Katrina Cottage in Forest Lake

And they have the best use of space ever.

The builder told me they get the materials in a big package from Lowes and because it is all one source, the package is something like 15% lower than normal.
May become some affordable housing right along 30-A.

The builder told me they get the materials in a big package from Lowes and because it is all one source, the package is something like 15% lower than normal.
May become some affordable housing right along 30-A.

Are they shotgun houses?

Are they shotgun houses?

Yeah.

And they have the best use of space ever.

At 1,200 feet they better.

I grew up in 960 sq/ft. There were two of us sometimes and sometimes 6. It was ok..

1200 sf heated/cooled is a decent size for a small family vacation cottage where you only plan to really sleep and occasionally eat in there. You can do without the trophy bathroom for a couple weeks a year.

My parents' little cottage on the lake is like 750 sf tops on grade with one of those scary root cellar-like basements that are only fit to store the kayaks in underneath.

I did not bookmark the page, but read earlier that the Katrina Cottage is designed to be a temporary residence. The cost based on the Lowe's package is $100 per SF. No idea as to finishes, construction, appliances, etc., but that does not sound like a wonderful deal.

The builder at the linked website offers to build cottages for a little over $100 per SF. I don't know the builder or anything about his reputation or methods but one has to wonder about the Katrina Cottage pricing, especially if they are shotgun houses.

http://steveingramhomes.com/cottageplans.html

I did not bookmark the page, but read earlier that the Katrina Cottage is designed to be a temporary residence. The cost based on the Lowe's package is $100 per SF. No idea as to finishes, construction, appliances, etc., but that does not sound like a wonderful deal.

The builder at the linked website offers to build cottages for a little over $100 per SF. I don't know the builder or anything about his reputation or methods but one has to wonder about the Katrina Cottage pricing, especially if they are shotgun houses.

http://steveingramhomes.com/cottageplans.html

I don't know the builder, but that is an excellent website. I wish him good fortune, safety and luck. This area needs more builders who build for authentic pricing. Maybe with a few more like this it will break up the undercurrent group and expose some truth.

I grew up in 960 sq/ft. There were two of us sometimes and sometimes 6. It was ok..

I can appreciate that. I lived in 484 square feet in Rosemary Beach for about a year. There was nothing wrong with that. We sure had to use the space wisely.

I didn't know Forest Lakes would allow a principle structure to be 1,200 square feet. Most neighborhoods have a minimum square footage requirement.

I'm just wondering how the Katrina Cottages will fit in with building restrictions in Forest Lakes.

I was talking to architect Tim Tricker [SoWal: Uncle Timmy] the other night about Katrina Cottages. He is looking in to purchasing some for SoWal lots from www.greensteelhomes.com at about $100/sf installed. You pay sewer, electric hookups and foundation / site work.

I'm just wondering how the Katrina Cottages will fit in with building restrictions in Forest Lakes.

I read the community doc DRB doc's online and didn't find anything based on square footage, but it may be under a different passage in the community doc's. I did see that they have a restriction on Builders and Architects. I'm not sure Lowes or Andres Duany are approved Florida Architects.

The Katrina Cottages might be a privelege only enjoyed by the Developer and not the average lot Owner. Does anyone know if I can buy a lot in Forest Lakes and bring in one of those Cottages?

I did not bookmark the page, but read earlier that the Katrina Cottage is designed to be a temporary residence. The cost based on the Lowe's package is $100 per SF. No idea as to finishes, construction, appliances, etc., but that does not sound like a wonderful deal.

The builder at the linked website offers to build cottages for a little over $100 per SF. I don't know the builder or anything about his reputation or methods but one has to wonder about the Katrina Cottage pricing, especially if they are shotgun houses.

http://steveingramhomes.com/cottageplans.html

$100 sq. ft. is not a real great price for a Katrina Cottage-type house. Many local builders could do similar for much less with better quality. The appeal of the Katrina Cottage is that they are quick to build and obviously time is of the essence when families are displaced from their homes. For a developer interested in placing Katrina Cottages, it basically cuts the builder out of the equation. The developer would work a deal with a builder (or licensed engineer) to permit the cottage for a much smaller fee than if the home was stick built. Then work crews come in and put the thing together. It is cheaper for the developer, but an individual wanting a small cottage could do better with something site built locally.

Does anyone know more about green steel homes? Know anyone who has ever done business with them?

I was talking to architect Tim Tricker [SoWal: Uncle Timmy] the other night about Katrina Cottages. He is looking in to purchasing some for SoWal lots from www.greensteelhomes.com at about $100/sf installed. You pay sewer, electric hookups and foundation / site work.

$100 sq. ft. is not a real great price for a Katrina Cottage-type house. Many local builders could do similar for much less with better quality. The appeal of the Katrina Cottage is that they are quick to build and obviously time is of the essence when families are displaced from their homes. For a developer interested in placing Katrina Cottages, it basically cuts the builder out of the equation. The developer would work a deal with a builder (or licensed engineer) to permit the cottage for a much smaller fee than if the home was stick built. Then work crews come in and put the thing together. It is cheaper for the developer, but an individual wanting a small cottage could do better with something site built locally.

I've got a couple of small lots in Laguna Beach in PCB and would consider building a couple of small cottages because they would probably be easier to sell than vacant lots. Who are the "many local builders" you refer to?

The Katrina cottage is cute, but not very effective for long term use and not very cost effective IMO.

I think at one point Lowe's was offering them for $75K a kit NOT INCLUDING foundation - not a cheap thing.

I think my family could live quite comfortable in a 1200 sq foot home as long as our garage is 1000 sq. feet!

Does anyone know yet if it's true that you can bring in a Katrina Cottage to Forest Lake? It doesn't sound like it fits in with their A R B doc's for a number of varying reasons.

May not matter whether or not they can be in Forest Lake, it is already coming out of the ground. They must have a permit to be building there.

I've seen the greensteel house (St. Theresa model) at Evening Rose in Tallahassee. It would be a nice quick-and-dirty guest cottage or rental. It was not exactly clear what was included in the "100/sq ft" price mentioned (porches, stairs, landings?). That home is just over 1000 sq ft and is listed for sale by k2urbancorp for $249,900. http://www.frogrealty.net/listingvi...C&sortby=price&listingID=180&pid=7&section=k2

From a design standpoint, the lack of storage was a problem. That partcular model home was brought down from somewhere up north. I don't know if they have actually been able to manufacture any in Carabelle. I believe that lenders will treat this as a trailer for loan purposes, but could be wrong.

I've seen the greensteel house (St. Theresa model) at Evening Rose in Tallahassee. It would be a nice quick-and-dirty guest cottage or rental. It was not exactly clear what was included in the "100/sq ft" price mentioned (porches, stairs, landings?). That home is just over 1000 sq ft and is listed for sale by k2urbancorp for $249,900. http://www.frogrealty.net/listingvi...C&sortby=price&listingID=180&pid=7&section=k2

From a design standpoint, the lack of storage was a problem. That partcular model home was brought down from somewhere up north. I don't know if they have actually been able to manufacture any in Carabelle. I believe that lenders will treat this as a trailer for loan purposes, but could be wrong.

Can you put the St. Theresa model greensteel house in Forest Lakes? I have a friend who owns a lot there and this could change everything.

For $325 that cottage could be yours. Will it sell anytime soon?

Yeah.

This can't be 1200 sq. ft., can it?

This can't be 1200 sq. ft., can it?

I think Katrina cottages are more in the realm of 800-900 SF. I have been in one. Small and cozy.