfect for those who value space optimization,” a tiny home description on Amazon reads

    Image credits: unspeakk

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    A group of social media creators recently tested the functionality of the concept

    @unspeakk Part 1 I Bought a House on Amazon #unspeakable #vlog #fyp ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

    Elizabeth, who works as a general manager for a catering company in Austin, Texas, USA, moved into a tiny home with her daughter in 2022 but is planning to move out in spring this year because her rent increased after the first year.

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    The mom-of-one lives in a 600-square-foot one-bedroom tiny home, and her current 15-month lease is up in April.

    Elizabeth, who didn’t purchase a tiny home like the aforementioned TikTokers but instead rented one, recalled: “I thought moving into the Casata tiny-home community was a good idea for my family due to the affordability. “

    America is short around 3.2 million homes, a big reason why prices are still high, new reports suggest

    @hittaa_jeff 5 guys and 27 mins later 😫 ITS HERE😫😍 #FYP #foryou #amazon #house #unfoldhouse #foryoupage #newhouse #update #explorepage #pt2 ♬ original sound – HughHefnerSon

    @gilgra2023 #greenscreenvideo ♬ original sound – ggraim1

    “I also liked the idea of community and thought it would be a great way for me to socialize and for my daughter to know her neighbors.”

    The catering worker revealed that as soon as it was time to renew her lease, the landlords jacked her rent up, increasing it by $350 a month in the first year, from $1,340 to $1,690.

    “It doesn’t take much for someone to no longer be able to afford their home,” Elizabeth admitted.

    Elizabeth further advised: “For others considering moving into a tiny home, I would advise paying attention to your lease and definitely knocking on doors to talk to current residents.”

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    The tiny home purchases shown on TikTok sparked divided reactions

     
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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

    Donata Leskauskaite

    Donata Leskauskaite

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Hey there! I'm a Visual Editor in News team. My responsibility is to ensure that you can read the story not just through text, but also through photos. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from celebrity drama to mind-blowing Nasa cosmic news. And let me tell you, that's what makes this job an absolute blast! Outside of work, you can find me sweating it out in dance classes or unleashing my creativity by drawing and creating digital paintings of different characters that lives in my head. I also love spending time outdoors and play board games with my friends.

    Read less »

    Donata Leskauskaite

    Donata Leskauskaite

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hey there! I'm a Visual Editor in News team. My responsibility is to ensure that you can read the story not just through text, but also through photos. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from celebrity drama to mind-blowing Nasa cosmic news. And let me tell you, that's what makes this job an absolute blast! Outside of work, you can find me sweating it out in dance classes or unleashing my creativity by drawing and creating digital paintings of different characters that lives in my head. I also love spending time outdoors and play board games with my friends.

    What do you think ?
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    Sugar Shack
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    1. You need land 2. It needs to be allowed with zoning 3. Since it doesn't have wheels it needs to meet building codes. 4. It needs a foundation or footings 5. How will this do in adverse weather conditions? 6. HVAC, plumbing, electric, wastewater? 7. This is utter nonsense.

    howdylee
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you! A sound, logical argument pointing out the realities! And you used the proper term "footings", my structural mentor would like to give you a hug! :)

    Load More Replies...
    Jane No Dough
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazon is the last place I'd go to buy anything and Tiktok the last place I'd go for advice.

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I look on Amazon for stuff then hunt down the thing I actually want elsewhere. Sometimes Amazon is more convenient and cheaper and you can specify delivery time if you want... TikTok on the other hand can fuq right off, and when it gets there, it can fuq off a lot futher.

    Load More Replies...
    Roan The Demon Kitty
    Community Member
    10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that isn't a house. It's a glorified shed. I mean, if it was affordable for the homeless, (which its not) it's obviously better than being on the street. But to me, it doesn't seem viable for the long term. It doesn't look like it'd hold up against any severe weather conditions, either.

    Load More Comments
    Sugar Shack
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    1. You need land 2. It needs to be allowed with zoning 3. Since it doesn't have wheels it needs to meet building codes. 4. It needs a foundation or footings 5. How will this do in adverse weather conditions? 6. HVAC, plumbing, electric, wastewater? 7. This is utter nonsense.

    howdylee
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you! A sound, logical argument pointing out the realities! And you used the proper term "footings", my structural mentor would like to give you a hug! :)

    Load More Replies...
    Jane No Dough
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazon is the last place I'd go to buy anything and Tiktok the last place I'd go for advice.

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I look on Amazon for stuff then hunt down the thing I actually want elsewhere. Sometimes Amazon is more convenient and cheaper and you can specify delivery time if you want... TikTok on the other hand can fuq right off, and when it gets there, it can fuq off a lot futher.

    Load More Replies...
    Roan The Demon Kitty
    Community Member
    10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that isn't a house. It's a glorified shed. I mean, if it was affordable for the homeless, (which its not) it's obviously better than being on the street. But to me, it doesn't seem viable for the long term. It doesn't look like it'd hold up against any severe weather conditions, either.

    Load More Comments
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