Condo or Tiny Home: Choosing a Custom Tiny House
We can’t say how excited we were to see that one of our beloved tiny homes got on the radar of Tiny House, Giant Journey. This popular alternative lifestyle blog started in 2013 and shares stories about people living and building unique spaces. One of our clients, Eric, was a perfect fit. Eric decided to build his tiny home complete with an off-grid package. He added solar, propane, and water “on board” to have everything he’d need to live simply, sustainably, and comfortably.
It’s 2026, and we still get sticker shock when it comes to the price of tiny homes. But we are not building boxes at Tru Form Tiny, and like many other areas of life – when it comes to tiny living, you get what you pay for.
People say Eric spent way too much on his tiny home from Tru Form Tiny. In this tour, however, you will see how every single square inch has a place and purpose, built with residential-grade materials to withstand the test of time. Merging real design science with innovative tiny home architecture shapes the way each tiny home is built, priced, and lived in.
In this tour Eric takes you through his thought processes that led to making the big decision to go tiny. Learn all about his $170,000 investment, and why, for him, it was worth every penny.
Eric lived in a condo for 13 years, but over time it stopped feeling aligned with the life he wanted. He felt the pull to do something different, even if it meant stepping into the unknown. So he sold his condo without having every detail figured out.
In 2021, he purchased land in Aguanga, about 30 minutes from Temecula, and moved onto the property in his van with his dog, Dixie. He lived that way for a year and a half before deciding he was ready for something more permanent. That is when his tiny house journey truly began.
His total investment came in at just over $170,000, which included custom finishes and a premium Victron solar system. While tiny homes can vary widely in price, Eric believed quality was worth the investment. After all, when you live in a smaller space, every detail matters more.
Because the home sits on a trailer platform, it stands higher off the ground, which required a thoughtfully built deck to tie everything together. The result feels cohesive and welcoming rather than elevated and disconnected. It creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living.
The exterior blends modern composite siding with natural wood accents, creating contrast without feeling harsh. The windows are tinted and positioned to maximize light while maintaining comfort. Depending on the light, the finish even gives off what Eric jokingly calls a “razzle dazzle” effect.
Living Fully Off-Grid
One of the most impressive features of this home is its off-grid capability. Eric has 2,000 watts of solar paired with a Victron monitoring system that allows him to track power generation in real time. Even while running the air conditioner, he often returns home to find his batteries nearly full.
The home also includes a 50-gallon water tank and hot water on demand. For one person, the system works smoothly with mindful usage. Tiny living requires awareness, but with the right setup, it can feel empowering instead of restricting.
A Hardworking Tiny Home Kitchen
Inside, the kitchen feels surprisingly spacious thanks to large windows that flood the area with natural light. The light makes a significant difference in how the space feels day to day. It transforms a compact footprint into something open and livable.
The kitchen includes a deep sink, sealed wood countertops, and a green tile backsplash that adds warmth and personality. A three-burner propane stove with an oven provides full cooking capability, while a DC refrigerator runs efficiently off the solar system. For Eric, having a freezer again after van life felt like a true upgrade.
Storage is integrated throughout, including pull-out drawers, spice racks, and hidden utility access. Even under the loft, there is comfortable standing room, which keeps the kitchen from feeling cramped. In a tiny home, smart layout decisions make all the difference.
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A Compact but Functional Bathroom
Parking your tiny home on private land offers one of the highest levels of privacy. This may mean placing your home on family property, a friend’s land, or a leased backyard. When done legally, this option can feel personal, peaceful, and deeply rooted.
However, private land requires careful due diligence. In many cities, a tiny home in a backyard is treated as an accessory dwelling unit, also known as an ADU. In others, it is regulated as an RV or temporary structure. Some areas allow it easily. Others might prohibit full-time living.
Before you move in, confirm local zoning and building codes. When the legal side is handled correctly, private land becomes one of the most rewarding ways to live tiny.
The Loft: Cozy by Design
The loft is Eric’s favorite space in the home, and it is easy to understand why. With shiplap walls, multiple windows, and a skylight above, the area feels brighter and larger than expected. Natural light and thoughtful materials create a calming atmosphere.
During warmer months, a rooftop vent quickly pulls hot air out of the space. At night, Eric can look up and see the stars, which adds peace and calm. Cozy does not mean cramped when design supports comfort.
Outdoor Living Expands the Space
Tiny living extends far beyond the walls of the home itself. Eric intentionally designed his property to include multiple outdoor areas that enhance the lifestyle. These additions transform the land into a functional extension of the home.
Adjacent to the tiny house is a 10-foot shipping container gym that allows him to work out year-round. He also built a rooftop tent deck and a pergola that overlooks the surrounding mountains. Each structure adds purpose and personality to the property.
Three Years Later
Eric has been living in his tiny home for nearly three years, and he describes the experience as life-changing. Stepping outside his comfort zone allowed him to create a lifestyle centered around intention and simplicity. That shift has brought a sense of peace he did not find in his previous condo.
Tiny living is not about deprivation. Instead, it is about prioritizing what matters most and designing a home that supports that vision. For Eric, trading square footage for freedom and mountain views was absolutely worth it.
