Simply defined, a manufactured home is a complete dwelling unit
designed for year around living. It is constructed in a factory in
conformance with the building code formulated by HUD (The Department of
Housing and Urban Development). The house can consist of one or more
transportable sections. Most houses are made up of two sections that
are bolted together length to length. Houses with three or four
sections are also available in the top of the line models.
Retirement Option?
Why is this a good option to consider for retired people? In general,
they are significantly less costly than new or used site built houses.
Manufactured homes can be purchased with a retail installment contract
similar to a car or RV. The construction is of top quality (good or
better than in-site built dwellings), the construction and delivery are
fast, and there is a wide selection of options available. The houses
look just like site built homes but you have the option of selecting
from a huge model design base. Manufactured homes (with their mostly
single-story floor plans, open spaced layouts and with entryways near
to the ground) are ideal for ramps and are very accessible for people
with disabilities.
Sizes Available in Manufactured Homes
Single section houses make up about 25% of the sales and are 14 feet
wide and 70-80 feet long. The two section houses are the most popular.
The doubles are much larger and provide about 1200 square feet of
living space. The installers will position the sections on a previously
prepared foundation. The entire process, from delivery to final
cleaning, averages 30 days. In general it takes about 75 days from the
time the house is ordered until the owner takes possession.
Price Range and Selection:
A great many people live in manufactured homes and love them. 68% of
these new homes are being placed on private property rather than on
leased land communities. These figures reflect the growing acceptance
of manufactured homes as a popular option in the single family housing
market. In 2000, one in every six new single-family homes built was a
manufactured home and this percentage is likely to increase.
Buy the highest quality home that you can afford. Look at new models but keep lot models and repossessed homes in mind. Remember that the prices listed do not include the sales tax.
The lowest price range is $19,000 to $44,000. If you have that kind of
money in cash you can find real bargains in used and repossessed homes.
For about $31,000 you can buy a nice singlewide or a small doublewide
home. The mid range is from $45,000 to $65,000. Most homes sold are in
this category. High range models run $65,000 and up. These homes are
larger and will offer top grade quality construction, more expensive
carpeting and appliance choices.
Pros and Cons of Manufactured Homes
There are many issues to consider but the need is out there, the trend
is growing and the quality is good. Walking through a doublewide model
with a sticker price in the mid-range (about $55,000), you will be
amazed to find yourself in surroundings that are indistinguishable from
a custom site-house. The open airy appearance and the quality will
impress you. You will be hard pressed to a single family dwelling that
is as varied and appealing as these designs are. They are big, they are
open and they are designed to make maximum use of the allotted floor
space, so in essence they are the perfect design for persons with
mobility issues.
Of course there are some down sides to consider also. There is no
licensed real estate agent by your side so you are basically on your
own (you will need to do a lot of reading and researching to come up
with the best plan). Keep in mind that you will not have an attic or a
basement, no alterations can be made without permits and inspections,
and there are limits on where your house can be placed. A manufactured
home in a land-leased community generally depreciates so you probably
aren’t thinking of this as investment.
Types of Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes fall into the category of factory built homes. This
includes Modular Homes, Pre-Cut Homes, Panelized Homes and Mobile Homes.
Modular Homes are houses constructed of prefabricated three-dimensional
modules. This means entire rooms that are transported to a site and
assembled using a crane for placement.
Pre-Cut Homes are essentially kit homes in which all of the lumber and
other materials are measured and precut at the factory. The pieces are
transported to your site and assembled by the builder. Packages may
include pre-hung windows and plumbing. Homes in this category can be
very high-end and include log homes, A-frames and domes.
Panelized Homes are constructed in complete panel sections. For
example, a wall panel could include windows, a door, all inside wiring,
and insulation in addition to a finished interior and exterior décor.
The finished panels are then transported to the building site, together
with floor and roof panels and assembled.
Mobile Homes were officially defined as manufactured homes built prior to June 15, 1976.
Source: The Complete Buyers’ guide to Manufactured Homes and Land
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