Picture this: a cool morning, a mug with caffeinated comfort in hand sitting on a dock overlooking Brice’s Creek.
A stay in one of the waterfront tiny homes situated on a 1.3-acre property minutes from downtown New Bern makes this autumnal dream a reality.
Three tiny cabins sit around a fire pit next to two regular-sized rental homes. Jeff Passot, owner of the property, has been welcoming guests since 2018.
The Gosling can accomodate a maximum of five people while The Sanderling sleeps a maximum of four. Both are between 200 to 250 square feet.
The third tiny cabin is reserved for long-term renters.
They are perfect for couples or families and Passot said guests stay for a number of reasons. A lot of times, those looking to move to the area stay in the rental while they house hunt.
"Some are people staying through the weekend, some are dropping kids off at camp, some come to fish," Passot said. "Young and old, I don't think I can classify it."
He said the pandemic gave them a boost, as people are cautious of returning to hotels. The private grounds offer guests more seclusion, while still being a short drive from restaurants and shops.
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Cabins share private dock and firepit and have access to kayaks and paddleboats, making them the perfect nature-filled vacation destination.
The Sanderling, rated a 4.71 on Airbnb, goes for around $200 a night depending on the season and The Gosling averages $254 a night.
Amidst the pandemic, the tiny-home lifestyle continues to peek the interest of an increasing number of Americans. A 2020 survey with 2,006 participants revealed that 56% would consider living in one and 86% of non-homeowners said they would potentially make a tiny home their first residential purchase.
Aside from the sheer novelty of a tiny home, their appeal can come from the factors of affordability, mobility and being eco-friendly.
"I think people are starting to realize the need to spend their money on experiences and not personal stuff," Passot said.
Tiny homes typically stay near the 400 square-foot range and research by environmentalists show that living in one can reduce a person’s carbon footprint 45%.
Before committing to a purchase, many Americans have decided to try a tiny home on for size in the past year.
Airbnb’s 2020 Trend Survey showed that the popularity of tiny homes increased 85% from 2019 to 2020.
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A May report from the rental site showed tiny homes as the second most wish listed type of home, behind treehouses.
Past the front porch and inside the barn-roofed structure, guests will find two bedrooms accessed via ladder and a common space with a sofa couch. Bathroom facilities with toilets, showers and a washer and dryer are shared.
The pet-friendly cabin is equipped with free WiFi and air conditioning and fitted with a cable, flat-screen television.
The kitchenette includes a refrigerator, microwave, toaster and table.
It is a smoke free property and has free parking.
The studio-style cabin has lofted king beds and a futon as well as a private bathroom.
The wood-paneled home has a smart TV, free WiFi and airconditioning. The kitchenette has everything a guest could need for a weekend in nature and exploring New Bern.
Aside from water activities, the property offers a gazebo, cornhole, picnic tables and hammocks. Guests can also park their boat at the dock.
"I think the beauty of it is, it's laid back, it's rural enough with the natural amenities like kayaking, fishing and swimming, but six minutes to downtown New Bern," Passot said. "That's the draw."
To learn more visit www.visitingnewbern.com.
Growth and Development Reporter Julia Masters can be reached at jmasters@gannett.com or 828-318-3108.