An Airbnb co-founder’s new startup is building tiny $289,000 prefab homes that can be set up in hours – see inside the units

• Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia is now the co-founder of Samara, a startup that builds tiny homes.

• Samara’s studio and one-bedroom ADUs start at $290,000, including instillation fees.

• ADUs have increased in the United States in recent years.

Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia said goodbye to short-term rentals and hello to tiny backyard homes, signaling the continued boom in the secondary suites (ADU) market.

Gebbia is now the co-founder of Samara, a small home-based start-up with plans to factory-build studios and bedrooms that can be dropped off in his clients’ backyards.

Samara started as Airbnb’s in-house design studio in 2016 before becoming its own entity this year, Konrad Putzier reported for The Wall Street Journal.

Source: Airbnb, The Wall Street Journal

But the startup hasn’t completely abandoned its relationship with the beloved Silicon Valley company.

Instead, it’s backed by Airbnb.

And Samara’s first employees — including fellow co-founder Mike McNamara — all previously worked at the vacation rental company.

The new Bay Area, Calif. company isn’t selling a novel idea.

Secondary suites have been making waves in the real estate market for several years now.

Detached ADUs – often affectionately referred to as “tiny homes” – add extra square footage to a property, increasing value while providing owners with a separate guest bedroom, office or gym.

And when rented (often at a more affordable price than traditional homes), these small units can generate a steady stream of income for the owner.

Homeowners on the West Coast are increasingly adding these popular small living units to their backyards…

Source: Atlantic

…and with the help of new local ordinances, the trend is also accelerating on the east coast.

Source: The New York Times

And as more states and cities start promoting ADUs, these tiny but mighty homes could spur what The Atlantic called a potential “housing revolution” in the suburbs.

The story continues

Source: Atlantic

Over the years, many small home builders have accumulated months-long waiting lists.

Source: Initiated

And now Samara is looking to cash in on this skyrocketing ADU trend.

Like any tiny backyard home, the startup says its units can be used as backyard sanctuaries, offices, rentals, and guest rooms.

Source: samara

It currently has two models: a $290,000 studio and a $330,000 one-bedroom. Both prices include installation costs.

The houses will be powered by solar panels.

And inside, the units will look like a small city apartment.

Think window-lined walls, open floor plans, and modern amenities.

The 430 square foot studio includes a kitchen with stovetop and dishwasher, a full bathroom with washer and dryer, and enough space in the living room for a queen bed…

…while the larger 550 square foot build has all the same amenities plus an extra bedroom that can accommodate a desk and dresser.

And customers won’t have to wait years for their construction: Samara units have a lead time of seven months with the help of the manufacturing process.

The steel-framed homes will be built at the Samara factory and delivered to customers’ backyards using a flatbed truck.

Source: samara

To make the installation and delivery process easier for the buyer, Samara will also take care of the logistics, such as preparing the foundation for the backyard, managing the permitting process and using a crane to install the house.

For now, the startup’s tiny homes will only be available in California, a particularly ADU-friendly state.

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development

But with the tiny home market growing rapidly, don’t be surprised if you soon see a Samara—or any other tiny home—in your neighbor’s yard.

Read the original article at Business Intern