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  4. A popular tiny home maker has unveiled a new $230,000 400-square-foot home on wheels as ADU popularity continues to skyrocket — see inside

A popular tiny home maker has unveiled a new $230,000 400-square-foot home on wheels as ADU popularity continues to skyrocket see inside

A popular tiny home maker has unveiled a new $230,000 400-square-foot home on wheels as ADU popularity continues to skyrocket — see inside
Movable Roots' new almost 400-square-foot model was designed to be used as a tiny vacation home.Movable Roots
  • Florida-based Movable Roots unveiled its newest $230,000 400-square-foot tiny home on wheels.
  • The Overlook Cottage was designed to be a vacation home akin to a summer short-term rental.

Florida-based Movable Roots has unveiled its newest model, a 400-square-foot vacation home on wheels. And although it's not built yet, both private clients and property developers are already lining up for a chance to tour it once it's complete.

If you've been a longtime lover of tiny homes, you may have noticed the industry has shifted plenty over the last few years. According to Mike Cheatham, the vice president and co-owner of Movable Roots, "it's changed tenfold." His company, which has been in business for almost seven years, is a family affair: Mike's brother, wife, and son are all part of the business.

The rise in tiny home sales during COVID-19, the accessory dwelling unit boom, and the increasing need for affordable housing have catapulted these small quarters into the national spotlight.

The rise in tiny home sales during COVID-19, the accessory dwelling unit boom, and the increasing need for affordable housing have catapulted these small quarters into the national spotlight.
Movable Roots

But change isn't always bad. For Movable Roots, it's been a boon.

Cheatham says its sales and clientele have grown over the last few years.

Cheatham says its sales and clientele have grown over the last few years.
Movable Roots

And it's not all young folks who are looking for the perfect Instagrammable home — sometimes, it's retirees who want a vacation home.

The majority of Movable Roots' customers tap the company for high-end custom tiny homes that take weeks to build.

The majority of Movable Roots
Henderson      Movable Roots

But like its sales and clients, Movable Roots is shifting its products. Besides the paint job, the company's new Overlook Cottage model won't be customizable at all.

Why move away from a business model that works? Well, this shift could allow the company to grow its output past its current trajectory of about 20 builds a year.

Why move away from a business model that works? Well, this shift could allow the company to grow its output past its current trajectory of about 20 builds a year.
Movable Roots

By building out new concepts like modular units on foundations — which the team is now designing, shown above — and preset models like the Overlook Cottage, the company will be able to build more while targeting new consumers.

The Overlook Cottage was designed to be a tiny vacation home. Think of it like a short-term rental away from the primary home.

The Overlook Cottage was designed to be a tiny vacation home. Think of it like a short-term rental away from the primary home.
Movable Roots

The unit sits at 46 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 15 feet tall.

At 399 square-feet, it definitely lives up to the label of "tiny."

At 399 square-feet, it definitely lives up to the label of "tiny."
Movable Roots

At least it has all the rooms and amenities of a "normal" home.

For summertime lounging, there's the option to order the model with a 165-square-foot roof deck accessible via an outdoor staircase.

For summertime lounging, there
Movable Roots

This roof deck model is also three feet longer and comes at an additional $16,000, bringing the total to $245,000. To compare, most of Movable Roots' tiny homes range between $100,000 to over $200,000.

The porch — which looks more like a suburban dream than a movable tiny home — sits at 240 square-feet.

The porch — which looks more like a suburban dream than a movable tiny home — sits at 240 square-feet.
Movable Roots

This opens into the outdoor kitchen with a barbecue and counter seating.

Heading inside, the home has all the traditional trimmings: a living room, kitchen with a built-in dining table, bedroom, and bathroom.

Heading inside, the home has all the traditional trimmings: a living room, kitchen with a built-in dining table, bedroom, and bathroom.
Movable Roots

To sleep extra guests, a sofa bed can be used in the living room, giving the tiny home a sleeping capacity of up to six people.

For chillier nights, this space has a fireplace as well.

Many "larger" tiny homes have lofts to expand the square footage. The Overlook Cottage is no different.

Many "larger" tiny homes have lofts to expand the square footage. The Overlook Cottage is no different.
Movable Roots

Upstairs, this loft has two smaller sleeping spaces separated by a wall panel.

But don't expect to drop this home in a completely off-grid destination.

But don
Movable Roots

Instead, like a large RV (which this technically is), there's a hookup to connect it to a power source.

Movable Roots' goal is for the Overlook Cottage to attract developers and resort owners who want to buy several units to use as short-term rentals on their properties.

Movable Roots
Movable Roots

Think hotel rooms on wheels. Cheatham says he's seeing more of these in Florida.

The team is now in the process of constructing the first Overlook Cottage, which should be complete in early 2024.

The team is now in the process of constructing the first Overlook Cottage, which should be complete in early 2024.
Movable Roots

According to Movable Roots, its team of 12 members spends between 16 to 20 weeks building its mostly custom tiny homes.

Despite being incomplete, the team is already seeing interest from potential buyers.

Despite being incomplete, the team is already seeing interest from potential buyers.
Movable Roots

"We've had a lot of requests for information on it and we have … a waiting list of people who want to see it once it's done," the company's vice president said. These interested buyers include both individuals and investors looking to bulk purchase units.

Who knows, maybe your next lake-side summer vacation could be inside this tiny and mighty home.


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