Thinking Bigger by Getting Smaller: a new path forward in New York’s tight housing market

New York State is feeling the squeeze.

Whether you’re a homeowner in Rochester looking to expand, a young family in Syracuse trying to step into the market, or someone hoping to downsize and simplify in the Finger Lakes, you’re bumping into three hard truths: the cost to build or buy a home keeps climbing, the housing stock is thin and managed by many competing buyers or renters, and rising interest rates make each mortgage dollar hurt more.

Construction materials, labor shortages, and supply-chain delays add extra weight. A recent report from HomeAdvisor put estimates for new builds in New York State (excluding NYC) ranging from $90/sqft to a whopping $250/sqft. Meaning a modest-sized home will still cost hundreds of thousands. And that’s not even accounting for the cost of land.

At the same time, home values in New York have been rising. In fact, 2025 estimates from Redfin indicate that in Syracuse, single-family home prices have increased 20.6% year over year, while housing stock decreased 17.6% year over year. Fewer homes for sale means fewer choices, so even if you can afford a home, it can feel like a feeding frenzy anytime a property comes up for sale.

Of the homes that do come up, many older homes are simply not designed for modern living. The properties aren’t made to accommodate many of the realities of life today: multi-generational families, work-from-home office needs, and aging-in-place

In short, many are feeling stuck between two frustrating options: stay put in a home that no longer fits or endure more stress and higher-than-ever costs by chasing “the next house.”

But what if there were another path? A route that sidesteps soaring build costs, leverages existing land, and gives you freedom instead of tying you down?

New housing for today’s market: tiny homes, ADUs & modular garages

Across the globe and across the U.S., alternative housing has been growing in popularity for the past 20 years. Now, it’s reached the point that average homeowners and home seekers have viable options, even in New York State. Tiny homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and multi-use garages with living space are redefining how families and investors are thinking about their properties.

These options are especially appealing in Central New York, where land costs may be more manageable but housing competition remains fierce.

Cost and lifestyle advantages 

Tiny Homes, ADUs, and multi-use garages with living space have cracked open the door to new opportunities for many homeowners, investors, and home seekers. Each option speaks to a way of life that embraces affordability, flexibility, and simplicity. For many families today looking for an alternative to the high-cost, cookie-cutter housing option, these distinctive homes are a breath of fresh air and opportunity.

• Lower base build cost: With less square footage, multi-use spaces, manufacturing efficiencies, and modular construction techniques, buyers can control overall cost and timeline.
  
• Smart use of land: Already own a parcel? An ADU or garage apartment gives you living space for family, a rental unit, or guest quarters — without having to move and uproot your family. The right property may allow you to add multiple ADUs or tiny homes, without having to subdivide or buy new land.
  
• Flexibility built in: The smaller, versatile living spaces have proven ideal for older generations to age in place while retaining the family property, or for adult children returning home, a home office, a studio, or a rental.
  
• Speedier builds & predictable budgeting: Modular building allows more of the work to be done off-site and in controlled conditions, reducing delays and cost surprises that plague traditional builds.
  
• Appealing rental/investment potential: For homeowners looking to create a new income stream for the family, or small investors looking to add cost-effective short-, mid-, or long-term rentals, these smaller units can bring steady income with less risk and less space.
  

Lifestyle & simplicity: For people wanting to downsize, these homes offer less upkeep, lower utility bills, and the freedom to spend time on life, not maintenance.

In a market where new single‐family homes are increasingly expensive and existing home stock is tight, these alternative housing models fill a gap. They answer “How do I make my land work harder?” or “How do I afford a move without sacrificing everything else?” or “How do I build something solid that fits with my life rather than making my life fit around my house?”

Gablewick’s Approach to Smaller Living in Central NY

Let’s turn from what’s possible to who delivers it. At Gablewick, located in Auburn, the heart of central NY, the focus is on timeless design, versatile buildings, and a personable build process. 

We don’t just install a prefab box and leave; we craft homes, garages, and ADUs with heart, using the best of traditional craftsmanship and the efficiencies of modern modular building methods.

The Gablewick team is excited to offer an array of customizable models, including tiny homes, ADUs, and modular garages with living space. Our mission is to provide beautiful, versatile, and affordable alternative homes for New York State and the broader Mid-Atlantic region. 

What makes Gablewick’s Homes Different

In an industry proliferated with cookie-cutter designs, unproven quality, and impersonal mass-produced homes, Gablewick is starkly different. 

A home, no matter the size or use, should be a place that you love to be. A place you can cherish for years, without worry about shoddy workmanship or cheap-and-now-failing materials. 

With every tiny home, ADU, and modular garage we build, our customers can count on:

• Amish-crafted quality: Gablewick’s team brings the proven strength of Amish craftsmanship. We combine attention to joinery, choice of materials, and hands-on care with modern technology and modular building methods. That means you get built-to-last, not just built-to-sell fast.
• Modular building for smarter cost: By manufacturing major building components off-site in controlled conditions, we shorten build times, reduce exposure to weather delays, and pass savings on to you.
• Local service, local trust: Based in central New York, we know the local codes, zoning customs, and building climate. You’re dealing with people who live here, not distant contractors who rotate in and out and risk leaving you hanging when it comes time to deliver your new home.
• Timeless design, versatile use: The structures aren’t flash-in-the-pan. They’re built to look good now and years from now and to serve multiple uses: guest house today, rental unit tomorrow; garage upstairs apartment now, a studio or workshop later.
• Affordability without sacrifice: Gablewick doesn’t aim to create the low cost “cardboard box” tiny homes you find (along with their horror stories) online. We aim for our homes to exemplify bang for your buck. You avoid the huge cost escalators of traditional homes while still getting a building that speaks to quality, longevity, and utility.
• Customizable Designs: Gablewick offers several base designs to choose from and allows you to customize the rest: finishes, details, windows, doors, lighting, layout, and more. Thus, you can create a unique space that speaks to your style and lifestyle needs.
• Sustainability by design: By choosing a smaller building footprint, smarter land use, and efficient construction methods, our homes have a smaller carbon footprint and often result in more efficient energy use over the long haul.

When you look at your land, your budget, your life plan; whether you’re aging in place, making space for family, or starting a rental stream, Gablewick stands out because the math makes sense in today’s market. Our modular construction makes sense by saving time and money, and the experience makes sense for you as a homeowner.

Four standout models: Tiny homes, ADUs & garages

Here are four of Gablewick’s base model building types. Call or drop by to find out which models are currently available for touring at our lot or to request more information.

Each design and build can be adapted to your site, your code requirements, and your life plan.

1. The Summer Kitchen (16×32, 492 sq ft)

Our Summer Kitchen home embraces the charm of simplicity. This design incorporates all of the necessities in a quaint yet remarkably spacious layout. Ideal for a guest home, downsizing and aging in place, or for a simple rental or campsite.

Features include:

• 1 bedroom, 3/4 bath
• Full eat-in kitchen perfect for cabin-style living
• Small living room for cozy gatherings
• 4×5 covered porch for outdoor relaxation

2. The Springhouse (20×32, 590 sq ft)

The Springhouse makes full use of its approximately 600sqft, with two full bedrooms and welcoming living spaces. You’ll find it perfect for a guest home, rental, or downsizing while keeping an extra bedroom to host friends and family.

Features include:

• 2 bedrooms, 3/4 bath
• Full eat-in kitchen with modern conveniences
• Small living room that maximizes space
• 5×10 covered porch for extended outdoor living

3. The Abbey (16×40, 640 sq ft)

The Abbey is reminiscent of the row homes and shotgun cottages that were a staple in American architecture from the 1800s to early 1900s. Storage, laundry, and separate living and dining areas create peaceful pockets of space throughout the home’s modest-yet-accomodating layout.

Features include:

• 1 bedroom, 3/4 bath
• Full kitchen plus separate dining area
• Dedicated living room for comfortable entertaining
• Laundry/utility room for convenience
• 5×10 covered porch

4. The Farmstead (24×42, 1008 sq ft)

The Farmstead makes the most of your indoor spaces as well as your outdoor living areas, with two full covered porches. Two bedrooms, a full bath, and separate living and dining rooms allow this home to feel larger than its dimensions suggest.

Features include:

• 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath with laundry
• Full eat-in kitchen with premium finishes
• Separate dining and living areas
• Large utility closet for storage
• Two covered porches (16×5 each) for maximum outdoor living

5. The Parsonage (32×40, 1184 sq ft)

With many states and municipalities limiting ADUs to a 1200 sqft maximum, the Parsonage allows you to make the most of your ADU space, coming in just under the limit. With three bedrooms, two full baths, and separate living, dining, and kitchen spaces, the Parsonage manages to function like a full-size home while simplifying living through its  smart use of space and smaller footprint. Perfect for a modest downsize, a starter home, or a rental.

Features include:

• 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths
• Full kitchen with separate dining room
• Spacious living room for family gatherings
• Dedicated laundry/utility room
• 5×10 covered porch

Making the Leap to Smaller Living

The housing market in New York State is tough. Costs high. Inventory low. Options narrow. But you don’t have to play by the old rules. With smaller, smarter buildings such as the tiny homes, ADUs, and garage apartments built by Gablewick, you can chart your own path.

With Gablewick, you get more than just a builder. You get a team that knows the land, knows the code, and knows how to build to last. We believe in timeless design and in building for the long run, not a quick sale. Your home, guest home, or rental opportunity is designed to work for you.

If you’re wondering, “Could I live in less?” or “ Is now the right time to think about an ADU or tiny home?” We can’t speak for you…but more and more homeowners are making the switch and experiencing financial and lifestyle freedom as a result. 

The math works. The process is simpler than you might imagine. And when you choose a builder you can trust, like Gablewick, your home becomes more than just a structure. It becomes a gateway to freedom and a haven for your next seasons of life.

Reach out to our team here at Gablewick. We’d love to show you how you can build smaller and smarter while living larger in the ways that matter most.