Nestron and its Canadian dealer in Surrey made their North American debut in April by unveiling the Legend Two. Additionally, Nestron dealerships could soon become accessible across various U.S. states. Jim Mickey, the new owner and dealer for Nestron, admitted to Insider that despite lacking a real estate or tiny home background, he was drawn to prefab construction.

Instead, he has cultivated a "range of business ventures," which currently involve his role as Nestron's inaugural authorized dealer in the North American market. Mickey initially connected with Nestron in 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, having learned about the "tiny home phenomenon." Expressing his desire to witness it firsthand, Mickey shared with Insider, "Back then, I couldn't simply hop on a plane to China to observe its construction in the factory. Opting for the most feasible approach, I decided to take the plunge and requested them to 'construct and dispatch it.'"

Following what he describes as an "effortless" decision to make the purchase, Nestron initiated the construction of his unit in China in 2021. However, due to the ongoing global supply-chain disruptions at the time, the delivery had to be postponed. Eventually, in late 2022, the entire unit, along with its appliances, was transported intact from the manufacturing facility in China to Vancouver, Canada. This transportation was accomplished through a combination of a cargo ship, a flatbed truck, and a crane. Presently, the home has been assembled and put on exhibition in Surrey, Canada, located just outside of Vancouver.

Nonetheless, as a dealer, Mickey's primary intention was never to utilize it as a backyard tiny home. Instead, he plans for it to function as a semi-permanent display unit, accessible for prospective buyers in close proximity to tour. This strategy serves the purpose of providing interested individuals with the opportunity to explore the unit firsthand, eliminating the need for them to travel all the way to China.

Up until now, potential customers with interest have already visited from both eastern Canada and California, with the latter visit being deemed as a "successful" experience according to Mickey. In the United States, numerous backyard tiny homes can easily surpass the $100,000 price point. In contrast, Nestron's units come in at a slightly more affordable range: For the unit itself, Mickey's payment amounted to slightly over $96,000, inclusive of taxes. The furnished model, which includes shipping, was priced at $73,000. However, supplementary features such as solar panels, air conditioning, and additional storage incurred an extra cost of nearly $16,700.

Nevertheless, it's hardly surprising that transporting a tiny home from China to Canada involves expenses beyond just shipping. Mickey clarified that this expense doesn't encompass what he paid to move the tiny home from the Port of Vancouver to its current location, a sum which he stated was less than $2,000. Despite these supplementary costs, Mickey insists that the product still represents remarkable value. He remarked, "When it comes to any product, North American manufacturers inevitably face challenges when competing against Chinese manufacturers due to inherent cost and business factors." Nestron boasts a collection of designs reminiscent of "Tron," yet the Legend Two adopts a more conventional design approach, likely to have a broader appeal among consumers.

Externally, the Legend Two boasts a contemporary appearance, seamlessly melding a matte black frame with panels resembling wood. Within its interior, a vibrant display of orange walls and accents awaits, encompassing distinct spaces including a bedroom featuring a built-in bed frame, a well-equipped kitchen, and a bathroom. It's these innovative designs that have propelled Nestron's models into the spotlight: At one point, the company's website experienced downtime, likely due to an influx of visitors and the "exceptionally overwhelming" level of popularity, as conveyed by Choco Toh from Nestron's marketing team to Insider back in 2021. While the prefab home builder's headquarters are presently situated in Singapore as per their website, a separate office is maintained in Malaysia. The construction of Mickey's unit, however, took place in China. This year, Toh shared that Nestron's objective revolves around establishing 10 dealerships in states such as Nevada, Texas, and Florida, alongside the setup of an office in Long Beach, California.

Regarding shipments, the company's plan is to maintain the supply of its units to customers in various states, including Maryland and Hawaii, throughout this year. Looking ahead, there's a plan to investigate the possibility of establishing manufacturing facilities within the United States. The bulk of the interest has originated from North American customers, particularly in states such as California, Alaska, and Texas. Nestron's warehouse currently houses six tiny homes that are scheduled for delivery this summer, while another 13 are currently in the process of being crafted.

The current real estate climate is undoubtedly challenging. However, Toh mentioned that the company has observed a surge in inquiries from potential customers intrigued by the idea of utilizing these units as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in their backyards. ADUs can expand the total square footage of a main property by serving as distinct living spaces, suitable for guest accommodations, home offices, or even rental opportunities. Thus, if the prospect of traveling overseas to witness a Nestron unit was once impractical, a more feasible option might involve a swift journey across the Canadian border.