Aussies turning to instant homes to get into the housing market.
With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to impact housing affordability, many people are now turning to a new type of property to build their dream home. The good news is it doesn't need a lot of building - just placement and expansion.
According to Vito Russo, founder of Australia's largest relocatable and expandable homes manufacturer, VanHomes, demand for affordable homes has skyrocketed over the last two years.
"What many people do not realize is that relocatable and expandable homes have evolved significantly over the last few years and they are now very stylish and comfortable," Russo said.
"In fact, they are so appealing that people are turning towards these revolutionary Australian made relocatable and expandable homes to create their dream home, rather than building, for a fraction of the price compared to building onsite."
VanHomes relocatable and expandable homes can be ordered in a range of sizes, colours, finishes and interiors. They come with a range of customisations available to meet the design aesthetics of any palate. Finishes and fittings can be installed to meet any budget, from economical to high-end. Gardens, verandahs and other features can be installed to enhance entries and areas around the home. The scope to create a magnificent home is only limited by one's own imagination.
Many councils across Australia deem VanHomes relocatable and expandable homes on wheels to be caravans as they can be registered as a caravan and are towable allowing them to be driven into the back yard and set up in a matter of hours. This means they don't require any building approvals either.
Russo explains why relocatable and expandable homes are becoming so popular:
- Instant homes
"Relocatable expandable homes are becoming increasingly popular because they are affordable, stylish, and virtually instant," Russo said.
"Once the home is rolled onto the block, it only takes a short period of time to set it up. You can live in them on the same day they are delivered to your block."
- Mobility and flexibility
"Relocatable expandable homes are extremely flexible. They can be towed onto nearly any type of block and set up and expanded with ease," Russo said.
"This means that they are a form of instant and portable affordable housing that is not only stylish but highly convenient to set up. If you want to move the home a few metres to the left on your back yard or to another town, you can.
"This gives VanHomes owners amazing flexibility if they decide they want to relocate and sell their block, they can literally pack up and move their home somewhere else."
- Affordability
"Compared to building a traditional home, VanHomes relocatable expandable homes are manufactured in a factory-controlled environment. This means there are no delays due to bad weather, building materials being exposed to weather or issues with trades and labour. This all contributes to a significantly lower purchase price than a traditionally built home, making them more accessible for many people," Russo said.
"They literally cost a fraction of the price of a brick-built home and depending on your style and preferences, can look even better."
- Lower ongoing costs
"Relocatable expandable homes are constructed using highly sustainable and robust materials. They require less maintenance and as a result are cheaper to maintain," Russo said.
"Smaller living spaces often mean lower energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint. You can even take advantage of solar and install solar panels and other sustainable technologies."
- Easier living
"For many people, moving into a relocatable expandable home involves living in a smaller space. Relocatable expandable homes are designed by leading experts to ensure the layout and spacing is optimised from a liveability perspective," Russo said.
"This also means easier maintenance and less cleaning. For people who want to avoid the stress and issues that go hand in hand with building, installing a relocatable expandable home is a low-stress solution."
- No council building approvals required
"Thanks to the design of relocatable expanding homes such as VanHomes, they fall under the same legislation as caravans across many parts of the country, so we are able to just tow them into people's back yards, set them up and expand them without the need for council building approvals," Russo said.
"The homes include studios through to three-bedroom properties. They range in price from $65,000 up to $136,000, making them incredibly affordable.
"If you have a driveway, side access, or room at the back of your property, then you can have a relocatable expanding home. They arrive the same width as a caravan and once in place in the back yard can then be expanded out to provide up to 59 sqm of living space. That is bigger than some Sydney apartments. They really are instant housing."
About VanHomes
Since its establishment in 2008, VanHomes has grown from a small team of two staff members to over 150 professionals in 2024. This remarkable journey reflects the increasing demand for affordable and flexible housing solutions in the Australian market. The company makes a range of flexible relocatable expanding homes ranging from studio homes to four-bedroom homes, all of which can be delivered to virtually any property. For more information, visit www.vanhomes.com.au.
