A new tiny home community near Tampa where units under 400 square ft start at $95k is nearly sold out — take a look around

Brittany ChangJul 21, 2023, 16:05 IST

The 33 tiny homes generally ranged between $95,000 to $160,000.Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

Tiny home builder Escape Homes has built a community of its own units in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Of the 33 homes, only one $249,550 property is left for sale.

A tiny home manufacturer's not-so-tiny community could sell out any day now. But there's a catch — the final buyer will be paying almost $250,000 for under 400 square feet.

Tiny homes have been the dark horse darling of the real estate world for a while now as more homeowners continue to seek out accessory dwelling units — also known as ADUs. Demand in the US has been so high, even overseas companies like prefab tiny home maker Nestron are now looking to quickly expand into the American market.

But not everyone wants these backyard tiny homes to use as a guest home, backyard office, or home gym.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

Who better to run a neighborhood of tiny homes than a company that specializes in building them?

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

Now, it's not only building homes — it's also building neighborhoods.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

The Oaks community is located less than five miles from the University of South Florida, 20 miles from the Tampa International Airport, and under an hour's drive from Walt Disney World Resort.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

The Oaks community is located less than five miles from the University of South Florida, 20 miles from the Tampa International Airport, and under an hour's drive from Walt Disney World Resort.

The team began construction on the gated community about a year ago.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

Reservations opened about four months ago.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

Now, there's only one unit left with many interested buyers still on the waitlist, the company said.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

The first few residents moved into their tiny homes in mid-spring and early summer.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

Some are local while others have moved in from states like Oregon and California.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

But they all share one apparent quality: The desire to live in a community where all of the homes are under 400 square feet.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

If it weren't for the square footage, these homes could have the same list of amenities as any suburban dwelling.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

The homes all have wheels to function as certified RVs.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

Like a typical master-planned neighborhood, there are several shared spaces for the residents.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

About 20% of the units are being used as rentals.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

As of now, the only remaining unit is the "N1" on lot 26, a one-off $249,550 build with mid-century modern-inspired sensibilities and a large glass wall overlooking its deck.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

As of now, the only remaining unit is the "N1" on lot 26, a one-off $249,550 build with mid-century modern-inspired sensibilities and a large glass wall overlooking its deck.

Most of the homes were sold between about $95,000 to $160,000.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

About $250,280 for an under 400-square-foot home could be a shocking cost.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

But at this price, Dobrowolski says Escape is "trying to combat" rising rent as more people flood into Tampa Bay and housing becomes more scarce.

Escape Tampa Bay The Oaks

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A new tiny home community near Tampa where units under 400 square ft start at $95k is nearly sold out &mdash; take a look around

But not everyone wants these backyard tiny homes to use as a guest home, backyard office, or home gym.

Who better to run a neighborhood of tiny homes than a company that specializes in building them?

Now, it's not only building homes — it's also building neighborhoods.

The Oaks community is located less than five miles from the University of South Florida, 20 miles from the Tampa International Airport, and under an hour's drive from Walt Disney World Resort.

The team began construction on the gated community about a year ago.

Reservations opened about four months ago.

Now, there's only one unit left with many interested buyers still on the waitlist, the company said.

The first few residents moved into their tiny homes in mid-spring and early summer.

Some are local while others have moved in from states like Oregon and California.

But they all share one apparent quality: The desire to live in a community where all of the homes are under 400 square feet.

If it weren't for the square footage, these homes could have the same list of amenities as any suburban dwelling.

The homes all have wheels to function as certified RVs.

Like a typical master-planned neighborhood, there are several shared spaces for the residents.

About 20% of the units are being used as rentals.

As of now, the only remaining unit is the "N1" on lot 26, a one-off $249,550 build with mid-century modern-inspired sensibilities and a large glass wall overlooking its deck.

Most of the homes were sold between about $95,000 to $160,000.

About $250,280 for an under 400-square-foot home could be a shocking cost.

But at this price, Dobrowolski says Escape is "trying to combat" rising rent as more people flood into Tampa Bay and housing becomes more scarce.

A new tiny home community near Tampa where units under 400 square ft start at $95k is nearly sold out — take a look around