03/10/2025
9 Myths About Manufactured Homes:
1) “Only poor people live in manufactured homes.”
In reality, while manufactured housing is the only un-subsidized brand-new affordable housing available, you still need to have sufficient income to purchase a new home. They appeal to many different people, especially empty-nesters/retirees who are down-sizing, and first-time home buyers moving up from renting. These folks are looking for someplace they can take pride of ownership without a lot of maintenance.
2) “My aunt had a mobile home in 1973. These new homes are like that, only newer.”
Building standards for manufactured homes have come a long way since the early days. Construction is now on par with stick-built housing, at about two-thirds the cost. 2x6 construction, vinyl siding, shingled roofs, and Pex waterlines are all standard features of today’s manufactured homes.
3) “Manufactured homes serve a purpose, but they’re just boxes with no visual appeal.”
Today’s homes feature multiple kinds of dormers, varying shapes and sizes of windows, bump-outs and bay windows of different kinds, that allow the home buyer to customize his home and differentiate from his neighbor with curb appeal.
4) “They’re cookie-cutter with no opportunity for customization.”
Actually there’s a broad range of customization options to choose from: finished drywall vs. various choices of paneling, many cabinet layout and island options, flooring ranging from carpet to vinyl sheet goods to luxury plank, covered porches, exterior door options, interior trim options, lighting, rustic touches like exposed beams, plank walls and sliding barn-type doors just to scratch the surface.
5) “Manufactured home, mobile home, modular home, it’s all a nice way to say trailer.”
In truth, each of the above terms have definitions, as follows:
Trailer – towed behind a light duty truck, could refer to a pop-up camper, or an equipment trailer
Mobile Home – any factory-built housing built before the HUD code came into effect in 1976; in the 1950s and 60s, some were small enough to tow behind a passenger vehicle, often not meant for long-term residential use
Manufactured Home – factory-built housing built under the HUD code, after 1976; can be single section or multi-section; steel frame remains attached to the underside of the home; do not have to be permanently affixed to land and often are not
Modular Home – can be single section or multi-section, can be multiple stories; steel frame is removed from the modular sections; must be permanently affixed to land and a full foundation or basement
6) “Manufactured homes are temporarily installed and are often moved to a new location. You can tow one behind your pickup truck.”
As we learned in number 5, manufactured homes need not be permanently affixed to land. Even if a home is not “permanently affixed” legally, that does not mean it is temporarily placed. A home can be installed on blocks and piers and a resident can live there indefinitely (so far upwards of 40 years since the 1976 code took effect). Most manufactured homes stay put for the long haul, and when the owners want to move, they sell the home in place. You cannot tow a manufactured home behind a pickup.
7) “Manufactured homes are fine for the South or for a camp, but they’re poorly insulated and cost a fortune to heat.”
If you work with a trustworthy dealer, he can explain your options for insulation, but the standard is R-19 in the walls, R-14 in the floors and R-31 in the roof. The windows are double pane and of the same quality as stick-built houses.
8) “Purchasing a manufactured home is a good temporary option if I know I’m moving next year. I’ll just sell in a year.”
Just like all types of primary residences, manufactured homes should not be viewed as a short term investment, jumping in and out from property to property. The standard advice for all types of housing is not to purchase unless you plan to live in the property for at least 5 years. If you are unsure or know you want to move in a year or two, it’s best to rent.
9) “Putting a home on private land is the only way to go. No one would want to live in a park.”
There are many properties that deserve the slur “trailer park”, with their abundance of broken down cars, piles of junk, tall weeds, and surly inhabitants. However, purchasing a quality home in an exclusive community with friendly residents, long-term ownership, and a comprehensive set of rules that are enforced, ensures you can be happy with your choice for as long as you stay in the area.
If you’ve read this far, hopefully our replies to the “9 Myths About Manufactured Homes” has helped cleared some
things up. As always, reach out with any questions!
-Craig
