Manufactured Homes

Approximately 2-3 million households in the United States live in manufactured housing communities, according to the 2013 American Housing Survey. As the standards of manufactured housing have increased, so have the number of Americans considering manufactured housing as a high-quality, affordable option.

The question is, who lives in the modern manufactured home community these days, and what benefits do they enjoy from their living situation?

Who Lives In Manufactured Home Communities?

An extensive report by Foremost compiled a profile of people living in manufactured homes based on more than 26,000 interviews. Here are their findings.

Manufactured Housing Residents Are Younger Than You Think

Despite the pervasiveness of 55+ communities in the manufactured housing space, the largest age group reported in their surveys was actually aged 18-29, coming in at 23% of residents. This shows that many first-time homebuyers turn to manufactured homes when they’re finally ready to break free from the cycle of renting.

Most Manufactured Housing Residents Own Their Home

68% of survey respondents reported that they own the home they live in, as opposed to 24% who were renting and the remainder who reported living with relatives.

What’s more, almost half of the residents who reported owning their home said they were there to stay. 40% didn’t anticipate ever selling it.

The Number of Manufactured Home Residents Living in Communities is Rising.

In 2012, 39% of respondents living in manufactured homes reported living in a community, compared to 35% in 2002.

What Do They Get From Manufactured Home Communities?

By choosing to live in a manufactured home community, residents receive benefits that they otherwise wouldn’t by living on private land or in other multi-family housing, like apartments or condominiums.

Because the land is leased to the resident but owned by the community, first and foremost this means that a resident can enjoy the perks of homeownership – like living in privacy without wall-sharing neighbors, or being able to paint and remodel at your leisure – without having to maintain the land and utilities.

Many UMH manufactured home communities have perks that go above and beyond, including community pools, playgrounds, fitness centers, on-site maintenance, clubhouses and regular events for residents to mix and mingle with their neighbors.

Take a look at our community finder to find a UMH manufactured home community in your area.

Is Manufactured Housing Right For Me?

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Manufactured homes built in 2018 are sturdy, dependable, often energy-efficient and offer a wonderful opportunity for potential homebuyers looking for quality, affordable homes. They allow you to build equity through homeownership, without a lot of the stress, risks and hassle that comes with buying older, stick-built houses.

UMH is proud to have 20,000 homesites that 60,000 residents call home. If you want to learn more and find out why so many of our residents love living in our communities, check out https://www.umhsalescenter.com and get started today!

From our restaurant portions to the cars that we drive, it seems like the United States was built on the mantra that bigger is better. Which is why it’s so surprising that something many refer to as “The Tiny House Movement” could sweep the nation by storm. And yet, Instagram feeds, internet blogs and even multiple dedicated time slots on HGTV have become inundated with the tiny house craze.

So what exactly is a tiny house, and why has it become so trendy?

A tiny house is precisely what it sounds like. Ranging from 60-500 square feet, a tiny house is built to be minimalist and down to the essentials. Most tiny house aficionados join the movement for environmental and financial reasons. But manufactured homes have been here all along as a practical & ecological solution to affordable housing.

Putting a price on it

Tiny homes were born from the DIY trend. For those who are willing to build it themselves, a tiny house can be quite affordable. But depending upon the appliances and fixtures, the average tiny house typically costs between $200 and $400 per square foot.

Compared to manufactured homes, that’s less bang for your buck. The average manufactured home in 2015 cost $100.65 per square foot, making it two to four times more cost effective than its trendy counterpart.

The legal woes of tiny houses

Building a tiny house is one thing. But once it’s built, where do you put it?

In many places, it’s hard to live in a tiny house legally. Building codes, local zoning laws and county ordinances all must factor into tiny house planning. Alternative forms of affordable housing tend to address this issue better than their tiny counterparts.

Manufactured home builders follow federal Housing and Urban Development codes, and many buyers have the luxury of placing their new home in a community that has already been zoned accordingly. That means not having to sort out your own plumbing, which is something I think most of us could do without!

Designing your own home

No doubt, much of the tiny house appeal comes from the aesthetic. They’re trendy, craftsman and can be designed just how you like it.

However, customizations in manufactured homes have blossomed in recent years. A far cry from the cookie-cutter pre-fabs of decades ago, most manufactured home builders offer a wide range of customizations. From cabinetry to floor plans to appliances, the growing options give buyers the opportunity to design the home of their dreams.

Manufactured Homes: Going Green

If energy efficiency is what you’re after, the average tiny home might win out. But for years manufactured homes have been designed with energy efficiency in mind. They are the original “green living” home, and are still far more efficient than your average stick-built home.

Many manufactured home builders are Energy Star Certified, which means their homes are designed to meet the EPA’s strict guidelines for energy efficiency. This includes standards for effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction ducts and appliances and heating/cooling systems that use less energy. So while the tiny house movement tightly couples with less consumption and the “off-grid” lifestyle, manufactured homes are designed to maximize efficiency without sacrificing comfort and amenities.

For the DIY bloggers & 20-somethings fleeing the corporate life, there are tiny homes. But for hard-working Americans looking for an affordable, attractive place to call home, manufactured housing is the solution.

When you think of the Baseball Hall of Fame, great players like Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio jump to mind. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has honored hundreds of all-time musical greats like The Beatles, Aretha Franklin and David Bowie. 

But there’s another hall of fame you may not have heard of, that we proudly call our own: The RV/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame and its newest inductee, Christine Lindsey, UMH Vice President of Sales. While not exactly a household name, ask anyone in the manufactured housing industry about Christine Lindsey’s 30+ years of service and you’ll hear accolade after accolade. 

Christine has made numerous contributions to UMH and the industry she loves, through hard work, care, and commitment. On the national level, Christine has served as the Chair of the Manufactured Housing Institute National Communities Council and the Manufactured Housing Institute Board of Directors. She was awarded the National Communities Person of the Year at the 2009 National Manufactured Housing Institute 19th Annual National Congress and Expo.

In her role as Vice President of Sales, Lindsey has been instrumental in improving customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, which have led to a remarkable 100% site increase from 2011 to 2016. Additionally, Lindsey has been a charismatic advocate for the role of manufactured housing in solving our country’s affordable housing shortage. She’s even been known to make emergency repairs to homes on occasion.

Christine Lindsey got her start in the manufactured housing industry as a community manager in 1979 with UMH Properties, Inc., gaining firsthand knowledge about the operations and resident relations so critical to the success of any manufactured home community. She was promoted to Tennessee Regional Manager in 1990, then to Regional Vice President in 1993, and most recently to Vice President of Sales in 2003. Christine was honored with prestigious designation of Manufactured Housing Manager – Master, January 1, 2007 by the Land-Lease Community Real Estate Asset Class.

Christine has always been active in the Tennessee Manufactured Housing Association, where she has been on the board of directors since 1994. She has served as State Park Director for three years and was Chapter President from 2000-2007. She was elected to the Executive Board acting as secretary in 2000. She was elected as Vice President in 2008, President from 2011-2013, and then inducted into the Tennessee Hall of Fame in August 2013.

“This Hall of Fame event is truly a major industry affair,” says Darryl Searer, president and COO of the RV/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame. “It honors the inductees who have attained a major milestone in their lives and careers.

Port Royal Village chosen as Land-Lease Community of the Year

UMH Properties, Inc. is proud to announce the Port Royal Village community has been awarded the 2017 Land-Lease Community of the Year by the Manufactured Housing Institute. UMH Properties, Inc. CEO, Sam Landy, accepted the award at the 2017 National Congress & Expo in Las Vegas, NV on May 3, 2017.

In the Area

Nestled in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Belle Vernon is a beautiful town situated on the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania. This region has a lot to offer, as it is surrounded by various shopping, dining, and entertainment options as well as parks, libraries, and recreation areas. Take the kids to Idle Wild Soak & Soak Zone for a fun afternoon or spend a weekend canoeing along the Youghiogheny River. Find more recommended activities in the Belle Vernon area at UMH.com. http://www.umh.com/community/port-royal-village

About Port Royal Village

Port Royal Village features three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes with modern and spacious floor-plans, name brand appliances, and plenty of storage space. Enjoy plenty of natural light while eating breakfast at your two-level island. Many homes have decks, covered front porches, storage sheds, and two-car driveways. This community has a pool to swim in during the summer, a community clubhouse for activities, and a playground and basketball court that many of our residents enjoy year-round.

Never fret with 24-hour on-site management and maintenance. If a problem arises or you need assistance with your home or lot, we are right there to help. You’ll be proud to call Port Royal Village your home.

About Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI)

“The Manufactured Housing Institute is the only national trade organization representing the factory-built housing industry. Its members come from all sectors of the manufactured and modular housing industries and include builders, lenders, home retailers, community owners and managers, suppliers, more than 50 affiliated state organizations and others associated with the industry.” – MHI

If you are interested in viewing this community and its properties, please contact us at (724) 929-4224 or pasales@umh.com. To apply for residency, please fill out these forms – http://www.umh.com/content/residency-application) and return.

Model Hours: Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 3pm

Address 485 Patterson Lane, Belle Vernon, PA 15012

The housing market hasn’t been kind to young, new-home buyers for more than a decade.

At this point, housing is the largest part of family expenses, while health care costs continue to climb. Any money that’s saved on food, clothing, and transportation has been offset by both mortgage and rent.

New homes aren’t being built at the same rate as in the past, and limited inventory of single-family homes means higher prices. Apartment construction has slowed down, and disinterested real estate investors have turned to developing high-rent space in many cities, meaning that fewer apartment buildings are available. If you can’t purchase housing or rent a home or apartment because of the expense, where do you turn?

Manufactured Homes Put Buyers in Control of Their Housing Budget

Potential buyers have the option of purchasing a manufactured home in an area with great school districts, plenty of shopping, entertainment and outdoor recreation, and in close proximity to cities where jobs are plentiful. 

·         Affordable Housing for Everyone. Three-bedroom, two-bathroom manufactured homes, regardless of where they are located, are about 50-60% less than comparable homes in the same area. Also, many communities use a land-lease structure to keep payments even lower. Instead of paying for the property that the home is on, homeowners instead simply rent the land for a low price.

·         Low-Down Payment. Financing for manufactured homes is usually prepared through government-backed loans programs like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Since the price of these homes is so reasonable, the down payment is also low. You don’t have to worry about a sky-high payment requirement when you purchase your manufactured home.   

·         Sought-After Regions, Large Homes. Most Americans move to the suburbs and choose to do so because they love being somewhat close to an urban area while living in a less expensive region. Most manufactured home communities are located near cities that provide good jobs, entertainment, shopping, and special events, but the setting is low-key and tranquil.

UMH Manufactured Homes

It is possible to buy a home without your mortgage payment squeezing half of your budget. Manufactured homes offer homeowners the same benefits as site-built homes, but without the financial issues that today’s real estate industry has produced.

UMH properties owns more than 100 manufactured home communities in seven states throughout the northeastern United States. If you are looking for spacious, affordable homes in great areas, visit our website today at www.umh.com. 

As the oil and natural gas industry continues to generate more jobs in areas that are within the Marcellus and Utica Shale basin, the need for affordable housing near extraction sites will grow. In many cases, depending upon the scope of the project, oil and gas workers will be on site for years at a time, and it’s common to see many of them choose to relocate during that time. If a company chooses to move these workers, it's in everybody's best interests to experience a stable housing situation, where homes can be leased, rented, or purchased.

Benefits of Manufactured Home for Oil and Gas Crews

Companies and employees looking for affordable housing should consider manufactured home communities. These communities offer many advantages that site built homes can’t match.

·         Plenty of Room for Crews. Manufactured home communities feature houses that are spacious, with modern floorplans. They have large kitchens, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and just as much living space as comparable homes in the area. Whether construction firms want to lease, rent, or purchase homes, a manufactured home community is financially feasible. Homes can be purchased for a very affordable price – sometimes as much as 60% less than other homes in the area. With so many workers needed near oil and gas sites, construction firms can save on housing fees.

·         Great Locations. Manufactured home communities are located near most oil and gas work sites in the Marcellus and Utica Shale basin, making it a convenient option for those who are going to be staying in the area for quite some time. These communities are also close to different shopping, dining, and entertainment areas. For those who love the outdoors, most are located near parks where residents can bike, hike, hunt, fish, and ski. With sought-after locations, construction crews will enjoy their time off.

·         Unique Amenities. Most communities have 24/7 maintenance staff, and the grounds are well tended. Maintenance issues are handled promptly. Having access to on-site managers is yet another benefit of living in a manufactured home community.

Western Pennsylvania Cracker Plant Construction

Construction is slated to begin by 2018 on an ethylene cracker plant is being built in Western Pennsylvania’s Beaver County by Shell Corporation. Right now, companies that are involved in the construction of the plant or that are bidding on work are seeking as many as 5,000 skilled workers. That means they will need housing that is close to the worksite. UMH has several communities that are positioned within 50 miles of this worksite. These include Pennsylvania communities Cranberry Village, Forest Park Village and Independence Park; and Ohio communities Dallas MHC, Southern Terrace, Deer Meadows, and Meadowood.

If you need to house construction crews at a natural gas / oil site, or you are looking for housing close to Western PA’s ethylene cracker plant, call UMH today. We can help you find the three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes that you require for staffing your crews.   

• Many cities now have outpriced potential homeowners. Prices for three-bedroom homes in some larger cities top $400,000. Even if you are taking out an FHA loan, which may require just 4% of a down payment, that’s still $16,000—a large sum for a younger population group that hasn’t had time to build a salary that often comes with years of experience. 
• Healthcare costs are increasing quickly. While insurance premiums go up, the cost of affordable healthcare ticks upward, and wages are not increasing at anywhere near the same rate. 
• Student loan payments are spiraling out of control. College graduates are finishing their time at school with both a diploma and as much as $80,000-100,000 in debt. Once they begin the repayment process, there is little money left over to afford their dreams of home ownership. 

• Modern Living Spaces. Manufactured homes are contemporary and spacious. Many have three bedrooms with two bathrooms (including a master bedroom and bath), open kitchens with an island, plus abundant cabinet and countertop space. 

• Located in Sought-after Areas. Whether you enjoy city living or a rural setting, or would like to be near work (or play), there is a manufactured home community that will meet—and exceed—your needs. Many manufactured homes have playgrounds, basketball courts, outdoor pool, and community centers that create a true sense of community.

• Affordable. Manufactured homes provide excellent value for your rent dollars, and offer just as many features as site-built homes. Some communities have a land-lease program, which allows residents to buy homes and then lease the land that the home sits on. Besides making these homes even more affordable, it allows for inexpensive monthly rental payments, and you get much more for your money.

• Prime Locations. Many manufactured home communities are near desirable areas, such as state and national parks, breathtaking mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, and popular cities that are best known for pricey housing. A manufactured home with in a sought-after location can put you close to your favorite places and can also be conveniently near where you work.   
• An Affordable Housing Choice. Families, single parents, couples, or those who are enjoying retirement may be looking for a housing option that is much more affordable than what many cities are offering. With housing prices appreciating over the last three years at an average of 17% in many cities (and as high as 50% in places like San Francisco), manufactured homes are one of the few housing bargains available. 
• Manufactured Home Features. These homes often include three bedrooms and may be as much as 1,500 sq. ft. large. With plenty of kitchen space, plus a master bedroom and master bath, they have just as many features as site-built homes. Some have hardwood floors, tile, cathedral ceilings, picture windows, laundry/mud rooms, and additional options.