5 Manufactured Homes Myths

Manufactured homes, known to many as trailer or mobile homes, have evolved over the past 50 years. There are a few myths often associated with the manufactured home market which may have at one point been almost true.

Since construction standards were established in 1976 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, many of the negative remarks about manufactured homes are only myths. As the manufactured housing market continues to develop new concepts and designs, these homes have been purchased by more families than ever before.

1. Manufactured Homes Look the Same
Many manufactured home builders, like Skyline Homes and Karsten, offer basic floor plans with quality features such as a front porch and dual pane windows. However, they also provide a wide variety of customizable floor plans, design options, and upgrades to meet the client’s needs. According to SFGate on the subject of no variety, manufactured homes “provide consumers with a wide range of interior and exterior options” and “produce luxury models with hardwood floors, whirlpool baths, stonework fireplaces and walk-in closets”.

Alliance Manufactured Homes’ Design Room in the San Jose Office (2410 Monterey Rd.)

If you have never been inside a manufactured home before, try to visit one of the open houses in your area. Once you’re inside, it is difficult to tell the difference between a manufactured home and an on-site built home. With many homes designed for individual needs in mind or to meet a budget, many homes can be spacious and well-appointed.

2. Manufactured Homes Can Get Destroyed Easily
Manufactured homes sold after 1994 are built to the same HUD standards for construction, strength, fire resistance and wind resistance that are applied to site-built homes. A report published by the state of Florida indicates that no manufactured home built to these standards received any major damage during the severe 2004-2005 hurricane season. Another study published by Foremost Insurance Company came to a conclusion that manufactured homes are less likely to catch fire than site-built homes.

In fact, manufactured homes today are factory-built under climate-controlled conditions. This means that the building materials are not exposed to outdoor conditions, especially during the raining season, where moisture can cause expansion and mold in the future. Skyline Homes stated on the comparison between factory-built and site-built homes that “factory-built homes are generally stronger,” sturdier, and more efficient.

3. Manufactured Homes Are For Families W/ Low Income
It’s no surprise to that the housing market in the Silicon Valley is growing at a ridiculous pace over the past years. The supply of available homes are decreasing, yet the demand to keep the prices up is very high. Many tech companies are located in Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and San Jose; however, these cities are also home to multiple family and senior mobile home parks. LA Times reported that “there are tech industry workers who live in Plaza del Rey — employees of Apple, Google, Oracle and local start-ups.”

4. Manufactured Homes Are Hard To Finance
Manufactured homes were previously financed or purchased as personal property, making loans more difficult to obtain. Today, it’s easier to finance. Despite the fact that only a handful of lenders offer manufactured home loans, some of them are willing to provide financing options similar to those available for site-built residences. When properly financed, manufactured housing allows homeowners to build equity just as traditional site-built homes.

Mobile Home Brokers is our own in-house finance team capable of everything from checking your credit and handling your credit application, to securing you a loan with the best rate. They can provide you with quick updates on the status of your home sale through constant communication, quick turnaround, as well as competitive and hassle-free financing. Feel free to contact us at (408) 745-1000 for more information.

5. Manufactured Homes Lose Value
Unlike automobiles, manufactured homes can appreciate just like any other form of housing. According to Home First, other factors that help the value are the location of the land, age of the home, housing market, inflation rates, new upgrades/additions to the home, and availability of the area.

Manufactured home in Chateau La Salle (San Jose) with beautifully maintained curb appeal.

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Is a cash out for me?

A cash out is ideal for someone who needs a guaranteed cash sale and complete control over the timing of the transaction. While this option may not yield as much money as a listing, it requires minimal effort, absolutely no expenses, and 100% certainty, which gives you the freedom to move smoothly to your next living situation.

What if your home requires thousands of dollars in repairs that needs to be corrected before you can sell it, and you don’t have the cash? Putting your home on the market in disrepair will likely result in low-ball offers or ward off qualified buyers altogether.

What if you secure a new job that requires you to leave the area immediately, but you have not yet thought about putting your home on the market? Can you afford the stress, expense, and uncertainty of paying for two living situations for as long as it takes to sell your home? Most people can’t, which is why a cash-out is perfect for certain homeowners.

All you have to do is call an Alliance agent to evaluate your home. You will receive a cash-out price within 2 days. At your request, you can receive your proceeds in as little as 14 days. Take everything with you, or leave it all behind and we will clean it up. Our goal is to make your sale as convenient as possible. This option is not ideal for everyone, but if you are thinking of selling, it is worth evaluating a guaranteed offer.

This can save you $10,000 to $20,000 – depending on the condition of your home. The housing market is hot in the Silicon Valley; therefore, we currently have a waiting list of buyers looking for new homes in various manufactured housing communities.

Quick Run Down of Cashing Out:

• Know exactly how much money will end up in your pocket
• Decide when you want to close, move out, and receive your money
• Avoid the stress of showings, open houses, and negotiating with buyers
• Dodge the expense of repairs, commissions, inspections, and closing costs
• Leave unwanted items behind – you don’t even have to clean

What sets us apart from other companies is that we do more than just buy and sell homes. We provide trade-in programs for those who love where they live, but need to upgrade their living situation from a 1970’s home to a brand new 2018 home!

If you are considering selling in the near future, now is the great time to explore your options. Our manufactured home specialists are professional, helpful, and will deal with any concern you may have with this process.

Your home may be worth more than you think! Call today at (888) 874-8692 to speak with an agent for a free quote!

Another Definition of Manufactured Homes

The answer may surprise you.

A manufactured home is a single-family house constructed entirely in a controlled factory environment, built to the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards – better known as the HUD Code.

Check out Alliance Manufactured Homes for More Info!

Factory-Built Homes

Many types of structures are built in the factory and designed for long-term residential use. In the case of manufactured and modular homes, units are built in a factory, transported to the site and installed. In panelized and pre-cut homes, essentially flat subassemblies (factory-built panels or factory-cut building materials) are transported to the site and assembled. The different types of factory-built housing can be summarized as follows:

Manufactured Homes: These are homes built entirely in the factory under a federal building code administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HUD Code went into effect June 15, 1976. Manufactured homes may be single- or multi-section and are transported to the site and installed. The federal standards regulate manufactured housing design and construction, strength and durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality. The HUD Code also sets performance standards for the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal and electrical systems. It is the only federally-regulated national building code. On-site additions, such as garages, decks and porches, often add to the attractiveness of manufactured homes and must be built to local, state or regional building codes.

Modular Homes: These factory-built homes are built to the state, local or regional code where the home will be located. Modules are transported to the site and installed.

Panelized Homes: These are factory-built homes in which panels -a whole wall with windows, doors, wiring and outside siding – are transported to the site and assembled. The homes must meet state or local building codes where they are sited.

Pre-Cut Homes: This is the name for factory-built housing in which building materials are factory-cut to design specifications, transported to the site and assembled. Pre-cut homes include kit, log and dome homes. These homes must meet local, state or regional building codes.

Mobile Homes: This is the term used for manufactured homes produced prior to June 15, 1976, when the HUD Code went into effect. By 1970, these homes were built to voluntary industry standards that were eventually enforced by 45 of the 48 contiguous states.

Source: Manufactured Housing Institute