Key Things to Know About Mobile Homes
Mobile homes are becoming a highly popular housing option due to rising costs and the housing crisis. These units are prefabricated homes, constructed in a factory rather than on site. Plus, they can be moved from one site to another with a little disassembly. Thanks to these features, mobile homes offer numerous advantages. Additionally, there are other key things that individuals should know about mobile homes so they can make an informed decision.
Advantages of mobile homes
- Flexible
The biggest advantage mobile homes offer over traditional ones is flexibility. Homeowners can choose a new site periodically because these homes or modules are easily movable from one location to another.
Another advantage mobile homes have over traditional brick-and-mortar homes is the lower purchase cost. Since mobile homes are not purchased along with a fixed plot of land, they do not cost as much as traditional homes. Moreover, mobile homes are produced in bulk in factories, which reduces labor and material costs, further contributing to their affordability.
Mobile homes are manufactured in factories, allowing for much faster construction than traditional houses.
One of the best things about mobile homes is that, along with costing less than traditional homes, they also help individuals save on energy bills. Mobile homes are made with strict construction standards (BS3632), which require them to have thicker walls, proper ventilation, and double-glazed windows. These factors ensure that the home’s interiors remain warmer during winters and cooler during summers. This, in turn, helps individuals save quite a bit on heating and cooling costs.
Mobile homes provide numerous customization options for buyers, enabling them to design their homes according to their needs and preferences. They can select layouts, floor plans, and interior finishes that appeal to them. Additionally, they can further personalize their homes by adding features such as porches and carports.
Another factor apart from energy efficiency makes mobile homes more environmentally friendly. These units are produced in a factory rather than on-site, which results in significantly less waste during production. The production of a mobile home generates around ten times less waste than the construction of a traditional house.
Mobile homes also allow individuals to experience community living. This is because those who don’t own a piece of land often end up leasing one. In such cases, they rely on holiday parks, which are designated areas where land can be leased for parking mobile homes and static caravans. Since mobile homes are primarily situated in holiday parks, they are often called park homes. Renting a piece of land in such a park provides individuals an excellent opportunity to live near other mobile homeowners. This arrangement fosters a strong sense of community, encouraging social events and contributing to a vibrant lifestyle.
Factors to consider before investing in a mobile home
- What to choose
Those planning to install their mobile home in a holiday park need to consider a few factors to choose the right park. A lot of these parks only lease land to mobile homeowners for 10 to 12 months. After this period is over, they either move to a different location or send an application for lease renewal. Some parks, however, offer longer lease periods, sometimes as long as 15 years. Apart from this, individuals also need to consider if the holiday park’s location suits their lifestyle. For instance, individuals with children may need to ensure their mobile home is closer to a school. - Layout of the house
One of the most important things to consider before buying a mobile home, as in the case of traditional homes, is its layout. After all, the house’s design and layout determine its usable space and comfort of living. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the placement of rooms, and the number of floors are a few basic factors that individuals need to consider before buying a unit. - Age of the house
Newly manufactured mobile homes can last for around 50 to 60 years. So, before investing in a mobile home, individuals must consider whether this number suits their lifestyle and plans. Moreover, if they are planning to buy a pre-owned mobile home, the number of usable years of the unit will be less. So, knowing the actual age of the house can help them estimate its remaining lifespan. - Cost of the house
The cost of a mobile home can depend on various factors, such as the number of bedrooms, overall area, and amenities included. That said, in most cases, a two-bedroom mobile home with an area of around 880 square feet will start at around £80,000. On the other hand, a pre-owned mobile home with a similar layout can have a starting price of around £30,000.
