And while it doesn’t have to be January 1^st to start something new, there’s something about entering a new year with a vision of where you hope to be 365 days from now.

Just for fun, we’ve compiled a list of new year’s resolutions especially for tiny home owners.

10. Take time for self-care. Practice mindfulness by journaling.

9. Stay active. Get outdoors for a walk daily, weather permitting. To keep it interesting, try a change of scenery, such as one of these Bay Area beaches.

8. Add new foods to your diet––or try a new cooking method for the foods you already eat. Perhaps steamed brussels sprouts aren’t your thing, but have you tried them roasted?

7. Eat a variety of foods every week. Especially for those who live alone, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of eating the same foods day after day. Aiming to eat every color of the rainbow regularly helps ensure a balanced diet with plenty of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

6. Learn something new. Try writing poetry, tackle some home improvement projects, or learn a new language.

5. Take on a part-time job to earn extra money and meet people.

4. Set a budget. Budgets don’t have to be restrictive; in fact, setting a budget can give you the freedom to do things you enjoy without worrying about whether you have enough money for essentials.

3. Go green! Do your part for the environment by conserving energy, water, recycling, and taking care of Mother Earth.

2.  Plan a spring garden. You don’t need a big yard to make a big impact. Try these tips for gardening in a small space.

1. Get organized. Get rid of items you don’t need and manage the ones you do with these simple organization tips.

Whether it’s physical health, mental strength, or financial wellbeing you’re looking for, the new year is a great time to set new goals. Just remember to give yourself grace. Aim for progress, not perfection, and you’ll achieve everyone’s ultimate goal: to live a full and happy life.

Happy New Year from your friends at Harmony Communities!

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Tiny Home Owners appeared first on Other CMS.

On the coast of Oregon in a town called Lincoln Beach sits the stunning beachside community known as Holiday Hills. From her home inside the community, Holiday Hills’ Community Manager Katy Eckman can watch whales, pelicans, baby seals, and more on the harbor, Depoe Bay. Baby sand dollars wash up on their beach. “It’s the most amazing place to live,” Eckman says. “When the tides are high, the waves will crash against the sea wall and over Highway 101 in Depoe Bay. The view is breath-taking.”

Located two-and-a-half hours from Portland, Lincoln Beach draws 10,000 visitors in the winter months and 30,000-40,000 visitors during the summer. “It’s definitely a tourist town,” says Eckman. “We can watch the Coast Guard practice their drills. Storm watching is amazing. People visit Depoe Bay to go deep-sea fishing, crabbing, or take a boat out to see the whales up close.”

She offers this word of warning for first-time whale-watchers who venture out to view these magnificent species by boat: “When they greet you, they stink!”

Holiday Hills: A History

Although Harmony Communities has only owned Holiday Hills since 2018, the park and many of its residents have lived there for far longer – some for twenty years or longer. Holiday Hills was first established by the Bodeker family in 1960, and at that time was primarily used for tent camping. Over the years, visitors began bringing camper trailers. When the park was passed to the next generation, Andy Bodeker’s daughter introduced RVs and mobile homes.

Andy Bodeker’s grandson took over the park in 2017 and though it had been his dream to own and operate the park, health reasons prohibited him from continuing to do so. He maintained ownership for one year before selling the park to Harmony Communities.

Community Improvements

Upon acquiring Holiday Hills, Harmony Communities quickly went to work making needed improvements. “They put new water lines in,” says Eckman. “And since the ground was already dug up for the water lines, they had our cable and power lines placed underground as well. Now there are no more wires all over the park.”

Holiday Hills, which receives rain as much as 300 days out of the year, had loose rock roads, so Harmony Communities paved the park’s roadways and installed driveway pads for all its residents as well.

“Harmony has done amazing things to the park,” Eckman says. “Everything they’ve done has improved our community.”

Full-time resident Cathy Richway-Roberts adds, “I feel very secure and safe here, and that’s important to me.” Originally from southern California, Richway-Roberts moved to Holiday Hills from Idaho two years ago. “I can’t think of a better place to live,” she says. “It feels like a little community, my home, and where I’m supposed to be.”

A Community That Looks Out for One Another

As in much of the country and world, 2020 brought its share of difficulties to the residents of Holiday Hills, not only with the Covid-19 pandemic but with the wildfires as well. The property was thankfully spared from any damage from the wildfires, which impacted areas about 15-20 miles away. Still, “we all pulled together,” Eckman says. “When we woke up, it was pitch red and hard to breathe. We were all ready to help each other.

That sense of community helped set the stage for what was to come when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Although community-wide events have come to a halt for now – events like the annual potlucks Holiday Hills typically holds each summer were canceled in order to comply with guidelines concerning gatherings with people outside the home – people in the community still look out for one another. “It’s a family here,” says Eckman. “If someone is in trouble, we’re right there with meals and rides and whatever they need.”

The People Who Call Holiday Hills Home

An “eclectic group” of residents call Holiday Hills home, Eckman says, including many retirees and several families as well. Those who do work do so at one of the many hospitality jobs in the area, including the local gift shops and a nearby casino. During the winter, it’s difficult to find jobs, Eckman says.

Of the 94 spaces in the park, 83 are occupied and one-third of those by residents who consider their property in Holiday Hills a vacation home. Approximately 10-15 spaces are occupied by RVs, while the remaining spaces have double- or even triple-wide mobile homes. Holiday Hills doesn’t accept overnight guests, instead offering only month-to-month leases. “We don’t have a high turnover,” Eckman says.

A Typical Day for an Anything-But-Typical Community Manager

On a typical day, Katy Eckman begins her morning with a walk around the park to check for downed tree limbs. “It gets windy here,” she explains. Then she responds to her emails or gets a space ready to show as needed.

Mostly, she’s there for her residents and they know that well.

“During open deck time last summer, one of the residents gave Katy a crown,” recalls Richway-Roberts. “She’s very caring and if there’s something she can do to make the park a better place, she’s all over it. She’s taken people to doctor visits, has gone to their homes in the middle of the night. She’s our go-to girl.”

“I love my job,” Eckman says. “I am the perfect manager for this park because my heart and soul is in this park. No matter what kind of day you’re having, when you look through the window and see the ocean or go for a walk, it makes everything better.”

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Harmony Speaks: A Conversation with Holiday Hills’ Community Manager, Katy Eckman appeared first on Other CMS.

“This was a trailer park when Harmony bought it. Now they are turning it into a tiny home park,” says John – known as Johnny to his friends. “When they’re finished, it will be a community in every sense of the word.”

Bayshore Commons offers forty home lots – or spaces – and is slowly filling those spaces with new tiny homes. Currently, they have 21 tiny home units installed and eight of those are for sale.

Little House, Big Appeal.

What makes them appealing, Johnny says, is “they’re brand spanking new.” Many of the homes have a second floor loft, which appeals to many buyers. The homes have modern kitchen appliances, including mini stainless steel dishwashers, double door stainless steel refrigerators, and a stainless steel four-burner stove.

“The main office calls them ‘tiny homes,’ but I think they’re bigger,” says Johnny. “They feel like cottages.”

Community Improvements

“One of Harmony’s main priorities is cleanliness, keeping the park clean and safe,” Johnny explains. Since purchasing the property, Harmony made many improvements, including the installation of cameras and lights. “It feels nice, safe, and peaceful,” says Johnny.

Harmony Communities has plans to install an area for overflow parking and, upon acquisition, gave the community a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. “There used to be yellow homes everywhere. Now, there are different colors,” Johnny explains. “It’s bright and cheerful.”

The People Who Call Bayshore Commons ‘Home’

Residents of this growing community include a mix of working people and retirees. They enjoy proximity to shopping, restaurants, and Lake Chabot, which offers fishing, swimming, and twelve miles of hiking/biking trails.

A Manager Who Cares

Johnny is committed to maintaining a clean community and to serving both current and future residents by taking his time to assist them. He performs smaller, lightweight repairs as well as weeding and gardening, and says Harmony has a maintenance crew for bigger repairs. He also enjoys taking the time to show future residents the homes and apartments for rent. “I’m a friendly person,” he says. “I like talking with people.”

Bayshore Commons also has an apartment complex inside the park which includes eleven apartment units. “I grew up in apartments,” Johnny says. “I had a few landlords that were mean. I didn’t want to be like that. I wanted to be nice, friendly, understanding, and respectful.”  

And that he is, affirms Harmony Community’s Manager Sherrie Johnston. “John cares so much,” says Sherrie. “He goes above and beyond in everything he does.”

To learn more about Bayshore Commons or to arrange for a tour of one of the homes for sale, contact Harmony Community’s office at (209) 932-8747 or email info@harmonycom.com.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Harmony Speaks: A Conversation with Bayshore Commons’ Community Manager, John Medieros appeared first on Other CMS.

• Plan Ahead

Owning a tiny house can limit the amount of space and appliances in the kitchen. With that in mind, think well ahead of time about what meals will be possible to make before hosting guests. It’s also important to consider how many dishes will be used with each meal and how the food will be stored afterward. For example, chili or soup makes a perfect meal to prepare ahead. This dish typically only requires one pot to make cleaning up easier. Also, chili and soup can easily be reheated for another meal. 

• Create Multifunctional Furniture

When not in use, furniture should store easily or be multifunctional. When hosting company, the two major pieces of furniture to consider are the dining table and guest sleeping accommodations. A table that can fit 2-6 people can take up a lot of space, so finding or making a table that can fold up against the wall is a great way to create more space when not in use. A couch that can fold out into a bed is a great option when hosting family or friends for an overnight stay.

• Utilize Decorations

In small houses, maximizing the space you have is key. However, every house needs decorations to contribute to the aesthetic. When decorating, consider every inch of your space. Decorations should not clutter countertops or tables but should be hung on walls and even the ceiling. For the holidays, consider decorating with hanging mistletoe and string lights. 

• Stay Clean and Organized

Tiny homes can get dirty much faster than larger houses. With limited space, clutter should be minimized as much as possible. Utilizing storage space and containers is vital to keep clutter off furniture and tables. To minimize clutter, keep only items that serve a purpose. Cleaning can be reduced if a little is done each day. Creating a scheduled time at the end of the day to put things back in place can go a long way in reducing overall cleaning efforts. 

Hosting people in a tiny home doesn’t have to be a hassle. Following these tips can help make holiday seasons more enjoyable, even with less space.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Four Tips for Hosting Company in Your Tiny Home this Holiday Season appeared first on Other CMS.

Build a deck or patio. 

Adding outdoor space can make a small home feel more spacious – particularly if you live somewhere with a temperate climate that allows you to maximize your outdoor time. This can be as simple as laying patio pavers, setting up chairs, and dragging out a fire pit or grill to invite people to sit and enjoy the space.  

Install shutters. 

Shutters are an inexpensive upgrade that add symmetry and curb appeal to your home. Shutters are typically made of aluminum, wood, or vinyl, and vinyl tends to be the least expensive option. To further cut costs, consider adding them only to the front of your home and skip the sides and back, which fewer people see. 

Build a fence. 

An aluminum or vinyl picket fence closes in your property and makes it feel homey. Not to mention, if you have children and/or pets, a fence allows you to comfortably let them play outside unsupervised. If you rent your land, be sure to consult your landlord to confirm you’re permitted to construct a fence and, if so, what types of fences you are allowed to install.  

Add open shelving. 

Open shelving in kitchens and bathrooms is stylistically popular and can give your home a chic, polished feel. To keep the cost low, take advantage of reclaimed or salvaged wood options to construct your open shelving. You can find reclaimed wood products at vintage shops, flea markets, yard sales, or even scrap yards. Recycling materials is not only good for your wallet – it’s good for the environment as well! 

Paint. 

Paint is the cheapest and easiest way to transform a home. For an instant upgrade, add a fresh coat of paint to your interior and exterior walls, cabinets, or even your doors. Keep in mind that neutral tones tend to be the most versatile and make your space appear larger. 

Swap out your light fixtures.  

An old, outdated light fixture can be an eyesore – not to mention, some fixtures naturally emanate less light than others. Check your fixtures to make sure they aren’t taking up too much space and to confirm that they’re casting enough light into your rooms. Then, replace your old fixtures with simple, neutral ones, and add high-quality bulbs to ensure you are keeping your living space light and bright. 

DIY your shelving. 

DIY modular shelving units can add a stylish and functional touch to a bedroom or living area. Plywood is a versatile building material and can be covered with a layer of wood (or wood composite) and fresh paint. Use the unit to not only store important items but also to display special keepsakes, without creating additional clutter or eating up valuable floor space. 

Install new skirting. 

Adding new skirting to your mobile home can instantly refresh its look. If you rent your home, speak with your landlord to ask for a replacement or seek permission to install it yourself. 

Spruce up your cabinets. 

If replacing your cabinets entirely isn’t in the budget, there are simple ways to give them a fresh new look without breaking the bank. Try swapping out your cabinet pulls, removing the doors to give them a chic open-shelving look, or add a fresh coat of paint. 

Cover your walls. 

If you own your home and have the freedom to be creative, add some visual interest by covering your walls with shiplap, reclaimed barn wood, beaded board, or even painted corrugated metal. On top of adding a stylish new look to your home, this additional layer will also help with insulation and noise control. 

When making small upgrades to your home, keep in mind that you can take it one step at a time. Don’t feel pressured to make all the changes you want, all at once. Set a budget, and enjoy working through them one-by-one. Even the smallest change can make a world of difference, transforming your home into a space that’s not only functional but also life-giving. 

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful. 

The post Ten Affordable Upgrades for Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.

Below are a few brief tips for decorating on a budget.

• Thrift stores can be wonderful places for finding very low-cost holiday décor. If you enjoy repurposing things, spray paint can add luster to old or damaged decorations. In addition, craft stores like Michaels often have excellent coupons and very good deals around the holidays. 

• Use what nature provides! Not only are natural decorations such as pinecones, evergreen branches and holly seasonal yet beautifully understated, they are also free! Decorations like these can also make your home smell festive and give you ample opportunity for crafting. Evergreen branches make gorgeous wreaths, and pinecones can be tied to the top of gifts as a flourish to replace expensive bows. (As with all decorations, be mindful of small children and pets, however. Holly berries and other natural decorations can make little ones sick if inadvertently ingested). 

• Recycle! When it comes to wrapping or presenting gifts, recycling what you have at home can look quite beautiful. Aluminum foil or plastic wrap boxes are the perfect size and shape to repurpose for holding cookies. Mason jars can make excellent candle holders, and replacing at least some of your wrapping paper with newspaper or recycled magazines is not only cheaper and better for the environment, but it can also give gifts a rustic and natural look. 

• Get crafty. If you enjoy crafting there are no end of places on the internet to find creative ideas. We enjoyed this article and this article, and of course, HGTV and Pinterest are treasure troves of ideas. 

From all of us at Harmony Communities, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Tips for Decorating Tiny Homes for the Holidays appeared first on Other CMS.

Here are six ways that tiny house living can help you embrace a cleaner, greener lifestyle.

#1: It encourages responsible purchasing.

When you have so little space to house your impulse purchases, you will be far less likely to make them in the first place. This will drive you to make more mindful purchases – that is, seeking only items that are absolutely essential for you and your family. Fewer haphazard purchases benefit more than just your family budget: It serves the planet by reducing the amount of waste that will inevitably accumulate in about a year when you trash the items you decide you never really wanted in the first place.

#2: It drives us outdoors.

Living in such close quarters can be challenging, which is why outdoor space is so valuable for owners of tiny homes. Utilizing outdoor space can also encourage a healthy change in habits. After all, there’s simply no room for a 70-inch television in a tiny home – but there is ample space to set up patio furniture, yard games, or other outdoor activities that you and your family can enjoy together. Taking advantage of nature rather than buying, using, then trashing and upgrading appliances that keep us sedentary and isolated can help us cultivate new, healthy habits, hobbies, and practices.

#3: It reduces our environmental footprints.

A small home naturally consumes less gas, water, and electricity – a shift that benefits both our wallets and the environment. The average American home is about 2,500 square feetand uses a commensurate amount of energy. In fact, American homes account for about 38% of the country’s total energy uses. By contrast, a small space uses just a fraction of this. Not to mention, tiny homes themselves consume fewer resources, from the materials used to construct them to the available land they consume. 

#4: It reduces wasted food and other consumables.

With two or more refrigerators and freezers in your home, you’re more likely to stock up on bulk items at membership stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. These types of purchases often lead to waste, with food items sitting forgotten in fridge #3 or spoiling before they’re even consumed. This type of waste not only blows our budgets but also takes up space in our landfills. The same problem arises with water use, as well as plastic and paper waste. Living in a smaller space means you simply don’t have room to stock up, encouraging mindful, small-scale purchases of only the essentials. 

#5: It embraces sustainable energy sources.

Many tiny homes utilize sustainable energy sources, like solar panels, rainwater recycling mechanisms, and more. Moreover, because they are small, it’s much easier to construct them using sustainable, recycled materials that simply aren’t available in the quantity needed to build larger homes. 

#6: It reduces costly repairs.

A smaller home necessarily entails a lower “life cycle” cost, meaning that it contains fewer fixtures – like sinks, light fixtures, and toilets, to name a few – that will break down and require replacement. In fact, a 2014 studyestimated that tiny homes reduce “life cycle” costs by 36%. A home with four or five bathrooms, conversely, will involve a much higher number of repairs throughout the life of the home, generating far more broken or outdated appliances that will sit in our landfills. 

Scale Back and Go Green

While tiny homes may not be the right option for every family, it’s worth considering how a compressed living space can benefit the environment. From less waste to a drive to find more creative ways to spend time, tiny house living does much more than just reduce the monthly utility bills: It encourages homeowners to pursue a more minimalistic, mindful, and sustainable lifestyle.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Six Unexpected Ways Tiny House Living Encourages a Greener Lifestyle appeared first on Other CMS.

As Harmony Communities founder Matthew Davies tells Yahoo Finance, if you’re planning to put a tiny home on your property, “your first step would be going to your local building department, whether for the county or the city, and finding out the zoning regulations.”

Read the article in its entirety here.

The post Founder Matthew Davies quoted in Yahoo Finance article, “How to Get Tiny House Financing” appeared first on Other CMS.