Adult Treehouses Are Tops

Daily Real Estate News | April 21, 2010 |

The treehouse is becoming the hottest thing in backyard amenities.

They are particularly attractive to adults seeking a novel place to get away and relax.

The typical cost is $40,000 to $80,000 for a 200-square-foot, fully furnished treehouse with electricity and, possibly a bathroom and a kitchen.

The most difficult part of constructing a tree house can be getting permits. Failing to get a permit can be a big mistake, treehouse builders say.

"You can be technical to the nth degree, but the treehouse may still be considered a nuisance if your neighbors see it that way," says Pete Nelson, author of five books on treehouses and co-founder of TreeHouse Workshop, a Seattle-based design and construction firm that's built more than 100 treehouses.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Sarah Max (04/07/2010)