The new ranch homes of this century are Containers.
With the glut of containers in Long Beach, and Houston buying a used container and modifying it is an option.
One can buy a 40 foot container around 1000- 1500 dollars.
Reasons to buy one.
1. Waterproof.
2. Windproof
3. Security, lockable
4. Can be hauled on a tractor trailer to a location
5. Earthquake Proof
6. Can be insulated, stacked, combined to create a custom home.
Perfect thing for an office space or to be used while you are building your home.
Here is one modifier which has pre-built solutions.
http://www.coronadomobilestorage.com/custom-applications/index.shtml