Due to their stronger construction and improved aesthetics, today, “Manufactured Houses” is a more accurate term to use when referring to Mobile Homes. Though per HUD guidelines, a factory-built home prior to June 15, 1976, is a mobile home, and one built after this date is a manufactured home.
Many Mobile Home designs are similar to their counterparts in brick-and-mortar construction. More technically, a mobile home is a prefabricated house that is set up in a specified location and utilized as a family or individual’s permanent living arrangement. In addition to being used as permanent residency, mobile homes are frequently used as second homes or as short-term lodging. However, placing them permanently on a property is becoming increasingly typical, as mobile home parks as of late have been steadily increasing their prices.
The intent of a mobile home is to be moveable, however, in practice, they are seldom moved once they are put in a place of residency. Mobile homes are built in a controlled environment in factories, where quality can be closely monitored. They are placed on a chassis with wheels for ease of movement. They are sometimes mistaken for a house trailer, a trailer home, a trailer, a residential caravan, or even a static caravan. To help the mobile home during high winds, they are strapped down per regulations.
What’s great about Mobile Homes is that they are compact, affordable, and high-quality dwellings that provide hundreds of thousands of individuals across the country with the means to avoid high home prices, while giving them the flexibility they need to grow and live their lives to the fullest.
Who Buys Mobile Homes?
A mobile home can be the right purchase for many as they offer numerous benefits. The best thing about mobile homes is that they provide a comfortable, more affordable alternative to purchasing stick-built homes. Stick-built homes are structures that are constructed on land, as opposed to mobile homes, which are constructed in a factory setting.
There is also an impression that mobile homes are solely bought by people with limited financial means. From my own experience, I’ve seen plenty of people buy mobile homes for their ease, and perceived value=vs-cost analysis. It’s quite easy to buy some land out in the sticks and plop a mobile home on it, and voila, your own home with wonderful privacy – a dream for many that don’t have to cost a lot.
First-Time Home Buyers
People with tight budgets, who don’t want to live in an apartment, will find mobile homes that can make great homes. They can also be easier to take care of, as they are typically smaller than a stick-built house, though you’ll need to go to a specialty store for mobile homes for many of your home improvements.
While it will be hard to find financing for older mobile homes, quite a few banks will finance newer and new mobile homes. It’s best to start with local banks than national banks, as local banks know the area and tend to be more community-friendly.
Putting Mobile Homes on Land
Putting a mobile home on its own land can be a great idea for many. First, it avoids the mobile home park fees, including the increasing tendency to keep raising lot fees. Also, as discussed above, it can provide a significant amount of privacy.
While it’d probably be cheapest to buy land that already has utility hookups including septic, you may find the perfect spot doesn’t have this yet. Prices vary greatly by region, so you should verify these costs before you commit to buying a piece of land.
Mobile Homes for All Regions
Given the popularity of mobile homes, both for their affordability, mobility as well as cost, quite a few people are interested in mobile homes. HUD has also helped make mobile homes viable by establishing wind zone ratings for mobile homes. So some places, for example, the Florida Panhandle, require at least wind zone rating type two.
Given the maturity of the construction of mobile homes, mobile homes are a viable solution for all regions in the United States. Per the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, mobile homes are typically as safe as site-built home types from hurricanes and other inclement weather.
Buying a Mobile Home in a Park
A lot of times mobile home parks try to keep the mobile homes in the park up to date. Mobile homes that are older than 20 years old are not desired in a mobile home park as it makes the entire park looks old, and if not maintained, trashy.
To deal with this, most parks have a policy that when an older mobile home is sold, it must be moved out of the park. This is particularly tricky in Florida because Florida only allows Wind Type II or higher to be moved in Florida. If you buy a Type 1 or untyped, you’d have to move it out of state. Given this, the cost of moving could easily exceed the value of the mobile home.
You need to discuss this with the mobile home park owner/management before making a purchase. You are not only buying the mobile home, but also renting land in that park, and the park wants to approve whoever takes over a home.
Types of Mobile Homes
Mobile Homes are prefabricated manufactured structures that are constructed in varying sizes. There are typically three types: single-wide, double-wide, and triple-wide mobile homes.
Single-Wide Mobile Home
The smallest mobile home is a single wide, making it the least expensive and most portable. The majority of single-wide mobile homes are 90 feet (27 m) in length and 18 feet in width. though some mobile homes can be smaller than this. Single-wides, which are frequently chosen by young families and those who intend to move, are shipped as a single piece to the location. While you can raise a family in a single-wide home, although it may feel small, single-wides are also a fantastic choice for temporary housing while having a conventional home built because of their comfort and affordability. They have one level, varying numbers of rooms, and a surprising variety of modification choices, so layouts and designs can vary greatly.
Double-Wide Mobile Home
In comparison to a site-built home, a double-wide mobile home can be just as large. And with modern manufacturing, they tend to have excellent insulation and lots of privacy (i.e. sound suppression). The normal size of a double-wide is up to 90 feet long and 20 feet or wider. Double-wide mobile homes are delivered as two separate pieces that are joined together on the homeowner’s property. Some people worry that these dwellings are more prone to leaks or instability, but with 60 years of experience manufacturing these, this tends not to happen. Be sure whoever assembles the mobile home, and hooks it up to utilities has the needed experience and warranty their work.
Triple-Wide or Multi-Section Mobile Homes
The biggest and toughest type to move is this one. All sections are individually moved to the homeowner’s property, where they are assembled on-site. It’s common for triple-wide mobile homes to have up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms and are fairly roomy. Also, these larger mobile homes can come in a variety of different floor layouts, and from the interior, it’s possible you may forget it’s a mobile home, especially since many mobile homes now use drywall for the interior. Luxury mobile homes can include walk-in closets and jacuzzis.
Advantages of Living in a Mobile Home
Given advances in technology including insulation, soundproofing, more miniature appliances, better climate control options, and so forth, mobile homes today are much more stylish than in the past. Additionally, there are other benefits as well:
Affordability
Mobile homes tend to be more affordable than other types of homes. Since they are smaller, they can be cheaper to maintain, however, for many parts, you’ll have to go to a specialty store for mobile homes.
Energy Efficiency
Affordability doesn’t mean you’re compromising on energy efficiency. And with its manufactured standards, a mobile home is energy-efficient, compact, and transportable. As a result, you can enjoy more space and comfort for the money.
Quicker Move-in Time
Once you choose a mobile home of your liking, chances are you won’t need to wait for months to move in. You’ll move into your new mobile home sooner than you would a site-built home because the construction process doesn’t depend on the weather or subcontractors; the usual obstacles causing delayed construction are excluded. Everything is done in a factory where quality can be monitored.
Open Options
Today mobile home manufacturers will make sure a wide array of options for flooring, walls, and more are available to you. Mobile homes infer good alternatives if you’re not ready to commit to a site-built house or not sure about your living place. Given the flexibility of the production process, some even let you alter the layout before it’s constructed!
Quality
Mobile homes tend to have a life expectancy of 30 to 55 years on average. Of course, to answer the question of how long mobile homes last, this is something that also depends on the level of maintenance that is conducted on the mobile home. Mobile homes made from quality materials can last you a while. Some are even better equipped than their stick-built counterparts. You get what you pay for so don’t skimp on quality materials. It’ll still work out better cost-wise than a site-built home, though site-built homes may be the best ROI in the long run given how they may appreciate better than mobile homes.
Disadvantages of Living in a Mobile Home
Depreciation
Mobile homes depreciate over time. However, if properly maintained, you can reduce the rate they are depreciated at. If your mobile home is in a mobile home park, you will have much less control of your surroundings, which can increase or decrease your mobile home’s value.
May Need to Vacate in Extreme Weather
While mobile homes are built in quality-controlled environments and are wind-zone rated, you may want to seek another shelter in extreme weather conditions.
Conclusion
Living in a mobile home can be budget-friendly and liberating in many ways, but it also comes with limitations that are not for everyone. This blog aims to provide you with a reasonable understanding of mobile homes and their pros and cons. You should take your time and make sure that you choose the ideal one for your family’s needs because this is the place where you will spend most of your time for at least the next several years. You can have a welcoming and pleasant home!