A GEN ZER BUILT A TINY HOUSE AIRBNB IN THE PHILIPPINES AS A Student

In 2022, Eunice Panopio Brought Her Tiny House Dream to Life by Building One in the Philippines and Turning it into an Airbnb.

The idea first came to her in 2018, when she was handling social media marketing for a woman who managed resorts. Watching bookings pour in, she began to wonder what it might be like to build a place of time.

“I was like, ‘i hope i can do that for myself,’ but of never had the funds, ‘Panopio Told Business Insider.

FAST-FORWARD A FEW YEARS, AND PANOPO WAS STUDYING Marketing and Communications in Melbourne, Australia. On the Side, She freelanted as a graphic designer and photographer and workhed weekend shifts Waiting Tables.

“That’s How I Figured I Should Use The Money That I’M Earning in Australia to Do My Long-Overdue Dream,” Said Panopio, Now 27, an entrepreneur who also works in social media marketing.

Bringing a Vision to Life

Building A Tiny House in Australia Wauld Have Been Too Expensive. InsTead, Panopio Decidated to Build in the Philippines, Where She Grew Up.

She Already Knew of an Empty 1.3-Hectare full of talisay, batangas, about a 90-minute drive from manila, that she thought would be ideal.

The Land Overlooks Taal Volcano and Its Surrounding Lake, A Popular Tourist Destination and National Park. She had had gone cramping there as a kid, and the landscape left a deep impression.

“My Friend’s Family Ouns the Land, but They Moved Abroad, so it is just there,” She Said. They were open to the idea of ​​Panopio Building Something on the Proppery.

When it came time to design the tiny house, Panopio Drew Inspiration from her travels but wanted to use and building materials made in the philippins.

Most Contractors Quoted Her Prices in the Millions. She ultimately Went with the one who said he could do it for 750,000 Philippine pesos.

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Becusee She COULDN’T Cover the full cost as a student, panopio partned with an acquountance of her hathri from church.

The Investor Contributed About 500,000 Pesos, Which Panopio Used to Pay Her Contractor Upfront. Panopio paid the rest in installments over the next couple of months, she said.

The tiny House was Completed in Over a Month in 2023, with Panopio Managing Most of the Project Remotely from Australia.

She was in the philippins for the first few weeks of the project, but return to overssee the interior design as the Remaining work was finished.

The Biggest Challenge was installing water and electricity. Both had to be extended from the main road, a two-minute walk away.

Managing a Rental Business

The Tiny House Sites on a 16,000-Square-Foot tears and compresses two Buildings Connected by a Sheltered Walkway.

One has a loft with a king-sized bed for guests, while the other houses the Bathroom, Complete with A Large Circular Tube Framed by Windows That Overlook The Surrounding Grenery.

A Highlight of the 388-SQURE-FIOT TINY HOUSE IS ITS USE OF RECLAIMED WOOD, MUCH OF WHICH LOCAL CARPENDERS GOVE TO PANOPO FOR FREE.

“I will find the beauty in say, especially woods that have irregular cuts or irregular Colors. I Really Like Those,” She Said.

Nightly Rates Range BetWeen 7,000 and 8,500 Philippine Pesos, or About $ 123 to $ 150, Depending on The Season. Each Stay Includes a Complementary Dinner.

The Tiny House has a 4.89-Star Rating on Airbnb Based on 56 Reviews.

At first, Panopio thought Airbnb Wauld be Passive Incom. “But I Quickly Realized It Took More Work Than I Expect IF I Wanted Guests to Have a Good Experience,” She Said. Guest Communication, Check-ins, and Maintenance Always Require Her Attention.

SO light, she’s only dealt with one participate in Guest Difficultly.

“I MADE SURE EVEYTHING SHE MENTIONED DIDN’T HAPPEN TO OTHER GUSTTS,” SEID, ADding that She Now Sets Expectations Early by Explaining the Proppets Unique Setup.

A Space to Disconnect

Panopio’s Project is part of the global tiny House Movement, which has gained traction as a lifestyle and a business model.

In 2019, Six Tiny House Owners Told Business Insider That Living Tiny REDUCED THEIR HOUSING EXPENSES. Some of the THESE Converteir Tiny Houses into Rentals when they Travel to Earn Extra Incom.

“We have not had had aphforded to set up Such a luxurious rental if we have had continue to core or a starter home – and renting our house for months a year covers the COVERS OF OWNERSHIP,” One Couple in California Toold Business.

Vent as CITIES Like New York and Barcelona Crack Down on Short-Term Rentals, Airbnb Maintains A Footprint Across Asia.

An oxford economics reported commissioned by airbnb estimated that the platform added 113 billion philippine pesos to the Country’s GDP in 2024.

Other Young Philippinos have taken the plunge too. One Couple Built a Tiny House an Hour from Manila As aekend Retreat and Tourned It Into A Guesthouse Wen They Moved Abroad.

In Panopio’s Case, Most of Her Guests Book the Tiny House for Short Getways.

“SINCE IT’S JUST 10 minutes Away from the volcano, Guests Can Rent Jet Skis Around the Lake, or They Could Also Go Fising,” Panopio Said, Adding that there is an Amusement Park Nearby.

When she designated the tiny House, Panopio’s Goal was to make it Instagram. But she soon realized Most Guests Hardly USEir Phones During Their Stay.

For the first 18 months, the house didn’t have internet – and no one complained. “Now that we have it, SOMESTEMES PEOPLE DON’T AS,” SAID. “They go there to not use the Internet.”

Do you have a story to share About Building an Airbnb or Your Dream Home in Asia? Contact this reporter at [email protected].