Your COVID-19 Questions: Can I Still Sell My Mobile Home?

Photo courtesy of Tharakan Consulting

MHVillage strongly encourages readers to follow guidelines provided by local, state, and national authorities (including the CDC) regarding COVID-19 safety procedures.

A recent MHVillage survey of homebuyers found that despite the current pandemic, 72% still want to buy a mobile home. So, even with most of the nation locked down, there are still people ready and willing to buy. Plus, millions of Americans just received stimulus checks from the government, and some may plan to use that money as a down payment on a new home.

But, with 97% of Americans currently under some form of stay-at-home order due to COVID-19, many have asked the question, “Can I still sell my mobile home?” While there’s no blanket mandate from federal officials, the answer may be “Yes,” depending on several factors.

Follow State and Local Health Protocols

First, if you’re planning to sell your home, consult state guidelines, relevant executive orders, and government-provided public health information to help ensure that the most crucial elements related to selling during the pandemic are addressed.

Even if you are in a situation that causes an urgent need to sell your home, health and safety come first. If in doubt, err on the side of caution with regards to CDC-recommended guidelines.

Selling Your Home Online

With fewer people out-and-about these days due to COVID-19, now is the time to list your mobile home for sale online. And since MHVillage is the largest and most active manufactured housing website in the nation, listing your home on our site helps buyers who are searching for homes find you.

The key to selling your home online is to provide the buyer with as much information and images as possible. For example, be sure to include lots of beautiful, well-lit photos of your home. Currently, MHVillage also offers the ability to include a virtual tour of your home for free to help you capture the attention of interested buyers in these unprecedented market conditions.

Hosting a virtual open house by giving buyers a live, guided video tour of your home and answering questions is a great alternative to in-person open houses. It helps you engage with a prospective buyer, increases their interest in the home, and helps you build rapport. Plus, we’ve just added the ability for you to announce your virtual open house in your MHVillage listing, and include a link to your live video stream.

Other Ways to Sell Your Home

In addition to listing your home for sale online, there are other methods for attracting homebuyers you can use to sell your home. For example, listing your home with a local real estate agent that specializes in manufactured homes is an option you could explore. Using an agent to sell your home takes some of the pressure off you because someone else is working to sell your home for you. And the agent would also handle showings of your home. Since the agent would be there, you could be out of the home when a prospective buyer is viewing it.

Some communities also sell homes. So, it is a good idea to check with your community to see what options they have for listing your home for sale with them. They may even be interested in buying your home from you if it meets their criteria. If not, other companies buy mobile homes for cash, so you can skip the usual process of selling your manufactured home.

Socially-Distanced Showings

If you are in an area that still allows real estate transactions to be conducted in person, be sure to take appropriate precautions to keep yourself, your family, and the homebuyer safe. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind.

To limit the number of people coming into your home for showings, you could limit showings to buyers who are pre-qualified for financing. Also, wearing a mask, gloves, and observing government-recommended social distancing guidelines is a good idea. As an added measure, you could also wait outside the home while the buyers are inside viewing the layout. Just make sure you don’t cross paths in the narrow space around the door. Any questions could then be answered by phone after they leave.

And remember to wipe down all doorknobs, latches, countertops, light switches, and anything else buyers are likely to touch with a CDC-recommended disinfectant before they arrive and after they leave.

Finalizing the Sale

Once there is an agreement-in-principle on the home and the process of finalizing the sale begins, there are other factors to keep in mind. As mentioned in a previous article, the state agencies that process and issue mobile home titles may be operating on reduced hours, by appointment only, or be closed completely until the pandemic is under control. So, be sure to check their availability in your state before finalizing the sale.

Also, even though some states consider businesses that support financial and real estate transactions as “essential,” some do not. So, depending on where you live it may take a while for a professional to be able to appraise your mobile home for the lender. Check with your state’s manufactured housing association to find out if there are any such restrictions in your local area.

Yet, despite these unusual circumstances, many businesses are finding ways to pivot and adapt to be able to continue providing services. For example, in some areas title companies are doing drive-through closings. So, don’t give up on the idea of selling your home if you need to do so. It is worth checking your options first.

Making the Right Move

Sometimes life circumstances make selling a home necessary in market conditions that are not ideal. However, even though the pandemic has created new challenges it is possible to use online tools to list your home for sale, provide buyers a virtual tour, and even host a virtual open house. There are even reports of people buying homes “sight unseen” in today’s market based solely on photos and videos of the home they see online.

To help, continue returning to MHVillage to not only look for or sell a mobile home but to keep up with some of the latest manufactured housing tips as they relate to COVID-19, safety, and market activity.

And, most importantly, follow all state, local and CDC guidelines to stay safe and healthy including washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, and avoid touching your face.

How to Host a Mobile Home Virtual Open House

MHVillage strongly encourages readers to follow guidelines provided by local, state, and national authorities (including the CDC) regarding COVID-19 safety procedures.

Prospective mobile home buyers understand that shelter in place, social distancing, and other COVID-19 mitigation efforts eventually will subside.

Until then, there are a few ways you can sustain their interest when you sell a mobile home. Among them: broadcasting a live virtual open house that showcases your home.

Whether you’re working with an agent to promote your mobile home or listing your home for-sale-by-owner, tapping into today’s technology can get you from “just listed” to “sold” even in these unusual times.

What You Need

Because the tools needed to host a virtual open house are readily available, you may already have them. Here are four of them.

A Capable Smartphone

If you have a relatively recent smartphone — say, something produced within the last couple of years — it should be able to capture quality video. This device can be an iPhone from Apple, Pixel from Google, or similar devices. However, if you plan to use FaceTime for your live virtual open house you will need an iPhone. We’ll cover that topic later in this article.

A Robust, High-Speed Internet Connection

Many factors can influence the bandwidth needed for a virtual open house broadcast. That said, a general rule of thumb is to aim for nothing less than 5Mbps and ideally around 10Mbps. A site such as Speedtest.net can help you determine your current internet connection speeds.

A Wireless Microphone

Viewers tuning into your virtual open house need to be able to hear the guided tour you’ll give them. Using a wireless mic enables that without keeping you tethered to the camera. Apple’s AirPods are one such option many people seem to have already.

Photo courtesy of Skyline Champion Corporation

A Game Plan

Broadcasting on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, TikTok or any other platform requires careful planning. Especially if the goal is to sell something, “winging it” won’t work. You need to know where your virtual open house is going to start, how it will progress, which features to highlight, etc. Facebook recommends a live stream of no less than 20 minutes, so there will be plenty of time to cover everything — and plenty of reasons why a rehearsal is crucial.

Aside from these tools, hosts should stick to the basics: cleaning and lighting the mobile home well, decluttering and removing personal items, etc.

Broadcasting

Facebook Live, YouTube, and Apple’s FaceTime are three of today’s most popular live video platforms; the number of Facebook Live viewers in the U.S. has risen by 50% since January 2020, while users make 15-20 million FaceTime calls per day among the 100 million or so iPhone in the U.S.

Instructions for broadcasting mobile home virtual open houses from these platforms follow. And to attract more homebuyers, a link to your virtual open house can be included in your listing on MHVillage.

Using Facebook Live for a Virtual Mobile Home Open House

A virtual open house with Facebook Live allows you to promote a mobile home to many prospective buyers at the same time. For a one-on-one virtual open house, FaceTime is recommended (see below).

Open the Facebook app on your smartphone.
Tap “Live” at the top of the screen. (At the time of this writing, the link was directly beneath the profile image.)
Allow Facebook to access the device’s microphone and video capabilities.
Tap the camera icon at the top of the screen to switch between selfie and standard modes.
Tap the “Start Live Video” button.

A two-person streaming team is ideal, with one person operating the camera (smartphone) and the other person acting as host. A gimbal is recommended to help keep the phone and recorder stable. This will help in creating a smooth, professional-looking video.

Finally, make sure that the smartphone is in your preferred mode — landscape or portrait — before you begin the Facebook Live broadcast. Modes cannot be switched during filming.

HOW TO PROMOTE A FACEBOOK LIVE TOUR: Promote the Virtual Open House on Facebook Events, as well as any and all other social media platforms you have profiles on. It may be a good idea to ask your friends and family to share your broadcast as well.

Using YouTube for a Virtual Mobile Home Open House

The technique for using YouTube for your virtual open house is similar to using Facebook Live. However, in order to live stream your virtual open house from a mobile device, your YouTube channel must have a minimum of 1,000 subscribers. If your channel qualifies, here are the steps to follow.

Open the YouTube app on your smartphone.
Tap the camera icon at the top of the screen.
Allow YouTube to access your phone’s camera and microphone.
Tap the “Go Live” icon.

There are also services like Restream.io and StreamYard.com that help you broadcast to both Facebook and YouTube at the same time.

Using FaceTime for Virtual Mobile Home Tours

FaceTime is recommended when conducting a one-on-one virtual mobile home open house. Android users may consider Google Duo as a FaceTime alternative. It is important to note that both the host and the homebuyer will need to be on the same platform in order for this technique to work. For example, if the host is on FaceTime they will not be able to connect with a homebuyer on Google Duo.

Here are the steps to broadcast your virtual open house using FaceTime.

Open the FaceTime app on your iPhone.
Tap the “+” icon at the top of the screen.
Enter the client’s name or contact info (if it isn’t already in the device’s contact list).
Tap the “Video” button.
After a brief introduction, tap the camera icon to switch from selfie mode to standard mode.

HOW TO PROMOTE A FACETIME TOUR: During conversations with anyone interested in your mobile home, through your other social media outlets, any online messaging boards or apps your community uses, and through friends.

Leveraging Your Virtual Open House on MHVillage

MHVillage now provides a way for its customers to include a virtual open house link on our site for presentation to a wider, and audience of manufactured home buyers. Just login to your account to add a virtual open house to your listing.

Your COVID-19 Questions: Can I Still Buy a Mobile Home?

MHVillage strongly encourages readers to follow guidelines provided by local, state, and national authorities (including the CDC) regarding COVID-19 safety procedures.

Under normal circumstances, it’s difficult to predict what the future holds. With the world in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can feel hard to imagine what tomorrow will bring.

This new reality is especially challenging to individuals and families considering a move to a new home this spring, which is traditionally the most active house-hunting season of the year.

So, if you find yourself wondering if you can buy a mobile home in these circumstances or are unsure of your next step, consider the following information.

Regardless of the pandemic, life events dictate house hunting.

While so much of our lives have assumed a holding pattern, and rightly so, some of the key reasons people move continue to play out.

Maybe someone accepted a new “essential worker” job three months ago and must soon begin it. Perhaps you have recently separated or divorced and need to move. An empty nester could be caught halfway between downsizing, having sold their former, larger home but still searching for a new, smaller place.

The reasons are many but come back to the same thing: looking for a new home is not an extravagance for many. It’s an absolute necessity.

The government currently dictates the rules of the game.

That is to say, elected officials’ access to leading health experts gives them the best insight into the fight against COVID-19, and it’s that insight that dictates the rules of the game. That access dictates policy which states who can and cannot be out and about and which businesses are considered essential.

Make sure you understand what local, state, and national policies enable you to do before heading out. Also, state agencies that process title applications for mobile homes may be operating on reduced hours, by appointment only, or could be closed temporarily due to COVID-19 activity in that state.

Some states consider residential home construction an essential service.

At the time of this writing, the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) listed the following states as having declared residential home construction essential: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

If you don’t see your state in that list, it does not mean that housing is not an essential service in your state — only that a formal declaration might not yet exist. Check with your state’s manufactured housing association or your state representative for guidance.

The pandemic unleashed a ripple effect we may feel for years.

The best way to keep your head above water around big waves? Don’t panic, don’t exhaust yourself fighting larger forces, and consider riding the waves if they’re moving in a positive direction for your individual needs.

For example, it’s a safe bet that lower rates and competitive mobile home prices await buyers willing to step into a chattel loan or mortgage commitment before the economy’s inevitable upswing.

There’s a new normal right now.

Spending an entire Sunday going from one open house to the next? Right now, forget about it. If you want to winnow down your mobile home options, understand that the percentage of homes on the market with virtual tours will only increase.

In fact, we recently made changes to MHVillage.com to help home buyers explore homes online. Because many states have issued “stay at home” orders, we are temporarily making virtual tours free for all homes listed on MHVillage. And we rolled out our new virtual open house option for listings. These two changes make it easy to tour homes that interest you without leaving your house.

Many communities and retailers also are adapting to current market conditions. Using video streaming services like FaceTime, YouTube or Facebook, they are able to give interested buyers a “virtual open house” video tour of the property and answer questions live.

Such innovative use of technology can help you decide which listing, floor plan, or community is right for you. By the time that stage of your house-hunting efforts is complete, we may know more about when current social distancing restrictions will be lifted.

MHVillage is Your Resource

According to a study conducted by MHVillage last week, 72.5% of consumers surveyed said they are still looking to buy or rent a mobile home in spite of recent events. That means many people are still looking for a new home, spurred on by some of the reasons mentioned above.

If you’re among them, understand that you can still look for and buy a mobile home thanks to virtual tours, electronic document signing, and other technology. Just follow common-sense precautions, adhere to social distancing recommendations and follow the guidance of federal, state and local governments.

To help, continue returning to MHVillage to not only look for mobile homes but to keep up with some of the latest manufactured housing tips as they relate to COVID-19, safety, and market activity.

Above all else, keep washing those hands!

Manufactured Home Buyer Survey: 72% Still Want to Buy

Homebuyers Respond to 2-Question Survey In the Midst of COVID-19

Original research and data from MHVillage show a great majority of manufactured home buyers remain in the market to buy a home – a very positive response overall.

Of 1,859 self-identified manufactured home buyers who responded, 72% said they continue their search to rent or buy a manufactured or mobile home. More than 16% of the respondents halted the search to buy a manufactured home because they’ve already made the home purchase.

For the survey, MHVillage contacted more than 49,000 homebuyers nationwide. More than 13% of those who opened the survey form participated in the manufactured home buyer survey.

For all the results, see the buyer infographic the MHVillage team created with data from the survey.

Manufactured Home Consumers Are Still Looking to Buy

— infographic design by Merit Kathan

How to Create an Attention-Grabbing Virtual Tour

MHVillage strongly encourages readers to follow guidelines provided by local, state, and national authorities (including the CDC) regarding COVID-19 safety procedures.

For many years, virtual tours existed near the periphery of the home buying process – nice to offer on a listing but not yet ready for prime time.

But the fight against the spread of COVID-19, including restrictions on group gatherings and other social and economic norms, puts virtual tours in the real estate spotlight like never before.

One big reason: they help prospective mobile home buyers practice shelter-in-place and social distancing measures enacted by federal, state and local authorities. The National Association of Realtors reports that the average home buyer visits 10 homes over 10 weeks before a purchase, but those numbers seem untenable in today’s climate. However, accessing a listing directly from a desktop or laptop computer practically eliminates risk from the mobile home shopping equation.

To help home buyers and sellers during these unprecedented times we are temporarily making virtual home tours available at no additional charge for all homes listed on MHVillage, the top marketplace for mobile and manufactured homes, and have added virtual open houses to our home selling toolkit.

If you’re considering a virtual tour — a digital simulation of a property that leverages video, photos, and imagery — here are five best practices to use to increase buyer interest in your home.

1. Review Your Software Options

When it comes to real estate virtual tour software, there are many from which to choose. Your particular use case will help determine which one you select. Ask yourself:

Do you need a comprehensive, all-in-one solution?
Are you comfortable collecting the various assets to create a virtual tour?
At what resolution will prospective buyers view your virtual tour?

If you are not sure where to start, there are some good options out there for virtual tour software packages. And if COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines in your area allow for it, you can always hire a professional to create the virtual tour using the Matterport Virtual Tour system or similar service.

2. Set the Stage

Just as with an in-person tour, you’ll want to make sure your home looks its best. That means:

Cleaning, decluttering and removing personal items from all rooms
Lighting the space well, with natural and artificial light as necessary
Staging spaces to accentuate their best features and future possibilities

mobile home virtual tours — Photo courtesy of Tharakan Consulting

To extend our theater metaphor just a bit further: rehearse your virtual tour walk-through before the cameras begin capturing the space, either for video, still images, or 3D virtual tour/360-degree virtual tour display.

Pro tip: Creating a list of each room and its most attractive angle and qualities will help you get exactly the footage you need to sell your mobile home.

3. Look at Live Tours

Several popular online destinations now incorporate live video into their platforms, including:

Facebook
YouTube
Instagram

Add device-focused Skype from Microsoft and FaceTime from Apple and mobile home sellers today can host their own broadcasts making the home listing the star of the show.

In the right circumstances — perhaps a currently unoccupied listing cleaned beforehand to the CDC’s recommendations — arranging a live video walkthrough for a prospective mobile home buyer is a relatively straightforward process.

One caveat: Reliable network connectivity is a must. Fortunately, there are several tools online to help you gauge your connection speed, including this one from Google.

4. Offer a Different Perspective

There are few real estate offerings as attractive as a mobile home nestled within a great park. Highlighting such offerings, however, can be a challenge in a crowded market.

To play up any especially distinctive features of a listing, consider drone footage of the property and surrounding area. Proximity to a community center, pool, play area, or beautiful natural splendor may add distinction to your virtual tour that makes it stand out.

5. Get Up Close and Personal

Even the best virtual tours cannot completely replicate the experience of being on-site … but they can come closer if you offer buyers a thorough sense of a listing’s condition.

That’s because mobile home buyers aren’t just interested in the general characteristics of a home. They want to know whether the carpet is especially worn, whether there’s any water damage visible near the windows, what sort of shape the roof is in, and other similar details.

It’s easy to share this information with them, of course. All you have to do is commit to getting into the “nitty-gritty” of a listing during your live video or more traditional virtual tour offerings.

Buying a Mobile Home vs. Renting an Apartment

Buying a Mobile Home vs Renting Apartment

Facing high housing costs in many markets, many people are searching for alternatives to high-priced rental apartments. Buying a manufactured home is one option that’s increasingly popular, and buyers are snapping up state-of-the-art manufactured homes all over America.

Buying a manufactured home is now recognized as an excellent affordable housing option due to the opportunity to own your own home and the high quality of today’s manufactured homes. But in the mobile home vs. apartment debate, which comes out on top? The answer will always come down to whichever best matches your needs and your family’s—but let’s examine the value for each side.

Comparing the Costs

Initially, the costs of securing an apartment may be lower, even though an apartment typically requires an application fee and a security deposit (usually one month’s rent), plus other associated costs such as utility deposits. Buying a manufactured home will require a down payment plus closing costs, which can make the initial expenditure seem steep.

When it comes to monthly expenses, however, the median monthly housing payment for buying a three-bedroom, two-bathroom manufactured home is just under $750. National median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,216, meaning that buying a manufactured home often provides more space for the money, plus a permanent place to live.

Additionally, in the long run, buying is almost always a better investment than renting. That’s because, as we’ll discuss next, buying property builds equity.

Equity (and Why It Matters)

Equity is one of the biggest reasons why buying a manufactured home often is a better option than renting an apartment. When a renter pays rent to their landlord every month, the renter builds no equity or wealth.

By contrast, a homebuyer’s mortgage is an investment in a permanent place to live. A well-maintained manufactured home will build equity for its owner. As you pay off your debt via a mobile home financing program, you’ll continue to build equity in your home.

Remember that in order to get the biggest financial advantages of buying a manufactured home, you’ll have to work on improving the property and paying down your debt, much as you would with a standard site-built home. Putting the home on a permanent foundation is an excellent step, as is keeping the home in good repair and investing in key manufactured home improvements such as upgraded insulation.

Living Space

Mobile Home vs Apartment — Photo courtesy of Champion Homes

Apartments frequently offer less space when compared to a double-wide or multi-section manufactured home. The average square footage of an apartment in America is just 882, and with apartment floor plans shrinking in almost every market, Americans are getting less for their money even as rents increase.

Manufactured homes come in a wide variety of sizes. Single-wide homes are excellent for those with less need for space, while double-wide and multi-section homes are great for bigger families and those who simply want some extra elbow room. Double-wide and multi-section homes regularly top 1,500 square feet, allowing you to dream bigger and live more spaciously.

Quality of Life

Apartment buildings often lack privacy and peace and quiet. Shared walls, floors and ceilings mean that renters often hear noise from neighbors, and one unit’s plumbing or electrical issue can become a problem for their whole floor or building.

By contrast, a manufactured home gives a homeowner a true space of their own. Buying a manufactured home means freedom to customize, accessorize and otherwise modify your home the way you want it. And it provides benefits that apartments often don’t have, such as access to a yard and a deck.

Many owners of manufactured homes find that living in a manufactured home community offers advantages such as social opportunities and shared amenities. In fact, today’s manufactured home communities offer similar amenities to the ones you’d find in a deluxe apartment building, such as fitness centers, pools, and clubhouses. You’ll also often find planned events like movie showings and holiday parties that bring neighbors together and encourage new friendships.

Manufactured homes are high-quality and affordable housing, and they provide an excellent option for many buyers who want a more comfortable and economical option than apartment living.

MHVillage is America’s largest manufactured home listings site, with thousands of manufactured homes for sale across the country. You can browse our home selection right now – just click your state, choose your city, and you’ll find great options.

5 Gorgeous Modern Mobile Homes You Need to See

Modern Mobile Homes - Kitchen — Photo by Skyline Homes.

It’s no wonder that 10 percent of new single-family home starts are manufactured homes when those homes look so good. All across America, head-turning, new modern mobile homes are showing what the manufactured home industry is capable of today and just how good the manufactured home life can be.

In modern mobile homes, you’ll find must-have amenities such as fireplaces, open floor plans, and contemporary kitchens. You’ll find attractive decor schemes with a wide variety of custom options. And you’ll find cost-effective performance that gives you far more home for your money than site-built homes. Check out these five modern mobile homes that personify the new trends of the manufactured home industry.

#1 – The Kinlock Falls by Winston Homebuilders

Modern Mobile Homes - The Kinlock Falls by Winston Homebuilders — Photo captured at the 2020 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show.

Winston Homebuilders’ Kinlock Falls model is a chic multi-section with plenty of space. You’ll notice the open kitchen layout that’s perfect for entertaining guests, the island countertop that creates a superior kitchen flow and the wood-laminate floor that gives you the look of hardwood without the maintenance and expense. From lighting to appliances, the Kinlock Falls comes equipped with the best.

Modern Mobile Homes - Kinlock Falls — Photo by Winston Homebuilders

The living room of the Kinlock Falls is designed with an airy, spacious feel that encourages creativity in decoration. Today’s manufactured homes are designed not just as living spaces but as places for getting together and having fun, which means that generously-sized common areas like these are now a must-have feature.

#2 – The Landmark Grand by Commodore Homes of Indiana

Modern Mobile Homes - LandMark Grand by Commodore Homes of Indiana — Photo captured at the 2020 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show.

The LandMark Grand by Commodore Homes of Indiana is another modern mobile home that features an open kitchen and island counter, plus an array of gorgeous stainless steel appliances. Whether you’re a pro-level chef or a beginner cook, today’s best manufactured homes will give you a bigger and better array of kitchen options.

Modern Mobile Homes - LandMark Grand Exterior — Photo by Commodore Homes of Indiana

The LandMark Grand is also notable for its wide array of exterior and floor plan choices, including options for a recessed entry, recessed porch and saddle roof. Increasingly, home manufacturers are offering choices like these that appeal to homebuyers who want to customize their homes.

#3 – The Arlington by Skyline Homes

Modern Mobile Homes - Arlington 3513 by Skyline Homes — Photo by Skyline Homes

Skyline Homes’ feature-packed Arlington is a double wide model that exemplifies another feature of contemporary manufactured homes: giving homeowners plenty of space to make their own. The Skyline also features a large family room that can be used as a dining room, TV room, fitness station or just about anything else. Skyline even offers the option to convert the family room into an additional fourth bedroom, making it an incredibly flexible and space-efficient home model.

The Skyline also features an open-plan kitchen/dining room with a large island counter and up-to-date appliances. Abundant counter and cabinet space gives homebuyers everything they need to create their dream kitchen in a home from one of America’s premier manufactured home builders.

#4 – The Cambridge by Adventure Homes

Modern Mobile Homes - The Cambridge by Adventure Homes — Photo captured at the 2020 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show.

The Cambridge is the newest entry in Adventure Homes’ popular Mojave series. The Mojave series is known for its high-end features and sleek, modern look, and the Cambridge takes the Mojave’s reputation for excellence to a new level. A wide entryway flanked by picture windows offers a dramatic introduction to the home, and its features only get more impressive from there.

Modern Mobile Homes bathroom — Photo captured at the 2020 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show.

As one can see from the model’s bathroom, the Cambridge is also a great example of the trend towards luxury-style bathrooms in manufactured homes. An appealing tile pattern, elegant countertops and a modern shower combine to create a bathroom that holds its own with any in a site-built home.

#5 – The Sardis by Winston Homebuilders

Modern Mobile Homes - The Sardis by Winston Homebuilders — Photo captured at the 2020 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show.

Winston Homebuilders’ Sardis model is sleek and spacious, with an open floor plan that joins an impressive great room with a state-of-the-art kitchen. Today’s manufactured homebuyers demand great kitchens that are competitive with those in site-built homes, and home manufacturers like Winston Homebuilders are responding with models like the Sardis.

Modern Mobile Homes Kitchen - The Sardis — Photo by Winston Homebuilders.

You’ll also notice the high ceilings, numerous windows, and spacious layout of the Sardis. These modern design features give homebuyers an environment that feels comfortable, lets in more light, and generally provides a higher quality of life. Add in tasteful accents of brick and wood and you’ve got a manufactured home that is truly 21st century.

These amazing modern mobile homes showcase the innovation on display in the manufactured home industry. To find your perfect manufactured home, search MHVillage’s manufactured homes for sale or browse mobile home floor plans.

Recommended: Also check out these 6 charming small manufactured homes, and these 5 log cabin mobile homes.

How to Sell a Mobile Home in Florida

With over 600 Florida manufactured home dealers and over 9,000 manufactured homes for sale in Florida right now, the Sunshine State is among America’s largest markets for manufactured homes. Sellers in Florida will find a solid market for quality homes, as the state’s balmy weather and low taxes continue to attract new residents.

However, in a market with so many choices, it can be challenging to find the right way to sell a mobile home in Florida. We’ll look at some of the key parts of how to sell a mobile home in Florida and what a new seller can expect from the process.

Agent or No Agent?

One of the first decisions Florida manufactured home sellers must make is whether or not to work with an agent. Selling a manufactured home “for sale by owner” (FSBO) can be a little bit trickier than selling with an agent, but each has its advantages.

Selling a manufactured home without an agent can potentially save a seller thousands of dollars. Furthermore, it’s easier than ever for manufactured homeowners to sell their homes without an agent. Sites like MHVillage provide a variety of for sale by owner listing tools to make advertising effective and connecting with buyers simple.

However, there’s no denying that using an agent offers some benefits. Agents do the legwork of showing the property to potential buyers and can help sellers market their homes more effectively. Agents can also provide help with paperwork, mobile home financing and other important aspects of the sales process.

For those who do choose to work with an agent, try to find one with expertise selling manufactured homes. It’s a specialized market that often involves different paperwork than selling a site-built home. Since many agents don’t deal with manufactured homes, it’s important to do due diligence on anyone you hire to ensure that they’re the right one for the job.

Preparation and Advertising

A successful manufactured home sale doesn’t just happen—a seller needs to prepare their home to attract customers and pique interest.

Professional appraisal and inspection are important early steps for selling your mobile home. A professional manufactured home appraiser, such as Datacomp, conducts thorough market-based appraisals of manufactured homes that make it easier for sellers to price their homes appropriately. Datacomp also provides professional inspections that help spot critical manufactured home repairs and give potential buyers confidence about your manufactured home.

Marketing and advertising are also critical tasks. Creating promotional materials, hosting open houses and optimizing listing copy and photos are all important. Although an agent can help with them, it’s perfectly possible to do them on your own. Check out our articles like Tips to Help You Nail Your Open House for important dos and don’ts for manufactured home marketing.

6 Reasons to become a manufactured homeowner — Photo courtesy of Champion Homes

Finally, make sure that your home is clean and presentable. Inside, make sure that critical areas like carpets and bathrooms are clean, and consider neutral decor schemes that help potential buyers imagine a house as their own. Outside, trim the grass, pull the weeds and think about adding a little low-maintenance garden foliage if you don’t currently have any. It can really help bring a property to life.

Florida Mobile Home Paperwork

The state of Florida requires specific documentation and paperwork for manufactured home sellers. Some of the key documents that may be required include:

The vehicle title of the manufactured home (if titled as chattel) or the real estate deed (if titled as real estate)
Bill of sale for the manufactured home, with both the seller’s signature and the buyer’s
Tax records to prove the seller has paid all applicable taxes on the manufactured home

If you’re selling a manufactured home through an agent, your agent will be able to guide you through the paperwork. For those selling by owner, make sure to read up on the important mobile home paperwork you’ll need to complete.

The actual transfer of title will happen after the sale has closed. If the home is titled as chattel, the buyer must go to the Florida DMV with the seller’s signed documents to have the title transferred. Once the title is transferred, the buyer will receive a tax sticker, which they must affix to the exterior of their home to show that the home is in good standing.

Finally, remember that many mobile home communities in Florida (and elsewhere) have additional requirements for selling a home in their community, such as giving park owners right of first refusal or using the park’s sales representative to sell a home. Check the individual requirements of your park if selling a manufactured home located in a community.

Sell Your Home Like a Pro

MHVillage is the premier Florida online mobile home sales site. We offer Florida mobile home sellers an easy-to-use interface and millions of unique site visitors per month, plus a free mobile home value for every home listed. Check back with our blog for more state-by-state tips on the best way to sell your manufactured home, and make sure to read our Mobile Home Seller’s Guide for more key tips and insights.

Mobile Homes as Great Vacation Rentals and Secondary Homes

Vacation Mobile Homes — Photo courtesy of Equity LifeStyle Properties.

Have you been dreaming of making vacation memories in a second home with a scenic view? How about a vacation rental that requires little maintenance and minimal expense? If so, buying a vacation mobile home is an excellent option.

Manufactured homes have many desirable qualities that make them a great choice for vacation homes and rentals. We’ll explore those qualities here, along with some important considerations when selecting a vacation mobile home.

Benefits of Vacation Mobile Homes

So, why are manufactured homes so well-suited for vacation homes? The main reasons are:

- Price: Buying a manufactured home often is substantially less expensive than buying a site-built home. This price difference can mean the ability to own a vacation home for families that otherwise could not afford one.
- Maintenance and Taxes: Manufactured homes often are much more affordable and easier to maintain than site-built homes, so if you’re on a tight budget, a manufactured home generally will cost you less to keep up. Further, property taxes often are much lower compared with site-built homes.
- Availability: Manufactured homes can offer a useful way to enter a housing market with low supply and/or high costs.
- Consistency: HUD-approved manufactured homes are built to a high standard of toughness, assembled indoors away from weather conditions, and rated for specific factors such as wind resistance. Buyers easily can learn about a manufactured home’s weather ratings through the manufactured home data plate located inside the home.
- Aesthetics and Design: The compact and elegant design of today’s manufactured homes makes for ideal vacation getaways when properly maintained. Plus, many manufactured home models offer attractive aesthetics that renters and vacationers love.
- Customization: Buying a new, custom-manufactured home allows the buyer to choose from a huge variety of designs and interior schemes — from the floorplan of the home itself to cabinetry and countertops.
Vacation Rental? Second Home? Or Both?

For buyers who plan to use their manufactured home as a vacation rental, there are specific advantages:

Photo courtesy of Equity LifeStyle Properties.
- Amenities: Manufactured home communities in popular tourist destinations often provide amenities that are attractive to travelers. Your stay comes with many perks and conveniences.
- Location: Most popular tourist destinations have very high real estate costs, especially if you want to be close to the local attractions. Buying a manufactured home will allow you to enjoy the same great location without having to break the bank.
- Energy and Utility Costs: Since energy and utility costs are much cheaper for manufactured homes, you’ll be able to lower your expenses while on vacation in your second home.

Many mobile home buyers use their vacation mobile homes as a place to enjoy good times with family and friends. If you’re retired or semi-retired, you might be at your vacation property for half the year or even longer. You also might be among the increasing number of Americans who work from home, in which case your vacation mobile home can become an office as well!

Finding Your Perfect Vacation Mobile Home

What should buyers look for when selecting a manufactured home to turn into a vacation home?

A vacation mobile home is a valuable investment, so it’s important to evaluate insurance options for your second home.

When you’re ready to explore financing options for your vacation mobile home, read up on mobile home financing to learn about some of the choices available. Note that some options, such as FHA loans, are only valid for primary residences, but others aren’t as restrictive. Working with a mortgage broker can be helpful in finding the right mortgage for a vacation mobile home.

Manufactured homes have put the dream of a great vacation home within reach for many Americans. Your perfect vacation mobile home could be waiting at MHVillage, where buyers can search thousands of mobile homes for sale across the U.S. in the country’s largest manufactured home listings site.

Selling a Manufactured Home by Owner: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

For those with an independent spirit, it’s definitely possible to sell a manufactured home yourself. Sellers can save a considerable amount of money on commission fees—but those who don’t know how to sell a manufactured home by owner can also harm their selling prices by falling into the common pitfalls of going FSBO (for sale by owner).

That’s because those who choose to sell a manufactured home on their own have to cover the tasks the selling party would normally do, so it’s critical to know what those tasks are and how to approach them. These five common mistakes can all trip up novice manufactured home sellers, so smart sellers will take notice before it’s too late.

1. Going in without an inspection and an appraisal.

A thorough inspection and appraisal should always be among the first steps a seller takes when putting a manufactured home on the market. An appraisal will help establish a fair asking price for your manufactured home, while an inspection will identify any issues and give potential buyers peace of mind.

Datacomp Appraisal Systems, Inc. is the industry leader in market-based appraisals and inspections for manufactured homes. Their expertise helps sellers across America set a realistic price for their homes. At MHVillage, we think a Datacomp appraisal is so important that we even offer a free mobile home book value to every seller who lists a home on MHVillage.

2. Neglecting to create a marketing plan.

It can be easy to forget that marketing is a big part of selling a mobile home, but it’s one of the most essential tasks for attracting buyers. A good marketing plan for selling a manufactured home should include:

Identifying a manufactured home’s strengths and how to accentuate them
Strategies for setting an asking price and vetting offers
Designs for advertising materials
Taking photos and writing descriptions that will attract buyers
Listing your home on MHVillage, the nation’s #1 marketplace for mobile and manufactured homes

Marketing a mobile home can be challenging when you’re handling everything on your own, which is why MHVillage offers for sale by owner listing options specifically for individual sellers. In addition, we have developed a suite of marketing tips and resources for manufactured homes to help ensure you’re crafting a winning strategy.

3. Not staging the home to show its best side.

Presentation is an important part of selling a home. Doing basic maintenance is the first step—trimming the grass, cleaning the windows, and putting on a fresh coat of paint can make a home look 10 times better. The inside of the home should also sparkle before you show it, and it’s not a bad idea to spring for a professional cleaning service.

Sales stagings are also often more successful when they decorate in a way that encourages the buyer to imagine the home as their own. Neutral colors and unobtrusive decor are usually preferable because they help give a home a blank-canvas feel rather than putting the current owner’s personality on display.

4. Failing to offer a full and honest disclosure.

It may be tempting to gloss over some of the minor issues on a mobile home seller’s disclosure, but it’s not worth the risk. “When in doubt, point it out” is the rule. A small problem now can become a bigger problem down the road, and you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a lawsuit from a buyer who feels that you misrepresented the home. A buyer who’s genuinely interested in your home will be relieved to hear you point out the small problems because it speaks to your diligence and honesty.

An easy way to ensure full disclosure is to simply offer the full inspection reports to any buyer who requests them. Remember also that manufactured home seller’s disclosure laws vary widely, so familiarize yourself with state and local laws to ensure you stay on the right side of them.

5. Negotiating too much or too little.

There are two equal and opposite mistakes that a FSBO seller can make: Accepting an offer without trying to negotiate, and negotiating so hard that a good buyer loses interest. This aspect depends on how quickly you’re trying to sell a manufactured home. Someone who needs to sell quickly should usually entertain a wider range of offers, while someone who’s in no hurry can be a little more discriminating. Each seller simply needs to know their situation and be aware of how much they’re willing to budge on the sales price.

MHVillage makes it easy to sell a manufactured home with or without a real estate agent. Get started selling today by listing your manufactured home, or check out our step-by-step walkthrough for how to sell a mobile home for more insider tips.

Follow State and Local Health Protocols

Selling Your Home Online

Other Ways to Sell Your Home

Socially-Distanced Showings

Finalizing the Sale

Making the Right Move

What You Need

A Capable Smartphone

A Robust, High-Speed Internet Connection

A Wireless Microphone

A Game Plan

Broadcasting

Using Facebook Live for a Virtual Mobile Home Open House

Using YouTube for a Virtual Mobile Home Open House

Using FaceTime for Virtual Mobile Home Tours

Leveraging Your Virtual Open House on MHVillage

Regardless of the pandemic, life events dictate house hunting.

The government currently dictates the rules of the game.

Some states consider residential home construction an essential service.

The pandemic unleashed a ripple effect we may feel for years.

There’s a new normal right now.

MHVillage is Your Resource

Homebuyers Respond to 2-Question Survey In the Midst of COVID-19

Manufactured Home Consumers Are Still Looking to Buy

1. Review Your Software Options

2. Set the Stage

3. Look at Live Tours

4. Offer a Different Perspective

5. Get Up Close and Personal

Comparing the Costs

Equity (and Why It Matters)

Living Space

Quality of Life

#1 – The Kinlock Falls by Winston Homebuilders

#2 – The Landmark Grand by Commodore Homes of Indiana

#3 – The Arlington by Skyline Homes

#4 – The Cambridge by Adventure Homes

#5 – The Sardis by Winston Homebuilders

Agent or No Agent?

Preparation and Advertising

Florida Mobile Home Paperwork

Sell Your Home Like a Pro

Benefits of Vacation Mobile Homes

Vacation Rental? Second Home? Or Both?

Finding Your Perfect Vacation Mobile Home

1. Going in without an inspection and an appraisal.

2. Neglecting to create a marketing plan.

3. Not staging the home to show its best side.

4. Failing to offer a full and honest disclosure.

5. Negotiating too much or too little.

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