How do I begin to find a manufactured home community?
There are many different manufactured home communities in the United States. Some are
family oriented and some are for the active adult. You can use our site to search for communities by state, city, county, family or senior (55+) and lot rent amount. Finding the
perfect community for you and your family depends on your lifestyle
and what your needs are. In order to find out what type of community
will meet your needs, search the communities listed on ManufacturedHomesToday.com® for complete information. Communities not only offer
an affordable alternative in housing, but they provide a strong
feeling of community spirit. Review the community description about the manufactured home community or communities you are interested in to see if they offer the amenities you require.
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What is a Master Planned Community?
Master planned communities are large new manufactured home communities typically
featuring community entrances, parks, recreational areas, schools
and community shopping. Within a planned community, there are
smaller communities offering a variety of home styles and price
levels to choose from.
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What are the advantages of living in an Adult 55+ community?
An adult 55+ community is a good choice for those that have raised
their families and desire a quiet setting with security and
neighbors with similar interests. In an adult 55+ community, at least 1 person needs to be 55 or better.
There is a minimum age for the other residents as well, usually
45 or so. Children may visit, but typically for no more than
2 weeks. Senior communities tend to have many kinds of clubs,
activities, group travel opportunities and recreational amenities.
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Why would I want to live in an older community when there
are new ones being built all over?
Some of the advantages of a mature community are:
- Mature shady trees and plantings.
- Prime lots that may be all taken in a new community may
be available in a mature community.
- The management has a proven track record.
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How do I identify well-managed communities?
There is no substitute for actually seeing the community for
yourself. Take a drive through the community. Are the homes
neat and well cared for? What about the roads in the community,
are they kept up? Stop by at the clubhouse or community office
and chat with the staff. Are they professional and courteous?
Are the listed amenities the ones you want? If there are playgrounds
and/or pools, are they clean and is the equipment in good repair?
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What information do I have to provide to a community for a park approval?
All manufactured home communities require potential residents to go through an
approval process. Generally, the community office will have
a form to be filled out asking for both personal and credit references.
Since each community has different terms, be sure to ask what
the requirements are. You can request a form via email when viewing communities you like online. Just click the "Email community for additional information" link on the community page of the different communities you are interested in.
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What questions should I ask to find the community best suited
for me?
When choosing a land lease community to live in, you will want
to make informed choices. Here are some of the issues that you
may want to have answered by the particular communities you
are interested in:
- What are your priorities? Do you want a community where
pets are allowed? One that is family oriented with playgrounds,
pools and in a specific school district? Or is an adult
community preferable where children are only temporary visitors?
- Ask for a copy of the rules and regulations of the community,
and read them carefully, to be sure that you understand and
are willing to abide by these rules.
- What are the terms of the lease you will have to sign?
Get everything in writing so you don't forget the different
offers and rates for each community you email.
- If you are placing a new manufactured home within the community, determine
who is responsible for installation, the community or the
retailer, you purchased the home from. What will be the charges
for new hook-ups?
- If and when you decide to sell your home, does the community
have any regulations you must take into consideration? (i.e.
maximum age of home allowed in park, etc.)
- What protection are you offered if the owner sells the
community? Will there be assistance with relocation expenses
if the land is sold for another use and you must move your
home?
- Are there community fees and what do they include? Some
communities have additional fees that include trash removal,
snowplowing, street maintenance and common area upkeep and
some include it in the lease payment. Some also have a fee
per child or pet.
- How is the community's security? Is the community well
lit? Does the community offer gated or guarded entry?
- What area or community would you like to live in? One
that is close to work or other family members? Close to
recreational activities? Out in the country or close to
city conveniences? Family oriented or Active adult? Close
to schools? One that has easy highway access?
- Do you want any special community amenities such as clubhouse,
laundry facilities, landscaped home site or installed sprinklers,
municipal water and sewer, curbside rubbish removal, swimming
pool, playground or day care center? Are pets allowed?
- Are you interested in a particular school district, city
or county? Is having a neighborhood park, lake or beach
important features for you?
REMEMBER: The community that you choose is going to be your
home. A place where you will live the single life, begin your
new marriage, raise your children or enjoy being an active adult.
Take the time to research, it will be worth it!
Manufactured Home Community Search
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What is the difference between a manufactured home, a modular
home and a mobile home?
A manufactured home is a house constructed in a factory
according to strict code that must be adhered to, the National
Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards (HUD
code) of July 1, 1976. A manufactured home is transportable
in one or more sections, built on a permanent chassis, and is
a home with or with out a permanent foundation. A manufactured
home title must always be transferred to the new owner as part
of the transaction. A modular home is a factory built home constructed
in a factory and brought to the site in one or more sections.
Unlike a manufactured home, which must adhere to the national
HUD code, the modular home is regulated by the BOCA code, which
is the same code site-built homes must adhere to. A modular
home must be placed on a permanent foundation that meets the
local requirements for going below frost depth. A mobile home
is a factory built home that was built before the July 1, 1976
HUD code came into effect. It is an obsolete term when used
in reference to today's manufactured homes. For definitions and a
more complete description of this issue see Glossary of Terms.
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What are the different sizes available?
There are 2 terms used in the manufactured housing industry.
- The term 'singlewide' is used on a home that is 12-18
feet wide and from 30 to 80 ft. long. These homes run in
size from 360 sq. ft. to 1,440 sq. ft.
- The term 'doublewide' is used on a home that is 24-28
feet wide and from 40 to 80 ft. long. These homes run from
960 sq. ft. to 2,240 sq. ft.
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Where can a manufactured home be placed?
A manufactured home can be placed in a land-lease
community or on a privately owned lot that you must have
prepared prior to placement of your new home. You can place
your new home on a foundation or full basement, and once it
is finished no one will know it wasn't site built. Your retailer will assist you in site preparation or you
can handle that yourself.
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What can I afford?
A new manufactured home is a very affordable alternative to
a site built home because of the cost savings of being built by in a climate controlled factory. Our mortgage
calculator can help you figure out payment amounts based
on your income and debt ratio.
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What kind of financing is available for manufactured homes?
If you place your manufactured home or modular home on private land, you are eligible for a mortgage. If it will be placed in a land-lease community, you will need a consumer installment loan. Talk to one of our Financing advertisers for more information.
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What comes with my new manufactured home?
A new manufactured home comes with everything needed to move
in! Some can even be ordered with matching furniture! Your carpets,
cabinets, wallpaper, tile, appliances and upgraded amenities
such as Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces can all be ordered at the
time of your purchase. You can also choose siding options, roof
pitches, skylights, bay windows and upgraded energy features
to make your home even more energy efficient. Your Manufactured
Home Retailer can give you the information you need regarding
the purchase of your new home.
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Where can I go for problems?
To report problems with the Manufactured Housing Industry, Check with your local state State Manufactured Home Association for information about your state Mobile, Manufactured and Modular housing regulations.
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What other questions should I consider when purchasing a
manufactured home?
- Do I want a new or pre-owned home?
- Do I have a particular retailer I want to work with?
- How many bedrooms do I need? Do I need room for a
home office?
- Do I want a home that's ready to move into or a home which needs some fixing up? Am I
handy enough to do the types of tasks required
in a home that needs repairs?
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Do you have a manufactured home buyer's worksheet I can print out?
Yes, we have created a worksheet you can print and take with
you as you shop for your new home. Click here
to view the worksheet, and then click print on your browser
to print it.
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