The Manufactured Home — Affordable For Every Budget
Not only can you find pictures and information for the most beautiful and elaborate manufactured homes offered, but you can also find a very affordable and beautiful manufactured home even if you are on a tight budget. Now here is great news for the budget-minded buyer. Every manufactured home built in the United States has to meet the same national building code.
So what does this mean to the budget-minded person who wants to purchase a manufactured home for themselves and their family? It means you can purchase the same quality manufactured home as someone who wants to purchase a manufactured home with upgrade features. This is made possible thanks to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, which increased the building standards for the factory-built homes in this country. After 1976, these factory-built homes became Manufactured Homes.
Manufactured Home and the HUD Code
There are so many different brands of manufactured homes being built to this same HUD code in every region of the U.S. that the only change in this HUD code would be to add a particular upgrade feature standard for its region. Here’s what I mean. In Florida, where high winds come with the territory, manufactured home builders build their homes to particular wind zones. The wind zones these homes must be built to are known as Wind Zones 2 and 3. These zones refer to the wind speed that a manufactured home must be built to withstand in accordance with the area they are being placed for residence in.
Now, in the northern regions, manufactured homes are built to a particular roof load. This is because it snows up north so the manufactured home roofs are structured to withstand a particular snow weight. There may be a little more to it than this, but you get the idea. What this all means is the manufactured home you purchase is not only built to a strict national building code, it’s also structurally enhanced according to the particular region and climate it will be placed in.
This benefits every budget-minded person purchasing a manufactured home and helps them to know that whichever manufactured home they choose, will be a terrific quality home for them. Now, do not be afraid of the terms “high-end” and “low-end” homes, but realize these terms only refer to the selected features and options in which a factory chooses to build. So, a low-end home will be an affordable, quality-built manufactured home, just like a high-end home.
Consider Your Needs Before You Visit A Manufactured Home Retailer
The one thing I will advise anyone looking to purchase an affordable manufactured home is to do a little research before they visit a retail center. This research should begin with a close look at your own needs. Here’s how to get started:
- Determine what size or square footage home you’re looking for. How big is your family?
- Think about the layout of the home on your property.
- Research the area you want to live in — don’t leave this to the retailer.
- Know what features you’ll need beyond what comes standard in a home. Do you want a ceiling fan, appliances, any extra receptacles, or phone and TV connections? Many retailers will have these features in their lot models, but they aren’t always standard.
- Be aware of the additional costs that may come with the purchase of a new home, such as delivery, installation, permits, and other necessities. Most retailers include these extra expenses in the total price of sale, but some do not, so it’s always best to ask.
- Understand that the retailer is there to help make your manufactured home buying experience enjoyable and easy.
- Know that it’s okay to shop several retailers — after all, this will be your dream home for many years to come.
Purchasing the manufactured home of your dreams should be a fun experience! However, giving some thought and consideration will enable you to purchase that perfect home for you and your family. Owning a manufactured home is the way to go — I know you will be glad you purchased one.
