Buying a manufactured home? Manufactured homes are built in factories and delivered to your site. They’re usually cheaper than traditional houses because of their economies of scale, but they also come with some trade-offs.
You’ll have less control over the design of your home, so it may not suit your needs or taste as well as a custom-built house would.
However if you want to go with a manufactured home there are several things to keep in mind before making your purchase.
What to Consider Before You Buy
Some of the things that you should consider are:
(1) How much you can afford to spend?
If you can’t afford to spend a lot of money, it’s important to consider your options and prioritize your needs based on your budget.
Manufactured homes are generally less expensive than site-built homes, which means that they’re less likely to break the bank.
(2) Where you want to live?
If you need to use land owned by someone else, for example if your children are still living at home and you don’t have the space for them to build their own place. Or if your retirement savings can’t afford an independent house.
Or maybe because maybe its just cheaper to buy a modular home and rent out the family house. Or build a second home and let your kids live there than to buy a parcel of land and build an another house.
(3) What type of home do you want?
Manufactured homes come with different floor plans, including two-bedroom, one-bathroom homes as well as larger, more expensive models.
It’s important to know what your needs are before looking at manufactured homes so you can plan accordingly.
(4) Where you’ll get financing?
If the only way that you’re able to finance a home purchase is by getting a loan, it’s important that you look into your options. Find out just how much you might need to put down and what your interest rates might be.
You may want to compare your options online or ask friends and family if they can recommend a lender that’s worked for them in the past.
(5) Are there additional costs associated with manufactured homes?
Manufactured homes use modular home designs, which means you’re limited as to what you can do with them.
For example, it may be difficult to expand the home’s living area or add new rooms without increasing its footprint on your property.
Additional costs also include transportation of the manufactured house to where you want it delivered to. If you’re willing to drive further to get something cheaper, there are more options available but it will cost more for transport than simply having a traditional site-built house placed on your property.
(6) What amenities do I want?
Different manufactured homes come with different amenities, such as appliances and flooring.
If you don’t like the home’s original amenities, you may be able to replace them at your own expense.
If you’re considering buying a manufactured home , it’s important that you look at all of your options and determine what’s most important to you in a home.
Here are some to think about.
Energy Efficient Options
Energy efficient options such as Up-flow air vents, programmable thermostats, thermal windows, and additional insulation are things to consider before you buy. They can have some big saving over time.
Decorative Options
Choosing optional extras when you buy are always offered. Kitchen upgrades and other decorative options are available.
Some can be added at a later date – if the budget does not allow for it immediately – other may need to be built into the home.
Appliance Options
Modern manufactured home can be fitted with any number of appliances. From the newest and shiniest of stainless steel kitchen appliances, and bathroom accessories.
(7) Are utilities included in your rent or purchase price?
Many of us are not fortunate enough to live in homes that have water, sewage and gas hookups. Some people sign leases with the agreement that the landlord will provide these services, while some homeowners pay for their own utility services.
There are also some circumstances where living arrangements come without any of these utilities. This usually takes place when a person is living in a manufactured home community.
When choosing to buy a manufactured home, an important thing to consider would be whether the utilities are included in either your lease or buy prices.
(8) What about taxes, insurance, and repairs?
It’s important to know what you’ll be responsible for in addition to the mortgage, rent, or manufactured home costs.
For example, manufacturing homes may not come with taxes and insurance included in the purchase price. Instead these are usually added by the homeowner.
If you’re considering buying a manufactured home , it’s important that you look at all of your options and determine what’s most important to you in a home.
Manufactured homes also tend to have more maintenance issues than traditional site-built dwellings. This is because there are multiple components, each one needing regular care, while an independent house will only have one or two major components that need regular upkeep.
(9) Which type of manufactured home are you looking for?
If you’re considering buying a manufactured home, it’s important that you look at all of your options and determine what’s most important to you in a home.
The importance of the type of manufactured home is usually based on the person.
For example, those who want to live in their home as an investment may need something bigger such as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom manufactured house. Those who like living outdoors and enjoy solitude may want a smaller 1 or 2 bedroom manufactured home.
If you’re willing to drive further to get something cheaper, there are more options available but it will cost more for transport than simply having a traditional site-built house placed on your property.
Manufactured homes can also be moved if you decide to relocate. Unfortunately, moving a traditional site-built house is more complicated and will cost much more than just transporting a manufactured home.
(10) Do you have any special requirements
IE: such as having a lot of storage space or enough room for a wheelchair ramp?
Manufactured homes will usually come with the basics, but if you’re looking for something bigger or more upgraded then it’s best to shop around for one that suits your needs. What’s most important to you in a home?
Conclusion
If you are looking for a manufactured home, it is important to consider what your needs are. Manufactured homes will usually come with the basics but if you want something bigger or more upgraded, then this may not be an option unless you look around at other options in the area.
Looking for a Manufactured Home?