Mini Houses and Tiny Spaces

With increasing population everywhere, but more so in the cities, these residents found an ingenious way to adapt and save on space by building what could be considered as the world's smallest houses or living spaces. But don't think all of these smallest house come cheap, as the tiny-house from Japan costs the owner $500,000 to build.

See the world's smallest homes.

Another small house marvel is that owned by Jay Shafer who built and lived in an 89-square foot house he calls Tumbleweeds. It looked more like a child's oversized playhouse that one often sees in a neighbors backyard or playground. This tiny house has it's own mini bathroom, a small kitchen with 2-burner gas stove, an undercounter fridge, a loft where Jay sleeps, and costs around $40,000 to buy. This house also sports wheels.

Chafer who lives in Sebastopol, California hasbeen featured in the Oprah Show, CNN, and the New York Times,  among others. Jay Shafer's philosophy can be seen in the company he established which builds these environmentally-efficient small houses. Anyone can start owning or building Jay's small houses at low costs starting at a mere $20,000.

Would you believe that a three-story property can be built over a 30-meter piece of lot, originally advertised for a parking space?

A tiny house was featured in CNN.com as one of the tiniest in Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities where finding property to built an average-sized house would cost more than an average worker can afford. The super-tiny house is built with rooms on top of each other instead of being side by side. Fuyuhito Moriya, a 39-year-old bachelor from Tokyo shares this space with his mother. Everything inside the house is a downsized version of furnitures, furnishings and de-cluttered. From the half-sized sink to appliances tucked neatly under counters and in the walls, every space is used efficiently. Moriya's living room is barely the size of an average American walk-in closet.

That's 19 square meters of cramped space. This is how cramped and small a studio condominium unit come in some of Metro Manila buildings. People can get really creative to fit everything, the living room, kitchen area or dining, and of course the bedroom in this tiny space. But these cramped units sells especially in a city where people even from far-flung provinces flock to earn a living.

· Small Houses and Tiny Spaces are Possible

· Unusual Bed Sheets

· Guide to Condominium Buying

· Bank Loan vs In-house Financing

· Space-saving Furniture and Ideas

· New Residential Condominiums in Pasig