A home-construction company, Lennar, based in Fontainebleau, Florida, has come under scrutiny for its latest development – a tiny house community in San Antonio, Texas. Dubbed Elm Trails, these tiny homes are 350-square-feet in size, featuring one bedroom and one bathroom, with prices starting at $130,000.
Lennar describes the homes as having a smart layout that offers everything necessary for comfortable living. The home features an open concept kitchen that seamlessly flows into the living area. At the back of the house, there is an owner’s suite with two closets and a private bathroom. Upstairs, there is an open space that can be used for storage.
Some online critics have questioned the value and affordability of these tiny homes. A video posted on social media highlighted the price of the homes and the fact that they do not include garages. Critics suggest that these homes go against the idea of affordable housing since they are small and offer little space.
However, it is essential to note that the tiny home movement typically refers to homes that range in price from $30,000 to $50,000. Lennar’s tiny homes are priced higher, starting at $130,000, raising concerns about whether they truly fulfill the idea of affordable housing.
Lennar offers a variety of home layouts at the Elm Trails community, including a one-bedroom, two-bathroom unit, with 660 square feet of space, priced at $163,000.
Lennar Corporation, a publicly traded company, operates across 25 states in the US, including North Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois. With total assets of $33.2 billion, Lennar has been in operation since 1954. It should be noted that Lennar was once linked to the now-defunct investment bank, Lehman Brothers, during the 2008 financial crisis.
As the debate surrounding these tiny homes continues, Lennar has yet to comment on the criticism. It remains to be seen how these tiny homes will be received by potential buyers in San Antonio.
Sources:
- Wall Street Silver via X (formerly known as Twitter)
- Lennar website
- Lennar Corporation
- Lehman Brothers