Construction Costs Rise, Housing is Expensive, Living Spaces Are Shrinking
The Tiny Home Show Modular Mobile Prefabricated Homes and Structures Fair, showcasing various mobile home and caravan models, will be open to visitors at the Istanbul Expo Center from October 19 to October 23, 2022, between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM for five days. Selçuk Çetin, Board Member of Birleşik Fuar Yapım Anonim Şirketi (BİFAŞ), the organizer of the fair, stated: “Construction costs have increased, housing is expensive, and living spaces are shrinking day by day, prompting humanity to adapt. We believe that ecological and economical mobile living will become widespread in the future.”
Highlighting the importance of the fair for the sector’s development, Çetin said: “We are bringing together the most prestigious companies and manufacturers in the modular, mobile home industry. The Tiny Home Show fair offers the latest technology and design solutions for small homes to domestic and international investors, project owners, businesses, architects, and contractors. This event will also host simultaneous activities, seminars, and training sessions, making it a hub for the industry. With a global market for mobile homes and caravans exceeding $144 billion, local companies exporting to more than 60 countries are increasing their market share daily.”
The fair will host major buyers and investors from Eurasia, including Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Products such as steel, wooden, container, prefabricated, bungalow, and mobile homes, along with caravans and camping equipment, will be showcased. Prices for Tiny Home models, which range from 10 square meters to 40 square meters in size, start at 200,000 TL, depending on the materials used and the size. Caravans start at 60,000 TL, with prices reaching millions based on their features.
What is a Tiny House? What are its advantages?
A “Tiny House” or “Tiny Home” is defined under the Highway Traffic Regulation as a licensed and registered caravan with a fixed width of 2.55 meters, a maximum length of 10 meters, a height of up to 4 meters including the trailer, and a weight of 3,500 kg. One of the most notable features of these homes is the absence of utility bills such as electricity, water, and natural gas. Tiny Houses can generate their own energy using solar panels. Water can be sourced via water tanks or wells and sterilized using filtration systems, while waste issues are addressed with deep-soil pits or ecological compost toilets.
Since they are categorized as vehicles under the Highway Traffic Regulation, they are exempt from property taxes and, lacking an engine, are not subject to Motor Vehicle Tax (MTV). They are also among the most earthquake-resistant structures. Without land costs, steel, cement, or labor expenses, they can be installed within hours. In short, these economical, eco-friendly, and safe homes appear set to become increasingly popular in the future.
