What is a Modular Home?

Modular Homes vs Other Types of Factory Built Homes, Such as Manufactured Homes.

So What is a Modular Home?

A modular home is built in a factory to the local or state codes where the home will be placed. Most often, construction of a modular home starts with a steel frame for the wood floor joists. Wood wall frames are built at an adjacent station and brought to the floor and pinned in place. Modular construction takes advantage of all the same materials used in site-built homes. When the modular home is complete, it’s divided into “modules” and trucked to the site where it will be placed.

Often, a crane is used to put the modular home back together. When the modular assembly of the home is complete, the home is hooked to utilities, and appointed with any additions, such as garage, carport, porch or decks. From there, the home is inspected and approved for its occupants. With a bit of landscaping, the modular home can fit seamlessly into a site-built residential neighborhood.

What is a modular home? Custom — Modular homes can come in any known style, and can be custom built to a homebuyer’s preference.

What is the Difference Between a Modular and Manufactured Home and Other Types of Factory-Built Homes?

A modular home is quite different in several ways from its factory-built counterparts. While all are built in climate-controlled conditions, a modular home is built whole and separated into modules for delivery and installation. On the other hand, manufactured homes are built to federal HUD Code in one complete home section at a time. Those sections, or “floors”, are delivered whole and sometimes married with other whole sections to create multi-section homes. Multi-section homes often are called “double-wide”, “triple-wide”, or even “quadruple-wide“. Park models are constructed to RV code, which legally makes it an automobile. The tiny home industry continues to evolve and has an emerging code and regulatory environment of its own. Take a look at our in-depth breakdown of the differences between manufactured vs mobile vs modular homes for additional definitions covering factory-built homes.

Modular Home Prices Versus Site Built Homes

Pricing comparisons between factory-built and site-built homes can be difficult to obtain, largely because the size, dimension, materials, and amenities of each kind of home can vary so greatly. However, a modular house can reduce the cost of construction per square foot by as much as 30 percent compared with a similar site-built home. The cost-saving comes from efficiencies associated with building in a climate-controlled environment. Building a home indoors means fewer materials lost to wind and damp, wet or freezing weather. Indoor builders can work on a much more predictable schedule than site-builders, too. Additionally, bulk purchasing of standard construction materials, hardware and appliances can result in considerable cost savings.

Also, the efficient use of materials and reduced waste results in not just cost savings. It’s better for the environment too!

How Long Does it Take To Build and Deliver A Modular Home

Most times a homebuyer can be living in their new modular home within six weeks of ordering the home. Of course, the more custom modular homes can take longer in construction and setup. Also, depending on where you buy, an individual builder or plant location may have a backlog of orders. If that’s the case, your home may take the same amount of time to build, but it won’t arrive as quickly because there are other homebuyers’ orders ahead of you in the queue.

What Are the Limitations for Construction of a Modular Home?

There are very few restrictions for what can be done using factory-built home construction. Typically, the only restriction for modular homes is related to the amount of land available for it to sit on. Many local and state building codes have height restrictions as well. Therefore, anything taller than the common height for a 2- to 3-story home may be outside of code for a home placed in a municipal residential neighborhood.

That said, we at MHVillage have heard mention of a nearly complete modular home for sale in Connecticut that will have 13,000 square feet of living space and hit the market with a $5 million price tag. That’s not your typical modular home!

What is a modular home? — What is possible with modular construction? Nearly any type of home can be built using modular construction.

What Does a Modular Home Look Like?

This is where things get interesting when considering a modular house. There is no “look” for a modular home. Any home that can be built also can be built in modules, or built whole and separated. One of the trends is toward modern modular homes and simple design. But if you want a Dutch colonial, Tudor, Italianate, cabin, mid-century-modern, farmhouse, ranch… the list goes on. You can buy a modular home that fits nearly any style or configuration.

What is a modular home basement? — A basement foundation for a modular home.

What Kind of Foundation Can I Have For My Modular?

A modular home can be put on any kind of foundation that is permitted by local or state code for residential application where you’re placing the home. If you want to place the home on a slab, the installers will remove the metal frame that is the starting point for the wood floor joists and anchor the home to your concrete slab foundation. If you want a basement, the site will be dug out prior to home delivery and setup. The foundation and basement walls will poured and the home will be anchored to the top of the basement walls.

What is a modular home? Interiors — Modular interiors are very versatile, and can incorporate anything that’s commonly used in a site-built home.

So, How Do I Know What Kind of Modular Home to Get?

Most modular home builders have sophisticated computer programs that allow their customers to plan their home and do virtual walkthroughs before the construction process begins. A homebuyer can click through and try myriad textures, colors, materials and looks. This includes everything. You can start with the style of home, such as a two-story walkout. And then pick among modular home floor plans. Or you can begin with the floor plan, or even design your own floor plan. From there you might want to decide what kind of lighting fixtures would you like. Do you want a green vinyl exterior, or faux red brick? High-efficiency windows? Vinyl, carpet or laminate flooring? White frame and glass cabinetry, or a dark solid wood? A built-in mini office? A dog bath in the mud room? The options are limitless.

And you may get a sneak peek of your new modular home! Some modular home builders provide a live feed of the customer’s home being built, or even allow the customer to visit the factory during their modular home build.

Do Modular Homes Come with Appliances in Place?

Yes, in essence. During that same planning and design phase with modular homes for sale you will be able to select what type of fixtures and appliances you want. Choose colors, dimensions, gas or electric stove top, energy-efficient and otherwise. The appliances will be secured in their shipping box inside the appropriate portion of the home during deliver and set up. When the home is assembled, appliances are opened and hooked up in place.

What is a modular home? Fixtures — What is a modular home? All of the comforts you can imagine in a traditional, site-built home.

Where Can I Buy a Modular Home?

You can buy from a modular home retailer or direct from a modular factory. Regardless, you want to purchase the home from a builder that has a plant approximately 100 miles or less from where you want to live. One of the primary expenditures in the purchase of any factory-built home is the cost of transport. To save on delivery cost, you want to purchase from a plant that is as near as possible.

Can I Get a Mortgage for a Modular Home?

Yes, a modular home is eligible for traditional financing, including a home mortgage. A homebuyer also can finance the build with a land-home package, or a construction to permanent loan, depending on a customer’s needs and desires.

Four Reasons Tiny Living is The New American Dream

Reclaim The American Dream for veterans — People enter the the tiny life for a variety of reasons. Operation Tiny Home builds home for American service veterans.

Tiny Living Rekindles The American Dream That May Have Seemed Out of Reach

When the idyllic term ‘The American Dream’ crept into daily conversation, it looked something like a Polaroid snapshot. The picture had 2.5 children, an average sized home with a white picket fence, and a golden retriever.

Fast-forward to today and the average American home is over 2,500 square feet, people are waiting until their 30s to start a family, minimum wage no longer matches housing costs, and most families are made up of two parents who work outside the home or a combined family versus the previously expected, traditional nuclear family.

From millennials to retirees, people are beginning to realize that they cannot afford the average American home. Mortgage payment and apartment rent, especially on a fixed income, have outpaced the average ability to pay. Even for those who can comfortably afford the cost of living, they no longer want to have to work 60-80 hours a week for a house they have such limited time to enjoy.

So, are we deciding to rewrite The American Dream?

Tiny homes offer The American Dream of affordability — A smaller home means reduced cost and more freedom, key components of The American Dream.

Tiny Living Offers Affordability

The cost of living in the U.S. alone is thousands of dollars a month for housing, vehicles and utilities. But many living tiny report paying a fraction of that cost, from $400-$800 per month. Several tiny house dwellers opt to tend land or gardens, or complete farm work in exchange for lot rent on agricultural land. Their housing costs are next to nothing and the parking spot offers room to roam.

The New American Dream in 400 Square Feet or Less — Tiny home living is a growing lifestyle choice for those looking to reclaim The American Dream.

Tiny home owners are much more likely to pay for their house in full upon its completion. They get to avoid carrying or paying for a 15- or 30-year mortgage. Paying for a home in cash continues to be a common occurrence for existing manufactured homes, as well.

Likewise, many people looking to downsize choose total DIY homes. Or take part in completing some of the build themselves. We also can encourage custom builders to use reclaimed materials. Of course, this can add character to a build. Also, it limits materials used for construction, saving on budget line items.

Park Models and Tiny Houses Renew a Sense of Community

We are in a generation where parents feel pressured to keep a watchful eye over their kids at all times. The days feel long gone when children could play in their neighborhoods together, climb trees, and ride bikes until the street lights come on. However, in tiny house and park model communities, we are seeing a growing trend in like-minded people coming together to build the foundation for future generations. Communities offer shared garden spaces, community recreation spots, and even shared garage space for possessions like bikes and snowboards. These community ideals almost offer families and retirees a renewed sense of hope in the upcoming generation.

The American Dream tiny home style — Dozens of tiny homes were on display at the Tiny Home & Simple Living Jamboree in August 2018 in Austin, Texas.

Small Homes Promote Environmental Consciousness

Tiny houses offer a solution to many global environmental concerns, boasting the use of less than a third of the electricity and producing only a fraction of the CO2 output of the traditionally sized American home. The limited use of construction materials such as lumber, as well as the fuel to transport it saves both money and trees. Additionally, the average home uses an average of 45 light bulbs whereas tiny homes usually have less than nine bulbs. This, paired with the limited use of large appliances in a tiny house, creates a much smaller global footprint overall.

Living Smaller Encourages Experiences

Living tiny encourages owners of smaller homes to go outside, experience nature, be active, engage in their communities, and travel. This is an opportunity to experience the world like they never could before when they spent their time chained to a desk job or forced to climb a corporate ladder or toil away at a blue-collar job. The tiny lifestyle offers the ability to save money for travel. Or to haul your house when you go.

Smaller living truly offers freedoms Americans are longing for, focuses on community, answers global environmental concerns, and allows consumers to simplify and save money. Indeed, tiny houses could be The American Dream for the next generation.

4 Things to Look for When Buying Pre-Owned

What to look for when buying a used manufactured home — What to look for when buying used. Get the home you want, whether it's manufactured, tiny or a park model.

Looking to Buy a Used Mobile Home?

Whether you’re a retiree ready for adventure or you’re single and looking to save while you pursue your career, manufactured homes can be an excellent living solution for both your financial and lifestyle needs.

If you are planning to live in a manufactured home, that doesn’t mean the quality of the build should be minimized. There are ways to save money where it makes sense and end up with a perfectly safe and reliable house that will last for years.

To ensure you make educated decisions throughout your home search, here are 4 key areas to pay close attention to when buying a used manufactured home.

Check the foundation and chassis when buying a used manufactured home — Home quality depends on foundational stability and chassis as much as it does the home itself.

A Functional Foundation

Many people looking to save on time and cash will look at purchasing used tiny home trailers from pre-owned flatbeds to unknown chassis on eBay or Craigslist. This is a major red flag. What you want is more than a trailer used to haul hay bales from the farm. This is the foundation on which you will carry your home, your family, and all of your belongings.

When buying used, you want to ensure roadworthiness and safety by hiring an inspector. Make sure the chassis can handle the weight of your home.

Buy used tiny homes from builders who tow and show their work. — Tiny home builders take their latest creation on the road, often living in them while the home is on the market.

Electric and Plumbing Hazards When Buying Used

You want to be certain the builder of your used small home was a certified contractor and, whenever possible, that they are certified to build manufactured homes specifically.

Aside from the obvious hazards, a DIY attempt at electrical could pose dangers for electrocution, code violations, expensive after-build repairs, or improper breaker boxes. Plumbing concerns can include the use of improper materials for piping, connections remaining without proper sealant, and the ruining of furniture and flooring. Emergency repairs for these mistakes are very costly and can even result in a complete rebuild.

How to buy used homes — A sale representative from Clayton Homes talks with a potential buyer about a park model.

Ventilation, Windows and Insulation

The interior of a park model tiny home at Village Farm in Austin, Texas

Unlike a traditional home build, there is much to consider in the way of insulation and window installation when having your manufactured home built or installed. Buyers must consider things like how often their house will be moved, what seasons it will travel through or be parked in, and how severe the temperature changes might be. These kinds of climate changes can result in mold damage if the home has not had the proper ventilation installed correctly.

It is more costly to install a double paned, tempered window in any home, but if you plan to move your house often, a tempered window can save you thousands in window replacement in the long run when rocks on the highway bounce up and break your glass.

Denim and sheep’s wool, spray foam or traditional fiberglass can be used for tiny house insulation. The cost varies greatly depending on your choice of material, but these changes are benefits of a fully customized build where everything from environmental impact and R-rating can be considered. Be sure to ask your seller what type on insulation was installed in the mobile home as well as its R-value to ensure it will keep you warm enough wherever you park.

Timeline Accuracy

When buying a used mobile home, tiny house, or park model, unlike a traditional stick-built home, financing and lenders can be very particular. This means that if you do not plan to pay for your new home in cash, you may need to plan for a few extra weeks before the keys will be in your hands.

Like with any large purchase, be sure to do your research before you commit. Check out certified and trusted builders. Look for professionals within the manufactured home industry. They will be your best bet for happy and safe small home living for the long-haul.

New Modular Builder S2A Shakes Up Industry

New modular construction to fit a variety of residential settings. — S2A's new modular construction will come in varying sizes and floor plan design.

S2A, a New Modular Builder in California, Leverages Tesla Powerwall

There’s a new modular builder in the housing market offering a home the company hopes will “shatter the world’s conventional thought on the way residential and commercial buildings are designed and constructed.”

The California-based company, S2A Modular, is introducing what it calls the #GreenLuxHome, the “first-ever electrically self-sustaining, custom luxury home” with “high-end designs and materials; faster construction speed; self-sustaining power … and smart-connected living.”

Modern Design New Modular Home — Modern design in a new modular home from S2A Modular of California.

New Modular Builder Is Less Than Two Years Old

John Rowland, president of S2A Modular.

S2A Modular CEO Brian Kuzdas.

John Rowland and Brian Kuzdas founded S2A Modular in 2017.

Rowland, the president, has about 30 years of home construction experience. Kuzdas, the CEO, has about 30 years of brokerage experience, having started out selling apartments in Chicago.

When they studied the manufactured and modular method of construction — which can turn out stronger buildings faster and cheaper than traditional site-built construction methods — they thought it would be a good idea to form a partnership and build a factory for a new modular product, Kuzdas said.

The factory, still under construction, will be completed in two phases. The company will complete its first 100,000-square-foot facility in 2019. The second facility will open in 2020. Both facilities will be located on 18 acres in Menifee, Calif. Combined, they’ll produce about 2,000 units per year, Kuzdas said.

Meanwhile, S2A has assembled a corporate team and has access to a construction workforce. Eventually, the company would like to build another factory in northern California, he said.

Spanish bungalow design for new modular home — Spanish bungalow in a new modular home design from S2A Modular.

New Modular Builder Will Expand to New Markets

Even though the factory is unfinished, S2A has already taken orders for more than 250 units, including single-family homes, mixed-use buildings, apartment buildings, hotels and modular communities. For the time being, S2A is focused on selling buildings in California. The company plans to expand to nearby states, and eventually the rest of the country, Kuzdas said.

Simple lines in new modular construction — Straight lines in a simple bungalow floor plan from S2A Modular, a new modular builder in California.

Though all the units will be built in a factory, S2A will not use a “cookie-cutter” approach. The company offers dozens of new modular single-family home designs, with the option to make even more custom changes. Home sizes can vary from a 600-square-foot accessory dwelling unit to a 10,000-square-foot mansion. The price of each home will vary based on design, but will cost less per square foot than a comparable stick-built home. And upgrades for things like cabinets and countertops will cost less than similar upgrades in the traditional housing market. That’s thanks to the efficiencies of modular construction, he said.

Farm style new modular construction — Small farm-style residence from new modular builder S2A, based in California.

Tesla Powerwall Central to Home Efficiencies

The core of S2A’s modular design is the Tesla Powerwall, which stores electricity generated from solar tiles. Using this battery to power a home requires modern, energy-efficient windows, doors and other components. This arrangement eliminates energy costs — in fact, utility companies might even pay the homeowners for contributing energy to the grid, according to S2A.

“This is the future of housing in general,” Kuzdas said. “If you take a Tesla battery and put it in a home built in the ’50s, forget about it. It’s not as energy efficient.”

He’s excited about the overall benefits of modular construction.

“I love what’s going on right now,” Kuzdas said. “Modular is a great way to build. It’s not much different than the traditional method, it’s just that you’re building inside. You don’t have to take weekends off. You don’t wait out rain. That’s where you create efficiencies.”

Energy-efficient homes from new modular builder S2A — A new modular builder, S2A from California, creates varied architectural and design elements in energy-efficient homes.

The Climb – Five Reasons to Consider Stairs Over Ladders in Tiny Homes

Stairs over ladders for safety — Leland Industries of Grandview, Texas built a staircase to access the loft sleeping area.

From Safety To Storage, Here are the Best Reasons to Choose Stairs Over Ladders

Stairs over ladders helps with storage space in a small home — Alternating tread staircase in a Triangle D tiny home shown during the National Tiny House & Simple Living Jamboree in Austin, Texas during August of 2018.

Tiny houses attract people from all seasons in their lives. You may be a recent college graduate wanting to spend your money on paying off student loans instead of expensive housing costs. So you opt for an affordable DIY tiny. Others might be retirees wanting to travel the country with a THOW (Tiny House on Wheels).

Even families are now looking to provide adventure and experiences for kids, so they go for a park model tiny with a little more space to live the simple life. No matter where you are or what your motivation to minimize, many people come to the same conclusion about the average tiny house…

“What if I need to use the bathroom at 3 a.m.? I don’t want to climb a ladder in the middle of the night.”

If you were to ask any tiny house builder or tiny house event speaker what questions they get most often, you are likely to hear responses about toilets and ladders.

With tiny houses ringing in at an average estimated 200 total square feet of living space, lofts included, is it really possible to have stairs or steps inside your home? We say a resounding YES. And here we provide five reasons we favor stairs over ladders. Stairs may not only be a potential option for tiny living, but one that provides a solution for the hurdles many face about whether or not they actually could go tiny.

Stairs Over Ladders, Reason 1: Maximum Safety

Whether it is a midnight bathroom run or just getting into bed or your loft living room, ascending a ladder can be dangerous. Most tiny house ladders are built to be removed and stored somewhere other than their climbing location, so you have to consider the safety of hooking it in place properly each time. Meanwhile, stairs are stationary and sturdy without ever having to be moved. This creates a place that is safe for everyone in the family, including the pets.

Stairs Over Ladders, Reason 2: More Storage

Some may think the addition of stairs in a tiny house would take up too much space. But, if you consider each step as a drawer or cubby, cabinet or appliance housing, you have gone from worrying about square feet to creating an entire housing place for your wardrobe, books, laundry and more. Check out our latest tips for making great use of storage space around a home.

Stairs Over Ladders, Reason 3: Family Friendly

Using stairs instead of a ladder has minor cons like the fact that the materials naturally weigh more than a ladder. Still, you must consider your family and yourself. Navigating steps at any time of day or night is easier than a ladder. Additionally, if you have small children, older family members, or people with disabilities, the steps offer more stability for going into and coming down from loft spaces.

Stairs Over Ladders, Reason 4: Pet Friendly

Tiny homeowners tend to have pets of all shapes and sizes and ladders don’t lend themselves to ease of climbing for most animals. Steps, though, can make climbing easier as well as less scary for your pets. Another cool option offered when you choose stairs in your tiny home is to build an intentional space for your pets’ bedding and treats, toys, or even food and water bowls. This keeps these items out of the main pathway of traffic in your tiny while giving the pet their own designated space.

Stairs Over Ladders, Reason 5: Extra Seating

With the simple addition of a seat cushion or pillow, a staircase of seven or eight steps can create a place to sit and read or even for hosting a houseful of company. Also, this means it will provide space for pets to lay and sun themselves in front of your windows or even a place to rotate your house plants so they can get the amount of sunlight each requires.

When you are designing your tiny house, you want to consider all of your options. You want to save livable floor space, storage, and room for anything you might place in a loft. Choosing the way you access your loft space is an important concern. Don’t be fooled into thinking ladders are the only option for tiny house living with a loft. Consider the pros of adding stairs over ladders to your tiny home floor plan.

Noble Homes Video Contest to Combat Stigma

Enter one of two short film contests to help bust myths about mobile home community living. Multiple cash prizes will be awarded.

Submit Short Film to Noble Homes, Bust Stigma, Earn Cash

After Laurie Westendorf moved into her home, she was excited to show her friends. But after telling them about the housewarming party she’d planned, she was shocked at the reaction.

“I had a friend say, ‘Why are you going to throw a housewarming party when you’re just buying a trailer?’” the Kalispell, Mont., resident said.

It’s a reaction that those living in manufactured housing know too well thanks to the stigma associated with this vital source of affordable, unsubsidized housing. The 18 million residents living in factory-built homes have had to bump against outdated notions and unfair stereotypes for decades.

Liz Wood, who lives in Duvall Riverside Village in Duvall, Wash., felt this when she moved into her manufactured home abutting the Snoqualmie River. She felt like she’d found the perfect place to raise her daughter and took pride in the garden sanctuary she built up in her yard.

But her friend, who purchased a site-built, lakefront home at the same time, made her feel otherwise.

“I thought, ‘Hey, there’s some common ground,’ but in reality, I felt less than, and that was a hard pill to swallow,” Wood said. “I knew that I was looked down upon by some of the comments that were made.”

Noble Homes Contest Criteria — Use your phone or any other camera to shoot video and enter contests to change minds and win cash.

Negative Language Naturally Builds Negative Perception

Language seems to be one of the major barriers that needs to be overcome when addressing the stigma. Joan Thompson-Stein, who lives in Conifer Green in Kingston, Mass., said she was attending a public meeting one day for a development being built near her neighborhood. An off-hand comment that someone made about her community stuck with her.

“’You used to be able to call them trailer parks,’” she recalled a man saying, his words dripping with disdain.

In reality, manufactured housing serves a viable and attractive option for both first-time homeowners and those looking to downsize — something Wood said she experienced firsthand during the Great Recession. While she lived fairly comfortably during those years, her friends and family were struggling.

“Their lakefront property that they spent big money for — it turns out they couldn’t really afford to be there,” she said. “And at this point I’m able to give her flowers and plants and she puts them in her yard. So not only can we continue to make our homes beautiful, I can give to others at a different economic level and hopefully convince them that there are strong hardworking people who want to live in a nice home and that it doesn’t have to cost $400,000.”

Working Hard for Community

In many of these neighborhoods, hard-working members are volunteering their time to help not only themselves, but their entire community.

A visit to these homes and communities quickly brings down the common misconception that these are last resorts.

The Rev. Michael Scarlett, who lives in Colonial Estates Homeowners Association in Taunton, Mass., said residents have a real sense of ownership in the 148-home neighborhood he lives in.

“Colonial Estates as a community really is a community,” he said. “People take pride in their homes.”

That’s been Westendorf’s experience, too, when others have come to visit her neighborhood, Morning Star.

“Once they come into the community and they come into our home, they just fall in love with it,” Westendorf said.

Show Noble Homes Your Film, Share How You Live

That’s exactly what the Noble Homes Video Contest aims to do: show the true reality of manufactured home living.

There are countless stories that could inspire us each and every day, ones meant to be widely shared. The hope is that creating and sharing these videos will break negative perception, eliminate the stigma.

And there will be two types of a contests.

In the first, videos can be between 30 and 60 seconds. A second contest will allow videos to be a minute to three minutes. In both, the videos are meant to capture what it’s truly like to live in these neighborhoods while challenging the stigma around manufactured home communities.

First place winners in both contests will be awarded $5,000 and a runner up will win $1,000.

Anyone can submit as many videos as they want for either contest and are eligible to win in both categories. However, a contestant will not be able to win more than once in a given contest. In other words, you can’t win first and second place in the same contest.

Submissions will be accepted until March 17, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. Winners will be announced May 6. Contest judges will be led by manufactured homeowners themselves. This contest is truly for and about homeowners, so it’s important that they have a say in how their lifestyles and homes are portrayed.

Family Mobile Home Parks, Quick Tips to Find the Right One

What are Family Mobile Home Parks?

Are you looking for a new place to live? Some mobile home parks, or now known as manufactured home communities, have age restrictions on the residents. So, this means some communities are designed to be “senior communities” or for residents who are aged “55+”. However, other communities are family mobile home parks. These are for families with members of all ages.

Here is a quick definition:

Senior, Active Adult, or 55+ Community:

They come by different names, but it means the same. Designed for retirees, they have clear restrictions on the ages of the people living in the community. So, these 55 plus senior retirement communities will offer special features and benefits designed for older adults.

All-Age Community or Family Mobile Home Parks:

Family communities, better known as all-age communities, are designed for everyone. It doesn’t mean you have to have a family or be under 55 to live in one. These communities are for people and families of all types.

However, they may have other restrictions. They may limit the number of non-related residents in a home. Pet restrictions are also common in mobile home parks.

The wonderful thing about family mobile home parks is they really can be communities. Many offer amenities like playgrounds, clubhouses, pools and planned activities that bring neighbors together.

How to Find Family Mobile Home Parks

Looking for a manufactured home? We have a great article on how to find the right mobile home community. Also, if you’re are curious about the different definitions and terminology used for factory-built homes, we recommend reading about the difference between mobile homes, manufactured homes, and modular homes.

When searching on MHVillage, there are two quick ways to narrow your search for a family mobile home park:

You can do an advanced search and pre-select for family age. Just go to the MHVillage advanced search page and click the Only in All Ages checkbox.

Then, when you hit search, only homes in family mobile home parks will appear.

Another way you can limit the searches on MHVillage is to filter after you have done the search. First, type in a city and state. Second, when you have the list of homes in that area, pick Family Communities from the dropdown.

Don’t forget you can also set up Ideal Home Search alerts and Watch favorite family mobile homes parks so you can see when new home listings become available.

Five Ways to Get Your Small House Christmas Ready

‘Tis the season and all can be merry and bright, regardless of your square footage. In fact, tiny housers can celebrate the holidays in big ways! And we are here to give you the top tips and tricks from tiny home dwellers. Our intent is to show you how to keep your holidays happy and your home cheerfully decorated for the occasion.

The Countdown is on with the Five Ways to Get Your Small House Christmas Ready

Trim the Tree-Or Whatever

While the tiny house and small home living industry continues to boom, growing over 900 percent in the last decade, some think living small means you can’t enjoy a Christmas tree during the holidays. As with many tiny living adjustments, one can certainly have a tree, but they may opt for a difference in the layout. Here are a few suggestions from tiny house dwellers who celebrate the holidays with all the bells and ornaments.

Use a taller, thinner tree so you can still enjoy the ambience of Christmas without the use of as much real estate.

Opt for a table-top tree or put a smaller-size pine in an extra bedroom or the kids’ room to save living space in main rooms.

Decorate a living tree outside or, like one full-time RV family, build a Christmas teepee from downed tree limbs.

Use Double Duty Decor

As with most small spaces, tiny home dwellers recommend buying decorations you can use more than once a year. Just like someone in a small home would be more likely to purchase a fold-down desk that doubles as a dining room table, the same goes for holiday decor.

Look for signs that are reversible or trees you can enjoy all year round, only adding ornaments and colored lights during the Christmas holiday season.

Put the Pine Outside

Small House Christmas Tips and Tricks — Decorate a tree outside your tiny home!

Whether you go traditional with a simple circular pine and holly wreath, or you opt for something more extravagant like your monogram, adding a touch of the holidays outside your small home can help bring the decor indoors. People feel welcomed with holiday cheer when they pull up to your house, so less is expected indoors.

Change Out Christmas Subtleties

From holiday hand towels in the bathroom to decorative kitchen clean up, spreading your festive feelings throughout your small space makes the entire home feel like Christmas. The spirit of the holiday shouldn’t stop with a tree. Hang a holiday mug, put a decorative cover on the wine bottle, and keep the napkins looking like December. All of these tiny touches will make a big impression on your guests.

Celebrate a Small House Christmas with Friends. — Enjoy a feast with friends in your small space.

Expect a Full House

Too many people assume that if they choose a smaller space that they can no longer host holiday parties or festive functions, and we couldn’t disagree more. The sheer novelty of simple living should be shared. That conversation piece alone will draw crowds to your hip new place.

Invite the masses, prepare your space for the holidays, and enjoy the cozy company. People will have a wonderful time enjoying the intimate setting for meaningful conversation that only a small home can provide.

Playhouse Build Prompts Bigger Projects

TRU team members’ playhouse build benefits family

Clayton Home Building Group^®, a division of Clayton and a Berkshire Hathaway company, partnered with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity to launch their inaugural Playhouse Build and donated a playhouse to a local family.

More than 30 team members from Clayton’s TRU^® plant in Halls, Tenn. facility volunteered on Nov. 17 for the weekend Playhouse Build for new Clayton homeowners, the Glenn family.

The construction was part of the Knoxville Habitat Playhouse Build. The collaborative effort among local corporations, the Knoxville community and volunteers build and donate playhouses for local families or organizations.

The Clayton Built^® playhouse was the first constructed for the organization’s Knoxville affiliate.

‘Bless a family’ with a Playhouse

“The Knoxville Habitat Playhouse Build is an excellent way to bless a family or group of children of the sponsor’s choice, while also helping the hardworking families in our program,” Knoxville Habitat for Humanity President/CEO Kelle Shultz said. “Like Knoxville Habitat, Clayton understands the importance of homeownership, and we are grateful for their generous support and teamwork that made our first Playhouse Build so successful.”

Corporate sponsors donate to participate in the Playhouse Build Program. This raises funds and awareness to support Knoxville Habitat for Humanity’s in aid of local families that need of affordable housing. The organization also partnered with Knox County Schools to build kits for the playhouses. Gibbs High School students built the TRU^® Halls playhouse kit.

“Partnering with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity on their first Playhouse Build event was very special for our team,” said TRU^®Halls Plant Manager Blake Ryman. “We are fortunate to sponsor a great organization that shares our commitment to providing affordable, quality homeownership.”

TRU Halls, Tenn., Playhouse Build — More than 30 team members from Clayton’s TRU® Halls, Tenn., home building facility volunteered to build a playhouse for Knoxville Habitat for Humanity’s inaugural Playhouse Build fundraiser. The playhouse was donated to a local family who recently purchased a new home from Clayton Homes that was built in the TRU Halls home building facility. The team members shared a powerful moment as the children were surprised with a new playhouse!

Builders Gain New Perspective from Homebuyers

Clayton team members and the Glenn family gathered at the TRU® Halls home building facility for the playhouse reveal and dedication. The Glenn family recently purchased a TRU^® home built in the home building facility by the team members in attendance.

“We donated the playhouse to a local family who recently purchased a home that we built in our facility,” said Ryman. “It definitely put a smile on everyone’s face when we surprised the kids with their new playhouse as they moved into their new home. It means so much to our builders to meet the real families they are constructing these homes for – it really puts things into an important perspective.”

Remodeling a Mobile Home – 5 Fantastic Budget-Friendly Upgrades

Remodeling a mobile home can be costly whether you’re prepping your home to sell or you have purchased a home and are looking to make a few noticeable upgrades. In either case, we’ve got you covered.

Remodeling a Mobile Home on a Budget

This article will walk you through the top five affordable upgrades for your mobile home remodel that will pay for themselves in long term value.

Work From Outside In When Remodeling On a Budget

1. Siding

We all know that first impressions are important. The same goes for your home. To be sure your manufactured home is putting its best foot forward! walk outside your home and make a list of areas that could use some love. One upgrade to an exterior that packs quite a punch is the siding on a mobile home. Start with a solid power washing of the exterior of the home and from there you can assess the damage. If replacement siding is in your budget go for it. The siding of the home is such a major part of the exterior presentation.

If you’re looking for a less expensive option there are quite a few online tutorials on painting your manufactured home siding. Check out this interesting home owner’s experience.

Another cost-friendly option for remodeling the exterior of your mobile home is a fresh coat of paint on steps or shutters. Again, start with a good wash and then go from there!

2. Skirting

Surprisingly enough there is a massive industry specifically geared toward properly skirting your manufactured home. Not only is this detail necessary for your home’s structure, it also drastically improves curb appeal. Whether it’s repairing and cleaning or completely replacing your home skirting, you would be surprised what a difference this detail makes.

3. Flooring

If you have an older home most of them come with a real “retro” style carpeting. A remodel that will completely modernize the home is switching to wood flooring. While laying hardwood is super pricey there are a TON of less expensive options on the market that you can easily do yourself. Faux wood vinyl flooring has come a long way, and the DIY approach allows you to more effectively remodel your manufactured home while saving money.

4. Kitchen Cupboards

Every gathering you have ends up in the kitchen. This room is the most frequently used in the home. Updating or painting your kitchen cabinetry can make a world of difference. Here is a great article walking you through some tips and tricks on painting your cupboards like a pro!

remodeling a mobile home kitchen — Photo Credit: Kitchen Cabinet Kings .

5. Walls

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way of course, whether you are covering up some old paneling or just refreshing the current paint job. Another option that can add texture is a contemporary wallpaper. Now, I am not suggesting you go crazy and wallpaper the entire home. But adding a textured wallpaper to an accent wall or a backsplash can add a really sophisticated touch. I am also not talking about your grandma’s wallpaper. There are so many contemporary wallpaper options available both in your hardware stores and online. Here is a great resource to get you started!

So, while the word “remodeling” might bring up visions of endless sawdust and repairmen in your space, it doesn’t have to be that way. Start out small, will any of the above options that you can easily do yourself and go from there. These simple tricks can really make a difference for not only aesthetics but also how long your manufactured home can last.