‘You literally just unfold it’: Some Americans are rushing to pay less than $20K for 2-bedroom tiny houses on Amazon. It may be a low-cost route to homeownership — but here’s the catch

The mostly metal home folds out from its package to reveal a fully assembled single-story structure, complete with a porch, staircase and gable roof overhang. The manufacturer claims the house is built to last 15 years.

It’s unclear exactly how many people have bought tiny homes on Amazon, but Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate estimates there are over 10,000 tiny homes in the U.S., making up 0.36% of the total residential listings in the U.S.

The vast majority of Americans, 86%, said they would consider living in a tiny home, according to a survey by Home Advisor.

Influencers unbox housing stock

Following the trend are social media personalities posting videos on YouTube and TikTok in which they open giant Amazon boxes to reveal a folded-up house.

Over 20 million people have watched Part 1 of a five-part TikTok series in which Nathan Graham, founder of gaming brand Unspeakable, unpacks a tiny home with his friends.

“This thing is so easy to build, you literally just unfold it,” Graham says in the clip.

The house came with no assembly instructions, had no reviews on Amazon, and Graham revealed he thought it might be a scam before unboxing his new miniature residence.

“Are we the only people who have actually bought this off Amazon?” the 27-year-old Graham asks the camera.

A commenter on the video suggested that Graham bought a Chery Industrial Expandable Prefab House, which measures 19 feet by 20 feet.

The steel structure sells for $17,000.

Even though Graham said in the video he would give the tiny home a five-star review, the only review for the product on Amazon is one star.

Adding to the hype is Jeffrey Bryant, who posted a TikTok seen by over 9 million people of him buying a tiny home on Amazon.

“Amazon is really a dangerous place because, really? Houses? I didn’t think twice about it,” a somewhat remorseful sounding Bryant tells his social media followers.

In a follow-up TikTok where Bryant tours his new little living quarters, the influencer points out some positive and negative aspects of the building.

The doors and bathroom appear high quality, but Bryant notes he can touch the ceiling without fully extending his arm despite being five-foot-eight.

After tax, the tiny home came to just over $26,000.

“I don’t even know where I’m going to put the house,” Bryant said, who is currently renting a lot for $150 per week to keep it on.

Downsides of downsizing

Bryant’s issue shows how the valuations of tiny homes can be misleading.

Buying a traditional house comes with the property it’s already sitting on. Not so for a tiny home.

Connecting your home to the local electricity grid can cost up to $1,500 if you’re near a utility pole, and up to $5,000 if you’re on a rural property.