Becoming a homeowner has many benefits, from helping increase financial security to giving you the freedom to take on the decor or landscaping projects you want. A home is an investment in your future, and there are a few key ways Clayton is working to put more of what matters within reach for today’s home buyers.

It’s no secret that home prices continue to rise across the country. In fact, the average sales price of a new site-built home was $487,200 in June 2024, according to the Census Bureau. That price range is simply not within the budget of many buyers, and that’s where manufactured homes can offer a more affordable option.

The Census Bureau also reported the average sales price of a new manufactured home without land was $121,600 as of February 2024, the most recent month for which data is available. That means if you choose to purchase a manufactured home, you might be able to have a lower down payment and monthly mortgage payment than you would with a traditional site-built home.

And with those numbers in mind, it’s time to look at what this actually means for home buyers.

Clayton Homes for Modern Living

While the affordability of a home is usually the deciding factor for many buyers, Clayton knows the details are important, too. Our homes are constructed inside of our building facilities using quality materials from top home building brands like Frigidaire®, Shaw®, Rheem® and Samsung®. And all new manufactured homes are built to HUD code, which sets national standards for construction, safety, energy efficiency and more.

Of course, we also have to talk about some of the can’t-miss features and details you’ll find in our homes. We offer a wide variety of styles to match yours, from farmhouse to traditional to modern. And we have popular features that range from kitchen islands, spa-inspired bathrooms and built-in storage to garages, porches and flex spaces. Many of our floor plans also have customization options, like several different kitchen or bathroom layouts to choose from.

The efficiency of a home is also important to many buyers, but they may not realize just how much those energy costs can add up over the years. With Clayton’s eBuilt® homes, we’re making homes cost less to buy and less to live in. eBuilt® homes include features like a smart thermostat, LED lighting, low-E windows and a heat pump that can save you up to 50% on your annual energy bills.*

All of this means you can trust you’re choosing an affordable home that’s also reliable, beautiful and will be a place you and your family can enjoy for many years.

Investing in Your Manufactured Home

Once you’ve found your dream home, there are a couple other considerations that can help add value to your Clayton home and make it a great investment for the years to come. For example, are you interested in an attached or detached garage? In some cases, a garage can be added to the design of your home, boosting its curb appeal. We also have home models, such as CrossMod® homes, that include a garage option in their floor plan.

Placing your manufactured home on land you own is another way to potentially build equity over time. In addition, you may also want to choose to place your home on a permanent foundation, similar to the foundation used for a site-built home.

Finally, you’ll also want to be sure to maintain your new home through regular maintenance. At Clayton, we’re here to help you even after your home purchase, so we have all of the tips you’ll need to keep your home in top shape, inside and out.

All of these factors can help your home potentially increase in value over time, depending on the real estate market in your area, which in turn can help you build financial security and wealth.

If we know one thing with our years of experience, it’s that each homeowner’s journey has unique steps, and we want to help you as you navigate them. You can get started on investing in your future today by contacting your local home center to learn more about what beautiful, affordable homes are available near you.

*ZERH Logo Use Guidelines (energy.gov)

CrossMod® is a registered trademark of the Manufactured Housing Institute. ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR mark are registered trademarks owned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.