You may have heard some of the common misconceptions about manufactured homes, but that is precisely what they are – misconceptions. The modern manufactured home is entirely different than those built before the 1970s. Plus, 17 million Americans live in them – what do they know that you don’t? Read on to find out the truth and debunk the most widely held manufactured home myths.
Most Common Misconceptions
Most of the incorrect facts people believe about manufactured homes center around their safety and quality. But, beyond those, there are more commonly held ideas to debunk.
Different Depreciation
Many people mistakenly believe that homes built on-site appreciate, while manufactured homes built simultaneously depreciate. However, no matter the build method, homes lose or gain value primarily because of their location and upkeep level. Even better, they allow you to build up your equity as you would with a traditional, built on-site home.
For Low-Income Families
If you immediately think of a run-down trailer when you hear “manufactured home,” you have fallen into the trap of generalizing these dwellings. Today’s manufactured homes are spacious, sturdy, have many of the same features as traditional homes, and are sometimes even more extravagant. Their greater affordability comes from savings associated with their factory-building process, rather than lower quality. Prestige’s homes allow us to offer factory-direct pricing on all homes.
Financing and Insurance Difficulty
The American Dream of owning a home is not always a clear path, but manufactured homes help make homeownership a reality. Manufactured homes are easier to finance than you think. However, if you do not own the land yours is placed on, it will be funded as chattel. Traditional lending for manufactured homes is possible, but the qualifications require that the house be immovable and be at least 400 square feet. Prestige Home Centers offers many financing (and insurance) options to make the process easier for our customers.
Insufficient Code Requirements
You may mistakenly fear that manufactured homes are held to insufficient governing standards and that US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Code is less stringent than state or local building codes. The Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP) was established to protect manufactured home occupants and is monitored by HUD. The OMHP also manages the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, which performs the following quality assurance activities for manufactured homes.
- Enforces standards directly or in collaboration with HUD state agency partners
- Routinely inspects factories and retailer facilities
- Governs home installation standards
- Conducts defect dispute resolution program
- Institutes and collects a fee per home built
- Authorizes the certification label placed on each section of the home that meets HUD standards
- Undertakes civil or criminal action for violations
Lack of Upgrade Options
If you think you will be limited with your manufactured home and unable to upgrade, you are wrong. Upgrades in manufactured homes offer buyers a distinct ability to add their personal style to the home. Just a few of our most popular upgrade options at Prestige are electric fireplaces, crown and baseboard molding, lighted vanity mirrors, banjo bathroom countertops that extend over the toilet, solar tube lights, outdoor electricity receptacles, architectural shingles, and upgraded appliances.
Location Limitations
You may think you have to put your manufactured home in a “trailer park,” but you can place your house on any vacant land that you own or lease. Homes are also commonly put in what’s known as a manufactured home community (MHC), and these communities often offer the same amenities and security you would get with a traditional neighborhood.
Not Energy Efficient
Today’s manufactured homes are built with energy-saving features and offer lower utility bills while remaining comfortable and leaving a smaller carbon footprint with fewer square feet to heat or cool. Read our dedicated blog to learn more about how manufactured homes built after June 1976 have a lot to offer in energy efficiency.
Your Path to a Quality Home
If you still doubt whether a manufactured home is right for you and your family or have further misconceptions you want to investigate, reach out to Prestige Home Centers to learn more. We offer factory-direct savings, many upgrade options, and guarantees to give you peace of mind. Reach out today and see the Prestige Difference for yourself!