Buyers might think they're seeing double when they lay eyes on two tiny houses for sale in Waynesville, NC. And in a way, they are.
The 420-square-foot houses have identical floor plans, according to listing agent Michelle McElroy. The cheaper model, 597 Rustic Heights Road, is selling for $59,900. The other model, 599 Rustic Heights Road, is listed for $69,900 and comes with an outside deck and an added storage shed, which explains the $10,000 variation in price.
The sellers built the two homes in 2010. After touring the country in an RV, they wanted to put down roots but yearned for a simpler lifestyle than they previously had living in a large home. After constructing 599 Rustic Heights Road, they built the neighboring house as a guest residence.
The homes can be purchased separately or together. McElroy says the second residence is perfect for a buyer who likes the idea of having a guesthouse or an income-generating rental right next door.
McElroy says Waynesville is a popular vacation area, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby. Hayward County, where the homes are located, has the highest mountain elevation in western North Carolina, McElroy says.
The homes are made with hurricane-resistant materials and have 2-by-6 framing, covered front porches, and a ductless heating and cooling system. Unlike the tiny homes on wheels we've seen, these two homes are anchored in place and sit on an acre lot surrounded by mature trees. Each home has its own septic system, and the two homes share a well.
Both belong to a homeowners association, which handles road maintenance and snow removal for a $100 annual fee, McElroy notes.
Inside, the homes have more amenities than a typical tiny house. The kitchens have four-burner stoves and large refrigerators, and the bathrooms have tubs with showers.
"It's not extreme tiny living," McElroy says.