Tips to Help You Nail Your Open House

Open floor plan open house tips for manufactured home — All photos courtesy of Plantation Oaks of Ormond Beach.

Open House Tips & Open House Checklist

Open house season is in full swing! Whether you’re a first-time seller looking for open house tips or a seasoned pro looking for some fresh ideas, you’ve come to the right place. We will provide advice and an open house checklist for the best ways to showcase your mobile home for sale.

This article will run you through some valuable open house tips and tricks to help you stand out from the crowd, impress prospective buyers and make your open house a full-blown success.

Schedule in Advance and Set Goals

The first thing you should do is give yourself plenty of time to get the home ready. Add the open house to your calendar well in advance. Set mini-goals for yourself for any home improvements or additions you need to take care of and add them to the calendar. If you properly space everything you need to prepare for your open house, you can avoid the last-minute scramble and go into the big day free of stress.

Lists Lists Lists

Now that you have the date on the calendar, it’s time to make a list of the small stuff to do. It’s a good idea to create a mobile home open house checklist of basic cleaning and other tasks…

Dust
Sweep
Vaccum
Scrub
Declutter
Sanitize

All of these tasks need to be tackled before your open house. You don’t want to forget anything and turn off a potential buyer!

There also are deeper cleaning tasks that could require more time and planning such as getting a carpet cleaner a few days before the open house, repairing squeaky cabinets, fixing a leak or doing some touch-up paint.

Don’t Forget The Yard

Speaking of good first impressions, there’s plenty you can do to increase your mobile home’s curb appeal. Hiding unsightly structural elements with mobile home skirting can make your home look nicer while also protecting from inclement weather and pests.

Powerwash the exterior of your home. Add flowers, trim hedges, and spruce up window boxes. All of these elements help create a charming image of manufactured home living in for the customer.

Hospitality

Now that you’ve wowed customers with your stunning home, it’s time to impress them with your hospitality. Having fresh-baked cookies is the most classic among open house tips Backing cookies or bread creates a pleasant aroma and provides snacks for potential buyers. If you want to go above and beyond, think about getting some professionally done meat and cheese or vegetable platters. Offering bottled water to guests also will go a long way.

Guests are probably going to more than one open house per day and they will appreciate you taking care of their hunger and thirst. Letting prospects know that you truly care about their experience, needs and desires is a great way to earn trust.

Open House Pro Tip

It’s always a good idea to have a tape measure on hand. Buyers will want to know how their furniture might fit the space, or get a look for themselves at room size or window size.

Anticipating this need is a great logistical way to help buyers visualize the home as their own.

Ambiance

Remember that you aren’t just selling your home, you are selling the idea of what it would be like to live in the home. Because of that, a pleasant ambiance is essential. Make sure to have adequate lighting, but nothing that’s too bright. You can have the most beautiful mobile home interior in the world. However, it won’t mean a thing if the lighting is bad. With that in mind, use the season to your advantage. Open window treatments for natural light if you can.

Music is a great way to give the space some energy, while also allowing guests to roam around without feeling like they are being overheard. Keep the tunes at a low volume. You shouldn’t have to raise your voice to be heard over the music. Since everyone has their own preferences, it’s best to stick to music that is upbeat and within a central genre. For instance, jazz standards or ’60s pop are great choices.

Advertise the Open House

It’s important to get the word out on your open house as early and often as possible. This is an area of open house planning that professionals are all over. So, to be sure your home can compete, you might want to use a few professional tactics.

Local print and social media are great options for reaching a specific audience. However, just like everything these days, online advertisements are consistently the most effective.

There always is the free option on Craigslist or other local posting boards. However, if your home is on MHVillage we have a very simple and effective way to advertise an open house. MHVillage is the top marketplace for manufactured housing with 25 million annual visits. And the buyers who use MHVillage already are qualified manufactured home buyers.

And MHVillage has a designated offering to help make your open house a success.

The MHVillage Open House product gives your home a big bold banner across the top and it will place your home at the very top of the search result page in your area for up to a week before the open house. You get all of this for a one-time fee.

To apply this option, all you have to do is log into your MHVillage account, click to view your listing, click the arrow on your right to see the editing tools, and select Add Open House.

Prepare the Space

No doubt you’ve decorated the interior of your home to reflect your own personal sense of style. However, when selling it’s important to arrange your decor and furniture in a way that best allows a potential buyer to envision themselves living in the home. For a great guide on this process, check out our post on staging your mobile home to sell.

It’s also a good idea to set out your information – pamphlets, business cards, contact info – on a table by the door or somewhere convenient for the prospect. That way, people can grab it right away or as they leave without having to ask.

Open House Tips That Appeal to the Senses

A buyer should be able to walk into an open house and experience an ideal future home. This requires careful consideration for each of the five senses.

1. Sight

As before, be sure that everything is cleaned, organized, and staged well. Set the table. Open blinds for great lighting. Remove personal items that would make it difficult for buyers to envision themselves in space.

2. Scent

It may be worth investing in some carpet shampoo and airing out the home before the open house. Baking cookies is a good way to create a pleasant aroma in your home while also providing snacks for guests. Otherwise, you can try some lightly scented candles. Avoid excessively aromatic candles and air fresheners – those can be too pungent for some buyers, potentially triggering allergies, and may lead to a prospect feeling that you’re attempting to mask an unpleasant smell.

3. Sound

We discussed how some good, jovial music can set the mood and mask private conversations. But music is one solution toward lightly filling the space with a pleasant acoustical experience. Some homes may be able to use a water feature, and white noise or brown noise can create a similar soothing, sound-dampening effect.

4. Taste

Yes, providing food and drink is a great way to be hospitable toward guests. It also associates your open house with a pleasant experience more akin to a friend meet up for fun mixer. Consider providing treats from a local bakery – one that would be close by if the prospect were to purchase your home.

5. Touch

Set the house to a comfortable temperature before guests arrive. If you live in a warm climate, run a fan to help keep air circulating. Remember, even having four or five added people in the home can raise the indoor temperature, not to mention the air loss with entry doors opening and closing as guests arrive. Keep the rooms cool and the drinks cold.

One final thing. It’s a great idea to have some of your family, close friends or associates walk through near the beginning of the open house. They can give you honest open house tips about what still needs to be done, and can help prepare you for potential questions that buyers might ask.

With these great tips, you should be ready to absolutely nail your open house!

Give Us A Call

If you have any questions about how MHVillage can help you advertise your open house, please contact us and we’ll help you out!

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Mobile Home?

Best time time to buy a mobile home for sale Champion Homes

Seasonality of Buying a Mobile Home

Homebuying has seasonal consequences much like most other purchases, and shopping for a mobile home or manufactured home is the same in that respect.

So, when is the best time to actually buy a mobile home?

Midsummer, the week of Thanksgiving, and pretty much any time in December are the opportunities for people shopping for a mobile home to see the least amount of competition. Home prices will be a bit lower, and some of the service providers for transport, set up, and move-in maintenance probably will offer a price break in December.

Supply and demand works for mobile home purchases in that increased competition likely will mean a higher purchase price. If you have a great amount of competition you may enter a bidding war, which is great for the seller but not so great for the buyers. So, avoiding competition means taking a look at the busy times and the slower times in the industry. Fortunately, MHVillage traffic and listing volumes can help tell a story about the best time to buy a mobile home.

Why is MHVillage a Good Gauge for Buying Habits?

MHVillage is the premier website for buying, selling or renting a mobile home or manufactured home. The site sells homes from most states and has a great mix of makes, models and vintage, not to mention floorplan variety. So, when there are shifts in the buying habits of the more than 25 million annual users on the site, they’re pretty plain to see.

As we mentioned, December is a great time to buy a mobile home. It’s a bit counterintuitive because most people prefer to go home shopping and move during the warm season. But that’s a matter of convenience rather than consideration toward the best purchase price.

If December is the time when sales volume is lowest, the buyer is much less likely to enter that bidding war. And if the seller really is seeing few interested buyers, a great deal on your new place could be close at hand. Fewer calls on a home, fewer home tours, and that bit of a winter reticence will play in your favor if you have your home buying game face on regardless of the cold or wet weather.

What Other Times Are Best to Buy a Mobile Home?

The other windows of opportunity for reduced competition in mobile home shopping will be measured in days to weeks. The industry lull during the week of Thanksgiving is real. However, getting all of your paperwork, banking or lending needs, and associated homebuying services corraled into just a few days can be harrowing.

You likely don’t want to sacrifice Thanksgiving Day for the sake of a better than usual home purchase price. So, if you’re looking to pull the trigger in the third week of November, ensure you have all of the logistical details set so the actual home purchase is the only thing you’ll have to do that week. If you’re confronting mobile home transport, set up, installation, or any other big mobile home repairs, perhaps those can be negotiated for the end of the month or early December. But, of course, this all depends on the rapport and flexibility between the seller and buyer.

What About Summer for Buying a Mobile Home?

This can be a bit counterintuitive because spring and summer are the traditional “hot seasons” for home buying. However, there’s a midsummer lull that avoids that early hot season for homebuyers and movers as well as the near-fall/late summer bump associated with the coming and going of students and teachers. This near-fall timeframe also is filled with non-students/teachers who need or want to make a move, and will do so late in the season before classes begin. However, in midsummer, many would-be homebuyers are taking that family vacation or simply laying low, enjoying summer. That’s one of the best times to buy a mobile home or manufactured home.

In the midsummer lull, homebuyers may not get the same break on associated services as they would during the holiday season, but there will be fewer home shoppers. This heightens the likelihood of a price break where it means the most, on the house itself.

Now You Know When to Buy, But How About When to Start?

So we picked the three best times to buy a mobile home according to market supply and demand, but that’s just about the purchase time. The next question to answer is how far ahead a house hunter should begin shopping so that the timing is right for the actual purchase.

This depends on a few factors. Are you paying with cash, do you need financing, will the home move, are there significant needs for repair, maintenance or upgrade? All of these need to be taken into consideration. If you need to move your manufactured home, you’ll want to begin educating yourself on how the process works, and looking for professionals who can help with the move. Our link above will help you get started with both. Likewise, you’ll want an early start on financing your mobile home. Perhaps you want to get pre-approved, or you want to pursue the different types of loans you can get. In either scenario, you’ll want to start researching and getting plans laid out three to four months ahead of your anticipated time of purchase.

Need More Tips on the Best Ways to Buy a Mobile Home?

At MHVillage, our primary goal is to help people buy, sell and rent mobile homes and manufactured homes. If you want more information on the best strategies for buying a mobile home, take a look at our Mobile Home Buyer’s Guide.

These Mobile Home Parts Will Have Your Home Looking New Again

Quality Mobile Home Parts Help Your Place Look its Best

Need a Repair? Take A Spin Through Popular Products to Help Improve Your Mobile Home

Mobile homes are like any other dwelling. They need routine maintenance and occasional upgrades to keep them in their best shape. Unlike traditional site-built homes, mobile homes tend to be relatively affordable and easy to upgrade. Mobile home parts and accessories that enhance the look and functionality of the home without complex or costly installations. If you want to give your manufactured home a fresh look, the following parts are some of the best options available.

Roof Overs

Need a roof repair? The type of mobile home roofing you need will depend on when your home was built. Those built before the 1976 implementation of regulations by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development tend to have flat or bowed roofs. Homes built after this tend to have pitched or peaked roofs. Roof overs allow you to build a new roof over the existing one, offering a cost-effective, easy-to-install option.

Skirting

In mobile homes, skirting is installed around the home’s bottom exterior to keep out pests and moisture as well as to improve the visual appeal of the home. It can create a more “finished” look beneath the home by covering up any piers, tie-downs, and concrete slabs. Skirting comes in a wide array of materials and options, including brick, stone, wood, vinyl, and steel, helping to create a completed aesthetic that adds some personality.

Awnings

Another wonderful way to jazz up the exterior of your home is to install new awnings. Awnings cover the porch, patio, windows, or steps. Awnings endure the harsh sun, rain, wind, snow, and damage caused by trees and critters. Refreshing your mobile home with a new awning or two can really give it that like-new sparkle you’re after. New awnings also can be used to add some color, if desired.

Carports

Carports are a great way to boost the value of your mobile home while also adding big functionality and convenience. They create extra covered space for storing your vehicles, but also work as makeshift patios when the weather is less than pleasant outside. And, like awnings, carports tend to bear the brunt of nature, so replacing them periodically can drastically improve the exterior of your home.

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

Steps

Replacing your mobile home’s exterior steps can create a fresh, new look while also improving safety. We recommend investing in a new set of fiberglass steps if you’re seeking an economical, practical solution. Fiberglass is exceptionally durable and will resist rotting, warping, and decaying, even when faced with constant exposure to harsh weather conditions. Fiberglass steps are also easy to mount and affordable, offering a quick, cost-effective exterior upgrade.

Windows

Not only do new windows give your home a look of newness, but they also provide heightened functionality for the whole family. Upgrading to some brand-new windows can help make your manufactured home even more energy-efficient, helping to lower your energy bills as well as lessen your carbon footprint. New windows will also bring additional strength and style to both the interior and exterior of your mobile home.

Porch Enclosures

Another excellent way to improve the value of your home is to add a porch or sunroom, which allows you to enjoy the fresh air throughout the year without the harshness of the heat, bugs, cold, or rain. What’s so great about adding a mobile home sunroom is that, like your home itself, they are delivered right to you in one piece. This provides an affordable, uncomplicated solution for enhancing the look of your home whidfle also adding some livable square footage. No contractor chasing necessary!

Great Mobile Home Parts and Products to Enhance the Look and Value of Your Home

The fact that they are highly customizable and affordable to improve are two of the biggest benefits of living in a mobile home. When something goes wrong, whether it’s a leaky roof cracking awnings, repairs are generally not a huge issue when you live in a manufactured home. With these wonderful improvements, you’ll be able to keep your mobile home in great shape for decades into the future.

The Pros and Cons of Living in a Mobile Home

Living in a mobile home community nice homes — Photo courtesy of Sun Communities.

The ideal home is one that’s efficient, comfortable to live in and affordable. One oft-overlooked but surprisingly viable option is a manufactured home. This type of home is a prefabricated structure built in a factory that is transported to a piece of land. This makes it an affordable, flexible dwelling for many families and individuals.

The Pros: Affordable, High-Quality and Eco-Friendly

Cost: Save Money By Going Mobile

One advantage of buying a mobile home is that it costs quite a bit less per square foot than a stick-built home. To see what we mean, just take a look at some of the mobile homes for sale on our site. Cost varies widely depending on your location and the model you choose. Still, mobile homes typically cost less than traditional houses. In 2018, the average price for a single-wide mobile home was $57,022, while the median price for homes and condos was $255,000. Because building costs are lower, you can get more amenities for less money.

Flexibility: Own or Rent Your Home

Mobile homes can be purchased or rented, making them a good option for a wide range of people. Are you moving to a mobile home from an apartment? You’ll appreciate your own yard and parking space as well as the freedom of not sharing walls with your neighbors. Renters can get all of this without the commitment or cost of a mortgage. Those who prefer to own their own home can purchase a mobile home. And, since the up-front price is lower, the down payment and mortgage will be lower as well.

Speed: Build Your Home Quickly

Once you decide you want a brand-new site-built home, it can be years before you actually move in. The process of purchasing land, selecting a builder, customizing the layout and then constructing the home — which itself can take more than eight months — is quite long in comparison with the process of living in a mobile home, which can be complete within a month, even for a new home.

Quality: Consistent Quality is Key

Manufactured and mobile homes have the unique benefit of being mass-produced in a quality-controlled environment. This means all materials are selected and tested to work in a large group of homes. The factory eliminates common issues associated with site-built construction. Since more people can afford nicer, newer mobile homes than traditional homes, they tend to have more amenities and luxuries than the alternative.

Fun: You’ll Enjoy a Built-In Community

Mobile home communities often cater to retirees, travelers and young families on a budget. So they’re a great place to settle into a neighborly community. Social interactions and events are popular in most parks, while community pools, playgrounds, picnic areas and walking trails are common, too. Browse mobile home parks as part of your search so you find a place that appeals to you.

Eco-Friendly: Mobile Homes are More Sustainable

If your goal is to select a highly efficient, green home that doesn’t contribute to carbon emissions and other environmental issues, living in a mobile home or manufactured home is a great choice. Most mobile homes are made with environmentally sound practices that create less waste and use less water and energy to construct. Newer models also are extremely efficient. So, you’ll save money and energy when it comes to heating and cooling.

The Cons: Renting Land and Space Considerations

Don’t Procrastinate: You’ll Wish You Moved in Sooner

The biggest con of living in a mobile home is that, due to mischaracterizations and misconceptions, it often takes people some time to actually consider it as a serious option. Once you move into your new mobile or manufactured home, you’ll wish you had much sooner!

Beloved Pets: Large, Four-Legged Friends May Be Unwelcome

Most manufactured home communities welcome four-legged friends. However, if you have more than a couple of pets, or own breeds that are considered large, dangerous or exotic, you may find that there are restrictions or fees.

Elevation: Single Level is the Norm When Living in a Mobile Home

Manufactured homes in communities, with occasional exceptions, are designed as single-level residences. So, if you’re the type of person who enjoys a multi-story home with a lot of square footage or a basement, this may not be the right style of home for you.

Locality: Think Suburban, Not Urban

You will find that many manufactured home communities are built in areas where land is more abundant. Think the edges of towns or suburbs, not downtown. While that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be plenty of amenities nearby, if you’re the type of person who likes to walk to work or likes nightlife, you might want to take that into consideration.

Minimize: Less is More

Manufactured homes are all about efficient use of space. You’ll find that philosophy extends to the outside of the home as well. While having a yard to call your own is a great advantage of living in a manufactured home community, keep in mind that your outdoor living space may be limited. So if you also own an RV or camper, look for a manufactured home community that offers on-site storage for these types of items.

All Housing Has Pros and Cons

Manufactured homes and manufactured housing communities provide a fantastic array of choices for a variety of lifestyle preferences. The key is to consider all the potential so that you find a place to live that’s perfect for you. At MHVillage, we can help you with that every step of the way.

Types of Mobile Homes on the Market Today

double wide types of mobile homes — A multi-section manufactured home from Commodore Homes.

Looking to Buy? Here Are a Few Types of Mobile Homes for Your Consideration

Mobile homes are one type of prefabricated residence many people live in, but even within this one category of home, there are several primary variations. One of the greatest distinctions is the difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home.

Many people, including some who work in the industry, continue to call manufactured homes by their former name, mobile home. The truth is, not a single mobile home has been made in the U.S. in more than 40 years. That’s because the mobile home was becoming extremely popular in the late ’60s and early ’70s, which prompted the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to step in.

HUD coordinated a regulatory program that began implementation on June 15, 1976, for what would become manufactured housing. The distinction between what a mobile home is and today’s manufactured home is that single date and the ensuing HUD protocols the industry has followed since.

There remain plenty of mobile homes for sale, but the only HUD-code home being produced today is the manufactured home.

Mobile Home Sizes

When someone asks if you have a single-wide or a double-wide home, they’re asking about the size of your mobile or manufactured home. Often called a single-section home, a single wide is typically 18-feet wide and anywhere from 68-feet to 90-feet long. On a double-wide, the length stays the same but the width of the home is twice as spacious.

Essentially, a double-wide or any other multi-section home — is a series of single-section homes pressed together with a designed “marriage line” to create a greater sized central living area.

Manufactured housing professionals call each section of the home a “floor”. HUD regulates each floor independently. This means the person who owns a double-wide manufactured home actually owns two homes.

Community Series Homes

Community Series Home types of mobile homes — A community series home from Schult Homes.

Community series homes are a point of emphasis in the industry. This is because many of the country’s more than 40,000 manufactured home communities can accommodate homes within certain size constraints.

Consumer demand for larger mobile homes and manufactured housing’s transition from its smaller trailer/camper roots to permanent living in communities specifically designed for that role has been sustained by the advent of community series homes and other similar floorplans.

In 2018, sales of new manufactured homes was a nearly even split between single-section and multi-section.

Energy-Efficient Mobile Homes

If you live in an extreme climate, where it gets either very cold or hot, you may want to think about getting a manufactured home with low-e windows and other energy-efficiency upgrades.

Low-e windows keep the hot air out in the summer and the warm air in during the winter. Energy-efficient mobile homes also come with EnergyStar rated appliances, increased insulation for the walls and ceilings, and sometimes a smart thermostat for optimized control of heating and cooling systems.

A new MH Advantage Home-eligible home from Deer Valley Homebuilders.

New Homes

There is a type of manufactured home that is so new it doesn’t have a name yet. With finance incentives from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, manufactured home builders and retailers have begun offering new homes with the characteristics of traditional site-built residential structures. This means homebuyers have more mid-market options for manufactured homes that fit in most neighborhoods where land is available. The lending programs MH Advantage, from Fannie Mae, and CHOICEHome, from Freddie Mac, are for a traditional mortgage on a manufactured home with the land it sits on.

Upgraded or Modified Mobile Home

When you buy a custom mobile home you get to talk with the retailer or builder about how you’d like the home to be finished. Builders can accommodate a range of requests. It’s common to move a wall, or change the orientation of a kitchen island. In some cases the new homeowner requires modifications. A customer who uses a wheelchair can get modifications on counter heights and how appliances are mounted. Manufactured home sellers and builders make unique floorplan and design changes in homes every day. If there is a design change that’s important to you, your manufactured home professional should be able to accommodate you.

Start Searching for Your Mobile Home

MHVillage is the leading marketplace for mobile homes and manufactured homes. Browse the industry’s largest selection of listings and shop mobile homes for sale, manufactured home floor plans, or search for mobile home parks.

5 Fantastic Active Lifestyle Communities for Manufactured Home Living

Here at MHVillager, we like to highlight manufactured home communities that are garnering special attention for their beautiful homes and lifestyle amenities. Today we’re highlighting five active lifestyle communities all in prime locations, with features that get you going. If you are looking to buy or rent a home, we suggest taking a serious look at these communities from Equity Lifestyle Properties.

Lake Worth Village: Lake Worth, Fla.

Lake Worth Village is a tightly knit, family-friendly community that offers an array of amenities to enjoy year-round. Residents enjoy the fitness center, two mini soccer fields, basketball courts, playground, swimming pools, and clubhouse. With fabulous beaches, shopping and dining options nearby, family fun can be found in and out of this active lifestyle community. Go see for yourself the lifestyle you and your family could enjoy at this fantastic property!

Top Features

Outdoor Activities
Pet-Friendly
Prime Location

ViewPoint Golf Resort: Mesa, Ariz.

ViewPoint Golf Resort is a 55+ retirement manufactured home community that offers residents a variety of amenities including an on-site golf course, shuffleboard, tennis courts, horseshoe pits and a swimming pool. Enjoy a night out with family and friends at the on-site restaurant or the wonderful game room.

Top Features

On-Site Activities
RV Storage
Prime Location

Countryside at Vero Beach: Vero Beach, Fla.

Countryside at Vero Beach is a pet-friendly, 55+ manufactured home community that offers a variety of amenities to enjoy. Residents love the spacious clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and billiard facilities. Waterfront sites are available. This charming community is located in the Vero Beach metro area and only ten miles from the U.S. Coast.

Top Features

On-Site Activities
Pet-Friendly
Prime Location

Palm Lake Estates: Palm Beach, Fla.

Palm Lake Estates, a 55+ manufactured home community, features clubhouses, swimming pools, shuffleboard courts, and horseshoe pits. The community is located just five miles from beautiful beaches and marinas and minutes from downtown West Palm Beach where you’ll find world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment. Se Habla Espanol.

Top Features

On-Site Activities
Fishing
Prime Location

Pine Ridge at Crestwood: Manchester Township, N.J.

Pine Ridge at Crestwood is a 55+ active adult community, close to Toms River township, that offers a wide variety of amenities to keep you active and independent. This active lifestyle community features two clubhouses with weekly activities, a game room, and shuffleboard courts. Residents also love having onsite management and daily shuttle service to and from local stores, restaurants, and entertainment.

Top Features

On-Site Activities
Pet-Friendly
Prime Location

5 Reasons We Moved Beyond ‘Trailer Parks’ to Mobile Home Parks

Royal Manor Mobile Home Parks — Photos courtesy of Zeman Homes.

Communities Defy Old ‘Trailer Park’ Stereotype

The terms “trailer park” and “trailer home” carry negative connotations that seem to be hard for us to shake. Those terms elicit images of rundown neighborhoods, dilapidated structures, and sketchy characters.

Fueled by scenes from Hollywood movies and life before regulations were set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), these perceptions of mobile home parks have persisted despite the fact that, these days, they’re really not rooted in truth at all.

In fact, life in a modern mobile home community is far from sketchy, scary, or unsafe. Take a stroll through one of the 40,000-plus parks in America. You’re more likely to find delightfully pruned lawns, attractive homes, and friendly neighbors than anything unpleasant. For these reasons and those listed below, residents of manufactured home communities have moved far beyond the poor opinion of “trailer parks”. And we think it’s time for the general public to follow suit!

1. Mobile Home Parks Have Come a Long Way

Today’s mobile home communities are populated by permanent or seasonal residents who take pride in their homes and properties. The best mobile home parks in America look more like condominium communities than trailer parks, with many featuring impressive amenities, such as:

Clubhouses with pools, community centers, and even tennis courts.
Organized activities ranging from weekly bingo to fundraising events.
Access to nature and views – even some communities with oceanfront options!
A built-in community of like-minded residents and future friends.
Recreation for the whole family, including parks and playgrounds.
Included services such as water, electricity, and even lawn care.

2. Mobile Homes Are Regulated by HUD

Since June 15, 1976, manufactured homes have had to follow a stringent set of standards set forth by HUD. These standards ensure that factory-built homes are up to housing codes and that they are healthy, safe, durable, and eco-friendly. Any mobile home built must adhere to specific size standards. It must have ceiling heights of seven or more feet, and a long list of general safety standards. In fact, HUD requires manufactured homes to employ certain fire retardant materials and have smoke alarms installed in all living rooms and bedrooms. In other words, they’re not poorly built or unsafe like at all.

3. Manufacturing Has Drastically Improved

Like many other kinds of housing, mobile homes have improved drastically due to the requirements of HUD, as well as the development of new and efficient manufacturing techniques and equipment. Despite the use of high-quality materials and durable construction practices, larger plants manufacture five to eight new homes in a day, making them a widely available option for many. Some prefabricated homes are made to withstand hurricane winds because special models must be used in high wind zones, according to HUD regulations.

4. Mobile Homes Don’t Move

Images conjured up by the phrase “mobile home” often include trailers that can be moved from site to site as needed. One of the big misconceptions about manufactured homes is that they move. In fact, mobile homes generally only move one time, from the factory to their final destination. Once delivered and set up, they stay permanently on their home site for decades. Though they may technically be “trailers” since they are built with a permanent chassis and wheels, manufactured homes are not RVs. They’re meant to stay put. This means permanent residents and the same settled feel of a traditional neighborhood.

5. They’re Really Nice, Plain and Simple

If you are considering moving from an apartment or a site-built home to a prefabricated home, you’ll be surprised to see how many options are available with regard to design and style. Gone are the days of flat-roofed single-wides. Today, manufactured home dwellers have their pick of finishes, architectural styles, and sizes. So, whether you seek a coastal Cape Cod or a rustic chalet, it’s possible to buy it straight from the factory. There is a lot of variation these days!

Changing the Perception of Mobile Homes

Those of us who have had the great pleasure of living in a mobile home community know that the perception of a rundown trailer park is far from reality. As more and more people realize the many benefits of manufactured housing, we likely will see this outdated perception fade from the consciousness of the general public as a more positive one arises.

Top Great Lakes Mobile Home Markets

The Great Lakes region is a peak location for lake enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, walking along beachy shores or soaking up the sun in the summer, the Great Lakes offer it all. Along with the benefit of choosing between bustling beaches or quaint, sleepy beach towns.

No matter your lake-life preferences, you will easily be able to find the perfect mobile home on or near the Great Lakes.

Michigan is best known as the home of the Great Lakes. However, there also are shorelines in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The Great Lakes mobile home markets are full of diverse options, depending on your lifestyle preferences.

There’s the scenic, secluded Upper Peninsula in Michigan or bustling lakeshore cities like Chicago and Milwaukee.

For this post, we will focus on mobile homes for sale and highlight the lifestyles and attractions of key midwest markets. To get started, let’s take a look at Michigan, the central state in the Great Lakes region.

Mobile Home Markets in Michigan

Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas offer the most options for manufactured home living, with the most manufactured homes available out of any other states in the Great Lakes region. There are more than 1,600 homes to choose from on MHVillage throughout Michigan. Because of this large number, we’ve categorized mobile homes for sale in Michigan in a pair of sections, one each for the upper and lower peninsulas to really showcase Michigan’s diversity.

The Latest Statistics for Michigan Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $46,450
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2005
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,351
The average sites in an MH community: 179
Average year of community development: 1980
Number of age-restricted communities: 90
Number of all-age communities: 915

Did You Know?

Romulus, MI took the #1 spot on our breakdown of the most inexpensive cities to buy a manufactured or mobile home.

Mobile Homes on Lake Huron

There are nine mobile homes for sale in Cheboygan among MHVillage listings. These homes have easy access to the Cheboygan River, Cheboygan State Park and, of course, Lake Huron.

The town of Alpena is off Thunder Bay, and it sits near a pair of historic shipwrecks. The area also features the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Alpena Animal Sanctuary. Alpena has about a dozen mobile homes for sale.

Tawas City, a sleepy lakeshore town above the thumb of Michigan’s mitten boasts easy access to Lake Huron’s shores. Enjoy time in nature at nearby Lumberman’s Monument Park, which features the region’s rich logging history. There are several mobile homes for sale in Tawas.

Another nearby lakeshore town inspired the Bay City Rollers’ name, and there are plenty of options for living in this city by the shore. There are about two dozen mobile homes for sale in Bay City. From your new manufactured home, you can visit the beautiful Veterans Memorial Park, the Delta Planetarium or Wenonah Park.

Mobile Homes on Lake Michigan

The third biggest Great Lake is the only one located completely within the United States — the other four Great Lakes share borders with Canada. And this lake might have the most diverse living options out of all five lakes.

City lovers can still enjoy lake life in Chicago, Green Bay and Milwaukee. Or if a smaller city is more appropriate, Grand Haven and Traverse City are great locations, too. If you’re looking for something a little more remote among Great Lakes mobile home markets, head north to Manistique or Escanaba in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

There are good selection of mobile homes for sale in Grand Haven. The small resort town is a popular Lake Michigan destination and is home to the annual Coast Guard Festival. Your new home would offer lake access to Grand Haven State Park, as well as other area beaches.

Search MHVillage listings, and you will find a variety of mobile homes for sale in Traverse City. One could hardly imagine a better spot to reside. TC is a favorite Michigan vacation spot, with the annual Cherry Festival and Traverse City Film Festival. Plus, the vast number of wineries only a short drive up the Leelanau Peninsula is a real draw.

Get out of the city and settle into a manufactured home community surrounded by northern Lake Michigan’s beautiful natural resources. Manistique and Escanaba are two of the Upper Peninsula’s larger towns, in case you’re looking for a city-like environment with the option to get away.

Manufactured Homes on Lake Superior

Marquette is the largest city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and is home to the University of Marquette. On MHVillage, there are quite a few mobile homes for sale in Marquette.

We also recommend Sault Ste. Marie, home of The Soo Locks and famous for its shipping and trading history. In Sault Ste. Marie, there are seven manufactured homes available on MHVillage.

Mobile Home Markets in Ohio

A little more than half of northern Ohio borders Lake Erie, giving Ohio lovers plenty of opportunities to live by the lake. The most impressive thing about Lake Erie is that despite its smaller size (it’s only slightly larger than Lake Ontario), Erie’s shoreline touches four states and Canada. It’s also the location of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, where only 33 out of 934 American soldiers survived.

The Latest Statistics for Ohio Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $54,113
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2003
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,326
The average sites in an MH community: 97
Average year of community development: 1985
Number of age-restricted communities: 153
Number of all-age communities: 1,008

Manufactured Homes on Lake Erie

There are nearly 600 mobile homes for sale in Ohio. Some of those available homes listed in MHVillage are on Lake Erie, or are just a few minutes’ drive away.

Toledo, Sandusky, and Cleveland are all larger Ohio cities that are right on the Lake Erie shoreline. MHVillage more than 40 homes for sale in Toledo. Another Ohio city sits within easy distance of Detroit. MHVillage lists a great selection of mobile homes for sale in Sandusky, which is the home to Cedar Point, a massive theme park that attracts millions. But, when people think of Ohio, they think of the city with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and, of course, the Browns, Indians and Cavaliers. There is a good variety of mobile homes for sale in Cleveland too. The Cleveland stretch of Lake Erie may be small, but it has plenty of offerings between city life and places to settle for nature lovers. Visitors and locals alike favor Allegheny National Forest as a great day-trip option with an easy pace.

Mobile Home Markets in New York

Lake Ontario is the only Great Lake that does not have a Michigan border. Instead, the lake’s shoreline is located in New York and Canada. Connected to Lake Erie by the Niagara River, many tourists get a taste of Lake Ontario through visits to Niagara Falls, Toronto or Rochester, New York. If you’re looking for some of the best places to live on Lake Ontario, check out New York’s other coast. The Empire State has better than 550 manufactured or mobile homes for sale.

The Latest Statistics for New York Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $63,426
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2005
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,210
The average sites in an MH community: 75
Average year of community development: 1982
Number of age-restricted communities: 95
Number of all-age communities: 898

Manufactured Homes on New York’s Lake Ontario

Rochester is the third most populous city in New York, giving you a combination of city life and outdoor fun. There usually are a couple dozen manufactured homes for sale in Rochester. There are plenty of diverse offerings in the city, from a safari tour to a casino, wineries, distilleries and more.

Smaller towns like Oswego, surrounded by Lake Ontario and the Oswego River, and Olcott, offer more laidback lake living. Rochester is a little more than an hour’s drive away. MHVillage has about a great list of mobile homes for sale in Oswego, and there are more than 30 mobile homes for sale in Olcott.

Mobile Home Markets in Wisconsin and Minnesota

There are more than 500 manufactured homes listed in Wisconsin and Minnesota on MHVillage. Wisconsin shares shorelines with both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, while a portion of Minnesota borders Lake Superior.

The Latest Statistics for Minnesota Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $59,907
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2008
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,254
The average sites in an MH community: 115
Average year of community development: 1982
Number of age-restricted communities: 13
Number of all-age communities: 309

The Latest Statistics for Wisconsin Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $45,166
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2004
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,170
The average sites in an MH community: 88
Average year of community development: 1986
Number of age-restricted communities: 26
Number of all-age communities: 499

Mobile Homes Up on Lake Superior

Duluth is Minnesota’s fourth-biggest city and is perfect for those who want the city experience with access to the state’s natural resources. Currently, there are several mobile homes for sale in Duluth.

MHVillage has listings for a few mobile homes for sale in Grand Marais, a secluded location for a new homeowner to become more in tune with nature. The town is nestled between Duluth and Thunder Bay and right in the middle of Lake Superior National Forest. Also, it is a short distance from Kabetogama National Forest.

Mobile Homes on Northerly Lake Michigan

Two of Wisconsin’s most noted cities offer great mobile homes for sale on or near Lake Michigan. There are some mobile homes for sale in Green Bay and more mobile homes for sale in Milwaukee. Green Bay is best known for the NFL’s legendary team, the Packers. It also harbors a love for cheese and the city’s waterside namesake. The city is nestled right in the bay, which runs into Lake Michigan. There are plenty of options for lake lovers, with Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago close by.

Just south is Milwaukee, which offers brewery culture and many festivals in addition to its natural resources. Home of Pabst Brewing Co., the Pabst Mansion is one of Milwaukee’s top attractions. It’s also the home of Harley Davidson and has innumerable great restaurants, taverns and corner bars. Milwaukee makes a prime destination among the top Great Lakes mobile home markets.

Mobile Home Markets in Pennsylvania

Many people are surprised to learn of all the outdoor opportunities in Pennsylvania. Best known for Philadelphia, the state also has a Lake Erie shoreline and is part of the Appalachian Mountain region. There are nearly 500 manufactured and mobile homes for sale in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is a state full of history and beautiful forests. The best place to settle near Lake Erie is the town named after the native Erie people who lived there. Historically significant as well, Erie also is the site of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

The Latest Statistics for Pennsylvania Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $58,564
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2005
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,264
The average sites in an MH community: 81
Average year of community development: 1984
Number of age-restricted communities: 117
Number of all-age communities: 1,116

Mobile Homes in Pennsylvania on Lake Erie

Probably the most well-known lakeshore town in Pennsylvania is Erie. Located on the Presque Bay, which empties into Lake Erie, the bay also boasts Presque Isle State Park, a peninsula surrounded by large ponds and wildlife. MHVillage several mobile homes for sale in Erie.

There are several mobile homes for sale in Lake City, Pa. The small community, with a population of a little more than 3,000, is right near Erie Bluffs State Park, Elk Creek, and is a short drive to State Game Lands Number 314.

Mobile Home Markets in Illinois and Indiana

Take a look at Chicago’s 25 manufactured home communities. If just outside the city is more your speed, Chicagoland (the name given to the Chicago metro area) has homes in Naperville, Joliet, Aurora and Kenosha.

The Latest Statistics for Illinois Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $56,837
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2003
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,285
The average sites in an MH community: 132
Average year of community development: 1989
Number of age-restricted communities: 40
Number of all-age communities: 395

The Latest Statistics for Indiana Manufactured Homes on MHVillage.com

Average price of a pre-owned home: $45,249
The average model year of a pre-owned home: 2007
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1,216
The Average sites in an MH community: 115
Average year of community development: 1988
Number of age-restricted communities: 40
Number of all-age communities: 604

Mobile homes in Illinois, Indiana on Lake Michigan

Chicago, the third-largest city in the U.S., is located right off of Lake Michigan. Where else can you combine big-city living with lake living? Stroll Navy Pier, catch a Cubs game, or head out to any one of the city’s world-class museums. You can get all of this and more, with a Lake Michigan view. MHVillage typically lists more than 40 mobile homes for sale in Chicago.

Evanston is 12 miles north of Chicago. It is known as an affluent community and the home of Northwestern University. Evanston is the perfect spot to still have access to city life, but have a home in a slower-paced town. If upscale and laid back is your thing, there are about a dozen MHVillage listings for mobile homes for sale in Evanston.

Want a tiny town with a population of only 1,100 or so? Formed as a resort town in the 1920s, Long Beach is the perfect laid-back place to settle, with bustling summer activities and peaceful winters. Sound good? Check out the great list of mobile homes for sale in Long Beach, Ind.

Take a look at other recent posts on Top Mobile Home Markets in Florida and Top Mobile Home Markets in the Southwest!

What Is the Difference Between Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes and Modular Homes?

Mobile homes, manufactured homes, and modular homes are three modern housing options. They offer a distinct set of advantages over traditional homes, also known as “site-built” or “stick-built”. Though the three housing types are different from one another, they do share some commonalities.

The primary one is that mobile, modular, and manufactured homes are built in a factory and then transferred to their permanent site via ground transportation, which is why they are often referred to as “factory-built” or “prefabricated” homes.

Let’s cover a few of the other key similarities and differences between these three unique housing types. This will help you determine whether one of these home types is a good fit for you.

Mobile Homes: Built Before 1976, Towed When Transported

This technically only refers to transportable homes built before June 15, 1976.
Unlike modular homes, mobile homes are built with a chassis and wheels.
They are built in a single piece in a factory and transported as a single unit.

Manufactured homes, mobile homes, and modular homes may all fall under the umbrella of the term “mobile home” because they are mobile, leaving the factory to their final destination. Technically, however, this is inaccurate. A home can only be considered “mobile”, at least by the standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), if it was built before June 15, 1976. This is when HUD passed a set of building standards governing manufactured homes.

The other big component that makes mobile homes different is the way they’re built and transported. Mobile and manufactured homes differ from modular homes because they are built on a chassis and wheels. This allows them to be towed behind a vehicle for transport to their final destination. It is one reason why they are sometimes referred to as “trailer homes”. On the other hand, modular homes are hauled on the beds of trucks rather than their own chassis.

A manufactured home in a community. Image provided by UMH Properties.

Manufactured Homes: The Modern Term for ‘Mobile Home’

Built after June 15, 1976, according to HUD standards on design and quality.
Built with a chassis and wheels so they can be towed to their permanent site.
According to HUD, must be at least 8 feet wide by 40 feet long, or 320 total square feet.
Built in a single piece in a factory and transported as a single unit.

For the industry and the general public, it’s common to interchange the terms “mobile home” and “manufactured home”. Technically, though, manufactured homes must have been built after June 15, 1976, and must meet a set of rigorous safety standards set forth by HUD. Indeed, today’s manufactured homes are much more durable, safe, strong, and eco-friendly than their pre-1976 predecessors, thanks to these regulations and subsequent HUD code updates.

Some of the guidelines that manufactured home builders must follow include the height of the rooms and ceilings — manufactured homes must have ceilings at least seven feet high — as well as the size of certain rooms, including single- and double-person bedrooms. Additionally, HUD guidelines cover certain safety requirements, such as having a fire alarm in certain rooms and using fire-retardant materials, as well as standards regarding plumbing and electricity.

modular not manufactured homes — A modular home arrives at its destination on the back of a truck in modules and is assembled on site.

Modular Homes

Built in multiple pieces in a factory and transported in multiple shipments to the final home site.
Built to the standards of the local and regional housing codes of its final destination.
Transported on truck beds rather than towed on designated chassis and wheels.

The modular home is yet another type of home that falls under the prefabricated umbrella. However, it differs from the mobile or manufactured home because it is generally built in multiple pieces and may be transported to the home site in multiple shipments. As its name suggests, modular homes involve several modules that are then put together to form the home design.

Because they are put together on-site, modular homes conform to all state, local, and regional building codes according to their final destination site. The multiple components and handling of building codes make modular homes a bit more flexible in terms of size and design than manufactured homes.

Finding the Right Mobile Home Community

Today’s mobile home community has come a long way. People who never thought they would enjoy the mobile home community lifestyle are discovering the secret many of us have known about for years. Today’s mobile homes are well built, full of great design details, and are a great place to call home.

If you are thinking about trying out the community lifestyle, let MHVillage help you find the right mobile home park in your current region or future destination. You also can study the pros and cons of every mobile home community type.

In addition, studying the 10 factors below can help you narrow down the choices and help find the right mobile home community for you.

Location, Location, Location

It’s an old saying, but these three things are essential to think about when buying a new home: location, location, location. Discovering a place that is perfect for your lifestyle and is affordable is the No. 1 priority in your home search. Excellent schools, public transportation, grocery stores, medical facilities, and recreational areas are all important factors. Where your potential new home is sited in the community is also important: how big is the lot, how close are the neighbors, are you on a busy street, etc.

Life And Style

There are limitless choices to make when looking for a new home and community, including whether to lease or own your new home. Are you looking for a resort-style community with a pool, tennis courts, a large clubhouse or other amenities? Or are you looking for a place that only offers essential services? Is it an age-restricted 55 plus community, family-friendly community, or all-age community? If you have a four-legged family member, is the park pet-friendly?

Quiet, Please

If privacy and a calm environment are critical to you, make sure your new home isn’t by the play yard, bus stop or pool. Try and visit your potential new home during a busy time of day and see how much outside noise can be heard inside.

Day and Night

It’s important to not only visit the community during office hours, but to come back at night and early in the morning to get an idea of how busy the community is at those times. If parking is a consideration, it’s essential to see how many parking spaces are available at night and on weekends. Does the community have assigned parking, or is it first-come, first-served? Is the community gated? If it has security, is it on-site at all times or during specific hours?

Being Social

Are you interested in getting involved in your new community, or would you rather be more private? If the community has a Facebook page, calendar of events, or newsletter, you can get an idea of how many events are happening each month, and how well attended they are.

Extra, Extra!

It’s important to know ahead of time if there are any extra charges that might come up. Ask if they have rental increases and if they are capped or open-ended.

Utilities

This is something that a lot of people forget to ask about until they move in and get a bill or have problems. Are the utilities in the community metered? Does it have city or well water? Are septic tanks used, or are you hooked up to the city sewer system? When were the water and sewer lines installed or replaced? Be sure to inquire about wi-fi as well. Is it included in the lot rent, or available at a minimal charge?

Rules are Rules

It’s important to know what the rules are in each mobile home community, and how consistently management enforces those rules. How do they handle a resident who doesn’t maintain their yard? Can you have a garden? Is parking on the street allowed? Can you put up a fence? All of this should be covered in writing, and a copy should be available for you. Management is a critical consideration when choosing your new home. You will probably have more interaction with them than anyone else.

Home Sweet Home

There is nothing more exciting than stepping into a home and knowing that it’s the perfect home for you. It’s great to know how old the house is, who the manufacturer is and if any improvements have been made. Check under the sinks and in the bathrooms to look for water damage. If possible, hire a home inspector who is familiar with factory-built homes to find out if the home has any issues you need to know about before you buy.

Moving Forward

Now, the most essential thing: moving in and enjoying your new home! There is nothing more rewarding than owning your own home. And unlike apartment living, you can paint walls, change out flooring and make your home as unique as you are.

Enjoy your new home and lifestyle!