So they have created the impression that manufactured homes are not worthy of being lived in over the long term. They re-stress this point at least once a year during hurricane season. And they blast it all over the media. The government did the same thing in the industry's formative years, offering it as "temporary" housing at military bases and, later, colleges on the GI bill.
So they have been promoting this negative publicity for virtually the entire history of manufactured housing. They constantly advertise and promote the concept of "trading in your old home for a new one". Just like a car. So the suggestion is that your manufactured home is only good for a few years, and then time to get a better model. When was the last time you saw Pulte or Lennar make this sales push?
The dealers also ruin things by putting old, destroyed manufactured homes out on their lots, or in fields next to dealerships, for all to see. These homes are normally trade-ins that are in such poor condition that nobody would ever buy one. But by putting them there in public view, it tells everyone who passes by what a disposable product it is that it just completely falls apart over time.
If these homes were at least skirted and painted it would be different. But the dealers seem to have no problem leaving them there, leaning over to one side with the windows and doors missing and insulation blowing out from underneath.
As always, the urban legend of temporary, disposable manufactured homes is the result of poor marketing and public relations by the industry, not based on fact. I am sorry to say that I have never seen any literature at any dealer, internet site, or association headquarters that tells the story of why manufactured homes last forever. So why would be expect anyone to know any better?
But then again, what would I expect from a manufacturing and retail industry that can't seem to ever do anything right? Thank heavens I'm in the community side of the business.
The Construction Process A manufactured home is made predominantly out of wood and metal. Use and Ability to Wear Out You live in a manufactured home. Obsolescence At some point in a manufactured home's life does it wake up to find that it is obsolete? Maintenance Cost Well, maybe the problem is the cost to maintain manufactured homes, or the existence of replacement parts.
On the interior, you're talking about paint and carpet. And if you did, that house must be truly old. On the other hand, the life expectancy of a mobile home is not very long years , depending on maintenance. So what happens to manufactured homes, why do they wear out? Why wait? Get An Offer! Manufactured homes are made predominantly out of wood and metal. But traditional homes are also made out of wood and metal.
So, why would the former be temporary while the latter is permanent? Additionally, mobile homes have a reduced framing design, making them weigh less. However, the actual materials used for the two types of housing are the same. The design of a mobile home is not meant to be temporary. However, unlike a traditional home built on a foundation that has the possibility of cracking, mobile homes are placed on a metal chassis that is bound to last, well, forever.
The process used to make mobile homes requires a team of craftsmen, technicians, and assemblers to work in the same home until completion. They pay close attention to rigidity, especially regarding walls, roofs and floors and with the components cut to precision.
With this kind of craftsmanship, the quality and durability of the home increases. The building process for mobile homes takes place in a controlled environment making them even more durable. Mobile homes must meet highly regulated construction standards. Since , the federal rules and regulations for mobile homes have pushed manufacturers to implement quality control that improves durability.
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Not only should you focus on properties with strong rental income potential but also try to favor those with a tendency to appreciate in value over time. But where do manufactured homes fit into that equation? Though they can be fairly inexpensive to buy, some investors might worry about their quality and longevity.
Some people use the terms " mobile home " and "manufactured home" interchangeably, and that's not completely wrong. Prior to , manufactured homes were, in fact, known as mobile homes, but that terminology was adjusted that year when the Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD implemented changes and updated its construction standards for these homes.
Some are meant to be less permanent while others are meant to be permanent. The location of the home site might play heavily into what type of foundation might be used.
If the home is being set up in a mobile home park, it might use a different foundation type than would a home site that is heavily sloping on an individual lot somewhere. If the manufactured home is being set up on any type of a pier foundation, which most are, then over time, the piers will settle causing the heavy metal chassis of the mobile home to flex.
This in turn causes the mobile home above it to twist and flex. This in turn causes walls and ceilings to crack, floors to become noisy, doors and cabinets to not fit properly and plumbing to leak.
Have you ever noticed the nature of people when it comes to taking care of their possessions? This is especially noticeable when it comes to cars. What, did their character all of a sudden change when they bought the different car? Did they become a different person? Obliviously not. They may take better care of that new car for a while, but slowly, the old habits and character traits of the person creep back in.
Before long, the car gets a small scratch, a dent or stains in the interior. The owner tells themself that they will get it cleaned up or fixed. But, they never do. Homes are no different. Finances also factor in. This might be a leaky roof, a plumbing leak, a broken HVAC unit. The list could go on and on. Over time, if ignored, the problems with a home start to add up. The owner knows about the problems, but cannot take care of them.
The home ends up becoming disheveled. This is the exact formula that house flippers depend on. They want to find homes that are in a state of great disrepair. That way they can buy the homes for far under market, put in the work and capital needed to make the home like-new again, and then sell the home for a profit.
We have done this many times in our own business with both site-built homes and manufactured homes. With a little financing, it is quite easy to bring either type of home into better-than-new condition.
This is the worst kind of problem to NOT repair quickly. A leaking roof, toilet or plumbing fixture can pretty much ruin all the materials the water touches. It makes no difference whether it is in a site-built home or a manufactured home.
If the water damage is left unchecked, minor problems can turn into major ones very quickly. If the mobile home is in a location that receives lots of rain, it is important, as part of the maintenance, to keep a good coat of paint on the outside of the home, and the seams caulked well. Many mobile homes built during the s were built with fiberboard siding which is very prone to water damage. By keeping the exterior of the home painted and sealed, this will prevent water damage and increase the life the home.
As per our discussion, the construction methods and materials used are not the culprit in shortening the life of a mobile home. Improper maintenance is.! Improper maintenance is. Florida here, We are talking about choosing the right lot for a home, whether it be in a mobile home park or a lot in a subdivision. Any property will gain value by being in the right location. Also, choosing a good piece of land that supports a good foundation will extend the lifespan of the home.
Having a professional inspection done is a great way to uncover things that need attention on the mobile home. This is especially true if you are noticing things being problematic such as leaks, cracking walls, or doors that will not shut. If there has been a recent flood, strong wind storms or other type of catastrophe, this would be a good time to have a professional inspection done.
The roof is what stands between you and the elements of nature. Deferred roof maintenance is one of the principal culprits in shortening the life of a mobile home. Many older mobile homes were built with rolled steel roofing. These have a tendency to leak between the seams and along the outer walls if they are not sealed and coated on a regular basis.
In fact, whenever we have been able to pick up a mobile home to flip for almost nothing, it is usually because the roof maintenance was deferred, the roof leaked over a period of time and destroyed walls, flooring and more.
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