SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE (WSLS10) - Tiny homes are helping make housing more affordable in Southwest Virginia. HGTV's popular series 'Tiny Homes' now has local developers constructing these small spaces and putting them up for sale.
"It's got the maple cabinets and it's got the pantry," commented Bedford builder Ken Crump when touring his tiny home.
This is the first tiny home Crump's built.
"In the bathroom you got the full sized bath tub, full sized toilet and full sized vanity," added Crump.
Measuring at 26 feet long, eight feet wide and 290 square feet, Crump's tiny home is equipped with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, living room, bathroom and loft big enough for a king size bed.
"A lot of people think it's a lot roomier than they thought it was going to be," said Crump.
Now, this tiny home is on the market for $59,000. The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce told us this tiny trend is turning heads.
"That's kind of a neat idea for people who may not be able to afford it normally to be able to afford a place that's more permanent to live in," said Annette Stamus, the SML Chamber communications manager.
"A house is a lot more expensive, at least $150-grand," said Crump.
Crump added instead of taking out a 30-year mortgage for full sized house, owners can pay off a tiny home quickly.
The trend has also spread to Roanoke. One developer is planning to construct an entire neighborhood of tiny, 400 square foot homes geared toward the aging community.
"What we're trying to do is create a home that's going to allow them to maintain their living expenses and survive and to get them out of those larger homes and something much more economical," said Developer Corbin Prydwen. "It's pretty much brand new so, they don't have to worry about doing the overhaul of maintenance."
The SML Chamber said it's a trend building up momentum and the community.
As for Crump, he's getting started on building his second tiny home next week.