Know the Pros & Cons of being a Mobile Homeowner

There are several advantages to buying a mobile home over buying a traditionally built house, though there are also disadvantages. You may even consider buying a mobile home over renting a living space. Before you decide to make such a purchase, consider the pros and cons to make sure that you are consistent with your housing needs and financial position.

The Pros of Living in a Mobile Home

• Buying a mobile home is cheaper than buying a single-family home

The average mobile home costs less than a quarter of what you would pay for a typical single-family home. In the long run, you could end up saving a lot more money with a mobile home, since your energy consumption also tends to be less, and your property taxes are calculated differently since mobile homes are not always considered to be property.

• Room for more

Living in a mobile home could allow you to have home additions that may not be possible otherwise. A spacious three-bedroom, two-bathroom mobile home with an attached garage and an acre of land costs less than a single-family home or a condo.

• Affordable entry into expensive areas

You can find that mobile homes could help you move into nicer areas because you can save on the costs associated with building or owning expensive real estate. Instead, you could put up your own mobile home on a parcel of land, and gain access to better schools and resources that come with moving to a more affluent area.

• Mobility & Flexibility

A mobile home can provide flexibility in many ways. You could choose to live in one if you buy land and want to build, are in between moves, or just need a transitional place to live. Mobile homes are quite often easier to afford than a traditionally built home (and only semi-permanent). So if you own land, you can put a mobile home on it in the present and remove it sometime in the future. This is a great option if you are unsure about how long you want to own the land for, or if you do not want to commit or are unable to afford a more traditional house. Mobile homes are not easily moved once set up, but unlike a traditional home which is permanently in place, you can move mobile homes with a bit of work. You can also get tiny home insurance for your home at an affordable price.

• Own a home without the hassle

You can avoid land maintenance and property taxes by staying in a mobile home. Additionally, most mobile home parks include water, sewer, garbage, and recycling pickup in the lot fees that you are charged.

• Family-oriented neighborhoods & additional community perks

Many mobile home parks conduct extensive background checks on potential clients and they maintain reasonable safety standards in order for you to be able to trust your neighbors while feeling completely safe. Many of these mobile home communities will host fun events that are open to all residents, and they are located in accessible, easy-to-find areas. They also distribute more than enough spacing between homes, which means no more jarring noises at all times of the night!

Trendy, Stylish & Modern

The future of mobile homes goes far beyond affordable housing; rather it is a trend amongst young homeowners who want the affordability and accessibility these homes provide. From eco-friendly luxury camper trailers to ‘plug and play’ miniature houses, mobile homes are fast becoming the go-to option for people who want to live more consciously. The process of building a mobile home saves a lot of time, manpower, energy, and raw materials, which makes them immensely popular amongst eco-warriors!

• Completely customizable spaces: 

In a mobile home, more certainly is less. The space provided allows you to create customizable options, depending on what sort of atmosphere you want to create. Also, if you decide later on that you would like to change the way your home feels, it is much easier than changing a traditional home. You can turn your living room into a rec space, create a micro-garden, or even have a designated exercise space, based on how you feel!

The Cons of Living in a Mobile Home

• The ‘trailer park’ stigma

There is a lot of stigmas attached to people who live in trailer parks. You might wonder if people will make fun of you, or if your house could be impounded. Some states won’t even allow you to get insurance for your mobile home. This stigma is slowly creeping away, but it can be difficult to brush it off.

Depreciation woes & additional costs

Mobile homes are seen to be depreciating assets unlike brick-and-mortar homes, which have appreciation value. Thus, they may not be the best long-term assets, unless you own the land they are sitting on. Additionally, if you do not own the land you are placing it on; you will be forced to pay lot fees, which is like paying rent after you own your home.

• Financing is tricky 

It can be tricky to finance the purchase of a mobile home since they are viewed as personal property. Traditional mortgages are not an option for mobile homeowners, and finding a manufactured home loan can be difficult. 

• Tiny backyards or outdoor spaces

This might dissuade a lot of dog owners and people who need space for their children to play. If you are the type to sit out in the sun and work on your tan, this may not be the best idea for you.

• Reselling/moving can be a hard task

Reselling a mobile home can be a painful task since they have horrible appreciation potential. Park owners can sell out and leave you without a place to go overnight. Even though it is easier to move a mobile home, you may not want to transport an entire living unit across long distances. 

If you are seriously considering buying a mobile home, we say go for it! The landscape of mobile housing around the US changes every year. The potential exhibited within this industry is extraordinary, and you may be making the best housing decision of your life!