Top 5 “Quality of Life” Reasons to Become a Manufactured Homeowner
Even before the onslaught of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many American lower and middle-income families were being forced to forego or delay the uniquely American dream of homeownership due to the high cost and dearth of affordable homes ….at least in the traditional sense.
However, many of those sequestered at home have discovered – “on-line” – that there is another way to realize that dream of possessing a home that meets or exceeds the expectations of the traditional site-built home….a home built in a factory.
In fact, manufactured homes are quickly becoming the preferred choice of many Americans who are discovering that today’s new manufactured home is “everything a home should be.” ….87% of those polled in a study by the National Association of Realtors cited homeownership as being the number one criteria defining “the good life.” A newly manufactured home checks all the boxes for “the quality of life” homeownership.
Following are the top 5 of many “quality of life” reasons why owning a new modern manufactured home is a “makes sense” doable choice for families, couples, and individuals seeking the advantages and comforts of homeownership.
- AFFORDABLE QUALITY HOMEOWNERSHIP
Modern manufactured homes are available in multiple square footage floor plans utilizing the same materials as a site-built home with the quality of construction, safety, energy efficiency and appearance equal or superior to a comparably sized home built on-site, with an acquisition cost of about 50% less, (not including land).
Example: The average cost of an 1800 sq. ft. four bedroom, two bath multi-section manufactured home is $78,000 including minimal upgrades, and normal delivery and installation. With the addition of multiple upgrades and customization, the total price will be less than $100,000…turn key.
- CUSTOMIZED TO MEET NEEDS AND PREFERENCES
“Having it your way,” According to many manufactured home purchasers, the ability to have their new home built and equipped exactly to their specific wants and requirements is one of the big advantages of purchasing their new manufactured home.
Manufactured homes are built to order. Home purchasers are offered a large selection of floor plans, home sizes, a plethora of standard features, amenities, upgrades, decors, and exteriors. Customization options to match homebuyers’ vision is quite common with most manufactured home builders.
- MULTIPLE FINANCING OPTIONS
Because of significantly lower sales prices of manufactured homes, the required initial investment (down payment) and the monthly payment will be considerably less for a manufactured home than a site-built home.
Financing programs are available for manufactured homes, either attached to private property utilizing a permanent foundation system which would qualify for conventional and government programs such as FHA, VA, USDA, etc., …or a simple home only (chattel) financing program if the home is not attached to real property.
Home-only programs require a higher interest rate than real estate mortgages. However, the site costs, taxes, and fees are significantly higher with financing with land/home financing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 65% of manufactured home borrowers who took out a manufactured home loan between 2001 and 2019 financed the purchase with a chattel (home-only) loan.
- OCCUPANCY WITHIN WEEKS AS OPPOSED TO MONTHS
Because of the efficiencies of the factory building process, similar to the automotive and aeronautical industry, manufactured home builders typically produce completed homes at the rate of three or more per day. Adverse weather conditions do not delay the indoor construction of manufactured housing.
Average construction time from manufacturing, delivery to site, installation, and occupancy will typically average 6 to 8 weeks, whereas
occupancy for a comparable site-built home is estimated between 6 -10 months, or longer, depending on weather conditions and the labor market.
- A MANUFACTURED HOME IS A SOUND INVESTMENT
For most Americans, a home is their most valuable asset. Contrary to a popular notion, a manufactured home will actually appreciate or depreciate at or near the same rate as a site-built home. Consider the following validation.
Data from a report in August 2018 by the Urban Institute released by the Federal Housing Agency indicates that the home price index featured an annual growth rate for manufactured homes of 3.4% versus 3.8% for traditional site-built homes.
In recent years, home valuation prices have actually risen at a faster clip for comparably sited manufactured homes than they have for traditional homes.
Want to know more about America’s home? Displayed here on the pages of ManufacturedHomes.com are floor plans, 3D virtual home tours, and descriptions of thousands of manufactured home models from 120+ manufactured home builders across the country. Simply enter -your town- in our home page search bar to locate homes available via retailers near you.
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