Home, Land, Property Buying and Selling - what kind of temp. home should I look into?

The last few weeks I've really been thinking about trying to buy a piece of land, and build an energy efficient house. It'll be small, fit for 1 or 2 people. I'm thinking around 7-800 sq. ft.
I need to sell my house in order to get money for the land, and construction. I don't want a mortgage.

I think I'll need to place something on the land to live in, while the house is being built.

I know there are a few options. I'm just wondering if you guys think one in particular might be best for my application.

Thanks for any suggestions

We are thinking of doing something similar. We plan to live in our RV.

I guess some of the options I have availble, would be a motor home, fifth wheel, trailor, or used modular home. Chances are I'll be living in it through the winter months.

What would be my best bet?

My vote is for a used single-wide mobile home, since they are meant for year-round occupancy.

Motor homes, fifth wheels, and the such aren't designed for full time winter occupancy, and probably don't have heating systems big enough to deal with your mid-Michigan winters. Also, changing out the small LP bottles on a frequent basis will be a real pain. I'm guessing that dealing with the other limitations of an RV or fifth wheel, such as primative bathroom systems and a tiny kitchen would be a real challenge. Not to mention the "cabin fever" of living in a confined space!

A lot will depend on zoning. They may or may not allow mobile homes although often [on restricted lots] a single wide will be approved for a limitted time but must be removed after the house is completed. It would be best to check the zoning for any particular lot before you agree to buy.

If zoning permits, I agree that a single wide would be the best temporary housing - especially if you don't have a firm date/plan for the new housing.

There is a company that started in IA, but has since moved to CA (most of the customers are there I guess) that specializes in tiny homes, ranging from 75 sf (yes, 75) to about 800. They sell the plans for various models they have. I know when they were in IA, they would build the house and deliver it to you.

The company is Tumbleweed Houses, you can do a search. I thought it was an interesting concept.

Our neighbors lived in their fifth wheel and were so desperate to get out of it after a long winter they rushed to finish the bare bones house. (Maybe that is why they are STILL, about 10 years later, finishing the house??) I like others' suggestions for a more permanent type single wide, because despite your best intentions, these DIY projects always take longer than you think!

Along the lines of the Tumbleweed house, I found a story on the Mother Earth news website about a "cozy cabin" that says it can be built for $4000 in a few weeks. Granted there is no running water included in the plan, nor electricity, but it sure could make for a nice studio or guest house when the main house is done!

My dream is to do something similar. My dad did it years ago- living in a 12x60 mobile home for about a year while he built the house we intended to move into next door.

I think I'd like to build an insulated and heated garage, with a loft, kitchenette and bathroom. I've also thought about a basement home (finishing and living in it for a while) while working on the main floor. It's all a pipe dream at this point, but it's fun to think and plan for the future.