What Had They Gotten Themselves Into?
They couldn't wait for when they could start on the next step, but they had to wait a few weeks for the insulation to be put in.
Things became tricky when they could finally start dividing the space into different sections. They needed to carefully consider where everything would go so the delivery truck would be a suitable living space. What had they gotten themselves into?
Owning Property
Owning property is usually what most young adults look forward to as they settle into their twenties. The idea of coughing out cash in the name of rent is as painful as the thought of being an independent adult.
For some, paying rent is motivation enough to work hard so they can buy a home they can call theirs. But for others, rent becomes an everlasting cloud over their lives.
Realities Of Being An Adult
Brody Redfield and his fiance, Annie, had been together for half a decade before they decided to get married. Both starting their careers after college, they'd expected life to be easy.
But the realities of adulthood soon caught up to them. Endless bills came knocking on their door every month, among them the dreaded monthly rent. They knew they had to break the circle.
Thinking Things Through
Brody, whose family had worked in the delivery industry for decades, had an idea. Seeing that his family had connections when it came to trucks, he pondered the possibility of buying one and renovating it into a mobile home.
After a long chat with his fiance, they concluded that the idea was good. But although it seemed doable, there were several glaring problems that they had to solve first.
Outside A House
The prospect of living one's life in a mobile home can be a daunting one, especially if you've never slept outside a house before. For Brody and Annie, moving into a vehicle would be the first time they would sleep outside.
Additionally, neither of them understood what went into turning a delivery truck into an actual home. The work ahead was enough to deter them from their goal.
The Best Way Forward
But Brody and Annie didn't break under the pressure. They'd already spent five years paying hefty sums to their landlord and wanted a way out.
Brody talked to one of his brothers who worked in delivery, asking if he could help him find a suitable truck for purchase. This would be the start of a long project that would deliver them from the jaws of paying rent.
Finding The Perfect Vehicle
Brody's brother, Erick, got in touch with some of his trucking buddies and found the perfect vehicle for his brother. It was a white delivery truck with ample space that could be renovated into a home.
Without wasting time, Brody and Annie got to work. The first thing they did was find a renovator they could afford. They consolidated their funds, charted the path ahead, and began their journey.
The First Step
The first part of renovating the truck was ensuring it had enough insulation to protect Brody and Annie from the harsh elements when they moved in. Heat exhaustion and hypothermia were among the many dangers if the two didn't take the necessary precautions against them.
Their renovator suggested different ways to insulate the truck, such as melanin foam. The couple settled on the best they could afford. But would it be enough to transform the truck into a warm, habitable space?
Dividing The Space
The insulation process took a few weeks to complete, turning the truck into a space Brody and Annie could live. They divided the open space into different compartments, including a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and an area meant for a bed.
With the vehicle divided into different spaces, the couple began the difficult job of turning it from a delivery truck into an actual home. They had no idea what they'd stepped into.
The Rules And Regulations
Several acts in the country dictate how people living in mobile homes should live. These include where they can park their vehicles.
Brody and Annie didn't take their time to consider all the different factors that went into owning a mobile home. To them, not paying rent had blinded other realities from their sight. They didn't know what a huge mistake they were making.
The Reality Of Things
In states like Maryland, unless you own a piece of property to place your mobile home on, the state requires you to rent a space at a mobile home park or at least buy a mobile home already at a park.
The premise itself would mean that Brody and Annie would have to pay a monthly fee, the same way they used to do when paying rent. Was all of this a waste of time and money?
The Problem And Its Solution
Brody and Annie had a big issue on their hands. They considered pulling the plug on their investment, or at least rolling back the changes.
If they’d spent money to turn their truck into their home, they could definitely strip it for parts and sell each of those components., plus the vehicle, for a good sum. But this route brought its own problem.
Rolling Everything Back
Brody and Annie had already spent considerable money and time on the truck. Each of the parts they used to transform it into a habitable space was not only costly but hard to find.
If they were to strip everything down and sell it back to the market, it would net them half the price they bought them for in the first place. But this wasn't the only issue.
Incurring Losses
The couple had also spent a lot of money on professionals who helped them transform the truck. They would need to hire these experts again to strip it down.
Afterward, they would be left with a truck worse than how they bought it. Everything considered, it was clear they would incur many losses. But what could they do?
In Too Deep
Brody and Annie were nearing the end of their first year after deciding to buy a truck to renovate it. The amount of cash they had poured into the project was massive, with the truck looking spectacular.
But they now faced this new issue where they still needed to continue transforming the truck into a home while also worrying about the legal side. They needed a way out.
A Needed Discussion
Feeling trapped, Brody sat Annie down. They discussed the matter at length, pulling up YouTube videos of how Americans lived in campers and mobile houses.
Watching these videos not only reaffirmed their notion of living in a space they felt comfortable in. But they also experienced a reality that many people living in mobile houses went through every day.
A Tip Of The Iceberg
Brody and Annie learned living outside was very different from living inside an apartment or house. They had to consider factors such as their truck's drainage and sewage systems, the insulation during colder months, and the lingering stigma of living in such spaces.
But although these issues were many, they only made a small percentage of what the two would face as mobile homeowners. They had to uncover everything.
The Picture Is Bigger
There are many issues that surround living in mobile homes. Annie and Brody thought they would have a great time out there, driving from place to place without paying rent.
But now that one issue had surfaced, more were cropping up, painting a daunting picture of the two love birds. Here is what they uncovered.
The Full Picture
Brody and Annie had already ascertained that the cost of finding land was already high. But now they discovered that the availability of said land was another issue altogether.
Living in a truck meant they would have minimal space to store their belongings. Tack this on to having to worry about different weather conditions all over the country, and the idea of owning and living in a truck suddenly becomes scary.
New Problems
Brody and Annie were encountering all these new problems they hadn't considered before. The honeymoon phase of owning such a vehicle was over, and the two were starting to look at everything objectively.
They discovered that the cost of maintaining the motorhome was also high, with fewer options when it came to amenities and personalization options. But although these glaring issues dared scare Brody and Annie away, some positives drew them closer.
The Other Side Of The Coin
Among the most notable things that Brody and Annie ran into was the effortless maneuverability of living in a vehicle.
Most people living in larger RVs and motorhomes reported that smaller vehicles, such as Brody and Annie's trucks, were easier to maneuver while traveling and searching for a place to park. But there was more.
More Positives
There was no need for Brody and Annie to buy a truck to attach their motorhome to, as everything came as a package for them. Additionally, the route they had taken was far more sustainable than the rest of the options out there.
The overall cost of living in a motorhome was also cheaper than living in a house. Although motorhomes are expensive, their cost pales compared to a mortgage and the cost of maintaining a home. But the good news didn't stop there.
It’s Financially Sound
Brody and Annie discovered that living in a motorhome is more financially sound since a person has fewer things that will cost them money at the end of the day.
There is less room for everything like toys, tools, and clothes, which saves the owner a lot of cash in the long run as they won't buy as many things. What was the best route for the couple to take with the new information they had?
The Best Path To Take
Brody and Annie compared the pros against the cons they had uncovered. Among the most glaring cons was that they would have to pay a monthly fee to park their vehicle.
But this was outshined by the fact that they would be living in a space they were proud of, saving money, and touring the country. Slowly and slowly, the best way forward presented itself.
Forging Forward
Brody and Annie's most significant issue was a massive one. But the problem seemed to solve when they realized their home was a truck they would park anywhere.
The rest of their issues could efficiently be dealt with the same way problems inherent to living in a house were solved. The couple was confident they could handle this endeavor.
Comparing The Lists
After spending time researching the pros and cons, Brody and Annie were now more confident in their ability to own and operate a motorhome.
The end of that enlightening journey had affirmed their decision that this was the best move for them. They resumed the remodeling process, picking up where they had left off.
Getting Back To Work
Brody and Annie had already finished insulating their vehicle. They also mapped out all the camping sites and regions open to motor homes in America that they wanted to visit.
Since both of them worked from home, they fitted the vehicle with wi-fi so they could move across the country, enjoy new sceneries, and simultaneously work and pay off any bills and fees that came their way. But this solution wouldn't be enough.
We Need Money
Brody and Annie had always wanted to tour the United States. After all, they came from one of the world's most diverse and beautiful countries. But such a journey, although doable on paper, was much more difficult in reality.
It would need a lot of money, which the couple didn't have. They needed to figure out their situation quickly because they'd paid for their last month in their apartment. The end was here.
Her Idea
Annie had the idea of continuing to live in their apartment while they turned their truck into a rental space. With enough cash, they could turn it into a business allowing them to buy their fleet of lorries turned into homes while living in a house they could call their own.
Brody loved the idea. With Annie and his brother's help. He mapped a business plan for Annie's proposal. But moving forward with Annie's vision would mean one thing.
The Twist
Renting out their truck would mean that Brody and Annie would have to stay a few more months in their apartment. But by the end of the year, the business accumulated enough money to buy and renovate another truck.
As it stands, Brody and Annie, now a married couple, run a successful business renting out trucks renovated into homes. They have their own beautiful house but spend time on the road themselves! But for those of you who find the road life a little daunting, Jerry’s story might be more your speed.
Jerry Erickson
Jerry Erickson was just like Brody and Annie. He’d cleared his college and had started his career as a history teacher at a high school in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom.
A historian at heart, Jerry grew up in past events and historical moments, ensuring that his life as an adult was steeped in the same. But although everything was swimmingly for him, one issue kept him up at night.
End Month Prospects
Like Brody and Annie, Jerry had a problem paying rent each month. He wasn’t making that much as a teacher, and with recent global developments that led to lockdown, he found it difficult to make ends meet.
Throughout the lockdown period, Jerry thought of a way he could counter the rent-paying system. So far, the only thing he had was buying a home. But that came with its own issue.
An Expensive Venture
Although buying a home seemed like the best option for Jerry, the prospect was costly. He was still young and hadn’t saved enough money to buy a house.
He was also yet to qualify for a good mortgage plan that wouldn’t turn the rest of his life into a living, breathing nightmare. What could he do?
A Different Upbringing
Unlike Brody, Jerry didn’t come from a family of truckers. He didn’t even like the open road, although he enjoyed visiting new places and soaking in their histories.
For him, getting and renovating a truck was out of the equation. He sat through many long nights trying to figure a way out. With school around the corner, he was running out of time.
Back To School
Schools opened with Jerry, still unable to find a solution to his rent problem. As any teacher, he set his problem on hold and set to focus on his students.
The school semester was going on great until his principal called him into the office. Jerry didn’t know what to expect, mainly since most of the school issues were already discussed at the teachers’ meeting.
An Issue Arises
But the principal told him the issue at hand was something Jerry had suggested a few semesters back, a school trip for his students to a local village.
Seeing how much weighed over his mind lately, Jerry had forgotten about the proposal. But the principal told him he was greenlighting the project and wanted Jerry to spearhead it. Such a simple trip would be the solution to Jerry’s rent problem.
An Old Village
Jerry took his first batch of history students to the local village to taste how life was in the late 1800s. The town was small and very picturesque, with over thirty houses connected by a web of dirt roads.
A single tarmac road cut the area in half, a clear indication of the effects of the 21st century in the village. It is here that Jerry would finally find his solution.
Everything Changes
Jerry hadn’t expected to own a home at just the age of twenty-four. Yet when he stepped into the village, his eyes landed on the most beautiful cottage he’d ever seen.
He took his class around, teaching as usual, but towards the end of the trip, he sought out the tour guide to ask about the house. What he’d discover would leave him heartbroken.
About The House
The tour guide spewed out information about the house, informing Jerry that it had belonged to a 19th-century poet who had no next of kin.
The house was passed down to the village, acting as a store for many decades until everyone abandoned it, owing to new storage systems in the modern day. But how long had it stayed without someone opening it?
A Lonely House
The house had remained dormant since the nineteen forties. After the Second World War, no one ever used it again.
It was a derelict building. The painting was nonexistent, the stone walls almost destroyed, and the window panes rusted. The door, although wood, seemed like the most recent part of the poor house. Looking at it, seeing how much history it exuded, Jerry had an idea.
Is It On Sale?
“Can the village sell it?” Jerry asked, seeing that the house wasn’t that far from town or the school where he worked.
The tour guide was taken aback by the question. Why would anyone want to buy such a place? It was a pitiful place to stay, and the house was tiny. He didn’t know Jerry had a plan.
An Unexpected Call
The trip ended, and Jerry took his class back to school. But a few days later, he got a call from the village head.
The man inquired about Jerry’s interest in the house and asked if he was serious about purchasing the place. Jerry told him he was interested, and after a few meet-ups, the two came to a reasonable understanding.
Buying It
Due to the current state of the house, Jerry bought it for significantly less than he’d expected. He took a few loans and pulled his existing funds, consolidating enough cash to start a full-scale renovation.
The house was nearly coming down, and Jerry spent many weeks with an architect and builder mapping out the proper way to restore it to life.
Starting The Process
Jerry and his team started the renovation process. They cleaned the entire house, taking out the rubble that had been there for decades.
They swept the place, and flash-washed it, then began breaking down parts Jerry didn’t need. As he worked, one thing became clear. Turning this derelict place into a habitable space would take time.
Moving In
After a full year of work, the cottage had turned into a breathtaking one-story house. Jerry had built a staircase inside, separating the living room from his private and guest bedrooms.
He also brought in all his furniture, starting his life as a homeowner freed from the burden of paying rent at the end of each month. Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.