Monday Market Update: Alternative Housing Types

July is here, America’s birthday has been celebrated and the 2^nd half of 2024 is unfolding with a Silicon Valley heat wave. As you attempt to stay cool, we wanted to share some fresh and fun home styles you may not be familiar with. Our blog has covered alternative housing types and unique lifestyles before, with topics such as tiny homes, barndamoniums and even RV living. This week, we have 3 more to explore – houseboats, prefab homes & 3D printed residences!

Realtor.com | Ready To Trade Your Home for a Hull? The Truth About Living on a Houseboat

A just published read from Realtor.com® explores the ins and outs of waterfront living. Houseboat living can be affordable depending on the community, but what you lack in property taxes might be made up by marina fees and regulations. Benefits include having nature all around and living a sense of adventure every day. The downsides can be minimal storage and living space, more difficult to achieve financing and limited electrical capacity.

Elemental Green | 18 Inexpensive Sustainable Homes Almost Anyone Can Afford

The housing shortage is real and prefabricated homes offer a time sensitive AND cost-effective solution! Elemental Green has recently updated their review of affordable, prefab homes and cites a lower cost per square foot, a shorter construction time and largely decreased permit process as serious benefits. With many plans available from top designers, you may be able to access a high-quality design at a much lower price point than a traditional new build or existing home purchase. Proponents also cite less waste and higher energy efficiency; please note that where you can put a prefab home and how it will impact nearby home values must be carefully considered.

CNN Style | ‘When can I have one?’: The world’s largest 3D printer is building cozy homes from wood

Did you know there is a home style that can address the housing inventory crisis and the labor shortage? 3D printing has been used to create schools in war zones, bridges, religious buildings – and now entire neighborhoods. The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) unveiled the world’s largest polymer 3D printer last month. Executive Director Habib Dagher has said that “…the printer won’t displace traditional home construction, but in the future 3D printed homes are likely to comprise a larger share of the world’s housing stock. The #1 biggest issue: “It takes years for [building] codes to change.”

We hope these non-traditional housing types have added some intrigue and inspiration to your summer! Thinking outside the box can often lead you to where you want to be, just not in the way you planned!

All our best,

Bobbi

Bobbi Decker
DRE#00607999

Broker Associate, Bobbi Decker & Associates
650.346.5352 cell
650.577.3127 efax
www.bobbidecker.com
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Bobbi Decker & Associates fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. For more information, please visit: http://portal.hud.gov/