The Benefits of Owning a Manufactured Home

Thanks to their affordability and versatility, manufactured or mobile homes are becoming an increasingly popular choice among Edmonton home buyers. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizer, a growing family (or you fall somewhere in between), these prefabricated structures are a great choice for any age, lifestyle and budget.

But that’s not all.

Here are eight benefits of living in a mobile home:

Affordable Homeownership 

As we mentioned above, manufactured homes are highly affordable – giving Edmonton home buyers the chance to own their own homes at a fraction of the cost of a traditional site-built home. According to experts, the average 1,800 square foot mobile home costs around $180,000 to $360,000 to build (or $270,000 on average).

Compared to the average single-family home in Edmonton, a manufactured home delivers many of the same benefits but for hundreds of thousands less. Not to mention, manufactured homes are just as affordable (if not more so) than an Edmonton condo, yet generally come equipped with more square footage.

Quality Control 

Manufactured homes are just that: manufactured in a quality-controlled environment where materials have been carefully selected (and tested) to meet the highest standards. These include strict home security and safety standards, the use of weather resistant materials (designed for Edmonton’s harsh winters), the latest in new home system technologies (heating, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical), and more. 

As a result, the manufacturing process leaves little room for error compared to a site-built home subject to supply shortages, inclement weather, trade issues, etc. For Edmonton homebuyers opting to build their manufactured home from “the ground up,” this also leads to money saved during the construction process as well as faster build times – especially since the home is nearly complete before it arrives on site.

The Ability to Keep Things Simple 

Although mobile homes have more in common with single-family homes than any other home style, they generally require less maintenance. For starters, manufactured homeowners don’t have to worry about maintaining an underground foundation or basement. Additionally, these homes are often located on smaller lots, allowing owners to spend less time mowing, shovelling and tackling yard work.

Some manufactured home communities may even do the outdoor maintenance for you (lawns, driveways, etc.) in exchange for a monthly community fee or as part of your lot rental costs.

Flexible Design Choices 

Mobile homes have come a long way over the years, evolving from traditional cookie-cutter designs and layouts to a broad range of styles, floor plans, finishes and features. New models may even come outfitted with the latest high-end amenities, including hardwood flooring, designer light fixtures, granite countertops, vaulted ceilings and more.

But you don’t have to purchase new to enjoy all the upscale features of a single-family home. Many manufactured homes currently available on the Edmonton real estate market include three or more bedrooms, two bathrooms, large porches, patios and/or decks, roomy open floor plans, a detached garage, private driveway, etc.

A Unique Sense of Community 

Mobile home communities also deliver a unique sense of “neighbourliness,” unlike any other. Here again, many of these neighbourhoods oversee maintenance for you in terms of mowing the lawn, shovelling snow, maintaining driveways etc. In fact, some come with additional community-exclusive amenities such as gated entry, a local clubhouse and/or community league, fitness centre or pool, centrally located parks and green spaces, stormwater lakes, golf courses, local shops and more.

Homeowners living in mobile home communities also have the advantage of having many friendly neighbours within close proximity – providing added security and social connection while, at the same time, allowing you to maintain a sense of privacy in your own home.

Download your free guide: Your All-In-One Guide to Choosing The Right Edmonton Neighbourhood

Environmentally Friendly 

Due to the controlled environment in which these homes are produced, builders have refined the construction process to keep wasted materials to a minimum – making manufactured homes one of the most environmentally-friendly home styles available on the market today. This streamlined process also allows builders to use minimal materials without compromising the integrity of the finished home.

Newer models are also outfitted with the latest energy-efficient features and amenities, including triple-pane windows, energy-efficient appliances, smart home systems (i.e. programmable lights and thermostats), hot water on demand and more. Manufactured home owners enjoy lower utility bills as a result.

New Home Warranty

Like any other newly constructed home in Alberta, brand new manufactured homes (or any home built after 2014) come backed by a fully comprehensive ten-year home warranty. This includes:

One-year materials and labour coverage – Any defects related to the home’s construction and materials used during the process (i.e., cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, baseboards, etc.).

Two years mechanical systems coverage – Otherwise known as your home’s delivery and distribution systems, this coverage includes defects related to your heating, plumbing, ventilation, electrical systems, etc.

Five years envelope protection – Often referred to as your home’s “shell,” your home’s envelope keeps the interior of your home separated from the exterior environment. This coverage includes materials and workmanship related to your roof, walls, etc.

Ten years major structural components coverage – This coverage oversees any warrantable defects that may affect your home’s structural integrity (i.e. any load-bearing part). This may include your manufactured home’s roof, framing and foundation.

Value Appreciation

Just like any other detached, single-family home in Edmonton, manufactured homes tend to appreciate over time. However, resale value will be subject to the Edmonton estate market as well as:

• The condition of the home
• The home’s location
• The condition of the neighbourhood
• Whether or not the home is priced correctly
• Comparable home prices in the area
• Etc.

Keep in mind, regardless of current market conditions, manufactured homes remain consistently in high demand among those looking for affordable homeownership in the capital region.

For more information on manufactured home opportunities in Edmonton and area, we invite you to see our latest single-family home listings. Or, feel free to reach out to us to learn more about affordable, low-maintenance mobile homes in your desired area. 

And don’t forget to download your free copy of our recent guide: Six Essential Tips That Make Home Buying More Affordable. 

Related: 

• Your Guide to Edmonton’s Most Popular Home Styles
• The Benefits of Townhome and Semi-Detached Duplex Living
• 7 Benefits of Penthouse Living

Photo credits: adobestock

Categorised in: Home Styles

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group