The Benefits of Buying a New Manufactured Home
The process of buying a manufactured home is full of big decisions. After you’ve made the first big decision to buy a manufactured home, your next choice is whether to buy a new manufactured home versus a pre-owned manufactured home. There are many benefits of buying a brand new manufactured home that should be considered, from customized features to increased safety standards to lower monthly bills.
The advantages of a new home are difficult to ignore, but they do come at a price. Here we will highlight the pros and cons of buying a new manufactured home and break down some of the important considerations when buying a newer home.
Some of the biggest benefits of a new manufactured home are:
Less Energy Consumption, Lower Monthly Bills
Many newer homes are made with energy-efficient features such as double-paned windowed, which have now become the standard for windows among newly constructed manufactured homes. An even more efficient option is to get Low-E windows which reduce the amount of UV light and heat entering the home and can certainly be worth the upgrade cost. New homes also often have options for energy-efficient appliances with heating and cooling systems, kitchen appliances and water systems all designed specifically to keep energy use (and costs) low. Energy Star appliances, for example, are a gold star in the industry, guaranteed to be 10% more efficient than minimum HUD code standards. Eco-friendly features on new homes like Low-E windows and insulated skirting or siding not only reduce your environmental impact, they also lower your monthly utility bills and keep your home more comfortable year-round.
Quality Appliances, Fewer Repairs
Purchasing a new home means getting fresh-off-the-factory appliances and finishings. Having new, high-quality appliances in your manufactured home means you are much less likely to have any issues or require any repairs for quite some time. On the other hand, an older pre-owned home is more likely to need frequent repairs and maintenance in order to keep up clean, safe and comfortable living standards. When your appliances and furnishings haven’t been worn and overused, you can focus on living your life instead of constantly worrying about fixing broken items in your manufactured home.
Customized Features, Modern Amenities
One of the most common reasons people buy a new manufactured home is so they can have the opportunity to select their own ideal features and take advantage of customizations. When you buy there are typically more options to choose from in terms of floor plans, exterior look, and extra amenities. Even if you’re not working By working directly with a manufacturer, new homes tend to offer more modern features, everything from walk-in closets to convenient mud rooms to upgraded showerheads. When searching for your ideal home, you can find a customized mobile home that fits your lifestyle and personality at a small fraction of the cost to find the same with a site-built home. And – unlike with renting – there’s no permission needed to paint rooms, add new flooring, or continue adding your style to the home however you see fit.
Updated Construction, Higher Safety Standards
The construction process for building manufactured homes has become increasingly more efficient with technological advancements since the early “mobile homes” of the 1970s. The newer the home, the more likely it was constructed using the state-of-the-art machinery and expert craftsmanship that make up today’s modern manufactured homes. The standards for manufactured home construction increased greatly after 1976, when HUD codes of compliance were implemented, but every year new additions and updates are made to both construction and testing standards. Buying new means that the home is guaranteed to have gone through the most up-to-date, meticulous construction processes, followed by rigorous wind and weather testing. This ensures the home you are buying is safe, comfortable and ready for anything. The older and more worn a pre-owned home is, there is a higher likelihood that there may be safety risks from lower quality materials or poorly maintained construction.
High Value for Cost, Great for First Timers
On average, prefabricated housing costs around $70,600 without land which is about $216,214 less than purchasing the average site-built home*.¹ This makes manufactured homes a great option for first-time home buyers or anyone who wants to have a more affordable home-ownership lifestyle. The cost per square foot of buying a manufactured home averages about $40 to $80 per square foot, compared with the average $154 per square foot for site-constructed homes, which means you are getting much more space for every dollar you spend when you invest in buying a manufactured home. Manufactured Homes also depreciate more quickly than site-built homes, so if you are purchasing a pre-owned home it will likely already have lost much of its value compared to a new home. Buying a new manufactured home is a great way to build some equity and establish a good credit history.
Active Warranties, Better Protection
Buying a new home gives you the opportunity to benefit from warranties that may be included for the home, appliances, and other items. Manufactured homes often have separate warranties for manufacturers, retailers, installers and appliances, so make sure your home owners manual and documents include all of this info. Many brand new homes have at least a one-year warranty that covers certain structural defects or safety issues, but it’s important to document and understand all of the warranties your home entails. It’s also essential to note and remember anything that can void or nullify your warranties. For example, sometimes improper site preparation and even inadequate maintenance can void a warranty.
Community Lifestyle, Prime Park Options
When you buy a new manufactured home, you get to choose from many park communities to find your ideal neighborhood. There are plenty of options and lots of variety in these communities, but many of them are welcoming and willing to show you the spaces or homes they have available. When you aren’t worried about affordability or limiting yourself with rental options, you can focus on selecting a park with the ideal amenities for your lifestyle. Some of the modern amenities offered by quality manufactured home communities include pools, playgrounds and social activities. Many also offer professional maintenance and landscaping services which help your new home stay in great condition!
** Home Buying Pro Tip: Consider Buying in a Community
If you buy a home within a community park, you’ll have no issues regardless of the age of the home. Professional maintenance and management can keep manufactured homes in great condition meaning the home can stay clean, comfortable and efficient for decades.
What Are the Drawbacks?
As mentioned before, the wonderful benefits of buying a new manufactured home do come at a price. New homes are more expensive than pre-owned homes and the costs are higher up front than renting a home. It can also be trickier to finance a manufactured home than a traditional home, but there are plenty of financing options to explore that make buying a manufactured home possible for homebuyers of all ages. The costs are certainly higher for a brand manufactured home, but the benefits of buying new are also certainly worth the price.