Mobile Homes Offer State-of-the-Art Options & Designs

manufacturedhousing.org - August 25, 2006
Mobile homes are more technologically advanced then ever before.

Homebuyers in the market for affordable, technologically advanced housing realize that mobile homes can fill that need. There are approximately 22 million Americans living full time in 9.5 million mobile homes. A 1999 study by Owens Corning, conducted by National Family Opinion, found that 93 percent of mobile home owners are satisfied with their housing choice.

"Mobile homes are becoming increasingly appealing because of high quality construction materials, architectural design innovations, enhanced amenities, ease of maintenance, improved siting options, and increased availability of financing," said Chris Stinebert, president of the Manufactured Housing Institute, Arlington, VA.

Mobile homes are more technologically advanced then ever before. Homebuyers can chose from features such as vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, fireplaces, brand-name appliances, and jacuzzi tubs. A variety of designs and features, like bay windows, pitched roofs with shingles and gabled fronts, are available to individualize the home’s exterior. Mobile homes can be designed to be compatible with almost any neighborhood. A growing number of manufacturers are now giving homebuyers more control over choosing the right floor plan and interior to fit their needs.

Single-section homes are constructed to be 12 to 16 feet wide and up to 80 feet in length. Multisection homes are usually two or more units joined together, that can range from 24 to 32 feet wide and up to 70 feet in length. Different styles range in size from 400 square feet to over 2,500 square feet.

Although single-section and multisection mobile homes continue to be most popular, two-story models are increasingly being purchased as well. New technologies in the factory and transportation process have allowed manufacturers to build two-story models that are becoming popular with home builders and developers alike. More recently, mobile homes in a pilot program in Seattle, Wash. were built as townhomes. The future for homes built in the factory is limitless.

It is easy to see why so many mobile home owners are satisfied. Not only do they have choices, but they get more home for their money. The buyers of a manfuactured home with custom upgrades can still pay less than the cost of a "standard" site built home. Mobile homes generally cost 10-35 percent less than a conventional site-built home.