Thanks for letting people know about this scam. I am in the market for a tiny house. I would never just send someone money without checking out the property in person.
You need to recheck ITH in Newport, TN. People have been waiting years for their lots on The Mountain and Buffalo Creek! Also, several people have moved or have been evicted from their property. Now they are pushing 100 year lease!! How in the hell can you have a 100 year lease…you will be dead by then!!!!
@@MicThinksTiny - This commenter above is full of sheet. They are still doing a 1 year lease, renewable each year, that locks in their monthly lot rent, plus a maximum increase of whatever the Social Security cost of living is (and no more) for 100 years. In other words, they are protecting people from large lot rent increases. Also, ITH just built and donated, in partnership with Lowe's, 50 tiny homes to WNC Helene victims. 30 are finished and 21 have already been delivered. The remaining 20 homes will be delivered before Christmas. They also donated 2 tiny homes last month to local ETN Helene victims, and they started a 'Homes for Heros' program that will gift a free tiny home to a Veteran every 100 home builds.
I applaud you and the exposure your giving this! It's so important to ask questions and be your own best advocate when it comes to buying a tiny home. Most may be legitimate, but once you part with your money, your at their mercy. I have looked at tons of videos from a very well know builder and their community in Tennessee, but you have to buy your lot lease (around $10,000) and then still have to pay a rent every month? I googled BBB, and saw that there were a number of complaints against them, but I am very new to the Tiny Home process, so this might all be normal for all I know...and I'd love to if it is or not?
@@ravenlunatic7026 I have been following ITH for while. I never heard him say anything about “key” money till someone responded to a comment. I drank the kool-aid. I still like his products but I wouldn’t be able to afford to live in his developments.
Hi! Thank you for watching and commenting. No, it's definitely not normal though it's increasing (in terms of people having negative experiences). You've got to trust your gut on any financial decision but definitely do not take negative reviews lightly (especially if there are several and they are recent).
If a developer announces plans to build a tiny house community and asks for a considerable amount of key money upfront am I right to consider this is a potential scam? I saw a YT channel that was talking about the community they hope to build, they seem to be following the ITH business practices, it’s not ITH but it is in Tennessee and one of the developers works for ITH doing part time electrical work which he didn’t acknowledge until someone in the comments said that he worked for ITH, they claim they have no affiliation with ITH yet they seem to be attempting to follow and implement the same business practices
Probably so, I believe it was 7 trumpets preppers, he seems to be religious but that has never stopped a grift before, disclaimer: I don’t know what his true intentions are but caution is definitely in order here
I think it's an ITH shadow community. With ITH's horrible reputation, and decline in business. He seems to be a pretty smart guy which surprises me he would follow ITH's unethical practices. Which makes me feel he's just as unethical as ITH. I wouldn't trust any companies asking for key money----All you're doing is paying for their infrastructure, you lose and they win. Then they will charge the next person that takes your spot if you leave. It's definitely a racket. Buyer beware of any upfront costs for infrastructure "KEY MONEY"
The photo on the bottom left the kind of greenish one is from Timbercraft Tiny Homes out of Alabama. They are a high end builder. They are about to have a tiny house community, but it’s not quite up running yet and they won’t be using that particular tiny home that’s in that photo FYI only.
Probably a lot of people who find tiny homes interesting are first time buyers and/or not as financially sophisticated and therefore more susceptible to become a victim of fraud. The usual keys to successful fraud are trusting people who think they are getting a really good deal - and then they are stung when their money is gone and they realize they have been duped. Then probably for most victims it would cost more than what they lost to pursue the scammers.
Yes, for sure anyone just entering the industry is at risk of being scammed but I think even for people who have been around a while it can be difficult to know if you can trust what someone is saying.
@@MicThinksTiny I believe that more typically, but not exclusively, that online fraud victims are younger adults - because this is the group that has mostly grown up with the fantasy that everything can be done online and that the online world is real. We see this in so many ways, where people stubbornly and without skepticism say "but I saw/read it online" or they believe every nutty conspiracy theory because of the Internet.
Another great video !!!! Keep exposing these scammers and protecting potential buyers
Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful.
Thank you for protecting US from these scams! Your hard work and research efforts are much appreciated 💜
You are so welcome! :)
Good detective work!
Thanks! :)
Thanks for letting people know about this scam. I am in the market for a tiny house. I would never just send someone money without checking out the property in person.
Thanks for watching! There's a lot of solid builders out there. What kind of tiny home are you looking for?
Excellent video. You are doing such a great service for people.
Thank you! I'm glad it's helpful :)
You need to recheck ITH in Newport, TN. People have been waiting years for their lots on The Mountain and Buffalo Creek! Also, several people have moved or have been evicted from their property. Now they are pushing 100 year lease!! How in the hell can you have a 100 year lease…you will be dead by then!!!!
Hi! Thanks for commenting. How does the 100 year lease work?
@@MicThinksTiny - This commenter above is full of sheet. They are still doing a 1 year lease, renewable each year, that locks in their monthly lot rent, plus a maximum increase of whatever the Social Security cost of living is (and no more) for 100 years. In other words, they are protecting people from large lot rent increases. Also, ITH just built and donated, in partnership with Lowe's, 50 tiny homes to WNC Helene victims. 30 are finished and 21 have already been delivered. The remaining 20 homes will be delivered before Christmas. They also donated 2 tiny homes last month to local ETN Helene victims, and they started a 'Homes for Heros' program that will gift a free tiny home to a Veteran every 100 home builds.
I applaud you and the exposure your giving this! It's so important to ask questions and be your own best advocate when it comes to buying a tiny home. Most may be legitimate, but once you part with your money, your at their mercy. I have looked at tons of videos from a very well know builder and their community in Tennessee, but you have to buy your lot lease (around $10,000) and then still have to pay a rent every month? I googled BBB, and saw that there were a number of complaints against them, but I am very new to the Tiny Home process, so this might all be normal for all I know...and I'd love to if it is or not?
@@ravenlunatic7026 I have been following ITH for while. I never heard him say anything about “key” money till someone responded to a comment. I drank the kool-aid. I still like his products but I wouldn’t be able to afford to live in his developments.
Hi! Thank you for watching and commenting. No, it's definitely not normal though it's increasing (in terms of people having negative experiences). You've got to trust your gut on any financial decision but definitely do not take negative reviews lightly (especially if there are several and they are recent).
Sounds like ITH!!! Rip offs!!!
As soon as she said $10,000 deposit ITH popped in my head!
What? What does ITH have to do with anything?
@@australianwoman9696 having to pay “key” money deposit is a suspicious way to do business.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! 🤔❤️
You bet! Thanks for watching.
Excellent information Mic .. thank you !!
Hey! Thanks for watching. I'm glad you found the info useful.
If a developer announces plans to build a tiny house community and asks for a considerable amount of key money upfront am I right to consider this is a potential scam? I saw a YT channel that was talking about the community they hope to build, they seem to be following the ITH business practices, it’s not ITH but it is in Tennessee and one of the developers works for ITH doing part time electrical work which he didn’t acknowledge until someone in the comments said that he worked for ITH, they claim they have no affiliation with ITH yet they seem to be attempting to follow and implement the same business practices
I saw a recent video asking for “key money” as well… I immediately thought of ITH…I’ll bet it’s the same two guys…
Probably so, I believe it was 7 trumpets preppers, he seems to be religious but that has never stopped a grift before, disclaimer: I don’t know what his true intentions are but caution is definitely in order here
Yes, in my opinion, any scenario where you're being asked to pay a large amount up front to support a community development is a potential scam.
I think it's an ITH shadow community. With ITH's horrible reputation, and decline in business. He seems to be a pretty smart guy which surprises me he would follow ITH's unethical practices. Which makes me feel he's just as unethical as ITH. I wouldn't trust any companies asking for key money----All you're doing is paying for their infrastructure, you lose and they win. Then they will charge the next person that takes your spot if you leave. It's definitely a racket. Buyer beware of any upfront costs for infrastructure "KEY MONEY"
Some localities treat them like trailer parks. Which I can understand.
The photo on the bottom left the kind of greenish one is from Timbercraft Tiny Homes out of Alabama. They are a high end builder. They are about to have a tiny house community, but it’s not quite up running yet and they won’t be using that particular tiny home that’s in that photo FYI only.
Hey! Thanks for letting me know! :)
Great vlog!
Probably a lot of people who find tiny homes interesting are first time buyers and/or not as financially sophisticated and therefore more susceptible to become a victim of fraud. The usual keys to successful fraud are trusting people who think they are getting a really good deal - and then they are stung when their money is gone and they realize they have been duped. Then probably for most victims it would cost more than what they lost to pursue the scammers.
Yes, for sure anyone just entering the industry is at risk of being scammed but I think even for people who have been around a while it can be difficult to know if you can trust what someone is saying.
@@MicThinksTiny I believe that more typically, but not exclusively, that online fraud victims are younger adults - because this is the group that has mostly grown up with the fantasy that everything can be done online and that the online world is real. We see this in so many ways, where people stubbornly and without skepticism say "but I saw/read it online" or they believe every nutty conspiracy theory because of the Internet.
Wow, I didn't know that people do this!
Hi! Yes, unfortunately, this is happening more often lately.
Love your channel-Looking for info, possible tiny home communities in south Mississippi. Alabama and Florida Panhandle? Do you know of any, thx !
Hi! Not off the top of my head but I'll look into it and get back to you! Thanks for watching :)
What is the point for people doing this if they truly have nothing to show you when you contact them?!
To get someone who will start the process of buying a tiny home online and collect down payments.
Yeah, unfortunately it's just to get someone to send you a couple grand with those smaller deposit amounts.