I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how messy the real estate market feels right now. According to Bankrate, the average home price in the United States hovers around $387,600. This means buyers would need to earn around $106,000 per year, have $50,000 for a down payment, And holding $500 or less in monthly debt payments to afford, you know, a roof over their head that they call their own.
Well, the average annual income for Americans is around $59,000, and many live below that amount, making housing impossible.
So you can imagine people’s surprise when a video from YouTuber Unspeakable was posted and inevitably shared en masse online, racking up at least 13.6 million views on YouTube and Twitter.
And what could such a video entail, you ask?
In the now-viral clip, Unspeakable unboxes a tiny house purchased through Amazon.
YouTube: Unnamable / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @Agojie_
Yes, Amazon sells prefabricated mobile homes. This 19-by-20-foot space is equipped with a bathroom, shower, and built-in kitchen cabinets – just hire an electrician for all the standard wiring.
All of this costs $19,999. And, as of this writing, the price has just dropped to $18,999 with an additional $1,000 off coupon for Prime members.
If you’re wondering how houses work, Unspeakable offers a step-by-step view of the process.
When unpacked, the house is delivered folded on itself.
So you may need a small group of people to help you unfold your walls, ceilings and floors.
But eventually…
…after a little elbow grease…
…you will have your own place!
Furniture is not included with purchase, but you can customize the venue to suit your aesthetic.
There is enough space for a bedroom…
…living room…
…and the kitchen.
Reactions at home were wide-ranging online. Some, like this user, said, “This is about the only house I’ll ever be able to afford.” »
YouTube: Unnamable / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @Listenerbell_
In a similar vein (but perhaps with a glass-half-full mentality), others have said that housing prices are tempting in this economy.
It’s tempting, right?? The way this country’s real estate market is going to hell…this could be an option
– Zoulou.1920 (@Agojie_) January 23, 2024
Meanwhile, others pointed to the record number of homelessness in America and how tiny prefabricated homes could be a solution.
YouTube: Unnamable / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @KammyTaughtYou
As it stands, states like California — which has the largest population of unhoused people in the U.S. — would need $8.1 billion a year over the next 12 years to solve the problem , according to a study published in Bloomberg.
This figure takes into account the construction of 112,000 apartments each year, but does not take into account these Amazon homes. Would that make a difference?
YouTube: Unnamable / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @LeArielleSimone
Either way, the more affordable price of tiny homes proves, in the minds of some users, that a little money from the pockets of those with billions could change lives.
YouTube: Unnamable / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @thunderthize
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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