https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:33:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1279513 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 11:14:20 +0000 LalaYes 1279513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think buying in a neighborhood you like is important. Hubby and I were ready for house number two and we picked to buy something smaller in a better neighborhood, but it's still bigger than our first home.</p> <p>I am super pro-buying a house. If you want to stay in the area where you live, buying is definitely they way to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1279065 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 09:17:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1279065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lokki: Sounds like you have really thought about a lot!</p> <p>I would think about your necessities list. Things like a vacuum cleaner, broom, mop, where would those be stored. If you have christmas decorations, could you store and put those up? What if you wanted to have friends over for dinner? Is there enough counter space for a coffee maker or is there storage for one in a cabinet. </p> <p>I agree that I would rather have 700 well laid out sq feet then get 800 bad layout </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1279051 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 09:12:16 +0000 LovelyPlum 1279051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lokki: Well if you technically do have a second bedroom, that is a plus. Also, if they updated the listing, maybe that means they haven't gotten many offers, and you might be able to get a good deal. Ultimately, you have to go with your gut, but it could be a good experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1278977 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 08:50:32 +0000 skipra 1278977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't vote because its really a personal decision. We bought our first house which was just under 700 sq ft and loved it. It was 2 br and no dining room and without much yard. It did have a large unfinished basement for laundry and storage and that was probably the only reason it did work. I'll be honest that it was tough once DS was born. With a place so small we had to be really quiet when he was sleeping. Couldn't do the dishes or flush the toilet, etc because his room was right off the kitchen and bathroom. Company after 7pm became unheard of and having overnight guests was really tough. We were definitely able to make it work though and would have stayed there longer if I hadn't gotten pregnant again. No way it would work with 2 kids. I think if you're willing to deal with the drawbacks it can be worthwhile. Our mortgage and utilities were so affordable and we were able to save quite a bit of money so I could stay home with DS. That alone made it worth it for me. I will never regret buying our first small house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1278700 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 00:41:10 +0000 dolphin 1278700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rattles: that is exactly my situation now! Haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1278696 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 00:38:33 +0000 dolphin 1278696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I vote no. I think you will outgrow the space sooner than you think, especially with a kid. We live in a 800 sq one bedroom and we are looking for bigger house. It was manageable in the beginning but now that DD is more mobile we are desperate for more space! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1278654 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 23:53:20 +0000 lokki 1278654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The real estate listing was updated to list a 2 bedroom 1 bath. It is a very small and rectangular second bedroom, but LO could have a seperate bedroom, and there is a small front and back fenced yard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1278602 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 23:15:06 +0000 lokki 1278602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow I can't believe how many great, thoughtful comments you ladies have left! </p> <p>I still need to talk to DH, but I think I will show him this thread. </p> <p>We would buy with the assumption we would rent, not resell. The rental market for downtown is very strong, and the monthly even with property taxes and insurance is very close to what we could recoup. With a rental the tax deductions for any maintenance etc, would likley be a huge plus. </p> <p>The space is really well laid out, so I really question whether even at its small sq footage whether it really would be better to add a hundred square feet if it wasn't so well laid out. </p> <p>There are two fairly decent sized closets, and room in the master for a "wall closet," e.g. built in space along one wall where we could put additional clothes-hanging and dresser space. </p> <p>The seperate laundry room seems like such a luxury and has room that if we did a stackable washer dryer we could build a small closet or add shelving. </p> <p>I actually wonder if the sq footage does not include the back porch since it doesn't seem as small as 800 sq feet. It has been really cold here so if we decide to move forward I want to go see how much cooler the back is, but I know the last tenants used it as a child's bedroom so I think it must be warm enough, but we would have to check that. </p> <p>The second bedroom is too narrow for anything but a twin bed, so DH and I could not give the master over to kids unless we put a bed in the dining alcove (would have to measure but might just fit). </p> <p>I don't know if we could build vertically--the city has set back restrctions that they typically only waive if you apply for a variance and to have the best chance of approval you typically want to add parking (which I don't think there is room for even with a curb cut and front lawn usage). Also, the home is older and likley would need a reinforced foundation/walls, and adding up as opposed to out can cost three times as much. </p> <p>We could likely add a small entry way which would add storage and a bit of extra space. </p> <p>Lots to think about. With interest rates going up I could easily see a situation where there is downward pressure on prices, but that with the higher interest rate our monthly expense would remain the same as a lower price/higher rate scenerio. While this would hurt our resale chances, it would mean our rental prospects would remain unchanged. </p> <p>I think the biggest reason to say no at this point is the fact that we would have to part with a sizeable chunk of change for our down payment and closing costs, and would reduce our savings cushion to 10k. Any other thoughts? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1276353 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 12:37:49 +0000 looch 1276353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you build vertically? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home/page/2#post-1276013 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 11:21:12 +0000 rattles 1276013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We owned a 1br/1ba 750 sq. ft. home and made it work until LO was mobile. I definitely think you can do it if you want, but the two things we had issues with once LO was out of the newborn stage were sleep and baby proofing. Our LO was a terrible sleeper, and once she could sit up and see us, she wouldn't put herself to sleep during midnight wakings. Also, once she was mobile, it was hard to give her adequate play space because it was hard to baby proof everything. In that small of a space, every square foot is strategically used for storage or function. I had a hard time figuring out how to keep things out of her reach or give her room to roam/explore. I loved our location and our home, but the questions I would suggest considering are: 1) Would there be a way to have a separate sleep space for a potential LO? 2) Would there be safe/adequate play area for an LO (so would there be storage for everything you need out of reach)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275861 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:45:40 +0000 plantains 1275861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm, even though I grew up in London, now live in NYC and am very accustomed to living in small spaces, my vote is no on this one. I wouldn't do it. DH and I used to live in 370sq ft apartment when we first moved in together. Then we moved into a 670sq ft 1bd, 1 bath apt when I got preganant and we all lived there with DD until she was about 10 months old. By the end of our stay there, we had given her the bedroom and we were dragging our mattress out into the living room every night. It was so incredibly unsettled and the only reason we were able to do it was because we knew it was temporary.</p> <p>We now have 2 actual bedrooms and it is a game changer. I would happily have up to 3 kids in our current apt with no problem. I don't believe you need a huge amount of space or stuff, but I do think that 2 actual bedrooms is critical for the sanity of everyone and the health of your marriage. It is one thing to rent a 1 bdr short term to save some money, but quite another to buy one - especially such a small one - with the intention of having two kids there.</p> <p>It puts an extraordinary amount of pressure on what can already be a trying time in a young marriage. For us, it was great sleeping in the same room with DD, but as time went on, we realised that in order for us to have any kind of spontaneity in our sex life, and for her to get truly restful sleep, we needed seperate sleeping quarters. That is my two cents, it sounds like an incredibly risky purchase, and I wouldn't be comfortable having to cover closing costs etc knowing full well that I would need to sell in 3-4 years. The timeline is just way too short. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275749 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:19:41 +0000 LovelyPlum 1275749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>PS: I also agree with @Greentea: I think your answer is in your post :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275743 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:17:06 +0000 LovelyPlum 1275743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in 725 sq. feet, and I think it's very do-able, especially with the right vision, the right furniture, and the right attitude. We don't have a lot of storage, but we are renting a climate controlled storage locker for all of the stuff that we don't want to get rid of but don't need on a daily basis (decorations, off-season clothes, etc). If the layout is great and the kitchen/bathroom are nice, I would be inclined to seriously consider it! Having outside space in walking distance makes a huge difference, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275733 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:14:17 +0000 bunnylove08 1275733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I vote yes, living in NYC you get use to small spaces. DH and I are currently looking for a 1 br and planning on converting the dining area into a bedroom for LO. You could do the same and you're in your dream neighborhood. You can always sell the house when you feel its getting too small and then use the money to upgrade to a bigger house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275692 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:04:22 +0000 Greentea 1275692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go for it. Small space is not so much a problem in a neighborhood you love and the layout makes all the difference.</p> <p>We are in 765 but the layout makes the place infinitely better than our last place that was 1000. I want to but that place FOR you. Quality not quantity. Listen to your intuition. I think your answer is in your post :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275682 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:01:59 +0000 LuLu Mom 1275682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While it sounds nice, I know how much stuff you accomulate with a child and I think it would just be too tight and uncomfortable, and I can't imagine 2 children in a 1 bed/bath house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275633 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:52:56 +0000 Dandelion 1275633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh wow...and here I am, looking at a 1500 sq ft home and wondering if it'll be big enough, lol.</p> <p>But, if it suits your needs, then go for it...if your husband is on board. But, you both have to love a place to enjoy it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275609 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:48:13 +0000 MamaMoose 1275609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, we could never make this work. We are busting out of our 1900 sq ft 3bedroom/2.5 bath house with one child. I also think resale would be REALLY tough on such a tiny house, and given that you will eventually outgrow it you are putting yourself in a very sticky situation where you may have to take a loss on selling the house in 5 years because you now have 2 kids and it's impossible to stay there so you have to sell even if the real estate market sucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275568 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:36:58 +0000 MsLipGloss 1275568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I imagine the dishwasher could be achieved, but at the cost of cabinet space . . . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275562 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:35:42 +0000 pui 1275562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, I'd buy a slightly bigger house (like with 2 actual bedrooms) in a slightly less expensive area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275551 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:32:48 +0000 chibee 1275551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say go for it - it would be a cinch to furnish &amp; to clean the entire house, which I am very jealous about! My house isn't much bigger at 1200 sqft but i hate cleaning it and it'll be forever until i have it furnished just the way i like it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275538 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:28:36 +0000 mamimami 1275538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like a great opportunity to me. I say go for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275531 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:26:55 +0000 ShootingStar 1275531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I absolutely would not buy that house. It's one thing to rent in a space like that and see if it works. But it's a whole other ball of was to BUY a house that small for an expanding family. </p> <p>I say this because I bought a townhouse right before my husband and I got together. We now have a son and I feel like our house is bursting at the seams. I would love to sell it, but sale prices have been fairly flat in our neighborhood for years and it'll be another 2 years before we're not underwater. There's no way I could've know at the time that my situation would change so much in 3 years, but had I known what was going to happen, this isn't the house I would've chosen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275440 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:52:35 +0000 littlek 1275440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with a lot of the PP. I think it could be "doable" but very tight quarters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275406 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:28:18 +0000 MsLipGloss 1275406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be tough with two people, let alone adding a child into the mix . . . especially if you don't already have one and don't quite have a handle on the footprint a child will make. For me, this would fall into the category of doable only if absolutely necessary . . . otherwise, I would sit tight and keep an eye out for other options. Becoming new parents is hard enough without trying to figure out how to make it all work in 600 sq ft. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275400 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:26:13 +0000 Reese 1275400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Although I think you *could* make that small of a space work..I would be very concerned about resale. I couldn't do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275397 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:23:42 +0000 mediagirl 1275397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's really small. I was going to ask about the potential for adding on but it sounds like the lot is small, too. I guess it depends on your future plans. What happens if lo #2 or 3 comes along? Would the house appreciate enough in value to let you get into another house in the same neighborhood, that might be a little more, plus a little bigger, in 5 years? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275395 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:23:16 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1275395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go for it! Living simply in a small space is totally doable. Sounds like you all would really enjoy the great outdoors and your neighborhood frequently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275382 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 08:03:18 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1275382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely see the pro side of this -- two blocks from the beach?! Awesome!</p> <p>I like to think about the what ifs and how they might affect us long term. My parents bought their first house with the intention of moving after I came along, but three kids and 15 years later we finally moved! When we were looking for our first home, we bought with that thought process in mind.. Our home is a good "for now" home but also something we could live in for 10+ years if it came down to it. </p> <p>600sqft is small. Our first apartment was around 800sqft and I constantly felt like we were tripping over one another, not to mention the lack of storage made keeping organized nearly impossible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-super-small-home#post-1275371 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 07:51:15 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1275371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I vote go for it because if its a well laid out 600 sq feet then it can be done. Make sure there is lots of good storage (what about an attic)? </p> <p>If you had a LO, how well inclosed is the sun room? Or could you guys make it the "master" and give the baby/kids the real bedroom. </p> <p>You mentioned needing to add a dishwasher, is there space in the kitchen for one? </p>