The Housing Trend That's Completely Taking Over Texas

Home trends come and go as tastes change, but one real estate trend that's popping up in Texas has people talking. And unlike most things in the Lone Star state, it's not big, but quite small: tiny homes. Texas is one of the best states for tiny house living thanks to its widespread acceptance. The state doesn't have statewide bans on tiny living, and its construction codes are flexible. Some areas of Texas even have large concentrations of tiny homes, and growing interest will only add more to the population.

Tiny homes are described as dwellings of 400 square feet or less, as listed in the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix Q, which many areas in Texas use. In some Texas counties, there's still a requirement of 600 to 1,200 square feet, so true tiny homes aren't permitted. Overall, however, the state is very receptive to tiny homes, with some areas adopting ordinances to encourage them. The fastest-growing city in America, Princeton, had such a fervor around tiny homes that it declared a moratorium in 2024, but the interest is still high, with 80 in process. Another Texas town, Spur, even declared itself tiny home-friendly in 2014, welcoming new residents to help grow the area. Spur welcomes tiny homes built on a foundation, not wheels, specifying they must measure less than 900 square feet. Even if a municipality hasn't declared its wishes for tiny homes, you can look throughout Texas to see areas with lively communities dedicated to the lifestyle.

A growing housing shortage may drive some interest in tiny dwelling, either as a personal home or rental property. Affordable land plus the ability to customize a home to exact specifications can make a difference, especially considering the average price of homes in some areas of Texas. Multiple builders now specialize in specifically tiny homes, creating both model homes and one-of-a-kind open and airy tiny home builds. They're so popular because the state adopted Appendix Q, and rural areas offer plenty of land with little regulation.

Tiny home villages and communities flourish in Texas, creating a sense of community and educating others about the benefits of going tiny. The state features one of the highest amounts of tiny home villages in the United States, with more than 13 established spots for full-time tiny dwellers. Austin, a popular city to rent in, now features four tiny home villages for residential co-living. They foster a sense of belonging with village activities, amenities, and offerings, such as dog parks and community gardens. People flock to tiny homes for a variety of reasons. They may desire a mortgage-free life, want to reduce their carbon footprint, or just enjoy reduced expenses. Whatever the reason they go tiny, they're finding quite a big welcome in the Lone Star state.