3 years ago
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Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Is a Manufactured Home a Mobile Home?
The terms ‘manufactured homes’ and ‘mobile homes’ are often used interchangeably. However, the two are very different in terms of the regulations guiding their development and what they’re made of.
For instance, a mobile home is any factory-built structure that was developed before July 1, 1976. On the other hand, a manufactured home involves a factory–built home that was developed after July 1, 1976.
Here, we put the question of whether a manufactured home is a mobile home to rest and look at what they exactly involve.
Is a Manufactured Home a Mobile Home?
If you’re still asking yourself this question, keep reading to understand the differences between the two.
History of Manufactured Homes
The term ‘manufactured homes’ was started after the implementation of manufactured home construction and safety standards that were put into effect on June 15, 1976. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulates these standards.
Before this period, customer service issues, predatory lending practices, and poor quality control had plagued the factory-built home industry since the 1920s.
In the 1970s, most industries were developing unstable and unsafe homes that fell apart quickly. Only a few manufacturers were offering quality customer service and homes.
There was, therefore, the need to turn the poor reputation around to develop quality and long-lasting homes. At the time, Congress was developing a new bill that would put quality and safety standards on modular homes.
The real estate industry, during this time, worked closely with Congress on the bill to fix the issues related to minimal energy-efficiency and fire safety. Therefore, June 15, 1976, is the critical time in history when the manufactured housing industry transitioned from unreliable homes to more safe and quality manufactured homes.
Since then, any home developed in the industry had to meet the minimum requirements and standards for insulation, construction regulations, safety, and energy-efficiency, as defined by the Safety Act.
New Home and New Name
The real estate industry at the time took advantage of the change in regulations and laws as a catalyst to change the name from mobile homes to manufactured homes.
The stakeholders felt the need to shed the stereotypes and stigmas linked to modular homes.
There was a common agreement that manufactured homes are built better in quality and safety, thus they deserved a better name. From that moment, the name manufactured homes was born.
Even though the new safety standards were in operation, it was still difficult for people to believe that the new homes were different from the homes offered just a few years before. The industry, therefore, rolled out a massive marketing blitz campaign.
The stakeholders convinced a Washington D.C.-based politician to sponsor a bill stating that all government-sponsored and printed literature would only use the name ‘manufactured homes.’
There was still a challenge that even though the term mobile home was dead to the government regulating it, and the real estate industry, it was still alive to the people buying and living in them.
For this reason, you would hear people referring to the manufactured homes as mobile homes, even though the two are different.
As we have highlighted above, a mobile home is any factory-built home developed before June 15, 1976, while a manufactured unit is any structure built in a factory after that period.
What Differentiates Manufactured Homes from Mobile & Modular Homes
There are many differences between a manufactured and modular home, as we’ll see below:
Home Construction Method
The main difference between manufactured and modular homes is in the way they’re developed.
A manufactured unit is developed fully in the factory and then moved to its final home site. After arriving at the site, it becomes indistinguishable from site-built homes. It even becomes difficult to move them from one place to another after they’re on-site.
This entire construction process is managed with accuracy and consistency to cut down on disruptions and delays that are commonly experienced in traditionally built homes.
Manufactured units are built according to the federal construction codes and HUD, while modular homes are developed according to local and state laws.
Home Design and Options
When you want to buy a manufactured unit versus other home options, most of the changes you’ll notice are structural. Manufactured homes have come a long way as far as design options are concerned.
There are various design and cosmetic options available, which will sometimes depend on the building company and financing institutions that you select. There are a variety of building options as well, including different materials you can choose from.
Since one factory takes care of the construction, from start to finish, you’ll have more options to customize your manufactured unit, in an effort to meet your standards. Today’s modern manufactured homes are very similar to site-built homes.
Home Safety
One major concern for people purchasing manufactured homes has to do with their safety.
Since the homes are developed off-site, homebuyers distrust them to offer the safety they require. However, it has been proven time and again that this fear is unfounded.
There is no big difference between the safety of a manufactured unit and that of a site-built home. The homes are developed under HUD safety standards, which are more strict than any local or state regulations.
The homes are developed under a controlled factory environment and then moved to their site. They are then affixed with a red certification from HUD.
After the home is installed, there is a thorough inspection to guarantee the safety of occupants.
Cost of Buying a Manufactured Unit
If there is something you’ll like about manufactured homes, it’s the fact that the homes are more affordable compared to most other options. These homes are constructed with the primary aim of allowing for controlled production costs.
Since they’re developed in factories, they are made at a fraction of the cost of a site-built home. The savings on costs by the factory is then transferred to the buyer.
Conclusion
New homeowners are nowadays finding manufactured homes as a great option, compared to other home types. These homes are designed and developed according to the HUD Code to ensure safety and quality.
Unlike mobile and modular homes that came before, manufactured homes offer customization options. They are also affordable and energy-efficient.
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4 years ago
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Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Why Downsizing to a Mobile Home is the Right Choice
We have come up with a collection of reasons outlining exactly why downsizing to move into a mobile home is still, most definitely, a smart housing choice that you will not regret!
From young adults, to couples, to families, to individuals in retirement, downsizing to a mobile house in a mobile home park is a brilliant way for anyone, of any age, to live a serene and, less stress-filled, simpler way of life.
Save yourself money through mobile home living!
Downsizing and moving to manufactured home communities is certainly a much more affordable option than living in a traditional built home.
Even though renting or buying a traditional stick-built home may seem like a good idea, it can definitely be extremely pricey. A traditional site-built home still costs on average $379,500 in the USA.
Downsizing to move to a manufactured home is a far less expensive option. These homes offer a far better value for your money, i.e. price per square foot of living space, than traditional homes.
Financing the mortgage payments per month for traditional homes costs significantly more money, meaning that you have to dip a lot deeper into your savings every month, than you need for monthly mortgage payments when you buy or lease a manufactured home.
For those aspiring for manufactured homeownership, mobile homes often offers residents the option of chattel loan mortgage payments as a way of financing the purchase of these homes.
Chattel loans are more affordable as they require lower down payments and allow those taking out the loan the opportunity to pay it off within a much shorter period of time. The chattel loans enable people to become homeowners a lot faster than they would through paying traditional mortgage payments every month.
Those aspiring to be young home owners should read into the chattel loan payments on offer for the specific home they are interested in. And, ofcourse, you should make sure you will definitely be able to afford to pay off the chattel loan payments per month for the home you are interested in buying.
Downsizing and choosing to go and live in manufactured home communities is a fantastic option to take advantage of during your retirement years
Moving to a community is an ideal option for those in retirement that are downsizing and looking to be in a significantly smaller sized living space. Many communities are age restricted for those aged 55+, as they are targeting individuals in retirement to be their key customer base.
Choosing to live in manufactured home communities is beneficial for individuals in retirement as it costs less and enables them to save more money. This way they can relax and enjoy life in retirement.
Another key benefit for individuals living in manufactured homes during their retirement is that they are one storey accessible housing properties. It is common in traditionally stick-built homes for elderly people with mobility issues to experience problems getting around the house, particularly when faced daily with having to use steep long winding stairs.
Thankfully, nearly all manufactured homes are one storey high, so there are no windy stairs to be an issue. Many homes are also built to be step free and wheelchair accessible, which may come useful should residents, later in their retirement, require the use of a wheelchair.
You are only retired once! We recommend taking full advantage of your years during retirement, and downsizing to go and live in a community is a smart choice to achieve that.
Manufactured homes are particularly useful in helping young first-time buyers in their path towards homeownership
Downsizing and moving to a manufactured home is a brilliant and affordable opportunity.
In the current economic climate, it is rather difficult for young adults (ages 18-30 years old) to afford traditional homes, and the mortgage payments that come along with them. Therefore, downsizing to a manufactured home is an ideal opportunity for younger people to successfully get themselves onto the property ladder and become homeowners!
Why should you have to wait until you are well into your 40s to have the stability of proudly owning your own home?
How to find your ideal home, and how young buyers can afford to buy manufactured homes
We recommend contacting a mobile home dealership and finding a home that suits you and/or your family’s needs. Then look for a welcoming mobile home park, in a suitable location, of your choice.
Alternatively, you may decide to lease or buy one in a manufactured housing community, which is owned by the mobile home park itself. This way, you avoid the need to search for a home from an independent dealership and transport it to a plot of land or a community site.
Choosing to live in a mobile home is a much better and more affordable option for younger people looking to get started in the property market and become homeowners. Choosing to lease one of these homes is also another affordable option for younger Gen Z renters too. The average monthly rent price for manufactured housing is lower than for traditional stick built homes.
Due to mobile homes normally being smaller sized living spaces, in terms of square foot, there is far less maintenance work to spend your money on when downsizing to live in manufactured housing
Top quality manufactured homes rarely ever cost above $100,000 to buy. In this way, manufactured housing ownership is significantly more affordable than buying a traditional home.
We seriously recommend that young people look at the homes available on the market, as well as looking through various mobile home parks, to see what is out there. You will find that, overall, it costs a lot less to live in one of these homes than in a traditional one.
Mobile home parks have a sociable and community-focussed feel to them
Manufactured home communities offer its residents a vibrant social life, as well as the opportunity to make strong long-lasting bonds of friendship with neighbors.
Many mobile home parks host social events and purposely have communal spaces on offer, where residents can connect and socialize together.
Theses mobile home park communal amenities may include, but are not limited to:
● Outdoor swimming pool
● Indoor swimming pool
● On-site restaurants
● Boat docks
● Clubhouses
● Libraries
● Golf courses
● Fitness centers
● Organized activities
● Tennis courts
● Basketball courts
● Playgrounds
● Business centers
● Community centers
● Free Wi-Fi
● BBQ area
● Billiards
● Mail center
● Pet friendly
● Gated communities
● Lush landscapes
● Waterfront views
● Communal gardens
● And more…
Residents in communities truly look after one another, which creates a fantastic friendly community centered experience where people can feel safe in their living environment.
Thanks to helpful on-site maintenance teams ready to assist with any of the residents’ concerns, living in communities are a more hassle free way of life
On-site maintenance teams are a godsend for residents, and come in very handy. They simply take a lot of the stress away from residents!
They ensure all of the on-site community facilities (such as swimming pool, clubhouses, outdoor picnic areas, playgrounds, barbeque areas, etc.) work reliably, are well-maintained and are readily available for residents to use and enjoy. The mobile home park’s maintenance service team will also ensure the residents’ safety on the site.
Many parks have security gates that close at night and guests are required to sign in upon arrival. Residents are also given secure access, such as fobs and secure keys, to the mobile park. Living in a community is safe and relatively stress free!
Mobile home communities are often fortunately situated in ideally placed locations for residents
Manufactured home communities are often located in conveniently placed locations, close to practical vital local amenities such as schools, grocery stores, restaurants, and so on.
Many parks are in picturesque idyllic locations and found on land with a country park, or a beautiful scenic lake or river, for residents to gaze over and admire.
Are you a lover of nature? Then moving to a mobile home park may be an ideal fit for you, allowing you to live in a setting surrounded by nature and greenery.
Double wide and single wide manufactured homes are built to very high-quality standards!
When downsizing to live in one of these homes, building quality is certainly not spared!
Double wide homes are built to be larger in square foot size and to accommodate families. In terms of the quality of mobile homes, we do recommend researching lots of different homes on offer from dealerships on the market.
You may be surprised to learn that in fact the quality of mobile homes is often equal to, or better than, traditional site-built homes. Mobile homes are able to offer their residents top quality granite kitchen countertops, custom cabinetry, secure beams, stylish elegant contemporary en suite bathrooms, spacious master bedrooms with modern design features, along with so much more.
Single wide homes may be a more suitable size for couples or individuals living alone.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has high standards in order to control the quality of manufactured homes, which all new homes must meet and adhere to when they are built. Manufactured homes’ heating and air conditioning systems, fire safety, plumbing, electrical appliances, construction, and transportation, must all be quality controlled and meet the HUD code standards.
In terms of the risk of damage to these homes from extreme weather conditions, you need not fear, as it is required, under the wind safety standards of the Department of Housing and Urban Developments, that manufacturers, when building manufactured homes, must take into account extreme weather found in specific geographic regions. Therefore, you can be rest assured that your new home can be built to potentially withstand a hurricane, and they can be anchored to the ground for extra safety, if necessary.
Living in a mobile home community allows you to become a minimalist and follow a much simpler way of life!
Living in a manufactured community gives you the option to get up and leave with more ease than living in a traditional home does.
When living in a park, you may, after some time, discover another park that suits you better and decide to move to a different community. Getting up and leaving a mobile home park is rather simple, and you may even be able to bring your home with you, to your new community, on a specialized transportation vehicle.
In general, living in a mobile home, whether you decide to lease or purchase one, is a simpler way of life! You need not worry about finding a water or gas supplier for your new home, for example, because your mobile home park can provide that and has it covered for you!
You can choose to lease or buy a home, whichever option suits you best!
You can:
- Buy a mobile home, and the real estate that it lies on
- Buy a mobile home, and lease the real estate it is located on
- Lease a mobile home, and the real estate the home is on
You have the freedom to choose between whether you wish to buy or rent a mobile home, and there are pros and cons to both choices. If you cannot afford the payments per month to buy a new home and become a homeowner, the better option may be to rent instead.
Bear in mind, however, that if you have a bruised credit score, or a string of poor references from a former landlord, you may, unfortunately, not be eligible to rent a home at a mobile home community.
Our top recommendation for an ideal community to move to: Tyrone Woods Manufactured Home Community
Our top pick of communities is Tyrone Woods Manufactured Home Community! This manufactured home community is conveniently located in the countryside surroundings of Fenton, Michigan, which is a 60-minute drive from the city of Detroit, MI.
In this splendid manufactured community, you have the option to purchase or rent one of their luxurious and modern manufactured homes.
Buying a manufactured home at Tyrone Woods Manufactured Home Community will also not break your bank! Buying a premium quality 3 beds/2 baths manufactured home only costs around $30,000 to $50,000, on average, at Tyrone Woods! This is much more affordable than buying a traditional home and having to pay off the costly mortgage payments every month.
Fenton, MI is, without a doubt, a magnificent community to live in with plenty of things for local residents to see and do. Fenton, MI is a leafy neighborhood with an impressive array of nine major public parks to enjoy.
For history buffs, there is the A.J. Phillips Fenton museum to visit, which is home to the records of the history of Fenton, and hosts vintage equipment, old military hardware and old photographs commemorating the U.S. Civil War.
Fenton is also a family-friendly neighborhood, with many opportunities for families to take advantage of. There is a range of reputable well rated schools on offer for children and youngsters in the local area.
Do not miss out on the opportunity of downsizing to a mobile park and make your dreams come true at this manufactured home community. Whether you are a couple, living on your own, or a family, Tyrone Woods has a variety of properties available of varying sizes, which will cater to all of your housing needs and preferences.
Downsizing To A Mobile Home
Overall, downsizing to move and live in a new manufactured home in a mobile home community can certainly be a wonderful and financially wise life decision. Remember to do extensive research into the manufactured home you want to buy or lease, as well as plenty of background research into manufactured communities.
Also, you should make sure that the home, you are looking to buy or lease, meets all of the manufactured housing quality control standards.
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