Comments on: David Sarti’s 800 square feet in Seattle

By: pballer

pballer — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:08:46 +0000

People who say this is expensive do not live in areas of the country or world that have high real estate prices.

in teh SF bay area for example in the city of berkeley they are selling 500 sq foot condos for $350,000.

If there are high paying jobs and a nice climate like the west coast, you can not relate to the prices coming frmo denver or the midwest.

By: David

David — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:52:21 +0000

Wow, thats a lot of money, 180k for a 800sq home, it makes no since. Have u seen tha 100k home? I. Live in denver where u can get a bangalow around 80210-80209 for 200k or more of 800sq, rather have a bangalow

By: Kimdane

Kimdane — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:31:18 +0000

Well said; this “Tiny Home” movement is gaining considerable steam and coupled with the “off the grid” folks it’s very exciting and I am researching now as part of my final paper for my MBA on the best economical design that would incorporate Solar/wind, minimalist design. It has been quite difficult to come up with a design that could house two people comfortable for under $50K. However, the buyer would have to do some of the labor. I’d be grateful for any advice – The goal of my project: To produce a home under 800 sq ft for $50k with at least 300watt Solar and/or wind energy, rain water collection/grey water system. Your input will be given recognition in the footnotes of the research paper. Please send any links and resources.

By: Kimdane

Kimdane — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:30:43 +0000

By: WIll

WIll — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:06:41 +0000

Great design! I am currently looking at building a house in central london on a plot about the same size if not a bit smaller. Watch out for my design in years to come! I expect to pay approximately £150-£200k (or about $300 psf) for the build with a total value following completion to be about £400k.

For those who say this is not affordable or realistic – I say come to London and check out the ridiculous cost of housing! There will be no outdoors space as there is no room on the plot for it (or perhaps space for a small patio in a weird nook!).

By: SHS

SHS — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:40:56 +0000

We’d love to hear more about your house on the Big Island. Please share!

http://www.smallhousestyle.com/2010/02/17/calling-small-house-dwellers/

By: island time

island time — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:55:55 +0000

I bought a lot on the Big Island of Hawaii and built a small 1,000 sq ft house for a lot less than he spent on that square box in someone’s backyard! I’m out doorsy as someone suggested of people who like small houses. I would rather be outside than inside! It’s beautiful and fresh out there! His $200 a sq ft is ridiculous! That can get a whole lot more in a better place!

By: Clay MacInnes

Clay MacInnes — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:41:08 +0000

Stephanie, I think you miss the point here. No one can argue that the vast majority of the small house community are the more outdoorsy type. Most people are looking to go rural to built tiny, off-the-grid homes. You have to realize that your vision of the tiny home (and admittedly the vision of most people in the tiny home movement) isn’t going to match everyone else’s.

Believe me for where he built $210,000 total is a steal for a new single family home. Most people envision buying a $20,000 lot (if that) out in the sticks and putting a $20,000-$40,000 house on it, but that’s not going to work for everyone. Seattle has amazing public transit. Building a house like that could eliminate one’s need for a car altogether. There are always trade-offs; rural and cheap with a huge commute if you work in the city or urban and comparatively more expensive (yet extremely cheap for the location) with little to no commute. I, personally, happen to also be part of the latter group.

I applaud Mr. Sarti for doing the most with what he had. Not everyone wants a super dense home especially when living in a rather dense urban area. Open spaces and soaring ceilings are perfect in just that scenario. I can’t say I would have done the same thing, but I now find myself purchasing an urban in-fill lot and looking at his design very closely.

He didn’t miss the point of small home living, he’s just coming at it from a different angle. Sparse rather than condensed. Cavernous rather than confined. Minimalism rather than having every square inch of the house “do” something.

He’s done a good deal toward getting exposure for small house living whether you like his place or not and his home represents an evolution of the small home for urban areas where they will undoubtedly become a more frequent occurrence.

By: Stephanie Anders

Stephanie Anders — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:41:52 +0000

Since when is $215,000 for a house affordable? What planet does he live on? And why would you build something with no land around it? Why would you build in a style that is out of place with the rest of the neighborhood? Where are the local building/zoning laws that lets him build up to the property line?

I also don’t care for the wasted space throughout. What does it cost to heat/cool the house?

I think the owner has clearly missed the point of small house living.

By: Nilan

Nilan — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:31:04 +0000

I saw your house is on the your web site, looks really cool. i would appricate if you could send me the layout of this house.

Nilan
Sri Lanka