Archive for year: 2023

With real estate prices continuing to climb across the country, people are beginning to turn to alternative housing options. Manufactured homes are one of the primary options buyers consider.

People often confuse the terms “manufactured home” and “mobile home.” The main contrast between the two is the date they were built. A home built before June 15, 1976, is considered a mobile home. One built after this date is considered a manufactured home.

There are different types of manufactured home sizes available, and buyers often choose between a double-wide vs single. So, what is a double-wide? Let’s break down the key information you need to know.

What Is a Double-Wide Manufactured Home?

Also known as a multi-section home, a double-wide manufactured home is one with a floor plan that joins two separate sections together.

They typically range from less than 1,000 square feet to over 2,000 square feet in size. When relocating these units, they are split into two sections and then joined together at their destination. This makes them remarkably easy to transport, considering their size.

What Is a Single-Wide?

In contrast to a double-wide manufactured home, a single-wide home consists only of one section. Many are under 1,000 square feet in size. Due to its narrow floor plan, there aren’t many options for different layouts.

Double-Wide Home Benefits

Still on the fence about buying a manufactured home? There are certain benefits that could sway your decision. Let’s explore them below.

You’ll Have Plenty of Room

With the extra space that double-wide homes provide, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to make the most of this housing option. To clarify, many double-wide homes have enough room for offices, making them a great option for remote workers.

The extra room can prevent your living space from feeling claustrophobic, something that people often experience in a single-wide home. The last thing you want is to feel trapped in the place you live.

No Shortage of Flexibility

There’s no shortage of floor plan options for double-wide manufactured homes. This level of flexibility allows you to customize their layout to meet your needs. It’s also possible to relocate this property, so you don’t need to worry about selling it if you choose to move somewhere else.

There are many communities dedicated to manufactured homes across the country. These are often in prime locations with amazing views.

Structural Reliability

Since manufactured homes are built in factories, their construction is standardized. You won’t have to worry about quality issues with your home’s structural components.

If you choose to have a manufactured home built, you also won’t need to worry about weather-related delays. When building conventional homes, periods of inclement weather can extend the project’s timeline by weeks or even months. This can be highly inconvenient, especially if you plan on selling an existing property before you move into your new home.

Surprisingly Comfortable Living Space

People often assume that living in a manufactured home will be substantially different than living in a regular house. While not everything is identical, the experience isn’t as dissimilar as you might expect. Other than a lack of yard space, manufactured homes don’t have many limitations.

Couples and small families will have plenty of personal space in locations like these. There’s no need to worry about feeling uncomfortable. Just be sure to tour the property before you purchase it so you can envision your lifestyle.

Environmental Friendliness

Since the manufactured home building process is so efficient, fewer materials are wasted. This is in stark contrast to conventional homebuilding, which often results in large amounts of materials ending up in landfills. If you’re looking for a way to minimize your carbon footprint, manufactured homes are the perfect choice.

Affordability

This is an attribute you simply cannot overlook. Manufactured homes are substantially cheaper than conventional housing options. They create opportunities for those who simply can’t afford single-family homes in their area.

In many cases, you can save hundreds of thousands of dollars when buying a manufactured home. This makes them a great option for starter homes.

Their affordability can also help you build your real estate portfolio. For instance, you could likely purchase two or three manufactured homes for the same price as one single-family home. In this scenario, you can quickly establish multiple sources of passive income.

Finding the Right Home For You

Finding the right manufactured home is very similar to finding a conventional house. You’ll need to search through your local market for suitable options thoroughly.

Keep in mind that listing prices are determined by the seller themselves and are unregulated. So, don’t feel discouraged if you find an amazing property that’s well outside of your budget. The seller may have overpriced the home, meaning you might find something similar for far less money.

Working with a professional can help you streamline your search. They have tools and resources to help narrow down your choices and find the best options.

When searching for someone to work with, look into their past reputation. This will provide insight into what you can expect.

Make sure they have experience in transactions like these. If they typically sell large single-family homes, for example, you may not get the best results.

Never neglect to schedule inspections. The last thing you want is to purchase a home that’s in much worse condition than you initially believed.

You should also use websites dedicated to manufactured homes. This helps you cut through the clutter and view properties relevant to your needs. They allow you to filter your searches by various criteria, including price, location, square footage, etc.

Take Advantage of Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes can prove to be amazing locations to live, and they offer buyers more flexibility than conventional houses. Just be sure to keep the answer to “what is a double-wide” in mind. As long as you do your due diligence, you’ll find your dream home soon enough.

Finding available homes doesn’t have to be difficult or tedious. We’re proud to offer a directory that streamlines this process.

We update our listings daily, so you never know what you’ll find! You can check out this article to get started with your manufactured home search.

Are you ready to live big for less?

If so, it’s time to add mobile homes to your real estate search. Modern models are spacious, well-appointed, and available at a competitive price point. 

As you think about finding a place of your own, you naturally want to make sure the property you choose meets all of your criteria. Today, we’re sharing seven of the most important things to consider as you browse mobile homes for sale in your area!

1. Buying vs. Renting Your Home

One of the first things to think about is whether you want to buy a new mobile home outright or rent it through a property management company. 

There are pros and cons to each option and the decision is ultimately a personal one. A few of the top reasons to buy versus rent include:

• The ability to make the space your own
• The ability to perform your own landscaping
• The ability to build equity
• A greater sense of ownership 
• A lower mortgage than a stick-built house

If you only plan to stay in your local area for a short while, then renting might be a better option. Another benefit of renting is that a maintenance team will usually take care of any necessary repairs.

While homeownership is usually a smart move, it does mean that you’re responsible for maintaining the interior and exterior of your home, which can be a major task. 

2. Buying vs. Leasing Land

Next, consider if you want to buy or lease the lot that your mobile home sits on.

If you want to live in a community setting, such as a mobile home park, then you will usually rent the lot from the park management company. However, some parks will allow residents to buy their lot, especially if they plan to put down roots there full-time. 

If you buy your home but rent the land underneath it, this arrangement is known as a land lease. In many cases, a land lease is the most economical route to go, especially if you’re on a budget. In addition, lot repair, maintenance, and landscaping services may also be included if you rent. 

3. Basic Layout

As you begin to tour different mobile homes for rent or sale, take a look at the different layout options that are available. Most communities and parks will have one model home that you can tour to get a feel for the setup. 

Before you visit, take the time to decide what your non-negotiables will be. These are items and features that you absolutely require, such as:

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Space for a home office
• Pet-friendly accommodations 
• Open versus segmented floor plan
• Handicap accessibility
• Laundry hookup and laundry room

The list of must-haves will vary from one person to the next. At the very minimum, however, the mobile home you choose should be able to accommodate your needs. 

4. Extra Amenities

Once you have your crucial requirements covered, it’s time to have a little fun! Next, think about all of the extras and special features that you’d like your home to have, if possible. 

If the home in question doesn’t have these touches, it’s not usually a deal-breaker. These might include:

• High-end fixtures
• Spacious lot
• Manicured landscaping
• Access to recreational events
• Access to shared community facilities (e.g., gym, tennis courts, pool)

Think about how flexible you are on these features. If you’re willing to give up a mobile home if it doesn’t include something, add it to your list of non-negotiables. 

5. Location

Any time you invest in real estate, you want to make sure the location is right. This applies to any type of property, including a mobile home. 

Do you need to be within a certain distance of your work? If you have children, have you thought about the local school system? How does it stack up, and how far would your commute be? 

You’ll often hear real estate agents and mobile home dealers repeat the phrase “location, location, location” when sharing a new listing. This is because you can change many of the aesthetic elements of a home, but you can’t relocate it on a whim.

Before you put down roots, make sure it’s in a place you truly want to be. 

6. HOA

HOA stands for homeowners association. In many communities, this group exists to help maintain order and appearance. An HOA creates rules and regulations that residents must follow. 

If you purchase a mobile home in a park that has an HOA, you may be required to pay a separate HOA fee in addition to your rent each month. While an HOA can be a beneficial service, that extra cost might be difficult to cover. 

Neighborhoods that don’t have HOA oversight may not be as orderly, but they could be more affordable. This is one requirement you’ll need to look into and assess before moving forward. 

7. Security and Privacy

While you look for a mobile home for sale, be sure to ask about the community’s safety and security protocols.

Is there a gate that only allows authorized residents to enter? What about an on-site security guard or high-tech surveillance system?

Along the same lines, remember to take a tour of the property so you can gauge how private each lot is. Some mobile homes feature partially wooded lots so you can enjoy your solitude, but others are wide open. 

Find the Best Mobile Homes for Sale

If you’re ready to move into a new property, we recommend starting with mobile homes. Not only are they usually more affordable than stick-built models, but they’re also convenient and amenity-rich, and give you an instant sense of community. 

Keep these seven considerations in mind as you begin your hunt. The right home is out there, just waiting for you to move in!

When you’re ready to start your search, start with us. You can find mobile homes for sale by state, along with lots of helpful tips and advice!

Did you know that when one person becomes happier, their next-door neighbor’s chances of growing happier also improve by 34%? Happiness might not be contagious, but it’s certainly easy to spread, especially when you live in a community!

If you’re interested in moving into a mobile home, it’s this aspect of neighborhood living that might intrigue you the most. You may wonder what it’s like once you enter the property, what kind of amenities they offer, and what your day-to-day life will be like.

While each one is unique in its own way, there are some similarities that most mobile parks share. Today, we’re sharing a real-life look at what it’s like to join one and what you can expect.

What Are Mobile Parks?

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a step back. What is a mobile home park in the first place?

Put simply, this is a community of rental lots. These lots can either be independently owned by residents themselves or they can be collectively owned and managed by a landlord.

In some parks, residents can purchase a pre-built home that’s already in place within the community. Then, they simply move in whenever they’re ready.

In other parks, you can purchase an empty lot first. Then, you’ll design and build your manufactured home with a builder, dealership, or another third party. When it’s complete, you’ll pay to have the home placed on the lot.

Some mobile home parks offer both pre-built homes and vacant lots for future buyers to consider.

Amenities to Expect

One of the best aspects of mobile homes is that their communities are usually amenity-rich! These are extra perks that make the community more enjoyable to live in, and encourage social interaction.

Some of the most common amenities you’ll find in a mobile home park include:

• Swimming pools
• Gyms and athletic centers
• Playgrounds
• Community centers
• Recreational rooms

Of course, these features and benefits can vary from one property to the next. While one mobile home park may have only a playground for residents to enjoy, others will be equipped with a much more elaborate setup. Today, it’s not uncommon to find manufactured home communities that boast a range of high-end amenities from splash parks and disc golf courses to Wi-Fi cafes.

Resident Events

Similar to a retirement home, many mobile home parks will regularly host events and gatherings to offer residents an opportunity to get to know one another.

Sometimes, these events are seasonal. For instance, there may be a community dinner at Christmas or an egg hunt for the kids at Easter. Other times, they’re simply planned for no reason beyond simple socialization.

In most cases, participation is completely optional. If you’re interested in learning more about your neighbors, make plans to attend! However, if you’re an introvert who prefers to connect in smaller environments, you’re free to skip.

Freedom and Privacy

When you picture a manufactured home park, you might think that all of the properties are close to one another. However, this isn’t usually the case. Most communities offer spacious lots that offer residents plenty of privacy and freedom to call their own.

Not only are these units more affordable than some other housing options, but they also give you the opportunity to live in your own, single-family home without sharing any walls with your neighbors. At the same time, you’ll also get your own piece of land, which you can use any way you wish.

Age Restrictions

As you research different mobile home parks near you, be sure to check on age restrictions. While some communities are open to everyone, others might have limits in place.

For instance, some parks are designated for seniors only, and residents must be 55 years old or older to move in there. These neighborhoods are ideal for retirees who are looking to downsize, minimize their lawncare requirements, and enjoy the security of a close-knit community. You can enjoy all of the comforts of home without the upkeep and maintenance.

Others are geared toward families with young children and will feature elaborate playgrounds, childcare opportunities, and playdate meetups, among other family-friendly amenities. If age limits are in place, this information should be readily available so make sure to check it out before moving forward!

Community Rules and Regulations

Most mobile home parks are designed to give residents as much freedom and flexibility as possible. Yet, there have to be specific rules and guidelines in place to make sure everyone can live, work, and play together safely and enjoyably.

This is where community regulations come in. In most parks, residents are leasing the land that their home is situated on. As such, they have to read and agree to a set of rules for as long as they belong to the community.

Most of the time, these rules aren’t outrageous, nor are they meant to be punitive in nature. Rather, they’re simply in place to instill a sense of order in the neighborhood and make sure the lots stay in good shape. Common resident requirements include:

• Maintaining the landscaping
• Cutting the grass to an appropriate length
• Parking in designated spots
• Abiding by community pet policies

As long as you can adhere to these rules, you should be able to enjoy and use your lot as you see fit. There may also be regular community meetings to discuss new rules and monitor current ones.

Learn More About Living in Mobile Parks

There are many advantages to living in mobile parks. These communities can give you freedom, shelter, socialization, and access to a range of features and amenities. They can also be more affordable and easier to access than other types of housing.

If you’re curious about living in these types of environments, we’re here to make your next steps a little easier. We’re proud to share updates and information on mobile home living, as well as a detailed directory of trailer parks and manufacturers for you to consider!

Find a park near you and reach out today to learn more!