Becoming a homeowner is an exciting prospect. Finally, you have your own space that you can customize and design to suit your style and feel completely comfortable in. Many people searching the market overlook mobile homes, but they’re a reliable and affordable option with a lot of potential. If you’re considering moving into one of these houses, here’s a helpful guide on what to look for when buying your first mobile home. Going into the buying process with a better idea of what to expect can make it a more straightforward and less hectic ordeal for all parties.
What Is a Mobile Home?
The actual definition of a mobile home is slightly muddled now due to how often we use certain terms almost interchangeably in everyday conversation. In the 1970s, “mobile home” was a very specific term that described things like coaches or other high-end RVs. Houses that actually had wheels on them, whether they had self-propelled or trailer designs, were mobile homes.
However, many people today use “mobile homes,” “manufactured homes,” and “modular homes” somewhat interchangeably. There may be a few differences, but typically, they’re all houses that manufacturers build off site and transfer to a new location rather than homes specifically on a designated plot of land. Lots of potential homeowners appreciate having mobile options when browsing the market.
Consider the Age
No matter where you’re shopping for mobile homes, it’s always a good idea to find out the age of the house you’re looking at. 1974 introduced the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, which forced companies and manufacturers to increase the safety and quality of the materials they use for construction.
It's generally a good idea to have a rough idea of the era of your home to help figure out what safety standards were in place or what modern utilities may not be available. For example, recent regulations updated the energy efficiency rules and standards for mobile homes for the first time since the 1990s.
Depending on the age and period of the home's initial construction, you may need to plan for some renovations or upgrades after you move in.
Things To Look For
When you’re wondering what to look for when buying your first mobile home, you should always inspect some specific areas that are prone to problems. No matter how old the home is or where you're looking at it, inspecting these areas can help you get a clear picture of its overall condition.
You should always take some time and examine the underside of the house. With mobile and manufactured homes, this is where the bulk of your plumbing is going to be. The first step is going around the home and ensuring that it has proper skirting to help protect the underside. Skirting helps guard the pipes against various external factors, so seeing them exposed could be a red flag. Once you’re under there, check if the pipes are in good condition. Are they rusted or corroded? Do they have heat tape and insulation to help protect them in the colder months? It’s a pretty good sign if the current owners keep the pipes and skirting in good condition.
We also recommend examining the ventilation and electrical systems. Take a quick trip through the house and check if all of the outlets and light switches work properly. If you’re serious about buying the home, you may want to hire a proper technician to come and perform a thorough examination to ensure there aren’t any faulty wires or costly issues.
Even little factors like checking that all the doors open and close without issue are things that many potential buyers may need to pay more attention to when shopping for mobile homes. Depending on the condition, you may want to get a new manufactured home exterior door to protect your home and increase your curb appeal.
Buying in a Mobile Home Park
If you're looking at buying a home in a designated mobile home park, we recommend figuring out what comes with that. One advantage of park living is that the park covers lawn care, and you can rest easy knowing that you have utility hookups and a residential address.
However, mobile parks may also come with additional fees from an HOA. You may need to pay a couple hundred dollars for lot rental space. Many mobile home parks also have rules and regulations for what type of modifications or renovations you can do to your home. If you’re looking at buying a mobile home, it may be a good idea to check what sort of projects are and are not allowed if you plan on doing lots of them.
Buying on Your Own Property
Because companies can transport mobile or manufactured homes anywhere, you can place one down if you own the land. Unlike an established park, the buyer takes on all the responsibility and important things to turn a house into a home. Buyers will need to lay down the foundation on which to place the home and take care of proper hookups for things like electrical, plumbing, septic tanks, internet, or any other necessities.
If you already own land, buying a mobile home may be a good option for you. Unfortunately, if you're looking to get a mortgage, it may be more challenging to do that through a bank, which often views mobile homes as personal property rather than real estate. Other options for a personal property loan are credit unions or mortgage lenders. To clear your mobile house as a proper residential unit and get an official address, you may need to receive a HUD inspection and take care of the additional fees and paperwork on your own.
If you want to learn more about buying, modifying, and maintaining manufactured homes, know that Mobile Home Outfitters is here for you. We have multiple helpful guides to answer all your tough questions and a wide range of new parts to handle all your renovation projects. So whether you're looking for new windows or plumbing fixtures, we have what you need. If you have any additional questions, comments, or concerns, don't be afraid to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to get you on the right track.
