A family in Arlington, Washington, is navigating a challenging journey to build a mortgage-free home on their in-laws’ property. After selling their sizable home in April 2024, the family has spent the past 16 months living in a trailer while coping with numerous construction delays.
In a bid to eliminate mortgage payments and provide assistance to aging in-laws, Shawn Lentz and his family sold their 4,000-square-foot home in Concrete, Washington. They moved into a 23-foot trailer on the 5-acre property, hoping to live in a newly constructed detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU). This venture was inspired by a desire for a simpler lifestyle and to alleviate the financial burden tied to their previous home, which had become increasingly expensive due to rising property taxes and insurance costs.
Initially, the plan seemed straightforward. The family would utilize funds from the home sale to purchase a manufactured home within the county’s 1,200-square-foot DADU limit. However, the process quickly became complicated. The Lentz family learned that obtaining necessary permits, scheduling surveys, and designing septic systems required extensive effort and understanding of local regulations.
Delays became a common theme early on in the project. The family faced setbacks from their septic designer, as well as extended waiting periods for various inspections. A significant obstacle arose when a new wetland was discovered on their property, necessitating changes to their permit and delaying construction by an additional five months.
Living in the trailer has tested the family’s patience and adaptability. The limited space has made daily life challenging. The Lentz family shares the small trailer with their three English bulldogs and a territorial iguana named Rawr. The trailer’s compact layout forces them to navigate around furniture and belongings carefully, a situation made more complicated by the presence of their pets.
Shawn Lentz describes their living conditions as cramped, with his teenage son occupying a small bottom bunk, while Rawr claims the upper tier. The dining nook, intended for family meals, has been repurposed into a workspace, often overtaken by gaming equipment. Cooking in the trailer presents its own challenges, with limited counter space forcing the family to make do with a microwave and crockpot.
Despite the myriad challenges, progress on the new home is finally emerging. In late June, the manufactured home was delivered and is currently being stabilized and prepared for further installation. The family is optimistic as septic, electrical, and interior work continues, and they are looking forward to connecting their water line to the existing well.
The Lentz family has invested over $275,000 into the project, and while they are eager to complete the home, they acknowledge the strain the process has placed on their relationships. Reflecting on their experience, Shawn Lentz humorously notes the emotional toll of their extended stay in the trailer, likening it to a test of endurance for their marriage.
Should they undertake a similar project in the future, the family would approach it with a revised timeline and a readiness for unforeseen costs, such as county recording fees and additional septic-system monitoring. Despite the ongoing difficulties, Shawn Lentz remains committed to their goal of achieving a simpler, mortgage-free life.
As the family continues to endure the challenges of trailer living, they are hopeful that, once completed, their new home will prove to be worth the struggle. The journey has not only tested their resilience but also reaffirmed their commitment to building a life closer to family and free from the burdens of traditional homeownership.
