How to Sell a Mobile Home in California

California is one of the most competitive and high-priced real estate markets in America. Homebuyers love the Golden State’s desirable cities and great weather, but they’re looking for better solutions for affordable housing as the market continues to become more expensive. It can be particularly difficult for first-time homebuyers to find a great place to call their own.

That’s why selling a mobile home in California right now can be a great decision. Sellers will find a receptive market of buyers who are looking for a quality manufactured home. In the latest entry of our state-by-state series on selling your mobile home, we’ll talk about the key techniques and decision points of how to sell a mobile home in California.

Who’s Selling Your Home?

One of the first decisions in the process of selling a mobile home in California is choosing who to sell the home through. You’ll have a few choices.

If your home is located in a mobile home park in California, the first thing to do is talk to your park management and tell them you’re interested in selling. In most manufactured home communities, you’ll work with the park’s sales agents to sell your home. They’ll coordinate showings, organize the paperwork and help you present your home attractively.

Photo courtesy of Tharakan Consulting

Sellers selling a manufactured home on land they own will have the choice of selling “for sale by owner” or selling through a real estate agent that they hire. An agent will help with some of the biggest tasks of selling a home, although it’s important to find one who works with manufactured homes and knows how to sell them effectively. Selling a mobile home by owner, meanwhile, can save a seller substantial money by avoiding agent fees, but requires the seller to do more of the legwork on their own.

You may also be able to sell the home directly to a manufactured home dealer. Selling to a dealer is among the simplest and fastest ways to sell a manufactured home, but the trade-off is that the dealer will often pay less for the home than a private buyer might.

Appraisal and Inspection

Getting a professional manufactured home appraisal and inspection is key for selling a mobile home in California. An appraisal will ensure that you have an accurate valuation for your home and that you’re aware of any major repairs that need to be completed before selling the home.

MHVillage offers an ideal way to get started. Every manufactured home listed on our site receives a free mobile home value report to help California homeowners price their properties more accurately and fairly. When sellers have the most accurate price information available, it’s easier to arrive at a price that buyers and sellers can agree on.

Marketing Your Mobile Home

Even in a seller’s market like California, it’s still important to know how to market your manufactured home. If you’re working with a real estate agent, they’ll do most of the marketing work for you, but FSBO sellers will need a little know-how.

Improving the curb appeal and presentation of your manufactured home is one important step. Adding a little bit of simple landscaping, trimming the grass, and applying a fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward attracting a buyer. It’s also a good idea to get your home’s interior “show ready” with a deep cleaning and a redecoration in neutral colors.

Give some careful thought to the images and description of your home that you use in your listing. You can use MHVillage’s Mobile Home Online Listing Checklist to create an optimized listing for your manufactured home that will attract buyers and showcase your home’s most attractive features.

California Mobile Home Paperwork

Unlike most states, California mobile home title transfers are not performed through the DMV. Instead, the California Department of Housing and Community Development website contains the key forms you’ll need for transferring and titling a manufactured home in California. All relevant forms are available on the HCD mobile home registration website.

The forms that will need to be filed with the HCD for a California mobile home title transfer include:

California Multi-Purpose Transfer Form
Original title for the manufactured home
Bill of Sale signed by both parties
Tax clearance certificate from county assessor’s office

Other forms and fees may be required by your local government. If your manufactured home is affixed to a permanent foundation and titled as real property rather than personal property, the transfer will be much the same as a real estate title transfer for a site-built home.

MHVillage is America’s number one listings site for buying and selling mobile homes in California, with over 25 million unique visitors per year and over 80,000 homes sold nationwide annually. For the next steps to sell your manufactured home, read our Mobile Home Seller’s Guide. It’s full of useful information and resources on how to sell a mobile home in California.

Selling a Mobile Home to Be Moved

Is buying a mobile home a good investment? — Photo courtesy of Champion Homes.

Usually, when a homeowner sells their manufactured home, the new buyer will move into the home where it currently sits. However, in some cases, if the manufactured home is currently on privately owned land, the owner may choose to sell the home separately without the land.

Why might you sell a mobile home to be moved, what should you be prepared for during the process and what kind of legal steps will you need to take? We’ll examine the ins and outs of selling a mobile home to be moved in this guide.

Why Sell a Manufactured Home and Keep the Land?

There are several reasons why a homeowner might want to keep their land while selling their manufactured home, such as:

You want to upgrade to a newer model of manufactured home.
You want to use the property for a different purpose.
You’re moving and want some extra cash on hand, but would like to keep your land.
You plan to sell the land separately from the manufactured home.

No matter what your purpose for keeping the land, you’ll want to follow the best practices for selling it to ensure a successful sale of your manufactured home.

Can I Sell My Mobile Home to Be Moved?

Some manufactured homes are easier to sell without land than others. The more of the following characteristics your home has, the easier it will be to sell without land:

Less than 10 years old
Has been well-maintained and needs no major repairs
Has three or more bedrooms
Has been moved no more than once
Has no liens against it

If your home doesn’t have at least a few of these characteristics, it’s still possible to sell it, but finding a buyer may be more challenging. Many buyers will be more open to purchasing a mobile home to be moved if the seller is willing to pay some or all of the moving costs.

The Legal Side of Selling a Mobile Home to Be Moved

If your manufactured home is currently on the same title as your land and taxed as real property, you’ll need to have the home retitled as personal property before selling. Contact your county tax office for the specific steps required, including paperwork you’ll need to fill out and any fees you may be required to pay. The tax office will then issue a new title for the manufactured home that reclassifies it as personal property.

Once you find a buyer, you’ll need to have the manufactured home title transferred to the buyer. You’ll usually have to provide documents such as a completed, signed and notarized title transfer form; a bill of sale; and a tax clearance from your county assessor certifying that you don’t currently owe any taxes on your manufactured home. If your title is lost or missing, you’ll need to obtain a duplicate title from your state DMV office first.

In most states, you’ll also need a permit to have a manufactured home moved. The company that moves your home will typically handle this process for the home seller, although the seller is still responsible for any permit or processing fees. Finally, remember that if you’re moving a manufactured home from one county or state to another, permits may be required in both the county or state of origin and the destination county or state.

Moving a Mobile Home

Moving a mobile home requires a specialized professional service, so start by finding professional mobile home movers near you. Your moving company should be licensed, bonded and insured, and they should specialize in moving manufactured homes.

Professional manufactured home movers typically charge between $2,000 and $5,000 to move a home under 100 miles, and they perform services such as:

Finding a suitable route with wide roads and high clearances
Working with county authorities
Disassembling and securing the home to ensure that it doesn’t suffer damage
Moving the mobile home safely from one location to another

For more information that will help calculate what it might cost to move your manufactured home, see our guide to the cost to move a mobile home.

Ready to Sell?

There’s one final thing you can do to make it easier to sell a mobile home to be moved: list it on MHVillage! To learn more about the ins and outs of the selling process, check out our Mobile Home Seller’s Guide.

Also: Read our guide to mobile home delivery to understand how new homes are transported after the purchase.

How Do Rent-to-Own Mobile Homes Work?

Renting a manufactured home can offer a solid and cost-effective dwelling space. But there’s no denying that homeownership affords many benefits that renting simply cannot offer. What’s a financially savvy renter to do if they want to take steps on the path to homeownership, but can’t afford a down payment all at once?

A rent-to-own mobile home with an option to purchase might be the compromise that you’re seeking. How do rent-to-own mobile homes, also known as lease-with-option homes, work and when are they a good alternative to simply renting a mobile home? In this article on MHVillager, we’ll take a look.

How Are Rent-to-Own Mobile Homes Different?

Normally, paying rent on a home doesn’t bring you any closer to purchasing that property. However, in some rent-to-own agreements, part of the renter’s payments to the landlord may be used toward a future purchase of the manufactured home and/or the land.

After a period of years specified in the agreement, the renter may have the option to purchase the manufactured home at either a price negotiated at the inception of the agreement, or a price based on the fair market value of the home in the future (in some rent-to-own agreements, called lease-purchase agreements, the renter may be required to purchase the home). If the renter exercises their option to buy, a portion of the rent payments the buyer has already made gives them equity in the property. Some manufactured home lenders take rental payment history and equity into consideration, which may make it significantly easier to secure mobile home financing for the remaining balance.

Typically, a rent-to-own agreement may have slightly more expensive monthly rents than a standard rental lease. However, the trade-off is that renting to own can help a renter build for the future in a way that standard renting won’t. That’s why renting to own can be a great option for people who want to get on the path to owning a home but don’t have the cash for a down payment. However, there are some important caveats of renting to own that any buyer should know about before exploring their options.

Things to Consider When Renting to Own

Renting to own has some special considerations to be aware of, including:

The legal language on a rent-to-own agreement will affect many things about a buyer’s ability to purchase the home, so it’s important to ensure that the agreement is acceptable and that its terms are completely clear on all sides. Get a real estate attorney involved, and make sure that the terms of the agreement are well-defined.

Most rent-to-own agreements include an upfront fee, called “option consideration,” which is paid to the landlord at the beginning of the lease. These fees are typically negotiable but can often come to anywhere between 2.5 and 7 percent.

Pay particularly close attention to when the purchase price will be set. Some agreements lock in the purchase price at the beginning, while others assess the property’s value upon expiration of the lease. This can be an important difference if property values in the area are expected to rise.

Thorough research on the property is just as key as it is with a traditional home buying process. Compare the sale values of similar mobile homes in the area to get a ballpark idea of a reasonable price, and remember that an independent manufactured home inspector and appraiser such as Datacomp can give you the most reliable way to evaluate the home’s structural condition and value. You don’t want to put your hard-earned money toward a property that’s not of sufficient value to buy.
Some rent-to-own contracts require the renter to perform all or some of the maintenance. If this is the case, take the time to learn about basic manufactured home repairs and make sure to build potential repair expenses into your budget. Know exactly which kinds of maintenance and repairs your agreement obligates you to perform and for which kinds your landlord is responsible.

Finding a Rent-to-Own Agreement

Many landlords don’t offer rent-to-own options, so it can be more challenging to find rent-to-own mobile home properties when house hunting. However, there’s no harm in asking a prospective (or current) landlord if they might be open to a rent-to-own arrangement. Just take care to ensure that the arrangement is legally sound and that you understand all of its requirements.

MHVillage offers an easier way to find a rent-to-own mobile home. Just search our mobile homes for rent listings for your target area and check the “Rent to Own” box as shown in the image above. Our industry-leading selection of rental manufactured homes can help you find the rent-to-own agreement that will help put you on the road to owning a great manufactured home.

3 Bedroom Mobile Homes Your Family Will Love

The “rule of three” is a common feature in everything from literature to music to science. It’s a reference to the fact that three is often the most useful, enjoyable, memorable or aesthetically pleasing number to have of anything.

When it comes to bedrooms, homes also often follow the rule of three. A three-bedroom home can provide spaces for growing families, working from home, older relatives, hobby rooms, guest rooms, pet rooms, or just about anything else. Now, 3 bedroom mobile homes make it more affordable than ever to own a high-quality three-bedroom home.

Each of these 3 bedroom mobile homes has something to offer that makes it one of the best available today. All are available through MHVillage’s mobile home floor plans database, where you can browse the best new manufactured home models of every size and shape.

1. Homes of Merit HOMC 4523A

The Homes of Merit HOMC 4523A is a bright and breezy 3 bedroom mobile home with plenty of character. A combination kitchen/dining/living room area is designed for convenience and togetherness, and a double-sink island counter makes this kitchen a great place to cook.

The master bed-bath suite features built-in cabinets for extra convenience and his-and-hers sinks with tile backsplash. Warm earth tones look great on this model, which also has the amazing option of double master suites.

2. Champion Homes American Freedom 3266

Champion Homes 3 Bedroom mobile home — Photo courtesy of Champion Homes

Champion Homes’ gorgeous American Freedom 3266 3 bedroom mobile home is a combination of multiple beloved styles. A tray ceiling and arched doorways give the room a stately but stylish atmosphere, and an optional built-in entertainment center brings in a touch of farmhouse style.

Each of the 3266’s three bedrooms is equipped with home features that you’ll fall in love with. The master bedroom features sliding barn doors, a walk-in closet, and a tray ceiling, and the master bath includes extensive tile backsplashes and a walk-in shower.

3. Dutch Housing Dutch 3264-01 Belle Vue

The phrase “belle vue” means “beautiful view” in French, and one look at the Dutch Housing Dutch 3264-01 Belle Vue will show you just how visually appealing a modern mobile home can be. We’ll start with the showpiece kitchen, which is fully loaded with built-in cabinets, an island counter breakfast bar, an apron sink, and wide countertops.

You might find it hard to believe your eyes when you get to the spa-style shower in the master suite, but it’s real! This beautifully tiled shower, plus double vanity and massive closet space, come together to form a home that’s not just big, but luxurious as well.

4. Champion Homes Innovation HE 9000T

Champion Homes adds another home to its stable of deluxe but affordable models with the Innovation HE 9000T. The kitchen includes an island counter with built-in storage, plus counter space for days and recessed lighting.

The 9000T’s living room stands out as a gathering space by including built-in shelving, a fireplace, and a faux stone hearth. Recessed lighting built into the ceiling and architectural features provide fine control over the room’s atmosphere and aura. It’s the perfect place for making memories that last a lifetime.

5. Fortune Homes Gold Star 2868 237

The Fortune Homes Gold Star 2868 237 is a pleasant and modern home that features a spacious kitchen with an island and a dining room with a walk-out patio door. A beautiful study area with abundant light and cabinets is perfect for someone who works from home or needs room for a hobby.

The Gold Star’s master bathroom is a dream of luxury and elegance, with a granite bench, a walk-in shower, and built-in lighting over dual sinks. In the master bedroom, you’ll even find a closet with its own built-in shelving.

6. Redman Homes Advantage 2864 241

Bright, gorgeous, and overflowing with features, the Redman Homes Advantage 2864 241 is a true 21st century home. A large open-plan living space includes an island countertop and built-in entertainment center with a sliding TV cover.

The Advantage’s bedrooms are spacious and comfortable, with ample closet space. The master bathroom features a large soaker tub that’s guaranteed to make you forget your troubles, and the ambiance all-around is one of simple elegance.

Getting Ready to Buy?

If you’re ready to start your manufactured home buying journey, we provide all of the resources that you need to choose a great manufactured home. Our full selection of manufactured homes is on display on our Mobile Homes for Sale page, or you can browse hundreds of manufactured home floor plans.

2 Bedroom Mobile Homes – Perfectly Sized for You

Two-bedroom mobile homes are among the most versatile and cost-effective sizes of mobile homes. They’re the “Goldilocks” size for many people because they’re not too big and not too small—just right! A two-bedroom mobile home is perfect for small families, couples buying their first home, empty nesters downsizing, or single people looking for a little extra space.

In this article, we’ll look at five two-bedroom mobile home models that could be perfect for you. Each has a combination of appealing architecture, creative design, and must-have features that makes it a great choice for someone looking for a home that’s just the right size.

1. Champion Homes YS 1670A

From the moment you approach the Champion Homes 1670A, you can tell it’s a beautiful place to enjoy the comforts of family and home. A large covered front porch welcomes guests and residents alike.

Inside, the 1670A is the picture of homey charm, with a large, open-concept eat-in kitchen and living room. It’s warm and inviting in earth tones, and its wood laminate flooring gives it a comfy and rustic flavor.

The master suite is equally delightful, with plenty of natural light. A dual-color wainscot wall design provides a pleasant color contrast and gives the room a lively but relaxing tone.

2. Redman Homes Advantage 1680 275

From the beginning, the Redman Homes Advantage 1680 275 stands out with its unusual architecture and sloped roof. With not one but two porches to enjoy, you’ll find the exterior an inviting place to enjoy home and nature.

Fans of built-in storage will love the 1680. It’s loaded with numerous built-in Shaker cabinets that help keep the house as neat as it is elegant. A sleek and streamlined kitchen invites you to find your perfect culinary flow.

The 1680’s beautiful master suite is also perfect for anyone who loves cozy, compact luxury. It includes built-in cabinets throughout, and the bathroom features double sinks with lighted mirrors.

3. Champion Homes Palmetto PM2452

If you’re pining for a home that’s airy, spacious and beautiful in equal measure, the Champion Homes Palmetto PM2452 is calling to you. Built-in cabinets, an island counter and a tile backsplash combine for a modern and appealing kitchen, and the home is blessed with natural light throughout.

Beautiful country accents provide character throughout the house, like the set of double barn doors that leads from the living room onto the generously-sized den. A tray ceiling brings luxury and elegance into the room’s already-high ceilings.

The Palmetto’s bathrooms are an ideal complement to the rest of the home, with dual sinks and a double-length mirror. This home looks great in any decor style, but it especially pops when combined with a nautical theme and colors like seafoam green and deep blues.

4. Redman Homes Creekside Manor 3522D

The Redman Homes Creekside Manor 3522D is what you get when rustic, cozy, and contemporary meet in a single two-bedroom mobile home. This 1,213 square foot home has a cabin-style exterior that’s ideal for those who desire country living, and its numerous windows make it a natural light lover’s dream come true.

Thanks to those windows, the 3522D is bright and vivacious inside. A large island countertop forms the centerpiece of the kitchen, with a dining room and living area to either side. Recessed lighting and tray ceilings work together to create a dignified ambiance.

In the living room, you’ll find more pleasant country touches like sliding barn doors. This home also includes a den area that’s ideal for family time or media viewing.

5. Skyline Homes Silver Springs 5354

Here’s another two-bedroom with a fully-loaded approach in its 1,623 square feet. From beautiful stainless appliances to Shaker cabinets, the kitchen of the Skyline Homes Silver Springs 5354 lets you know what’s in store—and it only gets better from there.

The 5354 has an abundance of the little touches that make life good, like this optional built-in wet bar and wine refrigerator. This home also features a den extension that offers more space than the standard double wide manufactured home.

In the master bathroom, you’ll find a walk-in shower with beautiful tile that invites you to relax in comfort (plus an optional dual sink upgrade). Once you’ve experienced the 5354’s array of contemporary conveniences, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Looking for something a little bigger?

Looking for something a little bigger? See our article on 3 bedroom mobile homes that your family will love. Want to go small, instead? Check out our selection of one bedroom mobile homes for maximum efficiency and cozy comfort.

8 Mobile Home Cooling Tips

How to sell a mobile home in Florida — Photo courtesy of Equity LifeStyle Properties.

Energy costs can be a significant financial burden for any homeowner. High cooling bills in the summer can be especially onerous when you’re just trying to beat the heat—particularly if you have a manufactured home in Arizona, manufactured home in Florida or a manufactured home in any other state with sweltering summers.

On top of that, a home that’s too hot inside is uncomfortable and can even be potentially dangerous. So, if high energy bills have you sweating, consider these eight mobile home cooling tips for saving yourself money and creating a more comfortable living space.

1. Purchase an ENERGY STAR® Certified manufactured home.

Manufactured home buyers concerned about high heating and cooling costs should strongly consider buying an ENERGY STAR® Certified manufactured home. ENERGY STAR® Certified homes are designed from the ground up for energy-efficient performance, and many homebuyers can reap considerable savings on their energy bills by purchasing one of these homes. Many popular manufactured home builders, such as Clayton Homes, now offer ENERGY STAR® Certified manufactured homes.

2. Upgrade your manufactured home’s insulation.

Manufactured home insulation isn’t just for keeping your home warm in the winter. It’s also critical for keeping your home cool in the summer since it prevents the heat outside from warming up the air in your home.

Thus, upgrading the insulation in your manufactured home (particularly in the belly and the walls) will often help you save on your cooling bills when the weather is hot. Note that it’s typically best to have new manufactured home insulation installed by a professional to ensure that it’s installed correctly.

Affiliate Link Below – MHVillage receives a small commission from the seller for purchases made through this link.

3. Add shades, drapes, sunscreens or tinted film to your windows.

Adding shades, drapes or other window coverings to your windows is a simple and economical way to keep your home cool in the summer. These coverings help keep the interior of your home cooler by blocking out sunlight. Each is available in a wide variety of styles and colors to match the decor of your manufactured home.

4. Use a split AC system to cool your home more economically.

Ductless split AC systems are a popular option for mobile home cooling. These quiet and energy-efficient AC units can be placed throughout your home for efficient cooling without the installation of ductwork, and they offer many advantages to the homeowner.

Split AC systems make it possible to separate your home into cooling zones with different temperatures, and they often consume less energy than central AC units. In addition, split AC systems are less expensive than some other types of AC systems and can typically be installed very quickly by a professional.

5. Use fans inside your home to keep air circulating.

Ceiling fans, box fans, and oscillating fans can all help regulate your home’s temperature. By circulating air more efficiently throughout your home, fans help keep the temperature consistent and can help out your AC system by lowering the temperature inside your home.

Fans also help prevent rooms from feeling stuffy or stifling during hot weather. If your home’s air circulation could use some improvement, try adding one or more fans for an inexpensive fix.

6. Run a dehumidifier inside your home.

High humidity levels can make the inside of your home feel hot and unpleasant, particularly if you live in a humid climate such as Florida or South Carolina. A dehumidifier inside your manufactured home will help remove excess humidity from the air, reduce how hard your AC unit has to work and make your home a more comfortable place to live. (Make sure you consider how you will discard the water that the dehumidifier removes from the air – you can opt for a manual method, purchase a model with an internal pump or install a drain.)

7. Add awnings to your home.

Installing a few awnings over your windows and doors provides shade that keeps your home cooler. By blocking the sunlight from hitting your home, awnings help maintain a cooler temperature. Manufactured home awnings are relatively inexpensive, and most come with detailed instructions for DIY installation (although many homeowners prefer to let a professional handle the installation).

A mobile home for sale in Tucson, Arizona — A 1988 Cavco mobile home in Tucson, Ariz.

8. Make sure your air conditioning system is clean and change the filter.

A clogged, dirty filter will make an AC system less efficient and prevent your home from getting the full blast of cooling power it needs. Check your filter, and if it’s clogged, purchase and install a replacement filter from your AC system’s manufacturer. During spring or early summer, it’s a good idea to have your AC system serviced by a professional to ensure that it’s working at full capacity and that it isn’t fouled with mold or dirt.

Manufactured home cooling is easier and less expensive when you know the key mobile home cooling tips and tricks. For more expert answers to your mobile home HVAC questions, check out our article about energy-efficient mobile homes.

MHVillage.com Launches New Manufactured Home Resources & Learning Center

MHVillage.com has released a new manufactured and mobile home resources center dedicated to consumers. The knowledge and information hub was created to address common questions and scenarios that many manufactured home buyers, sellers, and owners face on a regular basis.

“We wanted to create a platform that walks consumers through the full process of buying, renting, or selling a manufactured home. There are many challenges that can come up along these different journeys, so our goal was to make them more approachable by offering step-by-step guidance in a structure that makes sense,” MHVillage Co-President Darren Krolewski said.

The resources center includes free, insightful resources across a variety of topics and categories.

Here are some of the main sections you can explore:

Mobile Home Buyers Guide:

A step-by-step walk-through of the manufactured home buying process from beginning to end. Topics covered in this section include:

Learning about mobile homes, important buying considerations
Mobile home financing, taxes, insurance
Tips for finding the perfect home
Information about the closing process
Moving in, transitioning to life as a homeowner

Learn more →

Mobile Home Sellers Guide:

A full roadmap with step-by-step guidance for selling a manufactured home. Topics covered in this section include:

Key planning tips and considerations
Adding value to your mobile home
How to price your mobile home
How to market your home and attract buyers
Closing the sale on your home

Learn more →

Manufactured Home Trends:

Fresh insights, research, and data to stay up to date with the industry and trending markets across the country: Topics covered in this section include:

Popular manufactured housing markets
Consumer surveys and research studies
Industry data and reports
Manufactured home FAQs

Learn more →

Mobile Home Living:

Articles and how-to-guides to help homeowners maintain, upgrade, and get the most out of the manufactured home lifestyle. Topics covered in this section include:

Mobile home maintenance and repair
Mobile home remodeling and renovation
Mobile home decorating and design

Learn more →

Stay Tuned for More Updates

The MHVillage team will be updating the resources center on a continuous basis, so be sure to check back for new additions moving forward.

Are Mobile Homes Energy Efficient?

Energy efficient mobile homes - insulation — Courtesy of Clayton Homes

Homeowners are more concerned than ever about energy efficiency in their homes. Demand for energy-efficient homes is high as Americans strive to reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprints. If you’re considering buying a manufactured home, you might be wondering how to find an energy-efficient model.

Fortunately, the news is good: Manufactured homes have become steadily more energy efficient as innovation has improved building techniques and materials. Here, we’ll discuss the latest in energy-efficiency developments for manufactured homes. We’ll also talk about the most important things that owners of manufactured homes can do to improve their homes’ energy efficiency.

To begin, let’s look at a brief history of energy efficiency in manufactured homes.

Humble Beginnings

Manufactured homes have not always been known for energy efficiency. When mobile homes first became popular in the ’70s, they were often constructed using inexpensive materials that provided minimal insulation. As mobile homes became more popular, the government decided to protect homeowners by implementing regulations.

The U.S. government’s HUD Code, implemented in 1976, changed manufactured housing for the better by introducing stringent new standards for construction and durability. The code was updated again in the ’90s, creating new standards for energy efficiency as society became increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of energy consumption.

Changing Standards

As the 20th century gave way to the 21st, standards for manufactured homes continued to increase. Regulatory and market pressure spurred home manufacturers to continue developing their technology, and the result was an ever-increasing level of energy efficiency in manufactured homes.

Energy Efficiency in mobile homes — Some energy-efficient mobile homes come with an ecobee smart thermostat.

In 2016, the Department of Energy put out a new set of standards for making manufactured homes even more energy efficient. These standards are designed to save manufactured homeowners up to 30 percent on their energy bills, meaning that current and future generations of manufactured homes will offer the greatest energy efficiency yet.

Energy Efficiency in Today’s Manufactured Homes

New manufactured homes today are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Their HVAC systems are designed to equalize temperatures across a home’s heating and cooling zones, and their walls, floors and roofs are made from combinations of state-of-the-art building materials that improve the home’s R-value, or the rate at which its insulating materials prevent the flow of heat.

Clayton Homes, one of the leading home manufacturers, provides an example of R-values that buyers can expect from a modern, energy-efficient manufactured home. Homes with Clayton’s Energy Smart Home package include R-values of:

Walls: R-11
Ceilings: R-33 or R-30 for vaulted ceilings
Floors: R-22

Since manufactured homes are built in factories, a builder’s engineers can also fine-tune the manufacturing process to ensure quality control. That’s critical to ensure that manufactured homes are consistently built for maximum energy efficiency and year-round performance.

Energy Star Manufactured Homes

Many of the best energy-efficient manufactured homes now come with certifications from Energy Star, the government program that helps buyers identify more energy-efficient products. Buyers can expect all of the following from an Energy Star manufactured home:

Superior insulation
Tighter and more efficient ductwork
Highly efficient hot water systems
Energy-efficient windows

energy efficient mobile homes — Photo courtesy of Clayton Homes

Home manufacturers such as Clayton Homes have become leaders in production of Energy Star manufactured homes. The results are impressive: Clayton has earned EPA honors as a market leader in the development and sale of energy-efficient mobile homes, and they also run an enormously successful program that recycles thousands of tons of manufacturing waste, keeping it out of landfills.

Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency

Whether you own an Energy Star manufactured home or not, you can help improve the energy efficiency of your manufactured home through some relatively simple steps. Generally, these steps all have the goal of upgrading your home’s R-value:

Upgrade your home’s insulation and add a belly wrap to your home if it doesn’t have one.
Install energy-efficient double-pane windows and make sure all windows are tightly sealed.
Install insulated skirting to help control heat transfer from the underside of your home.
Keep your home’s caulking in good order and re-caulk windows as necessary.
Install weatherstripping around doors.
Upgrade your appliances and lighting fixtures to more energy-efficient models.

MHVillage is packed with resources for manufactured homeowners who want an elegant and energy-efficient home. Check out our article on mobile home siding, or read about adding value to your manufactured home.

What Is a Prefab Home?

“Prefab home” is a term that’s frequently used in the real estate and home building industries. So, what is a prefab home? In a nutshell, it’s short for “prefabricated home,” which means any home that’s assembled in a factory facility and then shipped to its final home site.

What kinds of homes can be considered prefab homes? Are modular homes prefab homes—and what is a modular home anyway? And why have prefab homes recently become so popular? If you’re on the hunt for a new home (or even just window shopping for one), you should know the basics of the different types of prefab homes. This guide will tell you everything you need to know.

What Is a Prefab Home?

The word “prefabricated” combines the prefix “pre” (meaning coming before) and “fabricated” (meaning made or built). Thus, any of these three types of factory-built homes can qualify:

Manufactured Home: A prefab home built to the standards of the federal HUD code and constructed on a fixed steel chassis. A manufactured home may or may not be attached to a permanent foundation.
Modular Home: A prefab home that’s attached to a permanent foundation and built without a steel chassis. Modular homes must comply with local building codes rather than the HUD code, and they often have features of a site-built home such as a second story and full basement.
Mobile Home: While this term is often used to refer to manufactured homes, it actually refers specifically to prefab homes built before the HUD code was introduced in 1976.

Both manufactured homes and modular homes are popular housing options today. Over 22 million Americans live in manufactured homes, and modular housing is also gaining popularity.

How Is a Prefab Home Made?

Prefab homes are made using most of the same building materials that are used to create a site-built home. The main difference is that most of the assembly and building process for a prefab home happens inside a factory, rather than at the home site. Almost every aspect of the prefab home building process—from framing to flooring to roofing to painting—happens in a factory.

Single wide manufactured homes are built and transported in one section. Double wide and multi-section manufactured homes are built in three or even four sections. When these sections reach the home site, installers join them together using heavy-duty hardware and a waterproof gasket.

Modular homes may be transported in any number of sections, depending on their architectural features. At the home site, the modular home installer will use a crane to position the modules on a foundation that’s been constructed on-site, and the installation crew will use special techniques to join the modules together and ensure that they’re secure.

Advantages of Prefab Homes

Prefab homes have a lot to offer today’s homebuyer.

Prefab homes can save buyers a lot of money compared to site-built homes. The average per square foot cost of a manufactured home is less than half that of a site-built home.
Prefab homes are built in climate-controlled factories that keep them protected from wind, water, and other elements that can harm site-built construction.
Prefab homes are manufactured, built, and assembled by homebuilding professionals who know each model and component inside and out.
Many prefab homes now offer extensive customization options. With many models, everything from the color of the siding to the floor plan of the home can be customized to suit the buyer’s needs and tastes.
Prefab homes can often be built much more quickly than site-built homes. Where the average home takes anywhere from seven to nine months to build, a prefab home can usually be manufactured, sited, and assembled in just a few weeks.
Prefab homes appreciate in value just like other homes when installed on a permanent foundation on a piece of land that the homeowner owns.

Things to Know About Buying a Prefab Home

Getting a loan for a manufactured home can require a different process than getting one for a site-built home. Prefab buyers should look at manufactured home financing and understand their options.
Many manufactured home buyers find that living in a manufactured home community has benefits that they enjoy. However, be aware that these communities may require you to choose from a select range of prefab home models.
If you’re interested in pre-owned manufactured homes, make sure that you’re aware of the key things to look for when buying used.

Seeking a great prefab home for your family? MHVillage is America’s #1 online marketplace for new and used manufactured homes. You’ll find the newest and best manufactured homes in our mobile home floor plans section, as well as an extensive selection of used manufactured homes for sale.

How to Sell a Mobile Home in Arizona

Arizona is one of the nation’s fastest-growing states, with over 120,000 new residents arriving in 2018 and 2019 alone. The Grand Canyon State’s explosion in population means that many homebuyers are searching for high-quality affordable housing, which means that selling a mobile home in Arizona can be a sound and profitable decision.

In the latest installment of our state-by-state seller’s guides, we’ll discuss how to sell a mobile home in Arizona and the major factors that anyone selling a mobile home in Arizona should be aware of. First up, let’s talk about whether to sell by owner or go through an agent.

Sell by Owner or Use an Agent?

One of the first big decisions for anyone selling a mobile home in Arizona is whether they should sell their home themselves (also known as “for sale by owner” or FSBO) or sell through an agent. Both options offer advantages and potential drawbacks.

First, if your home is in an Arizona mobile home park, the park will almost always provide an agent who will sell your manufactured home for you. However, selling through an agent can still be the best option for a seller who prefers convenience. A real estate agent will help you market your home effectively and connect with buyers. (Make sure to find an agent who specializes in selling manufactured homes, as some agents only work with site-built homes.)

Selling a manufactured home FSBO will provide substantial savings for the homeowner since they won’t have to pay an agent’s fee. However, FSBO can be challenging for sellers because the seller must do everything that an agent normally does, such as creating an optimized listing, reaching out to buyers and coordinating showings.

Appraisal and Inspection

Getting your home appraised and inspected is a critical step in the process of selling a mobile home in Arizona. A professional appraisal helps a seller determine a fair value for a home, while a professional inspection will highlight any major issues that need to be fixed before selling and will help give the buyer confidence in purchasing the home.

MHVillage offers a free mobile home book value with all listings. A book value is an excellent way to get a ballpark idea of how to price a mobile home, although an appraisal and inspection are still highly recommended (and may even be required in some jurisdictions).

Marketing Your Manufactured Home

Even in a hot housing market like Arizona, marketing your manufactured home is essential for attracting buyers. The average seller has two major ways to market a home: through their listings and by making improvements to their home’s presentation.

Creating an optimized manufactured home listing on MHVillage is one important part of your marketing plan. You want photos and descriptions that showcase your home in the most impressive and buyer-friendly way possible.

By far, the top request that we receive from homebuyers is to see more photos – it’s what they care about most.

In fact, so far in 2021, listings with more than two photos received over 250% more views and have generated over 240% more leads than listings with less. This is why it’s especially important to make photos a top priority when choosing your listing strategy.

MHVillage offers for sale by owner listing packages that are designed to help homeowners draw buyer attention effectively. Compare features, pricing, and explore our tips for creating a stellar listing.

On a separate note, it’s equally important to effectively prepare your manufactured home for sale. Simple steps like these will help you increase your home’s appeal to buyers:

Apply a fresh coat of paint to your home’s exterior.
Cut your grass and make sure your yard and garden look good.
If you have a lot of possessions, move some of them out of sight when you’re showing or photographing the home.
Do some redecorating using neutral colors that will help buyers envision the house as their own.

Mobile Home Paperwork in Arizona

The minimum paperwork required for a mobile home title transfer in Arizona is:

Manufactured home title
Tax clearance letter
Notarized bill of sale

A tax clearance letter certifies that the owner owes no outstanding taxes on the manufactured home, while a notarized bill of sale establishes the conditions and agreed price of the sale. You’ll need to have these documents prepared in advance before the transfer can be completed.

Arizona, like most states, processes manufactured home title transfers through its Motor Vehicles Division. The title transfer process is similar to the title transfer for an automobile. Both buyer and seller are required to sign in fields on the back of the title, and the seller’s signature must be notarized. Some buyers wait months or years to request a formal title transfer, so sellers should ensure that this process is done quickly. Otherwise, the seller may be liable for taxes on a home they no longer own.

If your Arizona manufactured home is affixed to a permanent foundation, it’s considered real property. The title transfer and all associated paperwork will be processed through the normal methods of real estate transfer rather than through the MVD.

Selling a mobile home in Arizona can be a smoother and more profitable process when you use MHVillage. We make it easy to get started with our mobile home listing process—a one-stop-shop for everything you need to prepare to sell a mobile home in Arizona.

Who’s Selling Your Home?

Appraisal and Inspection

Marketing Your Mobile Home

California Mobile Home Paperwork

Why Sell a Manufactured Home and Keep the Land?

Can I Sell My Mobile Home to Be Moved?

The Legal Side of Selling a Mobile Home to Be Moved

Moving a Mobile Home

Ready to Sell?

How Are Rent-to-Own Mobile Homes Different?

Things to Consider When Renting to Own

Finding a Rent-to-Own Agreement

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Looking for something a little bigger?

1. Purchase an ENERGY STAR® Certified manufactured home.

2. Upgrade your manufactured home’s insulation.

3. Add shades, drapes, sunscreens or tinted film to your windows.

4. Use a split AC system to cool your home more economically.

5. Use fans inside your home to keep air circulating.

6. Run a dehumidifier inside your home.

7. Add awnings to your home.

8. Make sure your air conditioning system is clean and change the filter.

Stay Tuned for More Updates

Humble Beginnings

Changing Standards

Energy Efficiency in Today’s Manufactured Homes

Energy Star Manufactured Homes

Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency

What Is a Prefab Home?

How Is a Prefab Home Made?

Advantages of Prefab Homes

Things to Know About Buying a Prefab Home

Sell by Owner or Use an Agent?

Appraisal and Inspection

Marketing Your Manufactured Home

Mobile Home Paperwork in Arizona

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