You’re looking to buy a mobile home and you want to make sure that it’s an investment that will last. Great! With a little bit of sweat equity, and some basic knowledge about the mobile home industry, you can buy yourself a small piece of the American dream.
Now it’s time to ask yourself some tough questions about what kind of home you want.
A mobile home is a great option if you are looking for an affordable first home or are not sure where in the country to settle down.
That’s why we’ve come up with this list of questions that should be answered before considering any manufacturer. With that being said, let’s go ahead and get started!
Question 1: Is price my most important consideration?
Ask this if: you’re on a tight budget, and can’t afford to spend a lot of time researching mobile home manufacturers.
Even though you’re on a tight budget and need to buy your mobile home quickly, it’s important to keep one thing in mind: the absolute cheapest mobile home you can buy will not necessarily be the best value for your money.
A cheap mobile home isn’t always better than a more expensive one. There are plenty of manufacturers who’ll sell you a high-quality product at an affordable price.
Question 2: Have I considered shopping online?
Ask this if: you prefer to stay inside and avoid the stress of dealing with pushy salespeople that may overwhelm you at retail locations.
Although most people choose to shop for their mobile homes at brick-and-mortar locations , it’s important to keep an open mind about the idea of buying online. You never know where or when you’ll find a great deal. Just make sure that the manufacturer you’re considering has a good reputation.
Question 3: Is my priority expediency?
Ask this if: you want to buy a mobile home quickly , without any major headaches..
Buying a mobile home might be one of the most worthy investments you’ll ever make. So, you want to make sure that the manufacturer you choose is reliable. Otherwise, you could end up with a headache on your hands. The last thing you want in buying your new home is worrying about whether or not it’s safe!
Question 4: On what basis do I select my preferred manufacturer?
Ask this if: you’re willing to sacrifice price and/or expediency in exchange for more peace of mind. The mobile home industry can be as cut-throat as any other industry, so it’s important to be very particular about who you choose.
Question 5: Is it okay to buy from a manufacturer with whom I have no personal experience?
Ask this if: you’re open-minded enough that it doesn’t bother you to buy from a company with which you have no existing relationship.
It helps if the mobile home manufacturer is well known and respected in your area — this will make relationships with local service providers much easier! It also helps if the company has been in business long enough so that their reputation can speak for itself–you’ll want people to trust that they’ll stand by their products.
Question 6: What types of homes do they make?
Ask this if: you have specific plans for what you want — and need — in your new mobile home. If you do a lot of planning before shopping, it’ll save you time on the back end.
Question 7: Is my most important consideration quality?
Ask this if: you have enough money for a nice new double-wide, but aren’t sure where to find one.
Question 8: Is it brand new or used?
Ask this if: you want a mobile home that will last you for years or if you’re on a budget, but don’t know whether it’s possible to get one within your price range.
Question 9: What percentage of the value of my mobile home should I expect to pay in fees and commissions when buying new?
Ask this if: you’re planning to buy a local brand; chances are they won’t have many hidden costs like some of the big manufacturers might!
Question 10: In my area, what percentage of homes are stick-built vs. mobile?
Ask this if: you’re interested in knowing whether or not there’s a trend to or away from mobile homes.
Question 11: What is the estimated cost of completing work if I choose to do it myself, based on average labor costs?
Ask this if: you want to go above and beyond what your mobile home manufacturer provides as standard equipment — for example, are you considering adding things like decorative wood trim on the exterior?
Question 12: Do I want seamless aluminum siding?
Ask this if: you don’t care about the looks of your house as long as it’s functional and good-looking enough for you.
Question 13: How much do I need to invest (in terms of initial cash)?
Ask this if: you know the value of your trade-in and have a down payment in mind.
Question 14: Will it fit on my property?
Ask this if: you already have a piece of land picked out where you want your home to live.
Question 15: Is there a warranty?
Ask this if: you’re about to invest in something likely to last decades; protecting it and the investment should be a priority!
Choosing a mobile home manufacturer is an important decision. We hope that these tips have been helpful. If you’re interested in learning more about our services, we encourage you to contact us today so we can answer any questions and provide information on how we can help you find (or sell) the perfect mobile home.
