Saloni Shankar
Amazon has grown from a bookstore into a massive marketplace. Now, you can even buy a ready-made home on Amazon. But is it really livable?
YouTuber Nathan Graham, creator of “Unspeakable,” wanted to know. He ordered a $39,000 prefab home from Amazon to find out.
YouTuber Buys Amazon Prefab Home — But Is It Livable?
However, once it arrived, he was in for surprises. The 19-by-20-foot Chery Industrial expandable home came in Amazon’s signature box.
It included windows, a bathroom, and kitchen cabinets. But Nathan soon found critical pieces missing from the home setup.
Nathan’s experience shows that for big purchases, details matter. Missing details can be costly. For anyone considering buying a home on Amazon, let’s look at his findings.
Missing Essentials: A Partially Ready Home
As Nathan unwrapped the house, surprises kept coming. Basic essentials like wiring were missing. His new home didn’t include electricity or water hookups. Nathan’s friend asked, “Did you not order the electrical package?” Nathan then recalled a detail he’d missed.
The product listing had a warning: “Mobile Prefab House is not wired. Please hire an electrician.” This detail changed everything. Nathan tried to connect his fridge, but there were no outlets. “I’m trying to find somewhere to plug in the fridge,” he said, frustrated.
Luckily, Nathan had a backup plan. He brought a generator, allowing him to power a few essentials. With it, he could use his 80-inch TV and fridge. However, this limited solution didn’t address the lack of running water. He also had no furniture, which made the setup incomplete.
Missing Furniture and Plumbing Connections
Nathan’s home came with some basics but lacked furniture entirely. There were kitchen cupboards and a shower area, but no bed or couch. Nathan had to bring his own couch, tables, and a bunk bed. Appliances, from a vacuum to a refrigerator, were also his responsibility.
Additionally, the house lacked essential plumbing. Without plumbing connections, the bathroom wasn’t usable. Though it had a shower area, no water hookups were included. For running water, Nathan needed professional plumbing help.
The lack of basic furniture and plumbing connections meant Nathan’s home wasn’t fully functional. Even with windows and a bathroom, the house needed many adjustments. Nathan’s experience highlights that prefab houses require significant setup and investment.
Takeaway: Always Read the Fine Print
Nathan’s Amazon home experience highlights one crucial takeaway: always read the fine print. Skipping details on big purchases can lead to big surprises. Checking every detail is essential when considering a ready-made home online.
Potential buyers should also remember that prefab homes often need customization. For example, many don’t include electricity, plumbing, or furniture. Hiring professionals for these installations is typically required.
Nathan’s journey shows that buying a house online is possible, but it takes effort. “Buying a house online is possible,” he said, “but you have to be prepared to put in extra work.”
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