Beau River home (Image: Havenwood Tiny Homes / SWNS)
Rick Smith, 60, founded Havenwood Tiny Homes five years ago with a plan to create affordable homes. His firm has since developed an array of compact one, two, and three-bedroom houses.
The tiniest offering, named Beau River, is a snug one-bedroom house with a loft, stretching just 5.2m by 2.5m, yet it can accommodate « five to six people ».
Beau River exterior (Image: Havenwood Tiny Homes / SWNS)
However, the three-bedroom Maverick model steals the show at $147,800. Despite its tiny 7.2m by 3m dimensions, it boasts a ground floor bedroom, two lofts, a full kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, and storage space.
Similarly sized, the Joely model, priced at $149,800, potentially houses even more occupants with a bunk bed setup on the lower level and two separate bedrooms upstairs. These homes are designed for permanent living and come mounted on a tri-axle trailer with six wheels, making them as mobile as a caravan when towed by a car.
The Joely has three bedrooms (Image: Havenwood Tiny Homes / SWNS)
Each home is equipped with a functional kitchen, complete with sink and hob, a fully furnished bathroom, and additional amenities that expand with the size of the model. Rick’s innovative tiny homes are his response to the housing crisis, which he believes leaves many Australians either unable to afford their own property or burdened with exorbitant mortgage payments.
Rick is shaking up the property market with one-bed homes starting at just £40,000 (79,500 AUD) and three-beds from £74,400 (147,800 AUD), much lower than the average Australian house cost of £443,487.50 (878,367 AUD). His customisable, made-to-order homes, which currently ship around Australia, might soon make their way to America and beyond as Rick eyes global expansion.
Maverick home interior (Image: Havenwood Tiny Homes / SWNS)
Rick, who lives in Jamberoo, New South Wales, said: « There are lots of big homes, but big homes come with big mortgages.
« People are downsizing and realising after getting rid of all their junk and clutter, they can live with a lot less. »
The genesis of Rick’s innovative venture came when he built a small home for his daughter on his property. It proved to be so roomy that she, her husband, and their two little ones called it home for three years.
Rick Smith (Image: Havenwood Tiny Homes / SWNS)
Following this success, Rick launched into the commercial sphere, setting out to create ‘tiny’ homes with maximised space that could still comply with towing regulations on roads.
According to Rick, there’s been no shortage of orders, as this is an affordable pathway to homeownership without the usual financial burdens. Divorcees, single mothers, and young couples represent his primary clientele.
Rick clarified, « It’s still classed as a caravan, so you don’t need permission from the council to put them on your property.
« But it’s like a granny flat on wheels because it’s so big. »
Each home is equipped with a functional kitchen (Image: Havenwood Tiny Homes / SWNS)
« The cost of housing here is through the roof and it won’t go down, so I believe this is the future.
« It’s not only the cost factor but the comfort of the homes is second to none. »
The venture’s success is evident in its sales figures, with Rick revealing: « We sell 80 to 100 homes a year and the business is going ahead in leaps and bounds. »
One of the bedrooms in the Joely home (Image: Havenwood Tiny Homes / SWNS)
This prosperity has enabled the company to create local job opportunities and even welcome apprentices on board.
« I get a huge buzz out of the enjoyment and happiness I see in people’s faces when they get their home, » Rick added.
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