Tiny House Hunters (2014–…): Season 4, Episode 28 - Food Scientist Goes Tiny - full transcript
Homebuyers across the country
are saying goodbye
to big houses...
Wow! Look at that.
That is tiny.
...and hello to small spaces.
With the push of a button,
this house contracts
to half its size.
- Wow.
- Wow.
- What is this?
- This is the bedroom.
- It's a fold-down sink.
- That's so cool!
Oh!
Wow,
this just got weird.
But the smaller the house,
the bigger the challenge
fitting inside.
It'd be six of us
up here.
Where am I gonna sleep?
- This swings back.
- Whoa.
- That's the loft.
- Ohh.
I think I see
a problem already.
Wow!
This is pretty!
Oh, this is sexy!
Professional
food scientist Ashley
is on the hunt
for a tiny house
that she can entertain
in in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Oh, my gosh!
Her best friend, Alice,
is along to help her search,
but she's a hard sell.
I don't understand where
the rest of it is at.
How are you going
to cook your food,
work on another dish
while entertaining?
The counter space...
Can Ashely find a tiny house
that Alice approves of?
There's a lot
- of space up here.
- Is there?
I mean, this is like a place
where I put my luggage at.
This is so nice.
It's a good day
for a bike ride.
I'm Ashley.
I'm 31 years old,
and I live in
Bentonville, Arkansas.
I'm a food scientist
turned businesswoman.
I work for
a food manufacturing company.
I work closely with customers
to develop new menu items
and then taking those items
and scaling them up
for manufacturing.
Ashley's currently couch surfing
because she travels
a lot for work
and has realized
that she doesn't need her
1,400-square-foot house.
Coming home,
every time I realized
that my space was too large.
So she's rented out
her house
and has decided
to majorly downsize.
Something that appeals to me
with a tiny house is the thought
of not having as much stuff.
So I've actually
downsized quite a bit.
I have donated items to friends
who have willingly accepted them
into their closets.
Ashley's best friend, Alice,
is coming along to assist
with her hunt
for a tiny house.
It's just very small.
It's so small!
It's going to be tiny,
Alice!
It's so small.
Alice is just
that great friend
who can say
what she's thinking
when she's thinking it,
and no one gets offended
by what she's saying
because she does it with the
most tender and caring heart.
I will never go and live
in a tiny home. That's for sure.
But I can see the thrill of
being able to be in a home
that allows you
to be flexible with travel
and also just
minimalize things.
So what kind of style
do you want then?
I really want that
contemporary style.
I'm not a fan
of the rustic at all.
My budget is $60,000.
It is not movable.
I will not go above that,
but I'd be happy to go under it.
I'd like to be able
to rent a space.
I'm not looking to buy land
at this point
because I do want to be mobile.
Oh, but it does have
good storage in the stairs.
- I like that.
- All right. I like it.
That counter space
is so tiny.
That is kind of small.
I would love to have a great
kitchen that is very functional.
- That's cute.
- Okay.
That patio space
is amazing.
I want to be able
to have friends over.
I'd like to have an outdoor
space that I can work with.
I do like this bathroom, though.
I think it's very sexy.
So where do the stairs
lead to in a tiny home?
Up to the loft.
I would prefer stairs.
Really, my requirement
is so that
I can carry a cup
of coffee into my loft.
If you sit up, your head's going
to hit the ceiling immediately.
Yeah. Maybe the bed's
just really tall.
After couch surfing
for so long,
I am ready to be
in my own space again.
I have zero reservations
about going tiny.
Once I set my mind to something,
it's what I'm going to do.
Helping Ashley
with her tiny-house search
is her good friend,
Richard Rolfingsmeyer,
who also happens to be
a real estate agent.
Ashley's more than
just a client.
She's also a personal friend.
I think Ashley may have to make
some compromises,
especially based on her
budget at $60,000.
But I think there's
some good options out there
for her to take look at.
To start their search,
Richard wants Ashley
to see a 230-square-foot
cottage on wheels.
Look at this!
It's not as contemporary
as I was looking for.
And I don't understand
where the rest of it is at.
But I do like
the black color.
How big is it?
It's 160 square feet... Okay.
...with a 70-square-foot
loft.
- Okay.
- Whoa!
That's so small!
I don't know!
So the lot, can this house
stay here?
This is a rented lot...
Okay....for $300 a month.
Okay.
But it does have the ability
for you to make it mobile,
and you can travel with it
and put it somewhere else.
Okay, this patio's
a little bit smaller
than what I was
looking for.
Yeah,
no parties at all.
That fits
two people, max!
Oh!
How much is the house?
It's just at the top
of your budget at $59,000.
Whoa!
Okay, that is
the top of my budget.
Okay.
Good to know.
That's really high.
Oh, this is sexy!
Oh, my gosh!
This is so pretty!
It's not what I was expecting
from the outside feel.
I don't know
about this, though.
I don't think
I can reach that.
It's good storage,
which is nice, though.
I'm pretty impressed that they
were able to include that much.
So the floor has
some extra storage.
Okay.
- Oh!
- Wow!
That is pretty cool.
I think the storage in the floor
could fit her shoes,
but she still has to find
an option for her clothes.
I don't know.
I think you still need
to think through, like,
where is your couch going to go?
Where's your table
going to be, the chairs?
How are you going to entertain
in this space and even access
some of the lower storage
with all that covering it up?
This is a potential
dining table...
Okay....writing area.
That would work for two people,
for the future boyfriend.
And then a larger
space over here.
Oh, I don't know
that I need two tables.
It's nice that it collapses, though.
- That's true.
- If you have people over
you can pop it up
for dinner,
drinks and then put it down
when you're entertaining later.
It does have
a closet.
Okay,
I could work with that.
Richard,
that's not a closet.
That's a space
to store groceries.
How are you possibly going to
fit your clothes in there?
I can make that work!
That's perfectly fine
for what I need.
And I like this kitchen.
This back splash...
It's beautiful....is so gorgeous!
There's just not a ton
of counter space for you
to cook and prepare dishes.
There's one little extra
surprise here in this kitchen.
It comes with
the additional pullout.
- Oh, okay.
- So, you can actually
put this
between both of those
and have a full kitchen.
Like, this could actually
be a full kitchen.
I could really
work with that.
And watch this,
it pops right out.
That's so easy
to remove, though.
What about... Okay, so
the food scientist in me
is a little concerned
that the bathroom
is right next
to the kitchen.
Ugh.
I don't love that at all.
That's uncomfortable
for your guests,
and that's
uncomfortable for you.
But you need to see the size
because it's a huge shower,
and I think you're
- going to like it.
- Okay.
Yeah, this is nice.
I can work
with this size shower.
Looks pretty tight.
It's-- No,
this is nice!
I mean, one person
will fit fine.
So do you want
to see the loft?
The test is whether I can carry
a cup of coffee
upstairs for my
morning coffee in bed.
I think this ladder
may pass the coffee test.
Oh, Alice,
this is so much space.
This is nice!
I can fit a queen-size
bed up here, for sure.
I mean,
this is like a place
where I put my luggage at,
not my bed!
I don't need that much
in my bedroom, though.
So I think
this would be great.
It's livable,
for sure.
Yeah, I think so.
Nice, open space.
And I do like the colors
a lot in here.
I could be pretty versatile
with what I want to design with.
It does have the storage
that's up above and below.
The kitchen space
is fantastic.
I really do like
the kitchen.
The patio is of concern
because it's not
quite the entertaining space
that I was looking for.
I just think we need
something with larger space
that could be more comfortable
and functional for Ashley.
Richard's found them
something slightly larger,
but space can be relative.
There's a lot of space
up here.
Is there?
- Look at this vest!
- I like it!
Oh, how fun
would that be?
I can make space
for that, right?
And give away
some other stuff, too.
On the road
most of the month for work,
food scientist Ashley
has gotten used to living
out of hotel rooms.
Tired of the upkeep
of her three-bedroom
Bentonville, Arkansas, house,
she's instead
looking for something
much smaller to call home.
She and her best friend, Alice,
have seen a contemporary cottage
on wheels that's just within
Ashley's $60,000 budget.
While Ashley likes
the open feel,
Alice is skeptical since
it lacks room for entertaining
and is only 230
square feet.
Friend and local real estate
agent Richard Rolfingsmeyer is
betting that a tiny option
with a bit more space
may do the trick.
For this house,
Ashely would need
to find land
to place it on.
Oh!
This is fun!
This is pretty!
It's very cool!
Yeah,
that color is awesome.
Believe it or not,
this is a storage container...
- Oh, wow!
- Oh, wow!
...that they've now converted.
I like it because it has
that clean-line feel to it.
I think the windows are nice.
It's a great feel and this
actually has a patio.
It's not quite large enough,
but it is nice.
Well, you know
what's interesting?
This was a 40-foot storage container... Okay.
...and the owner actually
took 8 feet off the back
so that you can have
a private back porch.
Oh, nice!
I really like the fact
that this has
two porches on it.
The larger one would
actually allow me
to entertain really well.
So, Richard, how big are we
talking that this one is?
It's 250 square feet... Okay.
...with 150 square foot
of loft space and storage.
So 400 square feet total.
That's a lot of space.
A little larger.
I like it, Richard!
Wow!
- I knew you would.
- Alice is happy with it.
So, being a storage container,
it can move?
- Yes, that's correct.
- Okay.
This one is slightly
over your budget
at $64,000.
Ooh, okay.
Oh, wow.
This is so spacious!
This is pretty big!
I'm impressed.
The wood is a little much,
but the space itself
is fantastic.
It looks very cabiny,
and you wanted something
that was more modern.
It doesn't really
scream modern to me.
But you can paint it.
So, all the surfaces could be
painted white or light gray
to give you more of that
contemporary feel on the inside.
- Okay.
- Okay.
And I do like all the windows
in this space.
It really is beautiful.
What do you think
of the extra storage?
Oh, I didn't
even see this.
That's wonderful.
That closet space is fantastic.
Let's use closet
loosely now
because that's still
really tiny,
and you'd have to get rid
of a lot of your clothes.
You have space to put a couch,
a table and chairs.
I mean, you could really
entertain in here
and get really creative
with this space.
And I like that there's a loft
with some storage.
Oh, it has
a full-size refrigerator!
This is a nice luxury
in a tiny house.
You know, if I'm going to cook
like I would like to,
I really do need an oven.
Well,
this microwave is unique that
it's actually
a convection oven
so you can bake in this... Okay, okay.
...without having to take up
the other counter space.
I could definitely work
with that.
And then it does have a nice,
big sink...
It's huge....so that would be good.
Wait until you see
the bathroom.
Oh, my goodness!
Alice, there's
a full-size bathtub!
It's nice and roomy.
Little too shiny
with the metal, though.
Well just remember,
you can paint
any of those surfaces
to make them less.
That's true.
Oh, but we can't
forget the test...
- That's right....the coffee.
- Oh!
Let's see if this passes.
Oh, it seems like this might
pass the coffee-cup test.
- Nice.
- Oh, wow!
There's a lot
of space up here.
Is there?
It's still pretty
tight quarters.
It is a little more closed
in on that side of the room.
I think, you know,
with your queen-size bed
you could probably
comfortably fit in here.
It'd be tight
but you can make it work.
Yeah, I think so.
I'm really surprised
they can make
a storage container
feel like a home.
I really do like the clean lines
on the outside.
I'm not such a fan
of the wood.
But remember you can
have that painted.
Yeah. I'm a little
concerned about
the size of the loft, though.
Yeah, it's a good amount
of space,
but it's not as open
as I would like it.
I like the place Richard,
but it is over budget.
With cost in mind,
Richard wants Ashley
to see a more
affordable tiny option.
It looks really rustic.
I don't know.
Yeah, it's not near contemporary
as what I was wanting.
You realize you are never
going to have a kitchen
like this if you get
a tiny home, right?
You're just being
negative Nancy.
As a food scientist,
Ashley travels often for work
and is tired
of maintaining her large
three-bedroom
Bentonville, Arkansas,
home when she's in town.
So she's downsizing
to have the freedom
that a tiny home affords.
Her best friend,
Alice, is along
to keep her grounded
in her search.
They've seen a 230-square-foot
modern cottage
with an open layout
and a loft that Ashley likes.
But although it's within her
$60,000 budget,
Alice is worried that it
lacks entertaining space
and might be
a bit too small.
They've also seen a larger
400-square-foot
shipping container home
with a nice-size porch.
But it's above budget,
and Ashley would still need
to customize it
to fit her modern style.
Friend and real estate agent
Richard Rolfingsmeyer is
hoping that a more budget friendly
and customizable model home
may be the perfect fit.
Well, today,
we're looking at a model.
Please know that all of
the noise and the cars
do not convey
with this property.
- Okay.
- Thank goodness!
- Wow!
- So what do you think?
It looks really rustic, Richard.
I don't know.
Yeah, it's not near contemporary
as what I was wanting.
But it is a model so
we can make any modifications.
Okay, that's true.
How large is it?
- It's 400 square feet total.
- Okay.
Oh, I do like
the space.
This is that
"party porch"
that you were looking
for I knew you really wanted.
- Oh!
- That's true.
I could definitely
entertain up here
and I can see myself
having coffee in the morning.
Yeah, you can have plenty
of friends over if you wanted.
So, this is way under your
budget at $26,000.
- Wow!
- Oh, my gosh!
Okay, I do like the sound
of that, for sure.
That's way better than
I could have asked for.
So, you've got $34,000 that you
can play with in your budget
for any modifications,
interior or exterior.
I love that this house
is so far below my budget.
It really gets me excited
to see inside.
It's cute!
Yeah,
this is quaint.
It's not contemporary, though.
I'm not a huge fan
of these floors so I would like
to change that,
for sure.
Yeah, you definitely
could have some hardwoods
or tile,
any material.
Okay, that's great.
And I think if I could
change these walls
to a white color... Yeah.
...it may make it a little more
contemporary in here.
You have good space
to entertain.
I mean, I can see you
having people over,
and I like the fireplace.
Maybe not this fire place,
but I like the idea
of having a fireplace
in here.
It is a great feature.
So what about
this kitchen here?
It's kind
of interesting
because I feel like
this wet bar is awkward.
There's no oven
over here at all.
Well, we have a lot money
that we can play with to make
any modifications
what you'd like.
What I do love is the
privacy of this bedroom.
The space in here
is really nice.
I could fit
a queen size bed.
Yeah, and there looks like
there's real closets in here.
Oh, wow!
Yeah, this is a lot of space
that I could work with.
Lots of extra storage.
Yeah, there's two of them,
so that's tons of space.
And, you know,
the food scientist in me
is really happy
that through this door,
the bathroom is separate
from the kitchen.
Yeah. Yeah.
It's really large
in here, too.
It is, and it has a bathtub,
which is nice.
And it has the full-size
washer and dyer, as well.
Yeah, that's really
nice to have.
I could actually
make this my own style.
I really like that this
one's so far under budget.
Yeah, and I mean,
I really like the living room.
It has a great open floor plan
and you have the budget
to make any change
you could possibly want.
Ashley's ready to be back
in a home of her own
and eager to decide which
tiny option is right for her.
This is going
to be really hard.
It's so pretty out here.
It is.
After renting out
her large three-bedroom house
in Bentonville, Arkansas,
Ashley's been
crashing with friends
until she can find
her own tiny home.
With a budget of $60,000,
she's seen several options
and is ready
to make a decision.
What do you think of
that modern one on wheels?
That was the smallest
one at 230 square feet,
and it really was right
at the top
of your budget
at $59,000.
But once you got inside, that
open floor plan was fantastic!
It did have a really
small living room.
I mean, yes,
it had great storage,
but you're going to have
to move all your couches
and tables even to get
to the storage
at the bottom
of the home.
I love that kitchen.
It is really functional,
and that's exactly
what I'm looking for.
Yeah, but the loft
did seem a little small,
and it didn't really have
a lot of storage for your stuff.
I still am concerned
about you having
to be able to entertain
at that home.
It barely had a patio.
That contemporary container
had a ton of patio space.
That is true, and it was
nice and covered
so I can entertain
really well there.
At 400 square feet, it was just
over budget at $64,000.
It's not a bad deal, and that
living room had tons of space.
That's true, but that
wood carried inside,
and it was really
rustic with the color.
Yeah, but if you
painted it white or gray,
you could really spruce it up
and make it more modern
like you're hoping for.
But there wasn't a lot
of head space in that loft.
How about that "party porch"
in the cabin?
Richard did a really bang-up job
to bring that in so far below
my budget at $26,000.
This one is also
400 square feet.
I would have to redo the floors
and make them hardwood
and then do something
a different color to the walls.
But you're right,
that space is very functional.
Yeah, and you have
the money to do so.
I could make that kitchen
my dream kitchen.
That bathroom had
a ton of space.
That's true. I really have
a tough decision to make.
That cabin is really
far below my budget
and is an awesome house,
but I think I'd have
to make too many modifications
to it to make it
- my style.
- Yeah.
So that leaves the modern mobile
and the container home.
Yeah, that contemporary
container home
is really amazing!
It's got those two porches,
which I could see myself on.
But I'd like
something more mobile.
That modern one on wheels
is really more my style,
and I think it'll work
perfectly for moving around.
- Are you sure?
- Absolutely!
I think we need
to give Richard a call.
- Is tea okay?
- Tea sounds great.
Great.
I've been moved in
for 3 months now.
Moving from couch surfing
into my own tiny home
was really like taking
a deep breath of fresh air.
It's been nice to get settled
and have a routine again
and have my own space
to actually unpack my life.
This house is the smallest
that I toured,
but it's been perfect
because I really like the cozy
feel in a smaller space.
The final purchase price
for my tiny home was $59,000.
The home is in the same location
as where I toured it.
I decided to keep it here
and pay the lot rent.
I foresee myself finding
some land eventually,
but for now this is working out
perfectly on the lot.
This is my happy place.
I love this kitchen!
My backsplash is so beautiful,
and I love waking up
to this in the morning.
I'm able to have
my coffee space that I love.
I have plenty of storage,
and the cabinets are wonderful
because they're
fully functional.
I have plenty of space
I can organize very well.
I put down the carpet
to cover up the floor storage
but I absolutely love
that I can reach everything
in the floor
and there's plenty of space
for everything that I own.
- Cookies!
- Yeah, thank you.
I'm so glad you guys
came over today.
Friends have loved my space,
and they're really
enjoying coming over,
letting me entertain them,
being a part
of the house as well
because they've been
a part of the journey.
I know that this has been
your dream for a long time
so I'm glad
you found it as well.
There's plenty of room
for people to hang out
inside as well
as outside.
She's done a really great job
with the space she has.
I have absolutely no regrets
in going tiny.
This is what I was meant for.
Total glam,
tiny-home living.
Yes, it's pretty fantastic!
are saying goodbye
to big houses...
Wow! Look at that.
That is tiny.
...and hello to small spaces.
With the push of a button,
this house contracts
to half its size.
- Wow.
- Wow.
- What is this?
- This is the bedroom.
- It's a fold-down sink.
- That's so cool!
Oh!
Wow,
this just got weird.
But the smaller the house,
the bigger the challenge
fitting inside.
It'd be six of us
up here.
Where am I gonna sleep?
- This swings back.
- Whoa.
- That's the loft.
- Ohh.
I think I see
a problem already.
Wow!
This is pretty!
Oh, this is sexy!
Professional
food scientist Ashley
is on the hunt
for a tiny house
that she can entertain
in in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Oh, my gosh!
Her best friend, Alice,
is along to help her search,
but she's a hard sell.
I don't understand where
the rest of it is at.
How are you going
to cook your food,
work on another dish
while entertaining?
The counter space...
Can Ashely find a tiny house
that Alice approves of?
There's a lot
- of space up here.
- Is there?
I mean, this is like a place
where I put my luggage at.
This is so nice.
It's a good day
for a bike ride.
I'm Ashley.
I'm 31 years old,
and I live in
Bentonville, Arkansas.
I'm a food scientist
turned businesswoman.
I work for
a food manufacturing company.
I work closely with customers
to develop new menu items
and then taking those items
and scaling them up
for manufacturing.
Ashley's currently couch surfing
because she travels
a lot for work
and has realized
that she doesn't need her
1,400-square-foot house.
Coming home,
every time I realized
that my space was too large.
So she's rented out
her house
and has decided
to majorly downsize.
Something that appeals to me
with a tiny house is the thought
of not having as much stuff.
So I've actually
downsized quite a bit.
I have donated items to friends
who have willingly accepted them
into their closets.
Ashley's best friend, Alice,
is coming along to assist
with her hunt
for a tiny house.
It's just very small.
It's so small!
It's going to be tiny,
Alice!
It's so small.
Alice is just
that great friend
who can say
what she's thinking
when she's thinking it,
and no one gets offended
by what she's saying
because she does it with the
most tender and caring heart.
I will never go and live
in a tiny home. That's for sure.
But I can see the thrill of
being able to be in a home
that allows you
to be flexible with travel
and also just
minimalize things.
So what kind of style
do you want then?
I really want that
contemporary style.
I'm not a fan
of the rustic at all.
My budget is $60,000.
It is not movable.
I will not go above that,
but I'd be happy to go under it.
I'd like to be able
to rent a space.
I'm not looking to buy land
at this point
because I do want to be mobile.
Oh, but it does have
good storage in the stairs.
- I like that.
- All right. I like it.
That counter space
is so tiny.
That is kind of small.
I would love to have a great
kitchen that is very functional.
- That's cute.
- Okay.
That patio space
is amazing.
I want to be able
to have friends over.
I'd like to have an outdoor
space that I can work with.
I do like this bathroom, though.
I think it's very sexy.
So where do the stairs
lead to in a tiny home?
Up to the loft.
I would prefer stairs.
Really, my requirement
is so that
I can carry a cup
of coffee into my loft.
If you sit up, your head's going
to hit the ceiling immediately.
Yeah. Maybe the bed's
just really tall.
After couch surfing
for so long,
I am ready to be
in my own space again.
I have zero reservations
about going tiny.
Once I set my mind to something,
it's what I'm going to do.
Helping Ashley
with her tiny-house search
is her good friend,
Richard Rolfingsmeyer,
who also happens to be
a real estate agent.
Ashley's more than
just a client.
She's also a personal friend.
I think Ashley may have to make
some compromises,
especially based on her
budget at $60,000.
But I think there's
some good options out there
for her to take look at.
To start their search,
Richard wants Ashley
to see a 230-square-foot
cottage on wheels.
Look at this!
It's not as contemporary
as I was looking for.
And I don't understand
where the rest of it is at.
But I do like
the black color.
How big is it?
It's 160 square feet... Okay.
...with a 70-square-foot
loft.
- Okay.
- Whoa!
That's so small!
I don't know!
So the lot, can this house
stay here?
This is a rented lot...
Okay....for $300 a month.
Okay.
But it does have the ability
for you to make it mobile,
and you can travel with it
and put it somewhere else.
Okay, this patio's
a little bit smaller
than what I was
looking for.
Yeah,
no parties at all.
That fits
two people, max!
Oh!
How much is the house?
It's just at the top
of your budget at $59,000.
Whoa!
Okay, that is
the top of my budget.
Okay.
Good to know.
That's really high.
Oh, this is sexy!
Oh, my gosh!
This is so pretty!
It's not what I was expecting
from the outside feel.
I don't know
about this, though.
I don't think
I can reach that.
It's good storage,
which is nice, though.
I'm pretty impressed that they
were able to include that much.
So the floor has
some extra storage.
Okay.
- Oh!
- Wow!
That is pretty cool.
I think the storage in the floor
could fit her shoes,
but she still has to find
an option for her clothes.
I don't know.
I think you still need
to think through, like,
where is your couch going to go?
Where's your table
going to be, the chairs?
How are you going to entertain
in this space and even access
some of the lower storage
with all that covering it up?
This is a potential
dining table...
Okay....writing area.
That would work for two people,
for the future boyfriend.
And then a larger
space over here.
Oh, I don't know
that I need two tables.
It's nice that it collapses, though.
- That's true.
- If you have people over
you can pop it up
for dinner,
drinks and then put it down
when you're entertaining later.
It does have
a closet.
Okay,
I could work with that.
Richard,
that's not a closet.
That's a space
to store groceries.
How are you possibly going to
fit your clothes in there?
I can make that work!
That's perfectly fine
for what I need.
And I like this kitchen.
This back splash...
It's beautiful....is so gorgeous!
There's just not a ton
of counter space for you
to cook and prepare dishes.
There's one little extra
surprise here in this kitchen.
It comes with
the additional pullout.
- Oh, okay.
- So, you can actually
put this
between both of those
and have a full kitchen.
Like, this could actually
be a full kitchen.
I could really
work with that.
And watch this,
it pops right out.
That's so easy
to remove, though.
What about... Okay, so
the food scientist in me
is a little concerned
that the bathroom
is right next
to the kitchen.
Ugh.
I don't love that at all.
That's uncomfortable
for your guests,
and that's
uncomfortable for you.
But you need to see the size
because it's a huge shower,
and I think you're
- going to like it.
- Okay.
Yeah, this is nice.
I can work
with this size shower.
Looks pretty tight.
It's-- No,
this is nice!
I mean, one person
will fit fine.
So do you want
to see the loft?
The test is whether I can carry
a cup of coffee
upstairs for my
morning coffee in bed.
I think this ladder
may pass the coffee test.
Oh, Alice,
this is so much space.
This is nice!
I can fit a queen-size
bed up here, for sure.
I mean,
this is like a place
where I put my luggage at,
not my bed!
I don't need that much
in my bedroom, though.
So I think
this would be great.
It's livable,
for sure.
Yeah, I think so.
Nice, open space.
And I do like the colors
a lot in here.
I could be pretty versatile
with what I want to design with.
It does have the storage
that's up above and below.
The kitchen space
is fantastic.
I really do like
the kitchen.
The patio is of concern
because it's not
quite the entertaining space
that I was looking for.
I just think we need
something with larger space
that could be more comfortable
and functional for Ashley.
Richard's found them
something slightly larger,
but space can be relative.
There's a lot of space
up here.
Is there?
- Look at this vest!
- I like it!
Oh, how fun
would that be?
I can make space
for that, right?
And give away
some other stuff, too.
On the road
most of the month for work,
food scientist Ashley
has gotten used to living
out of hotel rooms.
Tired of the upkeep
of her three-bedroom
Bentonville, Arkansas, house,
she's instead
looking for something
much smaller to call home.
She and her best friend, Alice,
have seen a contemporary cottage
on wheels that's just within
Ashley's $60,000 budget.
While Ashley likes
the open feel,
Alice is skeptical since
it lacks room for entertaining
and is only 230
square feet.
Friend and local real estate
agent Richard Rolfingsmeyer is
betting that a tiny option
with a bit more space
may do the trick.
For this house,
Ashely would need
to find land
to place it on.
Oh!
This is fun!
This is pretty!
It's very cool!
Yeah,
that color is awesome.
Believe it or not,
this is a storage container...
- Oh, wow!
- Oh, wow!
...that they've now converted.
I like it because it has
that clean-line feel to it.
I think the windows are nice.
It's a great feel and this
actually has a patio.
It's not quite large enough,
but it is nice.
Well, you know
what's interesting?
This was a 40-foot storage container... Okay.
...and the owner actually
took 8 feet off the back
so that you can have
a private back porch.
Oh, nice!
I really like the fact
that this has
two porches on it.
The larger one would
actually allow me
to entertain really well.
So, Richard, how big are we
talking that this one is?
It's 250 square feet... Okay.
...with 150 square foot
of loft space and storage.
So 400 square feet total.
That's a lot of space.
A little larger.
I like it, Richard!
Wow!
- I knew you would.
- Alice is happy with it.
So, being a storage container,
it can move?
- Yes, that's correct.
- Okay.
This one is slightly
over your budget
at $64,000.
Ooh, okay.
Oh, wow.
This is so spacious!
This is pretty big!
I'm impressed.
The wood is a little much,
but the space itself
is fantastic.
It looks very cabiny,
and you wanted something
that was more modern.
It doesn't really
scream modern to me.
But you can paint it.
So, all the surfaces could be
painted white or light gray
to give you more of that
contemporary feel on the inside.
- Okay.
- Okay.
And I do like all the windows
in this space.
It really is beautiful.
What do you think
of the extra storage?
Oh, I didn't
even see this.
That's wonderful.
That closet space is fantastic.
Let's use closet
loosely now
because that's still
really tiny,
and you'd have to get rid
of a lot of your clothes.
You have space to put a couch,
a table and chairs.
I mean, you could really
entertain in here
and get really creative
with this space.
And I like that there's a loft
with some storage.
Oh, it has
a full-size refrigerator!
This is a nice luxury
in a tiny house.
You know, if I'm going to cook
like I would like to,
I really do need an oven.
Well,
this microwave is unique that
it's actually
a convection oven
so you can bake in this... Okay, okay.
...without having to take up
the other counter space.
I could definitely work
with that.
And then it does have a nice,
big sink...
It's huge....so that would be good.
Wait until you see
the bathroom.
Oh, my goodness!
Alice, there's
a full-size bathtub!
It's nice and roomy.
Little too shiny
with the metal, though.
Well just remember,
you can paint
any of those surfaces
to make them less.
That's true.
Oh, but we can't
forget the test...
- That's right....the coffee.
- Oh!
Let's see if this passes.
Oh, it seems like this might
pass the coffee-cup test.
- Nice.
- Oh, wow!
There's a lot
of space up here.
Is there?
It's still pretty
tight quarters.
It is a little more closed
in on that side of the room.
I think, you know,
with your queen-size bed
you could probably
comfortably fit in here.
It'd be tight
but you can make it work.
Yeah, I think so.
I'm really surprised
they can make
a storage container
feel like a home.
I really do like the clean lines
on the outside.
I'm not such a fan
of the wood.
But remember you can
have that painted.
Yeah. I'm a little
concerned about
the size of the loft, though.
Yeah, it's a good amount
of space,
but it's not as open
as I would like it.
I like the place Richard,
but it is over budget.
With cost in mind,
Richard wants Ashley
to see a more
affordable tiny option.
It looks really rustic.
I don't know.
Yeah, it's not near contemporary
as what I was wanting.
You realize you are never
going to have a kitchen
like this if you get
a tiny home, right?
You're just being
negative Nancy.
As a food scientist,
Ashley travels often for work
and is tired
of maintaining her large
three-bedroom
Bentonville, Arkansas,
home when she's in town.
So she's downsizing
to have the freedom
that a tiny home affords.
Her best friend,
Alice, is along
to keep her grounded
in her search.
They've seen a 230-square-foot
modern cottage
with an open layout
and a loft that Ashley likes.
But although it's within her
$60,000 budget,
Alice is worried that it
lacks entertaining space
and might be
a bit too small.
They've also seen a larger
400-square-foot
shipping container home
with a nice-size porch.
But it's above budget,
and Ashley would still need
to customize it
to fit her modern style.
Friend and real estate agent
Richard Rolfingsmeyer is
hoping that a more budget friendly
and customizable model home
may be the perfect fit.
Well, today,
we're looking at a model.
Please know that all of
the noise and the cars
do not convey
with this property.
- Okay.
- Thank goodness!
- Wow!
- So what do you think?
It looks really rustic, Richard.
I don't know.
Yeah, it's not near contemporary
as what I was wanting.
But it is a model so
we can make any modifications.
Okay, that's true.
How large is it?
- It's 400 square feet total.
- Okay.
Oh, I do like
the space.
This is that
"party porch"
that you were looking
for I knew you really wanted.
- Oh!
- That's true.
I could definitely
entertain up here
and I can see myself
having coffee in the morning.
Yeah, you can have plenty
of friends over if you wanted.
So, this is way under your
budget at $26,000.
- Wow!
- Oh, my gosh!
Okay, I do like the sound
of that, for sure.
That's way better than
I could have asked for.
So, you've got $34,000 that you
can play with in your budget
for any modifications,
interior or exterior.
I love that this house
is so far below my budget.
It really gets me excited
to see inside.
It's cute!
Yeah,
this is quaint.
It's not contemporary, though.
I'm not a huge fan
of these floors so I would like
to change that,
for sure.
Yeah, you definitely
could have some hardwoods
or tile,
any material.
Okay, that's great.
And I think if I could
change these walls
to a white color... Yeah.
...it may make it a little more
contemporary in here.
You have good space
to entertain.
I mean, I can see you
having people over,
and I like the fireplace.
Maybe not this fire place,
but I like the idea
of having a fireplace
in here.
It is a great feature.
So what about
this kitchen here?
It's kind
of interesting
because I feel like
this wet bar is awkward.
There's no oven
over here at all.
Well, we have a lot money
that we can play with to make
any modifications
what you'd like.
What I do love is the
privacy of this bedroom.
The space in here
is really nice.
I could fit
a queen size bed.
Yeah, and there looks like
there's real closets in here.
Oh, wow!
Yeah, this is a lot of space
that I could work with.
Lots of extra storage.
Yeah, there's two of them,
so that's tons of space.
And, you know,
the food scientist in me
is really happy
that through this door,
the bathroom is separate
from the kitchen.
Yeah. Yeah.
It's really large
in here, too.
It is, and it has a bathtub,
which is nice.
And it has the full-size
washer and dyer, as well.
Yeah, that's really
nice to have.
I could actually
make this my own style.
I really like that this
one's so far under budget.
Yeah, and I mean,
I really like the living room.
It has a great open floor plan
and you have the budget
to make any change
you could possibly want.
Ashley's ready to be back
in a home of her own
and eager to decide which
tiny option is right for her.
This is going
to be really hard.
It's so pretty out here.
It is.
After renting out
her large three-bedroom house
in Bentonville, Arkansas,
Ashley's been
crashing with friends
until she can find
her own tiny home.
With a budget of $60,000,
she's seen several options
and is ready
to make a decision.
What do you think of
that modern one on wheels?
That was the smallest
one at 230 square feet,
and it really was right
at the top
of your budget
at $59,000.
But once you got inside, that
open floor plan was fantastic!
It did have a really
small living room.
I mean, yes,
it had great storage,
but you're going to have
to move all your couches
and tables even to get
to the storage
at the bottom
of the home.
I love that kitchen.
It is really functional,
and that's exactly
what I'm looking for.
Yeah, but the loft
did seem a little small,
and it didn't really have
a lot of storage for your stuff.
I still am concerned
about you having
to be able to entertain
at that home.
It barely had a patio.
That contemporary container
had a ton of patio space.
That is true, and it was
nice and covered
so I can entertain
really well there.
At 400 square feet, it was just
over budget at $64,000.
It's not a bad deal, and that
living room had tons of space.
That's true, but that
wood carried inside,
and it was really
rustic with the color.
Yeah, but if you
painted it white or gray,
you could really spruce it up
and make it more modern
like you're hoping for.
But there wasn't a lot
of head space in that loft.
How about that "party porch"
in the cabin?
Richard did a really bang-up job
to bring that in so far below
my budget at $26,000.
This one is also
400 square feet.
I would have to redo the floors
and make them hardwood
and then do something
a different color to the walls.
But you're right,
that space is very functional.
Yeah, and you have
the money to do so.
I could make that kitchen
my dream kitchen.
That bathroom had
a ton of space.
That's true. I really have
a tough decision to make.
That cabin is really
far below my budget
and is an awesome house,
but I think I'd have
to make too many modifications
to it to make it
- my style.
- Yeah.
So that leaves the modern mobile
and the container home.
Yeah, that contemporary
container home
is really amazing!
It's got those two porches,
which I could see myself on.
But I'd like
something more mobile.
That modern one on wheels
is really more my style,
and I think it'll work
perfectly for moving around.
- Are you sure?
- Absolutely!
I think we need
to give Richard a call.
- Is tea okay?
- Tea sounds great.
Great.
I've been moved in
for 3 months now.
Moving from couch surfing
into my own tiny home
was really like taking
a deep breath of fresh air.
It's been nice to get settled
and have a routine again
and have my own space
to actually unpack my life.
This house is the smallest
that I toured,
but it's been perfect
because I really like the cozy
feel in a smaller space.
The final purchase price
for my tiny home was $59,000.
The home is in the same location
as where I toured it.
I decided to keep it here
and pay the lot rent.
I foresee myself finding
some land eventually,
but for now this is working out
perfectly on the lot.
This is my happy place.
I love this kitchen!
My backsplash is so beautiful,
and I love waking up
to this in the morning.
I'm able to have
my coffee space that I love.
I have plenty of storage,
and the cabinets are wonderful
because they're
fully functional.
I have plenty of space
I can organize very well.
I put down the carpet
to cover up the floor storage
but I absolutely love
that I can reach everything
in the floor
and there's plenty of space
for everything that I own.
- Cookies!
- Yeah, thank you.
I'm so glad you guys
came over today.
Friends have loved my space,
and they're really
enjoying coming over,
letting me entertain them,
being a part
of the house as well
because they've been
a part of the journey.
I know that this has been
your dream for a long time
so I'm glad
you found it as well.
There's plenty of room
for people to hang out
inside as well
as outside.
She's done a really great job
with the space she has.
I have absolutely no regrets
in going tiny.
This is what I was meant for.
Total glam,
tiny-home living.
Yes, it's pretty fantastic!