In a city where the average price of a detached home is well over $1-million, seeing a listing for a $20,000 home is akin to running into the Ogopogo on your summer vacation.
But that is the price tag on a very tiny dwelling in East Vancouver that comes with a very big catch: It has to be moved.
The cottage was constructed by Ches Lam, a carpenter who specializes in small buildings. Formerly a 1950s workshop/garage, the 250-square-foot space is well appointed, with a dishwasher, Miele range, washer and dryer, custom double loft bed and shower.
Although the homeowner says people in his neighbourhood enjoyed the backyard abode and they even used it for houseguests, he has been ordered by the city to remove it.
Lam says the order from a city inspector follows a single complaint from one neighbour.
City bylaws state that the minimum size for a “dwelling unit” is 398-square-feet, meaning Lam’s backyard property is technically 148-square-feet too small.
Lam doesn’t buy it.
“I feel it is no different from anyone converting their basement into a basement suite,” he told CTV News in an email.
He has posted his place on Craigslist for a bargain basement price in hopes that someone is able to remove the 12-by-24 home from its current foundation – and move it to a new site.
Lam is optimistic his labour of love will find a new, permanent home.
“The response has been surprisingly overwhelming but there are only a handful of really serious people actually looking into logistics,” he said.
