Are Upgrades Worth Investing in When Buying a Mobile Home?
People often choose to purchase mobile homes because they are so affordable and can be placed just about anywhere they choose. When shopping for a mobile home, there are so many options available to you when it comes to upgrades. Some of the upgrades are worth investing in at the time of purchase, and some can wait for later. The following guide walks you through a few of the most common upgrades that are available for mobile homes and advice as to if they are worth investing in or not.
Insulated Skirting Around the Exterior of the Mobile Home
If you don’t plan to put your mobile home on a concrete foundation, the bottom of the home will be exposed to the elements. This can lead to pipes freezing during the cold winter months and animals being able to burrow into the house from the outside. An insulated skirting can be a great upgrade to invest in because it not only provides your home from protection from most animals but also insulates the underneath of the house to decrease the chances of your pipes freezing.
Upgraded Flooring Isn’t a Great Investment to Make at First
Many mobile homes come with laminate flooring or carpeting throughout them to keep the cost to a minimum. The dealer will give you the option to upgrade the flooring to tile, granite, or even hardwood flooring to give the home a more refined look. While the upgraded flooring may look great, it can add thousands to your final cost of the home unnecessarily. Flooring can be changed out at a later date to keep your costs low when you are first buying the home.
Invest in Energy Efficient Windows and Doors Throughout the House
Mobile homes are often known for not being as energy efficient as stick-built homes are. Having low-quality windows and doors on the exterior of the house can allow heat and cool air to escape from the home during the cold winter or hot summer months. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors makes it easier for your home to maintain a constant temperature. This minimizes the heating and cooling costs you’ll ultimately have to pay.
Sheetrocked Walls Aren’t a Necessity
VOG walls, also known as Vinyl on Gypsum, are standard in most mobile homes. They are smooth, thin walls that create privacy, but aren’t soundproof. Some people choose to upgrade the walls in their homes to sheetrock because they feel that it creates a more finished look and makes painting the walls easier. Sheetrocking the walls will cost you thousands of dollars and ultimately won’t change the way that you can use the house.
Upgraded Lighting Isn’t as Important
Many dealers have multiple lighting options that you can add to the home. There are chandeliers, recessed lighting, and even globe lighting that can be added to make the home look higher end and provide more light within the rooms. The cost to have the lighting upgraded isn’t worth spending because you can simply add lamps throughout the home to boost the amount of light that’s in a room. You can have recessed lighting, chandeliers or any other lighting you want to be added to the house later on down the road when you can afford it.
The Cost of a Jet Tub Will Make Your Soak Less Relaxing
Many people want to unwind after a long day at work, and taking a soak in a comfortable tub can be a great way to do it. Dealers often have upgraded tubs that have jets in them available for you to add to your home. The tubs are often larger than traditional tubs so that you can fit in them comfortably. The only problem with these larger, jetted tubs is that the water heaters in the mobile homes aren’t large enough to provide enough hot water to fill the tubs.
You’ll be investing in something that you might not even be able to use. It’s best to wait to install a jetted tub until you know you can afford the large water heater and the high electricity costs that will come with using it.
Granite Countertops Aren’t a Sound Investment to Make
Having granite countertops in your kitchen will create a very elegant look. The granite can cost you triple or even quadruple what you would pay for the traditional laminate countertops that come in most mobile homes, though. The countertops work exactly the same way, and there are so many color options available when it comes to laminate countertops that you can still create the look you want without having to pay the high cost that comes with granite countertops.
High-End Appliances Cost More than They're Worth
Refrigerators, ovens, and even dishwashers are all designed to serve a specific purpose. There are many options available, and some will cost significantly more than others. Upgrading to stainless steel appliances will boost the amount you have to pay for your home significantly. Choose the basic appliance package and upgrade your appliances later when you have more disposable income to spend. You can often find high-end appliances on clearance or even at a scratch and dent store to get the most bang for your buck.
Solar Panels Cost More than They Save at First
Solar panels can sound very appealing to many people. They can help you to be more environmentally friendly and decrease your overall electrical costs each month. When you are first buying your home, the cost to have solar panels added to your mobile home will be quite high. If you consider how much the purchase and installation price is for the upgrades, you’ll quickly realize it’s an investment to consider at a later time.
Some upgrades are totally worth the investment when purchasing a mobile home, and some are not. You need to think long and hard about what you really need in a home and what you want in your home. It’s important to budget and agrees to purchase the home for an amount that you can afford to pay off as quickly as possible. You can then use the money you were spending on the loan to make any upgrades you choose once you are established and no longer paying for the house.