MANUFACTURED HOMES: Frequently Asked Questions
Source: MHI – (condensed for brevity) The following are 8 frequently asked questions (with brief answers) generally posed by potential manufactured homebuyers.
Why should I consider a manufactured Home?
If you’re looking to get the most out of your “housing dollar,” you should consider a manufactured home. Depending on the region of the country, construction costs per square foot for a new manufactured home are up to 50 percent less than a comparable site-built home. All manufactured homes are built to specifications and codes that require the highest standards in every aspect of construction.
What are today’s manufactured homes like?
Many of today’s manufactured homes feature innovative designs and custom home features like state-of-the-art kitchens, luxury bathrooms and wood burning fireplaces.
Are manufactured homes affordable?
Manufactured homes provide quality housing and an opportunity for home-ownership. They often cost less than renting, and can offer more square footage and distance from neighbors than an apartment. The cost per square foot for a new manufactured home can be up to 50 percent less than the cost of a comparable site-built home, excluding land.
Can they be customized?
With a vast majority of manufacturers you have the flexibility of customizing your home’s floor plans, interior finishes, and exterior designs. Many manufacturers also provide homes that are accessible for those with special needs. For more information click our previous blog posting – Manufactured Homes Customized For The Handicapped May Offer Exterior And Interior Mobility
Will a manufactured home appreciiate in value?
Generally, a home is a great investment. Appreciation on any home – either site-built or manufactured – is affected by the similar factors, the desirability and stability of the community, supply and demand for homes in the local market, location and maintenance and upkeep of the home. When properly installed and maintained, today’s manufactured homes can appreciate the same as surrounding site-built homes.
Are there limits on where I can locate or place a manufactured home?
Many cities and towns, still relying on outdated perceptions and stereotypes of “mobile homes,” have zoning regulations limiting where you can place a manufactured home. However, more and more urban and suburban governments are recognizing that today’s manufactured homes are virtually indistinguishable from site-built homes and are allowing manufactured homes to be placed in their communities. Before purchasing a manufactured home, be sure to check the zoning regulations in the area where you want to live.
Are manufactured homes covered by a warranty?
Most manufacturers now offer warranties to guarantee the quality, workmanship, and major heating and cooling systems of the home for a specified time, usually ranging from one to five years. This warranty also tells the homebuyer what to do if a problem occurs. Makers of the appliance provided in the homes also provide either “full” or “limitied” warranties.
What kind of financing is available?
Just as there are choices when you buy a site-built home, there are a variety of financing options when you buy a manufactured home. If you are buying the home and land together, or plan to place the home on land you already own, some financial institutions offer traditional real estate mortgages with similar interest rates. Should you be purchasing the manufactured homes separately from the land on which it will be located, the home will probably be financed as a personal property manufactured home loan, usually with a somewhat higher interest rate and the down payment amount will reflect the amount of the entire loan, including the home and land costs being financed. FHA-insured and Department of Veterans affairs – guaranteed (called FHA and VA) loans are available to manufactured home buyers. These types of loans may offer lower interest rates or lower down payment requirements if available in your area. They require more paperwork during the credit application and approval process and, therefore, may take longer for approval than a conventional loan.
