We have a tendency to focus on extremes. We’re either writing about how American homes are super-duper big or we’re pointing to some 86 sq ft Parisian flat. We don’t tend to look in the middle: homes that are neither super big nor super small. Yet for most of, that’s exactly the type of home that strikes the best balance between efficiency, economics, sustainability and comfort. The home of Portland couple Lily Copenagle and Jamie Kennel is a fine example of such a home. At 704 sq ft, it is far from tiny (at least by our standards), but it’s hardly a heifer either. It’s just about the right size for two.
The place was purpose-built to be affordable, sustainable and easy-to-maintain. The project began as a $190K dump, which was promptly demolished. With this blank slate, they set about meeting a few of their criteria: it had to have high ceilings and feel open and spacious, it had to be single story to accommodate their frail dog and they had to be able to vacuum the place in five minute without unplugging the cord (a great objective in our opinion).
They started building the home with a contractor, but eventually opted to do a bunch of the work themselves. The NY Times reported that they spent about $135K to build the place out, which included materials, real estate and contractor fees. They reckon that they also put in approximately $50K worth of their own time. Some of the expense was offset by $9K worth of grants for installing a green roof and a rain catchment system. Roughly $316K or $369K, depending on whether you include their time–not much for two gainfully employed adults. Since completing the home in 2012, their mortgage is about paid off and they now pay $370/month for property taxes, utilities, municipal services and insurance.
The Times spoke to their 65 year old neighbor, who remarked that “On weekends, they [Copenagle and Kennel] actually go places and do things. They’re not tied to the projects most of us are tied to. I’m so charmed by the simplicity of it.” But she also said the charm has its limits. She said she couldn’t imagine sharing a closet with her husband like Copenagle does with hers.
While this might be extrapolating a bit, the neighbor’s comment strikes us as a poignant one. It shows how people are sometimes willing to trade financial freedom and a home that’s incredibly easy to live with and maintain for extra closet space. Doesn’t strike us a fair trade.
Via NY Times