A TINY home village is offering monthly rent for just $450, and new tenants have started to fill up the space fast.
Except, a crucial criterion must be met for prospective renters, and there’s a thorough interview process.
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These measures were important for the founder of The Bird’s Nest, Robyn Yerian, 70, back when the village first began in 2022, according to what she told Realtor.com.
For two years before creating it, Yerian had been living in two-bedroom tiny home valued at $57,000.
As she approached retirement, the innovative Texas resident began to search for ways to create passive income to supplement it.
This led her to create her very own tiny home community that quickly became The Bird’s Nest on a plot of land she bought with funds from her 401(k) investment account.
“I had the starting point as Dallas and just started to expand from there, looking for unincorporated land that I could afford,” Yerian explained.
She found her place on five acres of land about 65 miles northeast of Dallas in Cumby.
BUILD IT OUT
After purchasing it for $35,000, Yerian invested another $150,000 to develop it.
“That includes septic, electric, and water — excavating the land, and paving the road,” the 70-year-old said.
Yerian also had the property zoned as an RV/motorhome park, something she said was the most difficult part of the process.
“Getting zoning was the hardest part, since most counties do not want RV parks,” she noted.
Still, it worked out, and Yerian later put in 14 concrete pads at 10 by 30 feet, renting them out for $450 per month.
Except, the renters at The Bird’s Nest who take up a space must be women — a move to create a safe, affordable, and empowering community.
Currently, 11 women live at The Bird’s Nest with their own tiny homes that they brought in, and one opening space remains.
Yerian said that 500 women are currently vying for it, and some will even have to fly out to the community as part of the interview process.
What is a tiny home?
Technically, a tiny home is any house measuring under 400 square feet.
Many tiny homes are built on trailers so they can be towed anywhere, and some are converted from old school buses or vans.
Each state has its own rules about tiny homes, but, generally, they are not subject to the same taxes as regular homes.
However, Alaska, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have made tiny homes illegal as permanent dwellings.
“In order to be considered here, you must meet me and the rest of the residents in person,” she explained.
The Bird’s Nest puts an emphasis on community, and Yerian wants to ensure a new tenant will appreciate and continue to foster that safe and supportive environment.
“We drive each other to doctor’s appointments if needed,” she continued.
“We look in on each other if someone has the flu or surgery. We are each other’s therapists and sounding board.”
Even maintenance and improvements are completed through the tenants most of the time, according to Yerian.
She has even hosted several sessions to teach the fellow tenants more about power tools and table saws.
There’s also an outdoor community kitchen where everyone often dines together.
SETTING AN EXAMPLE
The Bird’s Nest has developed into a living space that helps women find financial independence and a tight knit family, something that Yerian hopes extends beyond just her tiny home village.
“I have encouraged others to just go for it,” she said.
“Quit saving that little bit of money and invest in a community. You will not get rich doing this, but it is a nice little cushion and the sense of community is everything.”
There are other beloved tiny home villages nationwide with similarly affordable rent costs.
For example, a “Sanctuary” tiny home community also offers rent at $450 monthly and has lakeside lots.
There’s a new village that even opened this summer in Washington with 60 units and several amenities.
