Tiny House Hunters (2014–…): Season 2, Episode 8 - Tiny House, Big Expectations - full transcript
A buyer downsizes from a 3,000 square foot ranch to a tiny house on wheels in Sebastopol, California.
Across the nation,
people are going small--
really small...
These are so cute!
...buying tiny houses,
some just a microscopic
100 square feet.
Whoa.
This is a tiny house.
It looks really small.
This tiny trend
is picking up big steam,
with everything from
converted train cars and barns
to yurts
and microhouses on wheels.
I'd be a gypsy
on the run.
It's really cute
on the outside.
I don't know.
I don't think
I really like how rustic it is.
Jessica is going tiny
in Portland, Oregon.
The ceiling's a bit low.
I can't stand up
all the way.
But her friend Marina
may have to rein in
Jessica's high expectations.
Do you really need
a dishwasher?
I don't need one,
but I want one.
So, this is the bathroom.
Oh, we're in it already.
We are. We are.
Will there be a door?
Come here! Ohh!
My name's Jessica,
I live in Portland,
and I teach middle school math,
and I also teach dance.
Go!
Jessica and her dog, Kiwi,
have been staying with her mom
while she tackles
paying down her student loans.
But she's ready
to strike out on her own.
Part of the growing-up process
that I've look forward to
is buying a house,
but with all
of my student loans,
my debt ratio is just too high
for a standard mortgage.
But she was able to get approved
for a modest $60,000 home loan.
I'm actually gonna buy
a tiny house.
I don't think
that living in a small space
is gonna be hard for me.
I lived in a dorm
for four years,
and then, after that, I've been
living in small apartments.
Right now, I feel like
I'm just kind of living out of
my car a little bit,
so I just don't feel like
the tiny living
is gonna be a huge transition.
Do you see
this luggage?
Oh, yeah.
You can kind of,
like, use that,
get creative
with your storage, right?
Helping Jessica go
tiny is her best friend, Marina.
Do you think
I could wear this?
That totally
looks like your style, Marina.
When I'd first decided to pursue
living in a tiny house,
Marina didn't really
say anything,
which is very odd for Marina
because she is very outspoken.
So, I think she was kind of,
first of all,
shocked or didn't really know
what it was.
I feel like you're
not gonna be able
to fit everything
in your house.
When she first told me
she was buying a tiny house,
- it came out of nowhere.
- Thank you.
I'm her friend, so I'll support
her the best way I know how.
You can live
in a container! See?
I don't think
that's very practical.
But when they move it, you see
those things on the shipyard.
They just like...
- I guess.
- Yeah.
The style I'm looking for
in a house
is something more toward the
Craftsman side or transitional,
something that is really light
and airy and just feels cozy.
My ultimate goal is to feel like
I'm in a house,
even if it's a small house.
I just don't want to feel like
I'm in an RV.
- I found this one.
- Cute.
This is cute.
Has, like, a little sofa.
Look how happy
that dog is!
I definitely want to have
a separate living space
where I can snuggle up
on the couch
and watch a movie
or something like that.
Jessica's hoping to get all
of this in just 200 square feet.
I want to have all the amenities
that I would have
if I was buying
a traditional home.
For Jessica, this includes
a full-sized kitchen
with a dishwasher.
I like cooking, and I like
baking-- I hate washing dishes.
- I do like the loft.
- Yeah.
I definitely want
a sleeping loft
because I want to maximize
the living space.
When I'm telling people
that I want to live tiny,
but I also have to have
a washer and dryer,
they kind of think I'm crazy,
but I'm not looking
to live at the laundromat.
Jessica plans
to set her tiny house
in a friend's yard
for the time being.
With a tiny house,
it's not very common,
so I feel like I'm a pioneer.
Portland tiny-house
builder Lou Pareyra
is working with Jessica
to find a house
that meets
her extensive wish list.
Jessica wants a lot of things
in her tiny house.
It's gonna be a challenge.
Today, Lou is showing
Jessica a very small home.
In fact, it's one-third the size
of her classroom.
This one is $58,000.
That's really close to the top
of my budget.
So, how big is it?200 square feet.
The outside's beautiful.
Kind of has
a Craftsman feel to it.
I really like
the outside.
- Oh, I really like it.
- I love the inside.
It's cute.
It feels really open in here.
I really like it.
So, this is
the living room?
Yeah, this is
the living area here.
It extends
into the kitchen.
- It's kind of small.
- It's a little tight.
We've got... a sink.
I do like the size of it,
not that I'll be
washing dishes in it
'cause, hopefully,
I'll have a dishwasher.
Is this where
the dishwasher goes?
That's actually where
the range would go.
Okay, so no dishwasher.
Yeah, that's going to be
a tough one.
I hate washing dishes.
It's a tiny space.
You got to make do.
So, this is
the bathroom.
Oh, we're in it already.
We are. We are.
Will there be a door?
I guess if it's just you,
you don't really need
a door, huh?
Yeah, I guess it's not
that big of a deal.
It's your house,
you can do whatever you want.
That looks like
a normal toilet.
That's
a composting toilet.
Well, I didn't really want
composting toilet.
I've never seen one, though,
in real life,
so maybe it's not so bad.
I'm so scared for you
to lift it up. Oh, my gosh.
Okay, it's not that bad.
Weird.
When I come over,
I don't want to use that.
If this is where I live, Yeah.
you just might have to
suck it up.
Okay.
This bathroom
is ridiculous.
I'm just really glad
that I don't have to live here.
It's kind of... small.
It is really tiny.
I do like the showerhead.
It'll be easy
- to give Kiwi a bath.
- It's nice.
I just feel like
I'm in a refrigerator.
Marina is
thinking about this house
like she's the one
moving into it.
But I think she needs to start
thinking about more of my needs.
So, is there
a washer and dryer?
No,
there isn't, unfortunately.
- Huh.
- Hmm.
I don't think I'm gonna want
to go to the laundromat.
I'm not going
that off grid.
Up a simple ladder is
a lofted sleeping area.
Like, the ceiling's
- a bit low.
- Yeah.
I kind of feel like
I'm in a play place.
And I'm not gonna be able
to get Kiwi up here.
It's way too hard
- to come up.
- Yeah.
I'm not sure if Jessica's
really thought this through.
She wants a loft, so of course
it's gonna be difficult
to get your dog up there
with you.
Plus the other thing, too,
that I just realized
is that all my clothing is gonna
have to be up here
'cause there's no storage downstairs.
Oh, yeah.
That's right.
So, I'd have to change up here,
and I can barely even move.
Well, you can change
right here.
Uh... I can't stand up
all the way.
I mean, I guess I could, like,
do this, but...
Yeah, I don't even--I don't know.
I like the skylight,
but I don't like the loft.
I could live
in this space.
That would be really nice
for entertaining.
I also really like
this little spot in the kitchen
with the big sink,
but I still don't really know
if the kitchen
would really work
for the kind of cooking
I like to do.
This loft's not gonna work
for you and Kiwi
and all of your stuff.
It's way too cramped
up there.
This house is missing a lot
of the things on my wish list,
but I really love how it looks
on the outside.
I definitely want to keep it
on the list.
Okay, great.
We'll do that.
All right.
So, Lou is showing Jessica
something with
more creature comforts.
It takes up
the whole room.
If you want a washer and dryer,
it's gonna take up space.
I really like
this house. I love that.
Okay, but just tiny.
'Cause this is, like,
probably 2,000 square feet,
and you're taking off
a whole zero.
Jessica is looking
for a tiny house
she and her dog, Kiwi,
can set in her friend's yard
in Portland, Oregon,
but she doesn't want to give up
any creature comforts
with the downsize.
She has a budget of $60,000 and
the help of her friend Marina.
So far, they've seen a space
that has her Craftsman style,
but it's missing the dishwasher
and washer/dryer she wants.
Today, builder Lou Pareyra
is showing Jessica a cabin
that's less expensive,
leaving plenty of room
in her budget for customization.
It's really cute
on the outside.
It looks like
a little cabin.
I don't know. I don't think
I really like how rustic it is.
Hey, guys.
- It looks huge.
- It's 330 square feet.
It's only $35,000.
Wow.
That's really cheap.
I'd be crazy
not to show Jessica this house.
It's half her budget,
it's got a lot of the modern
conveniences she wants,
and it's perfect for her dog.
Okay, this is a little better
than I was expecting.
I love it. It's like
100% cabin feel in here.
So cute.
Marina seems
to really like this place.
I think she has this fantasy of
going camping or something,
but this is regular life,
and I don't want to feel like
I'm in a cabin every single day.
You've got
a wood-burning fireplace.
So cute!
It's like 100 percent cabin now
with the wood stove.
Well, you can be
my fire master, I guess.
Is this the dining space?
I think this is
more along the lines
of the living space here.
Oh, okay.
- If you'd like it to.
- It's kind of small.
- Yeah.
- It might be kind of
tough when you have people over.
You couldn't fit
a couch here.
No.
And a TV somewhere?
Mm, you can put a ceiling,
wall mount--
You don't need a TV.
This is a cabin.
You won't watch any TV.
Well, I think I will
'cause I'm not living off-grid,
I'm just living tiny.
I just don't think
Marina gets it.
This is where
I'm gonna be living,
and I want
an entertainment center
just like if I was buying
a standard home.
The kitchen's bigger.
Yeah, take a look.
You've got
a full-size kitchen in here,
full-size appliances,
the range like you want.
Maybe I do like it.
Do you have a dishwasher?
- No. No dishwasher.
- Hmm.
Yeah. You might be able
to squeeze one in someplace.
Like under this cabinet?
That's what I was looking at.
Yeah,
it could fit there.
The house is only $35,000.
I have a lot of room
in my budget.
I mean, I like
how much storage there is here.
Lots of space for stuff,
so that's really nice.
Well, you can probably
put clothes inside these, too.
Now, the hallway's
really tight,
so why don't you guys
go ahead and go?
So we've got
a hallway closet?
You're gonna hit my face
when you open that closet.
- Can I open this?
- Yeah, I'll stand right here.
- Oh, it opens your way!
- It opens this way.
Really tight.
That is really tight.
Really tight.
- Okay, this is nice.
- Oh, wow.
All right,
so here's the bathroom.
Oh, it's really big.
Yeah, it is pretty big.
Oh, there's
the washer/dryer!
There's
a washer and dryer!
But it takes up
the whole room.
Jessica, if you want
a washer and dryer,
it's gonna take up space.
There's a lot
of money left over.
I could always just get
a smaller washer/dryer combo.
Yeah, that's true.
Maybe the bedroom
will be better.
Or maybe not.
This is way,
way too small.
It's, like, not even big enough
for a mattress.
And there's
no closet space either.
But since there's
no loft, no stairs,
you don't have to
worry about
how Kiwi would get in and out
of the room.
That's really nice.
I love this house!
So... what do you think?
It's a beautiful
little cabin.
I would love
to come visit you here.
I do like that
there's a lot of storage,
but I really want something
that has a loft,
and I definitely am not loving
the rustic feel.
But, I mean,
I do really like the price,
so I feel like
we're on the right track.
Jessica is still hoping
for the house that has it all.
Do you really need
a dishwasher?
I don't need one,
but I want one.
Can I plan
your tiny housewarming party?
Yes.
How many people do you think
we can fit in there?
Well, I don't really know
because I don't know
what house I'm getting.
Jessica is looking
to strike out on her own
in Portland, Oregon
and buy a tiny house.
With a $60,000 budget,
she's looking to park the house
in a friend's backyard.
She's seen an option
that was just 200 square feet
and within her price range.
She loves the look,
but it lacks appliances
and a loft that'll work
for her dog, Kiwi.
Her friend Marina is
a big fan of the next house,
a 330-square-foot cabin
that is half Jessica's budget,
but missing her Craftsman style.
So, builder Lou Pareyra is
showing Jessica another option,
a model tiny house
that he thinks
has everything
she's looking for.
This house starts at $48,000.
Good.
We've got about 320 square feet
in this house.
Oh, that sounds really big.
Yeah, bigger.
It looks bigger.
I like it so far.
So far,
it's kind of boring.
Even though
it's not quite Craftsman--
I don't know.
I like it.
Well, wait.
This looks really nice in here.
Wow. This is big.
This is, like, a huge kitchen
for a tiny house.
It is. Keep in mind
this house has options in it.
So, there are some incremental
increases, actually,
like the refrigerator there.
So, this is not included
in the $48,000.
No, no. That's gonna add
another almost $1,000.
Oh, okay, so this is gonna
- start climbing pretty quickly.
- Jessica!
- Okay, so we're at $49,000, cool.
- Yeah, yeah.
What about all this?
Well, you got
the dishwasher there,
which isn't typical
- for a tiny, though.
- Ooh, I like a dishwasher.
But I wanted one.
Okay.
- It's big in there.
- Yeah.
I mean, there's stuff in here,
- but it's big.
- It's pretty
spacious, isn't it?
Do you really
need a dishwasher?
I don't need one,
but I want one.
How much is
the dishwasher, Lou?
That's $750.
$49,750.
Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.
Everything is adding up.
Take a look
at the bathroom.
All right. Okay.
Ooh, look--
There's a washer.
They have a washer/dryer!
That is a combo unit.
Isn't it neat?
- How much is it?
- Thank you.
Okay, the big question.
That's about $1,600.
But think about
how often you'll use it.
I know.
This is a little off-centered
here, which is kind of strange.
Yeah, it is.
It's kind of, like,
closed off right here.
Knock my knees.
Sit on the toilet
and grade papers.
It's going to be awesome. Exactly.
Paint my nails.
The bathroom layout
is a little odd.
Just kind of awkward with
the toilet and the washer/dryer.
This shower/tub thing
is huge.
I like that you can kind of sit
if you need to,
and it would be easy to give
Kiwi a bath in here, I think.
- Is that standard?
- It is standard.
Okay. Good. Yay.
We found something standard.
Jessica wants a lot of modern
conveniences in her tiny house.
It's gonna cost her.
Let's take a look
at the media room.
Wow. It really
is a media room.
It is.
This is awesome.
We've got the custom
entertainment center.
I think it's
right around $1,200.
Okay. Lou,
you're killing me.
Every time I say I love
something, Lou says,
"Okay, well, that's gonna
cost you a little extra."
I'm nervous that this is
out of my price range.
I didn't notice the
storage underneath the stairs.
It's fairly expensive.
It's close to $2,500.
- Oh! Geez.
- Jessica.
It adds more storage.
I like the storage.
Is it worth the spend, though?
- I don't know.
- Oh, my gosh.
She brought me along
to keep her grounded,
and this house
is way too expensive.
She can't spend
this much money.
Climb up.
Let's take a look.
All right, so,
this is pretty big up here.
A California king can fit up
in that loft.
- Shut up.
- Yeah, it can.
And there's a dividing wall
right here, which is nice.
That's a couple
hundred bucks.
But it's for safety.
That's important.
There's a second loft.
And that's accessible
with the ladder.
Is this safe?
This doesn't feel safe.
It is, provided you
keep the angle, you're okay.
See, I would not want
to do this every day.
I just really don't see myself
being able to get up and down
from that space.
Okay,
So I got up here alive.
This is pretty big
up here.
There's enough room
for a queen-size bed.
Guest bedroom?
Yeah,
you want to hang out?
I don't like the ladder.
See? You don't even like
the ladder.
But I don't like
the stairs, either!
So you're at $62,000.
I mean, unless there's
other surprises here, Lou.
Well, there's
a few more items--
some window changes,
the exterior,
we have the roof,
and then we also have the mini
split heating/cooling system.
So it really is gonna bring it
up just over $68,000.
$68,000.
Do you love it that much?
- That's a lot of money.
- I get it.
I just don't even know
- if that's doable.
- I get it.
Jessica has seen
three very different
tiny options worth considering.
I feel like it's kind of
just time to make a choice.
Our house hunters are upgrading
to tiny houses.
Could you live in something
this small?
I feel like it's kind of
just time to make a choice.
Totally. I think it's time
for you to make a decision.
Jessica's been searching
for a tiny house
in Portland, Oregon,
that has all of the items
on her not-so-tiny wish list.
With a budget of $60,000,
she's seen
three very different options.
But only one is going to be
her future home.
What about that chocolate-brown
house for $58,000?
That one was right at my budget,
so that's good.
Outside is beautiful.
Yes, I love the outside.
I actually really liked
the look of the inside.
I didn't really like
how small the kitchen was,
but I thought that the bathroom
was a pretty good size.
It has that compost toilet
that you want now, apparently.
It's not, like,
the worst thing.
But the worst thing is
that ladder.
With you wanting a loft,
there's gonna have to be
some way to get up it.
That's true.
So there's
that cabin for $35,000.
Yes, which you love.
I totally love it.
It's got
a really big kitchen.
There's no loft,
so you don't have to worry
about a ladder for Kiwi.
It's definitely
the most spacious
and, I guess in that way, functional.
With the extra room
in the budget,
I could make
some upgrades to it.
It's definitely
the smart decision to make.
There's that house with
two lofts that was at $48,000.
Yes, but really $68,000.
$68,000
with all the upgrades.
Are you ready to do that?
I love that house.
It's perfect for Kiwi going up
the stairs and everything.
But I just don't know
if I can justify the $20,000.
Are you in love
with the house?
Or are you in love
with all the options?
I just...
I don't know.
My head is telling me
that I should go with the cabin,
but my heart is telling me
I should go with
the two-loft house.
I'm gonna get
the two-loft house.
- All right.
- It has everything I want.
Are you ready to spend $68,000
on this house?
I think
that's what I want to do.
- I'm gonna do that one.
- Yay!
I bought the two-loft house.
Even though it was over price,
I just knew that it was
the right one.
The base purchase price
of this house was $48,000,
but the final price was 68,000.
I do not regret
going over my budget.
I got everything that I wanted.
It has the washer/dryer,
it has the dishwasher,
it has
the separate living spaces,
it has a lot of storage,
and I just think
that the overall look of
the house matches more my style.
I don't have to adjust to life
in a tiny house in this house.
It just kind of feels like
a little apartment.
You want to go upstairs?
Ready? Up, go.
Good girl.
Kiwi just went up right away.
She wasn't scared,
so it's perfect.
The bedroom loft
really doesn't feel cramped.
It's almost like a fort.
I don't know.
It really fun up there.
I'm actually surprised on
how much counter space you have.
I really like spending time
in the kitchen.
It's so open, and it actually
encourages me to cook
'cause if I don't have
a nice workspace in the kitchen,
I don't really want to cook.
Wanted to say
congratulations on your house.
- Congratulations!
- Thank you.
Marina loves this house.
Even though she was rooting
for that other one,
I think, deep down, she knew
that this was the right one.
Jessica decided
to use her additional loft
as a space for entertaining.
It's so cute up there.
You did such a good job.
Right now, I'm parking my tiny
house in a friend's yard.
I don't know
where I'm going in my life.
I don't know where I'm gonna be
in the next 5 years,
but wherever I go, I could
just take my house with me.
Welcome to your new home.
Kiwi, you want one too?
people are going small--
really small...
These are so cute!
...buying tiny houses,
some just a microscopic
100 square feet.
Whoa.
This is a tiny house.
It looks really small.
This tiny trend
is picking up big steam,
with everything from
converted train cars and barns
to yurts
and microhouses on wheels.
I'd be a gypsy
on the run.
It's really cute
on the outside.
I don't know.
I don't think
I really like how rustic it is.
Jessica is going tiny
in Portland, Oregon.
The ceiling's a bit low.
I can't stand up
all the way.
But her friend Marina
may have to rein in
Jessica's high expectations.
Do you really need
a dishwasher?
I don't need one,
but I want one.
So, this is the bathroom.
Oh, we're in it already.
We are. We are.
Will there be a door?
Come here! Ohh!
My name's Jessica,
I live in Portland,
and I teach middle school math,
and I also teach dance.
Go!
Jessica and her dog, Kiwi,
have been staying with her mom
while she tackles
paying down her student loans.
But she's ready
to strike out on her own.
Part of the growing-up process
that I've look forward to
is buying a house,
but with all
of my student loans,
my debt ratio is just too high
for a standard mortgage.
But she was able to get approved
for a modest $60,000 home loan.
I'm actually gonna buy
a tiny house.
I don't think
that living in a small space
is gonna be hard for me.
I lived in a dorm
for four years,
and then, after that, I've been
living in small apartments.
Right now, I feel like
I'm just kind of living out of
my car a little bit,
so I just don't feel like
the tiny living
is gonna be a huge transition.
Do you see
this luggage?
Oh, yeah.
You can kind of,
like, use that,
get creative
with your storage, right?
Helping Jessica go
tiny is her best friend, Marina.
Do you think
I could wear this?
That totally
looks like your style, Marina.
When I'd first decided to pursue
living in a tiny house,
Marina didn't really
say anything,
which is very odd for Marina
because she is very outspoken.
So, I think she was kind of,
first of all,
shocked or didn't really know
what it was.
I feel like you're
not gonna be able
to fit everything
in your house.
When she first told me
she was buying a tiny house,
- it came out of nowhere.
- Thank you.
I'm her friend, so I'll support
her the best way I know how.
You can live
in a container! See?
I don't think
that's very practical.
But when they move it, you see
those things on the shipyard.
They just like...
- I guess.
- Yeah.
The style I'm looking for
in a house
is something more toward the
Craftsman side or transitional,
something that is really light
and airy and just feels cozy.
My ultimate goal is to feel like
I'm in a house,
even if it's a small house.
I just don't want to feel like
I'm in an RV.
- I found this one.
- Cute.
This is cute.
Has, like, a little sofa.
Look how happy
that dog is!
I definitely want to have
a separate living space
where I can snuggle up
on the couch
and watch a movie
or something like that.
Jessica's hoping to get all
of this in just 200 square feet.
I want to have all the amenities
that I would have
if I was buying
a traditional home.
For Jessica, this includes
a full-sized kitchen
with a dishwasher.
I like cooking, and I like
baking-- I hate washing dishes.
- I do like the loft.
- Yeah.
I definitely want
a sleeping loft
because I want to maximize
the living space.
When I'm telling people
that I want to live tiny,
but I also have to have
a washer and dryer,
they kind of think I'm crazy,
but I'm not looking
to live at the laundromat.
Jessica plans
to set her tiny house
in a friend's yard
for the time being.
With a tiny house,
it's not very common,
so I feel like I'm a pioneer.
Portland tiny-house
builder Lou Pareyra
is working with Jessica
to find a house
that meets
her extensive wish list.
Jessica wants a lot of things
in her tiny house.
It's gonna be a challenge.
Today, Lou is showing
Jessica a very small home.
In fact, it's one-third the size
of her classroom.
This one is $58,000.
That's really close to the top
of my budget.
So, how big is it?200 square feet.
The outside's beautiful.
Kind of has
a Craftsman feel to it.
I really like
the outside.
- Oh, I really like it.
- I love the inside.
It's cute.
It feels really open in here.
I really like it.
So, this is
the living room?
Yeah, this is
the living area here.
It extends
into the kitchen.
- It's kind of small.
- It's a little tight.
We've got... a sink.
I do like the size of it,
not that I'll be
washing dishes in it
'cause, hopefully,
I'll have a dishwasher.
Is this where
the dishwasher goes?
That's actually where
the range would go.
Okay, so no dishwasher.
Yeah, that's going to be
a tough one.
I hate washing dishes.
It's a tiny space.
You got to make do.
So, this is
the bathroom.
Oh, we're in it already.
We are. We are.
Will there be a door?
I guess if it's just you,
you don't really need
a door, huh?
Yeah, I guess it's not
that big of a deal.
It's your house,
you can do whatever you want.
That looks like
a normal toilet.
That's
a composting toilet.
Well, I didn't really want
composting toilet.
I've never seen one, though,
in real life,
so maybe it's not so bad.
I'm so scared for you
to lift it up. Oh, my gosh.
Okay, it's not that bad.
Weird.
When I come over,
I don't want to use that.
If this is where I live, Yeah.
you just might have to
suck it up.
Okay.
This bathroom
is ridiculous.
I'm just really glad
that I don't have to live here.
It's kind of... small.
It is really tiny.
I do like the showerhead.
It'll be easy
- to give Kiwi a bath.
- It's nice.
I just feel like
I'm in a refrigerator.
Marina is
thinking about this house
like she's the one
moving into it.
But I think she needs to start
thinking about more of my needs.
So, is there
a washer and dryer?
No,
there isn't, unfortunately.
- Huh.
- Hmm.
I don't think I'm gonna want
to go to the laundromat.
I'm not going
that off grid.
Up a simple ladder is
a lofted sleeping area.
Like, the ceiling's
- a bit low.
- Yeah.
I kind of feel like
I'm in a play place.
And I'm not gonna be able
to get Kiwi up here.
It's way too hard
- to come up.
- Yeah.
I'm not sure if Jessica's
really thought this through.
She wants a loft, so of course
it's gonna be difficult
to get your dog up there
with you.
Plus the other thing, too,
that I just realized
is that all my clothing is gonna
have to be up here
'cause there's no storage downstairs.
Oh, yeah.
That's right.
So, I'd have to change up here,
and I can barely even move.
Well, you can change
right here.
Uh... I can't stand up
all the way.
I mean, I guess I could, like,
do this, but...
Yeah, I don't even--I don't know.
I like the skylight,
but I don't like the loft.
I could live
in this space.
That would be really nice
for entertaining.
I also really like
this little spot in the kitchen
with the big sink,
but I still don't really know
if the kitchen
would really work
for the kind of cooking
I like to do.
This loft's not gonna work
for you and Kiwi
and all of your stuff.
It's way too cramped
up there.
This house is missing a lot
of the things on my wish list,
but I really love how it looks
on the outside.
I definitely want to keep it
on the list.
Okay, great.
We'll do that.
All right.
So, Lou is showing Jessica
something with
more creature comforts.
It takes up
the whole room.
If you want a washer and dryer,
it's gonna take up space.
I really like
this house. I love that.
Okay, but just tiny.
'Cause this is, like,
probably 2,000 square feet,
and you're taking off
a whole zero.
Jessica is looking
for a tiny house
she and her dog, Kiwi,
can set in her friend's yard
in Portland, Oregon,
but she doesn't want to give up
any creature comforts
with the downsize.
She has a budget of $60,000 and
the help of her friend Marina.
So far, they've seen a space
that has her Craftsman style,
but it's missing the dishwasher
and washer/dryer she wants.
Today, builder Lou Pareyra
is showing Jessica a cabin
that's less expensive,
leaving plenty of room
in her budget for customization.
It's really cute
on the outside.
It looks like
a little cabin.
I don't know. I don't think
I really like how rustic it is.
Hey, guys.
- It looks huge.
- It's 330 square feet.
It's only $35,000.
Wow.
That's really cheap.
I'd be crazy
not to show Jessica this house.
It's half her budget,
it's got a lot of the modern
conveniences she wants,
and it's perfect for her dog.
Okay, this is a little better
than I was expecting.
I love it. It's like
100% cabin feel in here.
So cute.
Marina seems
to really like this place.
I think she has this fantasy of
going camping or something,
but this is regular life,
and I don't want to feel like
I'm in a cabin every single day.
You've got
a wood-burning fireplace.
So cute!
It's like 100 percent cabin now
with the wood stove.
Well, you can be
my fire master, I guess.
Is this the dining space?
I think this is
more along the lines
of the living space here.
Oh, okay.
- If you'd like it to.
- It's kind of small.
- Yeah.
- It might be kind of
tough when you have people over.
You couldn't fit
a couch here.
No.
And a TV somewhere?
Mm, you can put a ceiling,
wall mount--
You don't need a TV.
This is a cabin.
You won't watch any TV.
Well, I think I will
'cause I'm not living off-grid,
I'm just living tiny.
I just don't think
Marina gets it.
This is where
I'm gonna be living,
and I want
an entertainment center
just like if I was buying
a standard home.
The kitchen's bigger.
Yeah, take a look.
You've got
a full-size kitchen in here,
full-size appliances,
the range like you want.
Maybe I do like it.
Do you have a dishwasher?
- No. No dishwasher.
- Hmm.
Yeah. You might be able
to squeeze one in someplace.
Like under this cabinet?
That's what I was looking at.
Yeah,
it could fit there.
The house is only $35,000.
I have a lot of room
in my budget.
I mean, I like
how much storage there is here.
Lots of space for stuff,
so that's really nice.
Well, you can probably
put clothes inside these, too.
Now, the hallway's
really tight,
so why don't you guys
go ahead and go?
So we've got
a hallway closet?
You're gonna hit my face
when you open that closet.
- Can I open this?
- Yeah, I'll stand right here.
- Oh, it opens your way!
- It opens this way.
Really tight.
That is really tight.
Really tight.
- Okay, this is nice.
- Oh, wow.
All right,
so here's the bathroom.
Oh, it's really big.
Yeah, it is pretty big.
Oh, there's
the washer/dryer!
There's
a washer and dryer!
But it takes up
the whole room.
Jessica, if you want
a washer and dryer,
it's gonna take up space.
There's a lot
of money left over.
I could always just get
a smaller washer/dryer combo.
Yeah, that's true.
Maybe the bedroom
will be better.
Or maybe not.
This is way,
way too small.
It's, like, not even big enough
for a mattress.
And there's
no closet space either.
But since there's
no loft, no stairs,
you don't have to
worry about
how Kiwi would get in and out
of the room.
That's really nice.
I love this house!
So... what do you think?
It's a beautiful
little cabin.
I would love
to come visit you here.
I do like that
there's a lot of storage,
but I really want something
that has a loft,
and I definitely am not loving
the rustic feel.
But, I mean,
I do really like the price,
so I feel like
we're on the right track.
Jessica is still hoping
for the house that has it all.
Do you really need
a dishwasher?
I don't need one,
but I want one.
Can I plan
your tiny housewarming party?
Yes.
How many people do you think
we can fit in there?
Well, I don't really know
because I don't know
what house I'm getting.
Jessica is looking
to strike out on her own
in Portland, Oregon
and buy a tiny house.
With a $60,000 budget,
she's looking to park the house
in a friend's backyard.
She's seen an option
that was just 200 square feet
and within her price range.
She loves the look,
but it lacks appliances
and a loft that'll work
for her dog, Kiwi.
Her friend Marina is
a big fan of the next house,
a 330-square-foot cabin
that is half Jessica's budget,
but missing her Craftsman style.
So, builder Lou Pareyra is
showing Jessica another option,
a model tiny house
that he thinks
has everything
she's looking for.
This house starts at $48,000.
Good.
We've got about 320 square feet
in this house.
Oh, that sounds really big.
Yeah, bigger.
It looks bigger.
I like it so far.
So far,
it's kind of boring.
Even though
it's not quite Craftsman--
I don't know.
I like it.
Well, wait.
This looks really nice in here.
Wow. This is big.
This is, like, a huge kitchen
for a tiny house.
It is. Keep in mind
this house has options in it.
So, there are some incremental
increases, actually,
like the refrigerator there.
So, this is not included
in the $48,000.
No, no. That's gonna add
another almost $1,000.
Oh, okay, so this is gonna
- start climbing pretty quickly.
- Jessica!
- Okay, so we're at $49,000, cool.
- Yeah, yeah.
What about all this?
Well, you got
the dishwasher there,
which isn't typical
- for a tiny, though.
- Ooh, I like a dishwasher.
But I wanted one.
Okay.
- It's big in there.
- Yeah.
I mean, there's stuff in here,
- but it's big.
- It's pretty
spacious, isn't it?
Do you really
need a dishwasher?
I don't need one,
but I want one.
How much is
the dishwasher, Lou?
That's $750.
$49,750.
Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.
Everything is adding up.
Take a look
at the bathroom.
All right. Okay.
Ooh, look--
There's a washer.
They have a washer/dryer!
That is a combo unit.
Isn't it neat?
- How much is it?
- Thank you.
Okay, the big question.
That's about $1,600.
But think about
how often you'll use it.
I know.
This is a little off-centered
here, which is kind of strange.
Yeah, it is.
It's kind of, like,
closed off right here.
Knock my knees.
Sit on the toilet
and grade papers.
It's going to be awesome. Exactly.
Paint my nails.
The bathroom layout
is a little odd.
Just kind of awkward with
the toilet and the washer/dryer.
This shower/tub thing
is huge.
I like that you can kind of sit
if you need to,
and it would be easy to give
Kiwi a bath in here, I think.
- Is that standard?
- It is standard.
Okay. Good. Yay.
We found something standard.
Jessica wants a lot of modern
conveniences in her tiny house.
It's gonna cost her.
Let's take a look
at the media room.
Wow. It really
is a media room.
It is.
This is awesome.
We've got the custom
entertainment center.
I think it's
right around $1,200.
Okay. Lou,
you're killing me.
Every time I say I love
something, Lou says,
"Okay, well, that's gonna
cost you a little extra."
I'm nervous that this is
out of my price range.
I didn't notice the
storage underneath the stairs.
It's fairly expensive.
It's close to $2,500.
- Oh! Geez.
- Jessica.
It adds more storage.
I like the storage.
Is it worth the spend, though?
- I don't know.
- Oh, my gosh.
She brought me along
to keep her grounded,
and this house
is way too expensive.
She can't spend
this much money.
Climb up.
Let's take a look.
All right, so,
this is pretty big up here.
A California king can fit up
in that loft.
- Shut up.
- Yeah, it can.
And there's a dividing wall
right here, which is nice.
That's a couple
hundred bucks.
But it's for safety.
That's important.
There's a second loft.
And that's accessible
with the ladder.
Is this safe?
This doesn't feel safe.
It is, provided you
keep the angle, you're okay.
See, I would not want
to do this every day.
I just really don't see myself
being able to get up and down
from that space.
Okay,
So I got up here alive.
This is pretty big
up here.
There's enough room
for a queen-size bed.
Guest bedroom?
Yeah,
you want to hang out?
I don't like the ladder.
See? You don't even like
the ladder.
But I don't like
the stairs, either!
So you're at $62,000.
I mean, unless there's
other surprises here, Lou.
Well, there's
a few more items--
some window changes,
the exterior,
we have the roof,
and then we also have the mini
split heating/cooling system.
So it really is gonna bring it
up just over $68,000.
$68,000.
Do you love it that much?
- That's a lot of money.
- I get it.
I just don't even know
- if that's doable.
- I get it.
Jessica has seen
three very different
tiny options worth considering.
I feel like it's kind of
just time to make a choice.
Our house hunters are upgrading
to tiny houses.
Could you live in something
this small?
I feel like it's kind of
just time to make a choice.
Totally. I think it's time
for you to make a decision.
Jessica's been searching
for a tiny house
in Portland, Oregon,
that has all of the items
on her not-so-tiny wish list.
With a budget of $60,000,
she's seen
three very different options.
But only one is going to be
her future home.
What about that chocolate-brown
house for $58,000?
That one was right at my budget,
so that's good.
Outside is beautiful.
Yes, I love the outside.
I actually really liked
the look of the inside.
I didn't really like
how small the kitchen was,
but I thought that the bathroom
was a pretty good size.
It has that compost toilet
that you want now, apparently.
It's not, like,
the worst thing.
But the worst thing is
that ladder.
With you wanting a loft,
there's gonna have to be
some way to get up it.
That's true.
So there's
that cabin for $35,000.
Yes, which you love.
I totally love it.
It's got
a really big kitchen.
There's no loft,
so you don't have to worry
about a ladder for Kiwi.
It's definitely
the most spacious
and, I guess in that way, functional.
With the extra room
in the budget,
I could make
some upgrades to it.
It's definitely
the smart decision to make.
There's that house with
two lofts that was at $48,000.
Yes, but really $68,000.
$68,000
with all the upgrades.
Are you ready to do that?
I love that house.
It's perfect for Kiwi going up
the stairs and everything.
But I just don't know
if I can justify the $20,000.
Are you in love
with the house?
Or are you in love
with all the options?
I just...
I don't know.
My head is telling me
that I should go with the cabin,
but my heart is telling me
I should go with
the two-loft house.
I'm gonna get
the two-loft house.
- All right.
- It has everything I want.
Are you ready to spend $68,000
on this house?
I think
that's what I want to do.
- I'm gonna do that one.
- Yay!
I bought the two-loft house.
Even though it was over price,
I just knew that it was
the right one.
The base purchase price
of this house was $48,000,
but the final price was 68,000.
I do not regret
going over my budget.
I got everything that I wanted.
It has the washer/dryer,
it has the dishwasher,
it has
the separate living spaces,
it has a lot of storage,
and I just think
that the overall look of
the house matches more my style.
I don't have to adjust to life
in a tiny house in this house.
It just kind of feels like
a little apartment.
You want to go upstairs?
Ready? Up, go.
Good girl.
Kiwi just went up right away.
She wasn't scared,
so it's perfect.
The bedroom loft
really doesn't feel cramped.
It's almost like a fort.
I don't know.
It really fun up there.
I'm actually surprised on
how much counter space you have.
I really like spending time
in the kitchen.
It's so open, and it actually
encourages me to cook
'cause if I don't have
a nice workspace in the kitchen,
I don't really want to cook.
Wanted to say
congratulations on your house.
- Congratulations!
- Thank you.
Marina loves this house.
Even though she was rooting
for that other one,
I think, deep down, she knew
that this was the right one.
Jessica decided
to use her additional loft
as a space for entertaining.
It's so cute up there.
You did such a good job.
Right now, I'm parking my tiny
house in a friend's yard.
I don't know
where I'm going in my life.
I don't know where I'm gonna be
in the next 5 years,
but wherever I go, I could
just take my house with me.
Welcome to your new home.
Kiwi, you want one too?