Saturday, May 10, 2025

7 Ways to Make Ends Meet When Money Gets Tight

In 2022, inflation and supply chain disruptions have understandably made money tight for families all over the country. However, it’s far easier than you think to earn some extra cash to help make ends meet.

Keep in mind that this isn’t an exhaustive list of all the different ways you can make extra money. Rather, it’s a list of some of the easiest ways you can make some extra cash so you can have some peace of mind and have a little breathing room to pay your bills.

Here are 7 ways to make ends meet when money gets tight:

Create a Budget

This should be your first step when you find yourself in need of some cash. A budget keeps track of all of your monthly expenses, as well as your income. This way, you can stay on track financially and ensure your monthly bills are paid off.

By starting a budget, you can look at ways to cut out some unneeded expenses. A well-kept budget may reveal that you have some extra cash in a recurring payment that you didn’t even know you were paying!

Another benefit of keeping a budget is that it also helps you be more prepared for an unexpected car repair or medical emergency if one should occur. A budget will also help you save for larger purchases, such as a car or a new cell phone. And, it will help you stay on time with your mobile home payments or monthly rent.

Starting a budget is super easy. You can simply log all of your expenses and your monthly income into a spreadsheet to see how they compare against each other. Or, you can check out mobile apps such as Mint or YNAB for a budgeting experience you can literally take with you!

Cut Expenses

We mentioned cutting out expenses earlier, but it’s worth taking a deeper dive into how you can cut back on expenses to save cash. For example, you can cut down on the number of subscriptions you pay for monthly. This is especially useful if you haven’t watched anything on Netflix in a couple of months, or want to cut out that costly cable subscription.

You can also save a lot of cash at the grocery store, even if costs have skyrocketed at the checkout line. Here are just a few different ways you can save money when buying food:

Buy store-brand products. Often, the quality of a store-brand product is comparable to the name-brand. However, it can cost significantly less, meaning more money for you.
Shop at discount grocery stores. Aldi and Trader Joe’s are two incredibly popular grocery chains that often have lower prices than their supermarket counterparts.
Buy in bulk. By buying items in larger containers, such as soap and baking goods, you can save more money per ounce. Costco and Sam’s Club are great for buying your groceries in bulk, too.

Sell Your Odds and Ends

If you’re taking time to do some spring cleaning, you may find valuable items that you no longer need. This could include CDs, video games, jewelry, cell phones, or valuable clothing.

Selling these old items for extra cash in 2022 has never been easier. There are, of course, sites like eBay where you can sell them online. Local alternatives such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can help sell your items and get cash in your hand that much faster.

Take On a Side Gig

If you’re looking for extra cash and have some additional time on your hands, a side gig can add an entire second paycheck to your bank account. But, the best part is that you can take on a side gig that you run on your own schedule.

You can go through websites such as Fiverr and Upwork to take on side jobs in all kinds of fields. Whether you’re delivering products for a business or proofreading papers for college students, you can tap into your skills to take on extra work for even more cash.

Or, if you want a side gig where you can REALLY work on your own schedule, then ride sharing platforms like Uber are a great way to go. You can work right in your own city and make cash while driving passengers to their destination. Or, you can deliver food for businesses with Grubhub or Doordash, as well as deliver groceries with Shipt or Instacart.

Teach A Skill

Are you an expert photographer, or a master chef that can make a delicious meal out of anything in your fridge? Or were you a bartender in a past life looking to pass on the skills you learned?

One way to earn some extra cash is by teaching your unique skills and hobbies to other people. It’s incredibly easy in 2022 to start your own classes for teaching what you know. In fact, you can even do so digitally! It doesn’t take much investment to start, for example, a bartending class or cooking class from the comfort of your own home.

Or, if you prefer the feel of an in-person learning environment, you can rent a classroom in a local civic center to host your class there. You can check with your city on how to launch a class for people in your area, and where they offer classrooms you can host them in.

If you live in a manufactured home community, you may even be able to rent a space in your clubhouse, if you have one, for a class. Talk with your community’s staff to see if this is something you can do.

Start A Business

In 2022, it’s more possible than ever to start a business right out of your own home.

There are countless ways to make extra money by selling a good or providing a service to your neighborhood. It can be something as simple as mowing lawns for a neighbor, or something more complex like opening a store near you. But, there’s no such thing as a “bad” time of year to start your business and start making some extra money.

If you’re looking for ideas for a business to start, here are just a few quick ones to spark some inspiration:

Shovel snow or mow lawns for your neighbors
Or, start a full-blown landscaping business taking on more complex lawn projects
Create some jewelry or fashion accessories to sell at a local craft show
If you have some coding skills, make websites for other businesses in the area
Take up photography and offer photoshoots for major life events
Become a handyman for home repairs
Sell your own designs on t-shirts and other apparel with sites like Redbubble

Consider Downsizing

If you’re in need of some extra cash long-term, you can consider downsizing in various ways. For example, you can trade in a gas-guzzling car for a hybrid model, or turn a two-car household into one that uses just one car. Or, you could try switching to remote work to cut down on expenses from commuting or buying expensive lunches downtown.

Believe it or not, your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Not only that, but you can affordably own a home while maintaining a high-quality lifestyle. The answer? Manufactured housing.

With a manufactured home, you can still have all the space you need for you, your family, and your belongings while saving more money each month on your housing costs. This is because manufactured housing offers more cost-savings compared to site-built homes, which can save you money in the long run.

You can search for thousands of mobile homes on MHVillage, the nation’s leading website for buying, selling, and renting a mobile home. Whether you buy a manufactured home on private land or decide to live in a community, you can take advantage of cost savings while living the high life.

If you’ve made the decision to purchase a manufactured home, you can start your mobile home search with MHVillage today!

Sell Your Mobile Home in the Springtime!

The springtime brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, and a hot market for manufactured home selling.

This is because the warmer spring season is one of the hottest times to find a buyer and get top dollar for your mobile home.

Have you considered selling your manufactured home this season? If you have, then you should take advantage of the spring months.

Here are just a few reasons why you should sell your home in the springtime:

What Makes Spring A Good Selling Season?

Speed

If your goal is to sell your manufactured home as quickly as possible, then spring is one of the best seasons to sell your home to find a buyer..

A new breakdown from TIME Magazine revealed that this year’s spring buying season is set to be especially busy for buyers entering the market. This is because supply for homes has increased compared to the 2021 season. For a manufactured home seller in the springtime, it means that you’ll list your home right when buyers enter the market in droves.

Being able to sell a manufactured home so fast is thanks to some of our other factors on this list, too.

Maximized Returns

Selling your home in the springtime will not only make it sell faster. You may be able to get more money for your home sale, too.

A report from The Mortgage Reports showed that homes that sell in the springtime net nearly six percent more money.

It’s also important to remember that tax refunds have arrived for millions of homebuyers. This gives them even more cash for a manufactured home purchase.

This is, of course, dependent on many things throughout the selling process.

Curb Appeal

Remember when we said that springtime brings warmer weather and blooming flowers? Not only does the warmer weather break any remaining cabin fever, but it can raise the curb appeal of your home as well.

Simply put, your home’s curb appeal will get a boost from green grass, lovely sunshine, and newly-blossoming trees. If you live in a colder environment, the snow usually melts away during the springtime, improving your curb appeal that much more.

You can also add even more color to the exterior of your home this time of year. Look for ways to plant flowers outside your home, or even an outdoor garden if you have the space.

Better Weather to Move

Many shoppers avoid buying a home during the winter months for one key reason. Moving during the winter brings extra hassle in environments with snow and ice. Because there are fewer buyers during the winter, they tend to be more serious as a result.

By selling your home in the springtime, you’ll find buyers that are ready to move now that the weather has warmed up. It’s a lot easier to drive a moving truck and haul furniture into a new home without snow and ice getting in the way!

In some areas, the weather may even be better to move during the spring than the summer. In areas of higher heat such as Arizona, a more moderate spring climate may be optimal for selling a home compared to the summertime.

In many parts of the country, spring is truly a temperature sweet spot that makes it a perfect time to sell a home.

Timing

There’s another reason why many families wait until April, May, and June to move into their new home. Families with kids may time their decision to move into a new home with the end of the school year. Otherwise, they risk moving their children into new schools in the middle of the year.

If you choose to sell your home around this time, you’ll catch the increase in families looking to buy a home as well.

Are You Ready to Sell Your Mobile Home?

There are massive benefits to selling your mobile home in the springtime. If you’re ready to sell your home and get it done quickly, head over to MHVillage, the nation’s largest website for buying, selling, and renting manufactured homes.

The best part is that selling your mobile home in MHVillage couldn’t be easier. Visit us today to get started!

Florida Legislature Sends Manufactured Home Sales Tax Reduction to Governor For Approval

UPDATE: On Friday, May 6th, Governor DeSantis signed the large tax relief bill, CS/HB 7071, into law. The final law kept the original tax reduction on new manufactured home sales. This reduction, which brings the sales tax from 6% to 3%, will take effect on July 1, 2022. Unlike most tax reductions in this bill, which are temporary, the tax reduction on new manufactured home sales is a permanent one.

Original story as follows:

Florida’s State Legislature recently passed a bill that will cut the sales tax on new manufactured homes sales in half.

If Governor Ron DeSantis signs the bill into law, the state tax on manufactured home sales will fall from 6% to 3%. This means that Florida homebuyers will see reduced taxes when buying a manufactured home if the bill passes.

Not only that, but the tax cut would serve as a meaningful measure against rising inflation across many industries in the U.S, providing consumers with one area where they can save money.

“The tax cut will reduce the cost of a new manufactured home in Florida by an average of $4,200,” Jim Ayotte, President of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association (FMHA), said in a statement to the MHVillager.

The reduction was included as part of a larger tax relief bill for Florida consumers, CS/HB 7071. The bill would temporarily reduce or end the sales tax for various goods. This includes energy-efficient appliances, gasoline, and power tools, among many others.

However, the sales tax reduction on manufactured homes would be a permanent one if the bill passes.

Ayotte added that for some buyers, the cost savings may be a tipping point in their purchase decision. For others, it will enable them to become homeowners when they could not do so before the tax cut.

If the bill becomes law, the manufactured housing tax cut will take effect on July 1, 2022. No clear date has been set for when the bill will head to the Governor’s desk from the Legislature.

The Impact on Florida Homebuyers

FMHA commissioned a study on the benefits of the tax break for Florida manufactured homebuyers.

FMHA’s study found that the tax relief bill would:

Enable nearly 40,000 additional Florida families to buy a new manufactured home
Result in over 1,800 new manufactured home sales totaling $148 million
Create over 2,000 industry jobs and $70 million in new wages for all jobs created
Increase Florida’s economy by $185 million
Create more than $13 million in state and local tax revenue

“Nearly 1,000 people a day are moving to Florida,” Ayotte said. “This trend is expected to continue at least through 2025, which will further fuel demand for housing, especially value-laden manufactured homes.

FMHA conducted this study partnership with the research team at The Center for Economic Forecasting and Analyses at Florida State University.

The tax relief package totals $658 million. The tax cut on manufactured housing is one of many benefits for Florida consumers in the bill.

Florida is not the first state to cut sales taxes on manufactured homes. Georgia, for example, reduced their manufactured home sales tax in 2019.

However, Ayotte is confident that Florida won’t be the last state to provide relief for manufactured homebuyers.

“Hopefully other states will benefit from the work Florida has done on this policy issue,” he said.

If you’re ready to buy a manufactured home in Florida in anticipation of the potential tax cut, you’re in luck. MHVillage is the best place to find manufactured homes for sale in the Sunshine State. Start your home search today and check out this guide for buying a home in Florida!

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Financing a Manufactured Home

Financing a manufactured home purchase is a common way to secure funding for your new home. However, it’s important to do your research before you start the process to avoid making common mobile home financing mistakes.

Thankfully, the MHVillager is here to help. Here are some of the top mistakes homebuyers make when financing a mobile home:

Going With The Wrong Lender

When you start the process, you may find financing from a few different sources. Some common places to obtain a loan for your home are through a community, through a local dealer, or through a lender that you find on your own.

No matter how you finance your mobile home, it’s important to find a lender that’s proactive in communication and readily available to you. If a lender hasn’t returned your calls in a while or isn’t transparent about the process, then they may not be a good fit.

Getting The Wrong Type of Loan

There are several types of loans for manufactured homes. Each loan is different in many factors, including who administers the loan and whether the land is included, among other factors.

Your lender should advise you on which type of loan is best for you. However, do your research to understand the pros and cons of different manufactured home loans. Otherwise, you may risk wasting time applying for a loan that isn’t a good fit.

For example, a chattel loan is the most popular type of loan for manufactured homes. One drawback is that chattel loans sometimes come with higher interest rates. This is because the home itself may often be used as collateral when securing the loan.

It’s important to remember that not all home loans are exclusive to manufactured housing. Some government loan programs also fund site-built homes. Meanwhile, other loans only fund those kinds of homes. Check with your lender if you’re not sure if a certain type of loan is right for your mobile home purchase.

Buying a Home That Isn’t Properly Valued

This is a particularly big mistake that you don’t want to make. When buying a manufactured home, it will often be appraised to be worth a specific value.

You should always ensure that a home is properly valued before proceeding with financing. This is especially important for pre-owned manufactured homes.

Homes sold in communities will be pre-appraised. This is also the case for homes sold through dealers. If you buy a new manufactured home before it’s been sited, it may have a sticker price tag in place of an appraised value.

If a mobile home isn’t properly valued, you risk not being able to have your loan underwritten. This is because lenders will require a valuation before funding a deal. If the appraisal comes back too low, they will not underwrite the loan.

taking out a loan that doesn’t match the true value of the home.

The good news is that a seller is inclined to sell their home as fast as possible. This means that they’ll often ensure a home is properly valued before it’s listed. However, it’s best to ensure that this is the case before pursuing a mobile home you’d like to buy.

If you’re ready to buy a mobile home, head over to MHVillage to browse for thousands of mobile homes on sale.

Four Manufactured Home Repair Ideas For Your Tax Refund

This time of year, millions of Americans are receiving their tax refunds. Many are wondering what to do with the extra income. One popular option is using the income towards larger home repairs.

A tax refund may not cover these repairs completely. However, they can help reduce the cost significantly. Here are a few “big ticket” manufactured home repair ideas for your tax refund:

Roof Repair

There are many ways to repair a leaky or damaged manufactured home roof. This depends on what material your roof is made out of, with metal roofs and TPO roofs being popular options.

The cost of a roof repair will depend on the material, too. If you’re performing a rubber roof over, you can pay as little as $600. Other types of roofing, such as metal roofs and shingle roofs, may run at a higher cost. However, your yearly tax refund may knock down the price tag.

You can read more on mobile home roofing in the MHVillager.

Exterior Painting

Springtime can be a great time of year to paint the exterior of your manufactured home. This is also an easy home project to perform on your own.

Our first tip when painting the exterior of your home is to make sure you buy the right kind of paint. There are different kinds of paint for indoor and outdoor use, and you want paint that’s rated for the outdoors.

Decorating and DIY hobby tools and color swatches with copy space on top, top view

Make sure that your mobile home’s siding is able to be painted. Vinyl siding is rather paint-friendly, and is also one of the most common types of siding on a manufactured home.

You’ll also want to make sure you have the right equipment. While you can paint with rollers, you may consider using a paint sprayer. Also, you’ll want to ensure you do the proper prep work beforehand. While the prep work may be different from home to home, you’ll generally want to power wash the siding to remove any debris, as well as fill any holes and make repairs to your siding before you paint.

Painting the exterior of your home can be a cost-effective major project. With just a few hundred dollars, you can paint your home with the right know-how and equipment.

Oh, and make sure that you have the right permits to paint your home, if necessary. Many communities may have rules or policies about painting your home.

Siding & Skirting

Your mobile home’s siding and skirting are important to protect the exterior of your home.

The siding gives your home a sense of style while also helping to protect your home from wind damage. If your mobile home’s siding was dented over the winter or is in need of a facelift, your tax refund may be useful towards getting it repaired.

While it’s possible to DIY a siding repair, it’s usually best to contact a professional. This way, you can ensure that a siding repair or replacement is done the right way. A professional will typically work with you to ensure that your mobile home’s siding is the right color and style that you want.

The cost for a mobile home siding project may vary. However, expect to pay $3.50 – $7.50 per square foot of materials, along with the labor costs if you hire a professional.

When it comes to the mobile home skirting, it’s important that it’s in good condition so that your home maintains a seamless look. Skirting is also important for keeping animals out of your home’s foundation, as well as for temperature control.

Vinyl skirting is a cost-effective option for many mobile home owners if you’re in need of repairs this season. It’s a doable repair for the do-it-yourself crowd, and may only run you a few hundred dollars if you find a budget-friendly option near you.

Carport Installation

A carport is one of the most popular features of a manufactured home. It gives homeowners a covered spot for their car without taking up as much space as a garage.

This means that your car is protected against the elements – especially harsh sunlight and snow.

If you don’t already have a carport attached to your manufactured home, a tax refund may provide an opportunity to invest in one. Carports will typically start at a few thousand dollars, which can come down significantly with a tax refund.

Like with painting the exterior of your mobile home, you’ll want to check your community’s guidelines if applicable to ensure you can install a carport.

These tips aren’t the only ways to add value to your mobile home or get repairs done. You can visit the MHVillager for more tips on how to add value to your mobile home.

Or, if you’re looking to buy a mobile home for the first time, you can visit MHVillage to browse mobile homes near you.

The Zen of Customizing a Manufactured Home in 2022

These days, people spend more time in their homes than ever. The same holds true for manufactured homes. In fact, many people now like to customize their manufactured home when buying one.

Buying a manufactured home that’s tailored to your needs is an appealing option for consumers in 2022. Here, we’ll break down how to customize a manufactured home as well as the most popular customizations:

What is a Customized Manufactured Home?

Mobile home park neighborhood in the tropics. Row of manufactured homes. Street view.

A customized manufactured home is true to its name. It’s a manufactured home with features that are customized to your wants, needs, and desires.

If you’re interested in customizing a new manufactured home, your first step is to find a dealer or manufacturer near you. A manufactured home dealer can provide many options for mobile home customization. You can also contact a manufacturer via the Models section on MHVillage.

MHVillage’s manufactured home dealer listings can show you dealers near you that sell customized manufactured homes. Some dealers even offer homes from many different brands. This gives you even more options when hand-selecting features of your manufactured home.

Custom Features

As a manufactured homeowner, you have many options for custom features in your home. Here are just a few that you may consider:

Kitchen countertops – these are one of the most popular customizable features of a manufactured home. If you want granite, marble, or slate countertops, you can customize them to whichever material you like best. And there can be many other materials to choose from, too!
Upgraded kitchen appliances – do you want the latest luxury appliances in your kitchen? If so, then customizing your manufactured home can be a great way to do that.
A dedicated flex room – flex rooms are great for use as a home office, playroom, or whatever your needs are.
Fireplaces – these are a great addition to a living room to provide some ambience. Not only that, but they make for a warm place to gather during the wintertime.
Exterior siding – want to make your manufactured home’s siding a different color? What about a different material altogether? Some manufacturers may have that option.
Flooring – hardwood flooring throughout your house. Your favorite color of carpeting. Custom flooring designs. These are all possible by customizing your flooring.
Energy-efficient windows – want to save money on your energy bills? You can customize your windows to be the most energy-efficient models out there.
Dual-flush toilets – these energy-efficient toilets, which have different flush settings to save water, are an option with many manufactured home models.
Spa-style tubs – this is a highly popular customizable feature. Many manufactured homeowners choose to have a spa-style tub in their bathroom.
Customizable sink hardware – want a bronze faucet for your sink? You can do that by customizing the bathroom in your manufactured home.

These aren’t the only features of a manufactured home that you can customize. But, they are some of the most popular.

Customizable Floor Plans

Some manufactured home builders even allow you to modify a floor plan.

For manufactured homes, a floor plan lays out the size and position of every room in the home. Usually, these floor plans come standard with different models of manufactured homes.

However, manufacturers will offer customizations based on different tweaks to the floor plan. Some manufacturers allow you to change the position of the master bathroom. Others may have options for kitchen or bedroom layouts, too. You can even customize a home so it has a home office for remote work!

Are you interested in a customized floor plan? If you are, look around for manufacturers near you that offer this option.

If you’re looking for another way to browse luxury mobile homes for sale near you, MHVIllage is here to help. You can also browse for manufactured home floor plans to see what customization options are available.

Debunking Common Manufactured Housing Myths

There are many myths that go around when it comes to manufactured housing. As a result, many people wrongly assume that manufactured housing isn’t the right fit for them.

In this article, we’ll debunk some of the most common manufactured housing myths. And, we’ll also discuss some of the benefits of manufactured homes that prove those myths wrong.

Myth #1: Manufactured Homes Aren’t As High-Quality As Site-Built Homes

This is one of the biggest myths surrounding manufactured housing. Many people assume that manufactured homes are low quality or in poor shape.

The truth is that manufactured homes today are built with high quality and care in mind. In fact, it’s not hard to find a manufactured home with luxury features. These can include open-concept floor plans or high-end appliances.

Modern-day manufactured homes can even be built with customizable features. For example, if you want countertops made of a certain material, customized manufactured homes have you covered.

Myth #2: Manufactured Homes Aren’t Safe

Since 1976, manufactured homes have been built to the “HUD Code.” This is a set of guidelines from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HUD code outlines how a manufactured home must be built. These guidelines are especially important for the safety of the manufactured home.

For example, all manufactured homes must take strict measures to be wind-resistant. This is vital in the event of tornadoes and hurricanes.

All manufactured homes built after June 15, 1976 must abide by this HUD code. With these safety standards in mind, manufactured housing has become safer than ever.

Myth #3: Manufactured Home Communities Aren’t Safe or Desirable

Many people think that communities or mobile home parks are unsafe or run down. This is similar to the notion we discussed earlier about mobile homes not being high-quality.

The truth is that many communities are top of the line and offer security and peace of mind for their residents. Some even have gated entrances and enforced quiet hours.

Not only that, but many communities offer amenities as well. These amenities, which range from athletic courts to pools and spas, offer an increased sense of luxury for community residents.

In a community, you’ll also be able to take advantage of having neighbors nearby with whom you can share those amenities.

You can read more in the MHVillager about what makes communities desirable places to live.

Myth #4: Manufactured Homes Are Too Expensive

Manufactured homes are one of the most affordable sources of housing out there.

In fact, the average manufactured home costs far less than a site-built home. Manufactured homes cost around $92,911 for a new manufactured home and $60,733 for a pre-owned manufactured home, based on 2021 sales data from Datacomp. Site-built homes, meanwhile, are often much higher. In fact, the average is $408,000, according to 2021 Statista data.

The cost of living for a manufactured home may vary if you live in a community. Communities usually charge “lot rent” when you lease the land your home sits on. Even then, you’ll find that manufactured homes are much cheaper than site-built homes in the long run.

Myth #5: It’s Too Hard to Find Manufactured Homes Near Me

This might be the most “untrue” manufactured housing myth of all.

In 2022, it has never been easier to find a manufactured home for sale or rent. In fact, MHVillage makes it simple to look for them in your area.

Simply head over to MHVillage to search for manufactured homes near you. You can even filter your search based on 55+ or all-ages communities, whether they’re on private land, and many other categories.

Is Buying a Mobile Home Better Than Renting An Apartment?

Millions of apartment renters in 2022 have faced the growing reality of sky-high rent month after month. Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight. According to Zumper, an apartment rental platform and directory, the median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment increased by 14.1% in January 2022 compared to the year before.

Luckily, there is a way to break free of the stressful apartment renting cycle. They can own their own home and save money on their housing costs at the same time. The answer lies in manufactured housing.

With a manufactured home, you can move into a property that you own in many cases. Not only that, but you’ll have more space and more freedom. The best part? Owning a manufactured home is a much better investment than renting an apartment. Here are a few reasons why:

You Have More Equity

Apartment renters can spend years in the same place, paying more and more for rent each year. And still, they’ll never own the place where they live.

When you own a manufactured home, that’s not the case. In many cases, you own your manufactured home outright. This means that you have more equity in your home than you would with an apartment.

You Have More Security

When you live in an apartment building, you share the building with several other tenants. If you live in a large building, you may have dozens or even hundreds of neighbors.

In a manufactured home, you don’t share your home with anybody besides your family. This means more peace of mind for you and your family compared to apartment living.

The MHVillager has some more handy tips on keeping your manufactured home secure.

You Have More Space

The average square footage of an apartment is 882 square feet, according to RentCafe. Manufactured homes, meanwhile, can vary in their size. For example, a single-wide manufactured home can be up to 1,440 square feet. This is already much larger than your average apartment.

If you live in a double-wide manufactured home, you’ll have even more space to call your own. A double-wide manufactured home can go up to 2,560 square feet – sometimes even bigger!

You Have More Freedom

Apartment renters often have to follow strict living guidelines. This can include, for example, guidelines on performing maintenance on your apartment. Some apartments also have rules on which appliances you’re allowed to have.

Manufactured homes give you freedom to perform your own maintenance on your home. You can also have whichever kinds of appliances you like. Not only that, but you’ll have more space for those appliances, too!

You Have More Financial Options

Your financial options with renting an apartment can be limited. Most landlords allow you to rent your apartment annually, with a lease noting how much you’ll pay per month. Or, you may be able to rent your apartment on a monthly basis, which usually costs more.

For apartment renters, these may be your only options for paying your renting costs. That doesn’t even cover financing your apartment apart from a personal loan.

With a manufactured home, you have a wide amount of options for financing your purchase.

The MHVillager has a handy guide on financing your manufactured home with different types of loans. These include chattel loans, which title the home as an official piece of property. Chattel loans are the most common type of manufactured home loan.

You can also choose to live in a manufactured home community and own the home while leasing the land that it sits on. Many manufactured homeowners prefer this lifestyle. This is because it gives them access to various amenities, such as walking trails and lounges, without paying property taxes.

On the other hand, owning a home on private land can provide more freedom to tend your land how you wish.

It has never been a better time to own a manufactured home and ditch the apartment renting cycle. If you’re convinced that manufactured homes are a better investment than renting, head over to MHVillage and find a home for sale today.

The Evolution of Manufactured Home Building

If you’re thinking about moving into a manufactured home, you may be curious to hear about where it all began.

The basic history of manufactured housing goes back several decades. At first, it may seem like they haven’t changed much in that time. The reality is that manufactured housing has a long, storied history. In fact, one year in particular was a vital one for manufactured homes as we know them today.

The Beginnings

The first “mobile homes” in the 19th century were horse-drawn wagons that families lived in on the road. From there, mobile homes as we know them gained popularity during the first half of the 20th century. They evolved from “travel trailers” that boomed in the 1930s. These gave families the freedom to travel while relaxing in their own trailer. Travel trailers are similar to what we would call an RV in the present day. Eventually, this turned into families living in these travel trailers full time.

Over the next several decades, these trailers evolved even further. They grew into late-20th century mobile homes, with full-fledged kitchens and bedrooms.

The evolution of mobile homes continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s. They offered more features and quality-of-life as they became a popular way to own a home.

1976: The Turning Point

1976 turned out to be a landmark year for mobile homes that has shaped how they’re built half a century later. In 1976, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. This is more commonly known as the “HUD code.”

The HUD code defines all mobile homes built after June 15, 1976 as the manufactured homes we know today. It also brought in sweeping changes that greatly increased their safety.

For example, the HUD code now says that each manufactured home must be sited according to regional wind safety standards. Manufactured homes must also come with a red “HUD tag” that certifies the home as being HUD code compliant.

One of the biggest differences between manufactured homes and mobiles homes is the steel chassis under the manufactured home. All manufactured homes, under HUD code, must sit on a chassis. This chassis ensures smooth transportation from the factory to the home site.

Many still refer to manufactured homes built after 1976 as “mobile homes.” However, this term is technically incorrect based on the HUD code’s definition. While today’s manufactured homes are still considered “mobile,” they’re rarely moved compared to pre-HUD code mobile homes.

Modern Manufactured Homes

In the 21st century, manufactured homes have become incredibly safe and cost-efficient. Not only that, but it’s a stylish one, too!

Tight quality requirements

Safety regulations are often updated for manufactured homes. These are done to ensure that they’re as compliant as possible to keep up with modern advances in home building.

Modular homes, while similar to manufactured homes, are built in sections and assembled on site. A modular home is also subject to local and state guidelines for safety and quality, known as the IRC code. This is compared to the federal HUD code that oversees manufactured homes.

Another difference between modular and manufactured homes is how they are sited. Modular homes are more often found on private land. However, manufactured homes can be placed either on private land or in a manufactured home community.

Luxury manufactured homes

Today’s manufactured homes offer homeowners more luxury options than ever.

Many manufactured home models now come with new luxury features. These can include whirlpool-style tubs, walk-in closets, open-concept kitchens, and the latest appliances.

Manufactured homes are also keeping up to date with the latest design trends. It’s not hard to find a manufactured home with an extra room that could serve as an office or playroom.

Customizable manufactured homes

Customized manufactured homes are a great way to personalize your lifestyle.

Need a manufactured home with a custom home office, or a floor plan that’s suited exactly to your family’s needs? A customized manufactured home has you covered now more than ever.

The history of manufactured housing has led up to this. Now, there are more options, styles, and affordability for manufactured homeowners. The future has never looked brighter as manufactured housing keeps innovating and growing.
If you’re ready to find a manufactured home of your own, head over to MHVillage to find the right home for you.

Community Residents LOVE These Amenities, And You Will Too

Many amenities have become commonplace at manufactured home communities across the country. A few hot amenities are especially popular among community residents. If you’re considering moving to a community, here are a few of the most popular amenities to look for:

Pools and Spas

Resort-style pools and spas are some of the most popular amenities in communities. In warmer states, these year-round pools offer a fun way to swim with the family or relax in the spa for a little bit.

Having an on-site pool in the summertime provides endless entertainment for families, too. Even if you live in a colder state, having a pool during the summertime is a great way to cool off.

Athletic Courts

Athletic courts are one of the biggest draws for retirement communities especially. Whether it’s pickleball, tennis, or shuffleboard, many communities are seeing a spike in demand for these kinds of amenities. They offer a fun and invigorating exercise that you can do with your neighbors. It’s great for making new friends along with some friendly competition!

Communities with athletic courts will vary on which ones they offer. It’s best to check with a community near you if you’re interested in buying a home there. Pickleball, tennis, and shuffleboard aren’t the only kinds of courts you can find in a community. Did you know that some communities even offer golf courses?

Waterfront Views

Do you dream of owning a manufactured home by the lake, waking up to the orange sunrise over the waters? Or do you desire something more vast, being able to walk the ocean’s coastline a stone’s throw from where you live?

Thankfully, some communities offer exactly this kind of experience. Some offer a lake in the heart of the community. Others may have an ocean nearby, perfect for a day at the beach. Either way, it’s not hard to find a community with a waterfront experience. This MHVillager blog post on the most scenic states for mobile homes is a great place to read more about homes with waterfront views.

Clubhouses

Looking for a place to gather with some neighbors for a game of cards? Many communities offer clubhouses where residents can come together and spend time indoors.

This is a popular fixture at resort-style communities. They are so popular because they can be used for resident gatherings, and provide a common place for parties and events. If you are a resident and want to use a clubhouse for an event, you may be able to do so.

The best part is that these buildings can be used in many other different ways. This can be as a welcome center, or as a place for resident events. Some clubhouses even offer small libraries, billiards tables, and other features for residents. Because of their usefulness, many residents desire a clubhouse in their community.

Gated Security

Gated security and a dedicated, staffed community entrance is another popular amenity. In fact, many prospective residents consider this a top priority.

A gated entrance offers peace of mind to residents knowing that their community is safe. And, if a community has quited hours, gated security will help a community enforce those guidelines.

Walking Trails

Many retirement communities have walking trails, which are a great way to stay active. They’re not just for retired folks, either. These trails are fantastic for all ages and promote healthy living during any season.

Are you ready to find a manufactured home community with your favorite amenities? If you are, start your search with MHVillage to find communities near you.

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