Busted! 3 Myths About Manufactured Homes Explained

Manufactured home exterior with blue gray siding, white trim around the windows and doors, a small porch, and a matching attached garage, with a concrete driveway and a green lawn.

At Clayton, we know there are still a lot of myths out there about manufactured homes. That’s why we’re here to break down some common misconceptions, from questions about what homes look like to building materials and safety.

I’ll put it simply: Manufactured homes have changed a lot over the years. That boxy, poorly built structure you might be picturing doesn’t reflect the innovations in manufactured housing over the past few decades. Today’s manufactured homes are constructed to national codes inside facilities that use quality home building materials, so they offer home buyers an affordable, durable and stylish housing option.

Let’s get right into it and take a look at how Clayton is busting some common myths about manufactured homes.

manufactured housing myth 1

In my opinion, one of the best things about manufactured homes is actually how versatile they are. At Clayton, we build homes in a variety of price ranges, sizes and styles, because we want to make sure you find a new home that works specifically for you.

For example, we have floor plans that range from 1 to 5 bedrooms, so there’s the right amount of space for your family. That also includes offering you options like turning an extra bedroom into a den or flex space, having a primary bedroom retreat or even two living spaces to make sure your home is ready to grow with your needs over time.

In the interiors of our homes, you’ll find the features you’ve really been looking for, like kitchen islands, standalone bathtubs and built-in storage. And we know being able to personalize your new home is important, which is where customization and upgrade options come in to help you make your space your own. We didn’t forget about that old fashioned, boring exterior you might be imagining, either. Today, it’s not uncommon to see manufactured homes with features like large wraparound porches and attached garages.

All of this variety extends to the style of manufactured homes, too. Clayton has models that range from farmhouse chic to minimalist modern to traditional details to give you the perfect starting point for your decor. Inside and out, it’s a long way from the cramped, cookie-cutter mobile homes of the past!

manufactured home myths 2

Speaking of old mobile homes, let’s set a few things straight when it comes to this next myth. A lot of people use the terms “mobile home,” “manufactured home” or even “trailer” interchangeably, when they’re really taking about two different things. It’s definitely a complicated topic with a lot of history!

Before the 1970s, there weren’t uniform rules or regulations that said how mobile homes had to be built, which often led to poor construction quality and questions about safety. Then, in 1976, the HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards created national standards for manufactured homes in areas like fire safety, energy efficiency and plumbing. This HUD code is what sets manufactured homes apart from mobile homes and ensures a new manufactured home is built to the proper wind, thermal and roof load zones. That means today’s manufactured homes are stronger and more durable than those old homes of days past.

And at Clayton, we know that strength and durability is on the mind of home buyers who are looking for a safe home for their families. We partner with top brands you know and trust, like Frigidaire® and Shaw®, throughout our homes and we’re always looking for new ways to ensure quality and innovation in everything we do.

manufactured homes myths 3

This last myth is one we get a lot of questions about, and it’s easy to understand why. Investing in a home and building equity is a big step for your financial future, and we want you to feel confident about your home buying decision. The truth is that there are many ways to add to the value of your manufactured home over time.

One of the things that can make a manufactured home a good investment is affordability, allowing you to become a homeowner while still remaining within your budget. This will then help give you the freedom to work on other financial goals you may have.

There are a few other details to consider about your home, too. The first one is land. Placing your new manufactured home on land that you own can help your home appreciate in value over time, especially if that land is in a good location. You’ll also want to think about choosing a permanent foundation, similar to a traditional site-built home.

Finally, curb appeal is a big deal for any house. A home that’s in good repair is more appealing to prospective buyers if you do decide to move in the future, and it’ll help you keep any eye out for any minor problems you can fix before they become expensive headaches. You’ll also want to keep up with maintenance like routine landscaping, cleaning exterior siding or skirting, and taking care of your home’s HVAC system.

Did we answer some of your biggest questions about manufactured homes (and maybe change your mind about a few things)? Head over to our website today to see more about manufactured and modular home models that are available in your area!

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