Your FREE Sales & Service Guide to Modular & Manufactured Homes & Communities within Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions about Manufactured Housing

The FAQ section is a great place to find answers to most common questions about Manufactured Homes, Mobile Homes and Modular Homes. If the FAQ's don't provide you with the information you're seeking, please feel free to contact us through any of the following ways:

Phone: 810-632-0100

Email: Contact us form

Mail: Manufactured Home Monthly Publications, Inc.
PO Box 457
Highland MI 48357-0457

Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you.

Choosing a Land Lease Community

• How do I begin to find a community?
• What is a Master Planned Community?
• What are the advantages of living in an Adult 55+ community?
• Why would I want to live in an older community when there are new ones being built all over?
• How do I identify well-managed communities?
• What information do I have to provide to a community for a park approval?
• What questions should I ask to find the community best suited for me?

 

Choosing a Manufactured Home

• What is the difference between a manufactured home, a modular home and a mobile home?
• What are the different sizes available?
• Where can a manufactured home be placed?
• What can I afford?
• What kind of financing is available?
• What comes with my new manufactured home?
• Where can I go for problems?
• What other questions should I consider when purchasing a manufactured home?
• Do you have a home buyer's worksheet I can print out?

 

How do I begin to find a community?

There are many different communities within Michigan. Some are family oriented and some are for the active adult. 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 these needs, it is important that you visit several of the communities within the area you would like to live and ask them what they can offer you. Communities not only offer an affordable alternative in housing, but they provide a strong feeling of community spirit. Most communities are well lit for added security, offer road maintenance, many amenities and recreational activities, as well as, centrally located to schools, shopping and highways.

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What is a Master Planned Community?

Master planned communities are large new 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 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 may want to pick up a form when you are touring 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 visit.
• If you are placing a new 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!

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.

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What are the different sizes available?

There are 2 terms used in the manufactured housing industry.

1. 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.
2. 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 a manufacturer. 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?

If you place your home on private land, you are eligible for a mortgage. If it will be placed in a land-lease community your retailer can help you apply for a consumer installment loan. Financing

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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, go to the web page for the enforcement division of Bureau of Construction Codes To find out what government regulations govern the Michigan Manufactured Housing industry, go to the web page for the Manufactured Housing and Land Development Division

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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 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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