You Can Buy A Move-In Ready Home On Amazon. Is It Worth Your Money?
House hunters no longer have to rely solely on the real estate market to find their next home. Instead, they can now shop at big-box retailers like Amazon for a move-in ready dwelling. Tiny homes, also called expandable prefabricated houses, are a type of dwelling that is manufactured, transported to the location, and assembled. Prefab tiny houses are often considered to be a quick and cost-effective form of housing. This type of housing model has a variety of benefits, but knowing the pros and cons of Amazon's prefab home is important before adding it to your cart.
The Cozyden 40FT Tiny House can be purchased on Amazon for $17,499. This 800-square-foot residence is made of aluminum and container steel and comes with a kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. The dwelling can be built faster than a traditional home and arrives folded so users can simply expand the walls until the product reaches its full size. Additionally, the product was designed with insulated exterior walls and a roof with flame-retardant foam panels for soundproofing and thermal insulation. In 2024, the average home in the United States costs over $400,000. By comparison, the Amazon house is a steal. This compact home is more cost-effective and still offers most of the functions of an ordinary residence. Living in a tiny house may not be for everyone, but they can offer a great alternative if a traditional home isn't in the budget.
Cons of the Amazon home
There are many benefits to using prefab homes, but there are also several drawbacks that might make you reconsider whether buying a home from Amazon is worth it. Though it's quick and easy to build the Amazon portable house structure, this dwelling still requires land, a foundation, a water source, and a power source before it's fully operable. These additional considerations can lead to more upfront costs beyond just the price of the building. Additionally, there are a few safety considerations if you are located in a place with frequent severe weather conditions. The abode is strong enough to face normal wear and tear, but is not ideal for severe weather. The structure needs to be regularly cleaned to prevent buildup of excess snow and isn't rated for hurricane-force winds, but it can hold up against powerful earthquakes.
According to a YouTube video from the channel Unspeakable, the tiny Amazon home was not a scam, despite the product not having any reviews when it was purchased. The video shares that the home was relatively quick to set up and shows a walkthrough of the living space including the type of furniture that fits inside. Other reviews around purchasing Amazon prefab homes are mixed. Many reviews suggest thoroughly researching the brand and listing details to ensure the product information is accurate and fits your needs before purchasing.