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Tiny Homes Fad Reaches Northwest Arkansas

ROGERS (KFSM) — Some homeowners are going small to save big. A trend to minimize belongings and get down to bare essentials while saving some serious mone...

ROGERS (KFSM) -- Some homeowners are going small to save big.

A trend to minimize belongings and get down to bare essentials while saving some serious money has made its way to Northwest Arkansas.  You may have seen a show or two on HGTV or FYI, people leaving their 3,000-square-foot homes for a much smaller space.

One Northwest Arkansas woman is serious about downsizing in every way. She has a tiny car, two tiny dogs and a tiny house. Shirley Manchant was the first resident to move into the first tiny home development in Rogers.

“It takes some planning and re-planning in your house, but when you almost get it like how you want, you are very pleased.” Shirley said.

Shirley and her two chihuahua's are comfortably living in their new cabin-themed 400-square-foot home.

Just how do you fit your entire life into a home six times small than the average American home?

“You have to go vertical when you’re in a tiny house, you have to plan vertically because you don’t have a lot of space," Shirley said.

Shirley used some smart planning to maximize her space, like linging the top of her kitchen cabinets with some of her favorite collectibles.

With six times less space, there's a price tag to match. According the U.S. 2010 Census, the median price for a new home is roughly $221,000, but a turnkey tiny home costs anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000.

Dave Gallo, owner of the tiny house community Eagles Homes on Olive said that once someone takes a tour, it's hard for them to pass up on the deal.

Helpful links:

click here to join the Tiny Homes of Northwest Arkansas Facebook page

Rogers Tiny Home community 

 

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