Tiny Homes for Sale in Florida
Making the decision to buy a home in Florida can be a wise decision for individuals looking to own their own property. Given rising housing prices across the Sunshine State, you may be looking for an affordable alternative to traditional housing. Florida tiny homes give buyers the ability to own their own small square footage home at a fraction of the price of a traditional home.
As Florida buyers have access to a number of tiny home builders across the Southeastern U.S., there are several options to choose from when it comes to buying a new tiny house. Depending on what you are looking for, there are options for either modern tiny homes or traditional tiny cottages, tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) or a small home on a foundation, and even a custom Florida tiny house.
To help you figure out if buying a tiny house in Florida makes sense for your situation, we have created a helpful guide to understand key factors you should consider. This includes tiny home costs in Florida and state regulations. Additionally, we cover your options for buying a tiny house for sale in Florida, whether it be a used home or a new unit from one of our recommended builders.
Overview of Tiny Homes in Florida
Thinking about building or buying a tiny home in Florida is a big decision but is only the first step. Before moving forward and actually purchasing a tiny house for sale in Florida, you should think through a few key questions like, “How much does a tiny home in Florida cost?” Or, “Can I build a tiny house in Florida?” You should also begin to think through decisions about what your wants and needs are for your small square footage house.
Things to Consider When Buying a Tiny House
When planning your tiny home purchase or build, there are a few factors that should guide your search. Some important decisions regarding your home include:
Mobile vs. Fixed - Tiny Homes can either be built on a fully-mobile trailer chassis (marketed as THOWs) or placed on a permanent foundation. Depending on your choice this can affect the building code your home must follow.
Size - Just how “tiny” would you like to go? Homes can vary in size and range from 100+ square feet up to large, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) sized, around 800+ square feet. If you are looking for something slightly larger still, you might want to consider manufactured homes in Florida.
Style - What design type would you like your home to feature? Like site-built houses, different builders specialize in different types of tiny home architecture. And in Florida, that means buyers have access to modern tiny homes, traditional architecture, and even custom tiny houses.
Sunshine State Tiny House Market
As Florida is a growing market for tiny homes, buyers benefit from the fact that it has one in-state builder and is located close to other Southeastern U.S. THOW builders. In total, we have reviewed 31 different tiny house builders that sell homes in Florida. Combined, this accounts for more than 380 floor plans with an average cost range of $279 - $418 per square foot.
Florida Tiny Home Regulations & Building Code
Like many other states, Florida does not have tiny home-specific building codes. So, to determine what you are (and aren’t) allowed to build, you must look at which house type you are looking to build.
Tiny Homes on wheels are considered recreational vehicles and must abide by state RV regulations.
Tiny Houses on a foundation must be built according to Appendix Q building codes. This applies to all homes under 400 square feet (excluding loft space) that are built as dwelling units and are placed on a foundation. Important distinctions include:
Lofts & Living Spaces must have a ceiling height of at least 6’8”
Lofts must have an approved emergency exit hatch
When determining where you can place your Florida tiny house, you must refer to your city or town’s local zoning regulations. It should be noted that many Florida counties have tiny home-friendly legislation allowing them to be placed in most RV parks. This includes parks in cities like Orlando, Tampa, and Sarasota.
Purchasing a Tiny House
Buy an existing home
Depending on your timeline and motivation for buying a home, you have a few options on how and where to buy a house. If you are on a tight timeline or a reduced budget, you might want to consider purchasing a pre-owned tiny house on wheels. There are a few online marketplaces where you can view available listings in your area of Florida.
Or, if you don’t own land and would like to buy a house as part of an existing community, you can look in tiny home communities in Florida like:
Buy a newly built home
If you are looking for a newly built home or would like to personalize/customize elements of your house, then you might want to consider working with a tiny house builder in Florida. Some examples of companies that operate in the Sunshine State include:
Tampa Bay Tiny Homes
Tampa Bay Tiny Homes (St. Petersburg, FL)
Offer 3 models of tiny homes for sale in Florida.
Their houses can be sold as THOWs or placed on a permanent foundation.
Their homes often feature traditional designs often with lofts, granite/butcher block countertops, and wood accents.
Turn-Key cost estimate: $288 - $361+ per sqft.
Example of work: The Burg
Hummingbird Tiny Homes
Hummingbird Tiny Homes (Danville, GA)
Design and build 11 models of tiny homes on wheels.
Home styles include both contemporary and rustic designs.
Their tiny home interiors typically include luxury finishes such as tile murals and upgraded appliances.
Turn-key cost estimate $303 - $414+ per sqft.
Example of work: Violet
Alabama Tiny Homes
Alabama Tiny Homes (Warrior, AL)
Build and sell 5 models of tiny homes on wheels with the option for fully custom designs.
Their houses for sale typically feature modern cabin styles with features like stainless steel appliances and fireplaces.
Turn-key cost estimate $190 - $231+ per sqft.
Example of work: Journey
Financing Your Purchase
Once you decide which home you would like to buy, you must also figure out how you will pay for it. As tiny homes are not classified as homes by most lenders, but rather RVs or manufactured housing, they can not be financed using a standard mortgage. Therefore, if paying all cash is not an option for your project, you might be interested in financing methods such as:
Personal Loans - Specialty lenders like Lightstream and SoFi offer financing options of up to $100,000 for personal loans or tiny home loans.
Company-Backed Financing - Depending on who you work with, some builders may offer in-house financing options for the purchase of a newly built tiny home
Conclusion & Alternative Living Options
Regardless of your motive for choosing to buy a tiny house in Florida, it is not a decision you should make lightly. That being said, Florida has many of the right conditions to make tiny home living a smart choice - favorable building codes, locations to place the home, access to a number of builders, and several lenders to choose from.
However, if after reading our guide, you still would like to explore alternative living options in Floride, check out our resources on: