All You Need To Know About Finding Land

Some Tiny Houses on Wheels (THOW) owners are fortunate enough to have family members or close friends who own property, ready to offer up a parking spot for their mobile home.

Others will search for rental options online, reaching out to landowners, RV parks and campgrounds, or exploring rental spots to park caravans or THOWs via local networks and Facebook groups.  

But if you’re feeling like this could be a daunting task, and were rather hoping for a turnkey solution to finding land, you’re not alone… and we’ve got an alternative for you!

WE PARTNER WITH THE EXPERTS

Our partners at ParkMyTinyHouse are the leaders in helping Tiny Houses on Wheels (THOW) owners find a place to park their homes across Australia. In operation since 2021, they have developed a platform based on a smart and simple concept, matching like-minded people who want to live more freely in their movable dwellings with land owners who are willing to rent a small spot to them long term. The platform caters to those looking for a parking spot for a minimum of six months, where they will live full-time.

A WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIP

All you have to do is fill out an application to become a member, listing details about what you’re looking for in terms of property.

Property hosts fill out similar documents from their end, detailing property size, current tenants if applicable, and sharing all the important information about the property itself. They clearly list what they’re able to offer in terms of land area and services that will be available to prospective tenants.

And if you’re not finding the ideal spot within the registry, the team at ParkMyTinyHouse will put out feelers via their extensive network to find properties that may be able to accommodate you.

WHERE DO OUR ADAPT HOMEOWNERS CHOOSE TO PARK THEIRS?

A number of our new THOW owners have family members or close friends that have offered an area of their property as a parking spot – an ideal scenario for those seeking a sense of community or finding benefit in an intergenerational living setup.

Conversely, we also have not-so-tiny homeowners that were after a comfortable place to call home while their work takes them to different mining or building sites across territories. We love the flexibility that comes with having a moveable dwelling, which allows for keeping their “nest” and sense of peace and security easily accessible to them, no matter where their jobs take them.   

And for those who did not share either of these realities, a ParkMyTinyHouse membership has proven a successful and smart investment time after time, matching our new Adapt Homeowners with a safe and affordable place to call home base for the first leg of their journey! 

A Little More About Geoff

In a former life, we’d have referred to him as Commander McGinley. But the commended naval officer has more than one string to his bow. Read on to learn more about how Geoff went from running big operations and crews on commissioned vessels to helping people find housing security in a safe, stylish, and comfortable fashion.

After close to three decades in the Royal Australian Navy and countless trips at sea, Geoff felt a strong urge to get back into nature and reconnect with both people and the land. He was ready for his next mission. Ever-curious about the human brain and what makes people tick, and propelled by a genuine desire to help people, he decided to return to University to study clinical psychology. Choosing to embark on this new training pipeline meant two things: he’d need access to bushland and an affordable housing solution – relatively quickly.

Geoff soon considered alternative housing possibilities for the next leg of his journey, as buying a house was just too expensive, but renting would mean losing his hard-earned savings. Tiny Houses On Wheels (THOW) seemed an interesting option, yet all the models he could find were much too small and cramped to be comfortable living in on a longer-term basis. When it became obvious to him that none of the options readily available were really suited to his needs, his problem-solving skills kicked in and he created his own solution by adapting an existing tiny home model to a custom trailer, which would allow him to move freely over the course of several years.

Little did he know that his own experience of looking for a housing solution while retraining would soon become the cornerstone of his new life chapter, both on the personal and professional fronts. Craving housing security and peace of mind without sacrificing on quality and comfort became the driving force behind what was going to become Adapt Homes. The fundamental belief that everyone deserves a safe and secure, affordable home. One that doesn’t come at a cost to the environment, neighbours, or their community.

Becoming the owner of a THOW comes with the promise of freedom. It’s a flexible living solution, with low impact on the land. Yet Geoff recognises that people need education – how-to guides and parking solutions, for example – guardrails to help them navigate this alternative lifestyle. He’s personable, trustworthy, and always eager to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with like-minded folk. And above all, he’s a free spirit that believes in the power of connection, so don’t be shy! Get in touch and see if an Adapt Home could be the right solution for you, too.