How to Buy a Mobile Home On Any Budget
Manufactured homes are known for being one of the most affordable sources of housing out there. And because of their comparable quality to site-built homes, it’s really easy to find a high-quality, low-price manufactured home.
The best part is that there are ways to find mobile homes at any budget, even in today’s housing market. Whether you’ve already done your research or just found out what a mobile home is, let’s walk through how to buy a mobile home at any budget.
Research Market Prices
If you’re flexible on which market you buy your manufactured home in, then this step is for you. Each market will vary slightly when it comes to mobile home pricing.
It goes deeper than that, however. Some ZIP codes will have lower manufactured home prices than others. This is why the phrase “Location, location, location” is so important in real estate, and manufactured housing is no different.
If you’re looking for affordable mobile homes near you that meet your essential needs, consider looking at different ZIP codes near you to find the best price. If you’re not set on living in a specific city in your area, this can be a great way to find a mobile home at an affordable price, while saving on your final closing costs.
Different ZIP codes will also have different requirements for various other aspects of the mobile home lifestyle. One key example is for mobile home insurance. If you live in a flood zone, for instance, you may be required to purchase flood protection insurance for your mobile home. Do your research into local guidelines when considering buying a mobile home in any given market.
Find a Home With The Essentials
These days, modern manufactured homes have top-of-the-line features that you can find in site-built homes. Think smart appliances, the latest luxury cabinet and countertop materials, wi-fi enabled security features, and classic high-end fixtures like patios and decks.
However, you may be content without the extra bells and whistles. In that case, you can search for mobile homes that offer what you need in a mobile home without paying extra for features that you won’t use. This can help you find a mobile home that’s more affordable for your budget.
Many communities also have a sales team that can help you buy a manufactured home. It’s worth checking with your community to see if they can assist you, too.
Single-Wide Mobile Homes Are a Good Place to Start
You may find during your research that mobile homes are described as being a “single-wide,” “double-wide,” or larger multi-section homes. This refers to how many sections the home has. The more sections a home has, the larger and costlier the home will be.
Single-wide homes, which are made up of just one section, are by far the most affordable type of manufactured home. If you’re interested in buying a mobile home as affordably as possible in your market, consider looking for single-wides. Single-wide mobile homes meet the needs of the vast majority of people, making them a great option even if you’re bringing your family with you.
Consider Renting a Mobile Home
Did you know that, similar to site-built homes, you can rent manufactured homes on a monthly basis?
In addition to being able to search for mobile homes for sale, you can look for homes for rent near you. This can be a great option if you’re looking to move into a mobile home without paying a down payment.
Renting a mobile home can have many benefits. For one, your upfront costs will likely be lower, as you won’t have a down payment or lengthy loan term when you sign your lease. Many mobile home residents find that this is far easier and more affordable. When you rent a mobile home, you’ll usually have a landlord or a park manager that will help with repairs, too. Not only can this help with some expenses that come with mobile home maintenance, but it’ll save you time in the long run.
These are just a few ways that you can find cheap manufactured homes for sale. The reality is that everyone’s financial situation is different, and that anyone with any budget can shop for a mobile home near them. And this doesn’t even begin to cover the financing options that are available to you.