Have you ever found the perfect tiny home, secured financing, and found the perfect piece of land—only to discover you can't legally put your home there?

In this episode of Let's Talk Tiny, Cindy sits down with housing policy expert Amy Tomasso to uncover the hidden rules that shape where we live and why so many people struggle to find housing that fits their lifestyle and budget.

From zoning restrictions and land-use regulations to ADUs, cottage courts, tiny home communities, and missing-middle housing, Amy explains why housing challenges affect everyone—from retirees looking to downsize, to young families searching for their first home, to adult children hoping to keep aging parents nearby.

You'll hear real-world stories of people whose housing plans were stopped by unexpected regulations, discover communities that are successfully creating new housing options, and learn about innovative solutions that could change the future of housing in America.

If you've ever wondered why finding a tiny home is often easier than finding a place to put it, this conversation is for you.

In this episode:

• Why housing has become a national challenge
• The biggest obstacles facing tiny home buyers
• How zoning and land-use rules impact your housing options
• What "missing middle housing" means and why it matters
• Success stories from communities creating more housing choices
• Innovative housing solutions shaping the future
• Amy's advice for anyone feeling stuck on their tiny home journey

Plus, stay through the end for a live audience Q&A with Amy.

Whether you're exploring a tiny home, considering an ADU, planning to downsize, or simply looking for more affordable housing options, this episode will help you better understand the forces shaping where and how we live.

#LetsTalkTiny #TinyHomes #HousingPolicy #ADU #TinyHomeLiving #AffordableHousing #Downsizing #MissingMiddleHousing #TinyHomeCommunities

Links to Share:

https://www.ivoryinnovations.org/the-little-book

And Ivory Innovations' https://www.ivoryinnovations.org/housing-innovation-database

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivoryinnovations/?viewAsMember=true

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ivory.innovations/

The https://www.zoningatlas.org/

https://accd.vermont.gov/current-initiatives/homesforall

Amy is Director of Policy Innovation at Ivory Innovations (University of Utah, David Eccles School). Background includes Stanford, Harvard GSD, Vermont state housing, and published research on missing middle housing. She leads the policy work at Ivory and is involved with national housing affordability conversations. Topic-wise, she will go deep on missing middle, ADUs, zoning reform, and where regulatory progress is actually happening (Vermont, Oregon, Long Beach, Texas). She has explicitly said she wants to make regulations come alive on the show, not put people to sleep.

Thinking about buying a tiny home? Before you sign a contract, secure financing, or choose a builder, there are a few critical questions you need to answer first.

In this episode of Let's Talk Tiny, Cindy sits down with tiny home consultant and financing strategist Richard “RJ” Jaramillo to discuss the biggest mistakes buyers make, the steps they should take before purchasing, and how to create a plan that can save thousands of dollars and months of frustration.

Whether you're a young couple looking for your first home, a single person seeking financial freedom, a remote worker wanting more flexibility, or someone preparing for retirement, this conversation will help you better understand today's tiny home market.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The biggest mistake tiny home buyers make before they purchase

• How to know if you're truly ready to buy

• The roadmap every buyer should follow before spending a dollar

• Who is buying tiny homes today—and why

• How the tiny home industry has changed over the last five years

• What certifications mean and why they matter

• The financing mistakes that can limit your options

• Where the tiny home movement is headed next

Plus, RJ answers audience questions live during our Q&A segment.

If you're considering a tiny home, don't buy until you know this.

🎙️ Let’s Talk Tiny is hosted by Cindy with Tiny Home Tours and streams live every Thursday at 4:00 PM Central.

Live/Podcast Links to Share:

Email: RJ@USTinyLoans.com

IG Page Link: https://www.instagram.com/ustinyloans/

TikTok Page Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@us.tinyloans

Website URL: https://ustinyloans.com/

Book a 30-minute Consult Link:

https://calendly.com/ustinyloans/30min

Thinking about going tiny but overwhelmed by the thought of downsizing?
In this episode of Let's Talk Tiny, Cindy sits down with tiny home resident Jackie Faughn to discuss the real challenge of moving from 2,800 square feet to just 399 square feet—and it's probably not what you think.
Jackie shares her personal journey of letting go of decades of belongings, overcoming emotional attachments, organizing every room of her tiny home, and discovering the unexpected freedom that comes from living with less. From kitchen gadgets and overflowing closets to family keepsakes and treasured memories, this conversation is packed with practical downsizing tips and encouragement for anyone considering a simpler lifestyle.
If you're 55+, preparing for retirement, decluttering your home, or dreaming of tiny living, this episode will help you take the first step toward creating more space for what matters most.
Plus, stay until the end for a live audience Q&A with Jackie as she answers questions from viewers who are navigating their own downsizing journey.