From prefab home dream to RV desperation in in-laws’ yard: “It will be great to live without a mortgage”
Living in a cramped RV for over a year, a Washington family hopes their prefab tiny home brings freedom and space.
In April 2024, a couple sold their 4,000-square-foot house in the small town of Concrete, Washington. After the sale, they moved with their teenage son and several pets into a 23-foot RV on her parents’ land. The goal was to escape the burden of a mortgage and live closer to her aging parents to help them as they get older.
A tiny home dream delayed
The proceeds from the home sale were earmarked for building an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, on a lot in Arlington. The plan was to create a modest, mortgage-free home. Initially, the family expected to live in the RV only temporarily, but the project has dragged on for more than 16 months.
Buying the prefab home, a three-bedroom, two-bath unit within the 1,200-square-foot limit allowed for this type of construction, was the easiest step. Since then, they have faced a mountain of red tape: permits, wetland studies, well inspections, septic system design, and numerous inspections.
Unexpected obstacles
One major setback came when a previously unknown wetland was discovered on the property, forcing project modifications and delaying permits. Meanwhile, the family continued to live in the cramped RV, where the limited space has caused discomfort and tension. Life has been especially challenging with three dogs and an iguana, leaving little room for even basic daily activities.
By late June, the prefab home was delivered and placed on concrete blocks. Work is still ongoing for electrical, plumbing, septic systems, and interior finishing. After investing more than $275,000, the family remains hopeful that their efforts will pay off and that their long chapter in the RV will finally come to an end.
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