The Home-Buying Process: Manufactured Homes

The manufactured homes home-buying process, no matter whether it involves a traditional home or a manufactured home, is stressful for many people. By following some simple steps, you will know what to expect when buying a manufactured home, and you will be able to reduce stress and anxiety significantly throughout the process.

The first step is to select a site for your new home, be it a lot rental or a land purchase. Most manufactured home dealers have up to date knowledge of potential home sites offered by realtors and land owners. Once you have located a site, the next step is to have it inspected to ensure that all building codes are met. You’ll want to ensure that there is a septic system, a well, or a town water hook-up.

It is easier to determine the size of the manufactured home once you’ve chosen a location. Additional questions you should ask yourself during the home-buying process include:

1. How many bedrooms do I need? If you are newly married, take into consideration the need for a nursery if you plan to have children. You may want an extra bedroom to convert into a guest room or a home office, as well.

2. Do you want a separate dining area? This is important for those who have larger families or those who entertain a lot.

3. Do you want a deck or a garage? There are easements set by code enforcement officers for each town and city. If you don’t have enough room for a garage or a deck, you may need to choose a two-floor home or a larger piece of land.

4. How many bathrooms do you need? This is another important consideration for those with larger families or those who entertain guests frequently.

When researching manufactured home dealers, make sure you examine their warranties. Many warranties offer coverage for workmanship, factory installation (e.g., electrical, heating, and plumbing), and appliances. Some appliances installed in manufactured homes have their own separate warranties, as well.

Keep in mind that the more amenities chosen and the more square footage needed, the higher your budget will need to be. Therefore, if you’ve chosen a large piece of land for your new manufactured home that has taken up the majority of your budget, you’ll need to choose a small and simple floor plan. The good thing about this is that you can build additions onto manufactured homes as easily as you can with stick-built homes.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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