BUYING a home can seem like a long-off goal in this economy at times – but AliExpress claims to have the solution.
The online retailer is selling a tiny home for just £5,392 and it comes with two bedrooms and living space.
AliExpress is selling a granny flat for just £5,000[/caption]
The home has two bedrooms, a bathroom and living space[/caption]
You can customise the interior and exterior to suit your preferences[/caption]
If you are looking for separate living quarters for guests or relatives, it could be an inexpensive way of having an extra home.
It could also be a way of getting some extra cash if you rent it out.
The home is 20ft and has 2.4metre ceilings, making it a snug and cosy living space.
Thankfully comes with free shipping from China, with an estimated delivery time of a couple of months.
According to the AliExpress description, the product is shipped “door to door” and comes via sea.
You can also customise the look of the home, with different colours and designs available.
This means you can choose from a number of exteriors, from white to black or brown.
If you aren’t happy with your home when it comes, it is eligible for returns and refunds, within the designated order protection period.
If you are looking for a slightly larger home, there are other sizes available too.
This includes a 30ft home for £7,889 and a 40ft home for £8,940.
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, more and more adults are struggling to get on the property ladder and are choosing to live in their family home for longer.
The 2021 census revealed that over half of people aged 23 and under still live with their parents.
The average price of a house in the UK was £285,000 as of March 2023, and this rises to a whopping £735,254, which is completely unaffordable for many.
Moreover, research from the Resolution Foundation found that the average first time buyer deposit tripled from 5 per cent of the property price in 1989 to 15 per cent in 2019.
This means that buyers have to save for far longer and use up a larger percentage of their earnings to get on the property ladder.
The AliExpress pad could be a snug first home[/caption]
Recent research by property site Zoopla found that 42 per cent of adults under 40 who do not already own homes have given up, due to the astronomical cost of buying a property.
This included 38 per cent of people earning over £60,000 (almost double the average salary for the UK).
While this tiny home may not be as long-lasting as a bricks and mortar home, it could prove to be the perfect solution for those struggling to get on the property ladder.
You can customise the kitchen inside the home[/caption]
Tiny homes have boomed in popularity over the past decade, mainly down to affordability and sustainability reasons, and the desire for minimalist living.
Millennials and Generation X are the primary adopters of tiny homes, with the majority of tiny home dwellers being between 30 and 50 years old.
While tiny homes offer an alternative living solution, they must comply with local planning and building regulations.
Always check with your local council to ensure compliance with all regulations.
Why I could never live in a tiny home
Tiny homes are getting increasingly popular in the UK, especially in the cost of living crisis when first-time buyers are struggling to get on the property ladder or current homeowners are having to pay ridiculous interest rates on mortgages.
But Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor, has shared why living in a tiny home would be her idea of a nightmare.
“I’m currently in the process of selling my flat and buying a house, and as I pack up all my belongings, I’m worried where it is all going to go – there is so much stuff!
Fortunately, I’m very privileged to be buying a house with more square feet than my current flat.
But it got me wondering, could I ever live in a small space? And the answer is no.
- Less personal space
Living with another person immediately cuts down on personal space, but remove several rooms, and I’d be left with only the bathroom as my sanctuary. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope!
- Less storage space
I’m like a magpie, I like collecting pretty things, and I like my belongings to be organised. With limited storage space, I’d find it really hard to keep everything neat and tidy.
- Can’t play host
One of the joys of being an independent adult is being able to host – friends, family, overnight stays, and dinner parties. Where would I gather everyone for a Sunday lunch if my table only sat two? Not to mention, how would I cook a Sunday lunch?
- No room to grow
Both as an individual, as part of a couple and also my hobbies, can be restricted by physical space. When I first moved into my flat, I was overjoyed at having my own balcony, and it has been a space where my love for gardening has grown. Five years on, my balcony is now overflowing with plants, and I’ve had to set up a mini propagator in the living room!
