A 23-year-old man from Los Angeles is showcasing the unique possibilities of unconventional housing, purchasing a flat-pack tiny home from Amazon that he plans to transform into an Airbnb rental.
The prefabricated buildings that have been dubbed the "Amazon House" have gained traction following viral videos of content creators who have purchased their very own prefabricated unit or accessory dwelling units (ADU).
The buildings, priced at $38,999 but available for as low as $20,000, have captured millions of views online, underscoring the appeal as an affordable housing solution amid soaring real-estate prices nationwide.
"I purchased this home because I thought it was different and not a lot of people have purchased this—especially young people," Jeffrey Bryant told Newsweek. "When they get a lot of money, they tend to do crazy stuff with their money. After taxes, it came up to $26,000."
Once it arrived, it took five men only around 20 minutes to put the house together. It includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and the ability to hook up plumbing and electric throughout.
Bryant quickly started to see the 19-feet-by-20-feet unit as an investment opportunity. Undeterred by the size of the home, he plans to list it as a vacation rental, taking advantage of a demand for unique accommodation in the Orange County area.
"I have decided to turn it over into an Airbnb, most likely in the Orange County area. I'm trying by the end of the month for everything to be ready," Bryant said.
Growing popularity of ADU reflects a requirement for more-affordable living space. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently reported that home affordability has remained at its lowest level in more than 10 years, while mortgage rates hit a two-decade high in October 2023.
Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather previously told Newsweek that he sees compact dwellings like Bryant's as potential tools for increasing housing stock and promoting affordability. "Tiny homes and ADUs that add density to an area can help make neighborhoods more affordable to people who may otherwise be priced out," Fairweather said.
'Invest in Yourself'
Bryant said that he is still deliberating on the rates for his unique Airbnb rental, but added that he hopes sharing his journey will show others how feasible the idea is.
"I don't know how much I'm going to charge yet," he said. "What inspired me to do this is to show all the young people that stuff like this is possible. Invest in yourself."
In response to his plan to make the small home an Airbnb, people on TikTok shared their thoughts and suggestions for the dwelling.
"You can rent it out to some nail techs or a brow specialist," wrote viewer Marlene, while TikTok user Shontae posted: "Very smart decision, that will bring in realtor income. I see this going very far you!"
The next step for Bryant is to obtain the right permits to buy land to place his unit, which is being stored for a weekly fee.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
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