Hello Small House Enthusiasts!

Wow! After browsing through my Google Alerts for things related to building small houses I was struck by how truly global the housing slump is. I never realized how far reaching this downturn really is. Witness these articles I can across:

New Zealand: "Waikato Building Activity Lumps"

India: "They're Building, But Who's Buying?" (Sorry, page no longer available. Original story ran at the Bangkok Post.)

United Kingdom: "Want to Avoid the Negative Equity Trap? Build Your Own Home"

Australia: "Don't Panic: Look at the Long Term Property View"

USA: "Slowdown Nails Contractors: Dozens of Idaho Small Business Owners File for Bankruptcy"

Ok, enough already! Maybe the best thing is to not read news like this. It's hard to avoid, though.

For me, this all just reinforces the ideal of building and living small. You'll have a better chance to make your mortgage payments... and to get that mortgage paid off... if your loan is smaller to begin with.

There may be some sacrifices in downsizing to a smaller house, but the reward of not having a looming, unmanageable, mortgage over your head is rewarding. Then finding yourself immune to this kind of global economic and housing crisis is so sweet. Hooray for the small house! (And all you "small house enthusiasts" out there!)

peace and prosperity,
Anne Lupton