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Three Ways You Can Customize Your New Manufactured Home

New homeowners ask the same question: How do I customize my new manufactured home to feel like me? In many ways, a new house can feel like a blank canvas, ready to absorb your personality and become a statement of who you are. This can be exciting, but it can also be intimidating. If you’re not sure where to start, check out these three ideas for personalizing your property:
 
1) Add a pop of color.
 
Adding a bright splash of color may just be the easiest way to spruce up your place and put your own personal spin on its look. On the outside, you can paint your front door a bold color, and on the inside you can purchase some vibrant throw pillows for your couch and chairs.
 
2) Add some greenery.
 
Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a green thumb, adding some simple greenery is an easy way to make your property look even more beautiful. The simple addition of a few oversized potted plants on the front steps or in your living room will make the space more inviting to visitors.
 
3) Make an outdoor seating area.
 
Whether you prefer to head outdoors for some quiet time or like to gather with friends for drinks, a customized outdoor seating area is a great addition to any property. Lay some concrete pavers to define the area and add some backyard essentials like a grill, citronella torches, and comfy seating.
 
As you decorate and customize your manufactured home, it becomes the perfect place to showcase your own personality. Try out these tips for yourself and you’ll see what a difference a few simple customizations can make!
 
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Three Landscaping Tips For Your Manufactured Home

Whether you live in a traditional or manufactured home, one of the things you can do to personalize your property is invest a little time and money into landscaping. Even the simplest additions can make all the difference and give your property a colorful and polished look. Here are three of our favorite tips for landscaping:

1) Start small.

While you may be tempted to dream up a complete landscaping plan for the whole property, it’s best to start with a single project. You won’t feel overwhelmed, and you are more likely to complete it in a timely manner. By sticking to a small project, you’ll be able to think of it as a new hobby or a weekend DIY project, not a months-long undertaking that will suck up all your time and money!

2) Create borders.

One of the best ways to make a new feature look its best is to incorporate a border around it. After digging out a new flower bed, whether it’s right by the house or a standalone feature in the front yard, make sure you finish it off with concrete borders, similarly sized stones, or wooden planks.

3) Add potted plants.

Potted plants are incredibly flexible and are ideal for first-time landscapers. You’ll find pots of all different colors, sizes, and shapes at your local hardware store or flower shop. Once you get them home, place them in different spots around your manufactured home to see which look you like best. Try positioning them along your driveway, walkway, entrance, or on the porch.

Even if you’ve never tried any landscaping before, you’ll quickly see that a small project like buying a few potted plants can make your house even more beautiful and inviting to guests.

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The Advantages of Manufactured Homes Versus Site-Built Homes

It is not unusual for new home shoppers to go straight to the nearest builder and check out the models. However, these folks are really missing out on some terrific options. Manufactured homes have made great strides in the last 30 years, and it is now possible to get affordable and high-quality deals.
 
What is a Factory-Made Home?
 
Like the name says, this home is almost entirely made in a factory. Once completed, it is taken to the building site. These buildings come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, which provide families with flexible options.
 
What are the Benefits?
 
These homes use some of the same building materials found on site-built homes. However, they undergo a more rigorous inspection for quality, and they come with more technological improvements than the homes offered by builders.
 
Because the homes are manufactured in a controlled environment, the builders do not encounter the problems that traditional builders have on the site. Site builders have to deal with vandalism, theft, and bad weather that all add increased costs.
 
The builder in a factory never experiences these extra costs, and as a result, customers who purchase a manufactured home can save substantially. In fact, customers who buy factory-made homes generally save 45 percent for every square foot compared to the homes offered by builders.
 
Builders who design and make homes in factory settings have excellent buying power. They can buy appliances, products, and building materials in large quantities that save a great deal of money. These savings are then passed to new buyers.
 
As you can see, buying a manufactured home provides many perks. There are many designs to choose from, and new homeowners get a well-made home while saving over traditional homes.
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Best Ways to Finance Your Manufactured Home

A manufactured home can present an interesting challenge when it comes to obtaining financing. You see, financing is often based on a number of factors and certain requirements. People searching for loans may all have different situations, and you must decide which loans offer the best deal for your circumstances. Let’s examine the requirements for personal property loans, conventional loans, and FHA loans.
 
Personal Property
 
Chattel is a type of personal property loan that can be used to finance a home, but it does not include the land. However, this type of loan may be good for people that already own land. If you intend on placing the home on rental property, this could be an ideal loan. This loan requires a minimum of at least five percent of the home’s value as a down payment. Loan terms for a manufactured home range from a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of 25 years.
 
Conventional
 
The land and home can both be financed together for these types of loans. In addition, if you already own property, you may use it for your down payment.
 
FHA
 
FHA loans have a requirement of at least three and half percent down with a 30-year term, and they also offer low rates. In addition, both the land and the home can be financed together as one loan.
 
?The type of loan you choose can vary depending on your current situation. Personal property loans may be right for you if you want to finance a manufactured home without property, but be sure you have a substantial down payment for a better interest rate. On the other hand, conventional and FHA loans cover both the land and the home, which is convenient. If you are having trouble searching for an appropriate loan, feel free to contact our team of licensed loan professionals.
 
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How Quickly Can a Manufactured Home Be Built?

When you purchase a home from a builder, you can easily stop by and watch the construction of your new home. However, a manufactured home is constructed at the factory, and you won't be able to watch the building progress. This guide explains the typical building process and timelines to expect from the factory.
 
Placing an Order
 
Customers can look through a variety of home styles and floor plans to make a selection. Optional features like fireplaces, porches, bay windows, or vaulted ceilings may be ordered at this time. Lastly, the customer chooses carpeting and flooring. After floor plans have been finalized and the contract is signed, your new home is added to the building schedule.
 
Building Process
 
A manufactured home is built in a factory that is climate-controlled. This ensures all building materials are protected from inclement weather. Flooring is constructed first, and it is then attached to a chassis with wheels for transporting.
 
Homes are constructed in sections according to floor plans that were chosen. Next, plumbing, electrical, and heating systems are installed. Insulation and walls are attached. The final steps at the factory include the addition of interior finishes and exterior siding. The average building time is about four or five weeks.
 
Home Delivery
 
The home is delivered and some exterior additions may be installed at this time. County inspectors review the construction to make sure it is built to code.
 
The entire process of ordering, building, delivery, and inspections takes about two to three months. This is pretty quick considering the amount of work involved. Customers are sure to be pleased with the speedy construction of their new manufactured home.
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Are Manufactured Homes More Vulnerable to Damage From Tornadoes and Hurricanes?

 
Hurricanes and tornadoes can deliver pretty high wind speeds. They are often erratic in nature, and wind speeds can increase in just an instant. Storms of this magnitude often make homeowners question whether their home could survive. Some homeowners with site-built homes may believe they are not as vulnerable as folks that live in a manufactured home. However, the truth is that any home can sustain damage. Learn how new stringent changes in home codes offer more protection to factory-built homes.
 
Hurricane Andrew
 
Every one of us got a wake-up call when Hurricane Andrew hit the Gulf in 1992. This Category 4 storm struck with winds of 150 mph. Thousands of homeowners lost their homes or suffered extreme damage.
 
The ensuing chaos and the loss of life were unbelievable. However, it did make us re-evaluate home codes for factory-made homes.
 
Code Regulations
 
After seeing the devastation from Hurricane Andrew, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued several revisions for wind safety in 1994. The new standards require a manufactured home in Wind Zone II to resist wind speeds of 100 mph, and homes in Wind Zone III must resist speeds to 110 mph. Windstorm provisions also require proper anchoring and installation using manufacturer's instructions.
 
Prior to 1994, wind standards for safety were designed to protect against wind speeds up to 70 mph, so new HUD standards did significantly improve the amount of protection for a manufactured home. However, many tornadoes still exceed the current wind standards. Unfortunately, all types of homes are vulnerable when it comes to high winds produced by tornadoes or hurricanes, so it is best to take as many safety precautions as possible.
 
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Will a Manufactured Home Appreciate in Value?

Why would millions of people purchase a manufactured home if they didn't expect it to retain some value? These homes are very affordable, well constructed, and in high demand. Lets see how appreciation factors, regulations, and construction qualities could affect home appreciation values.
 
Home Appreciation
 
Market factors determine whether a home will appreciate in value regardless of the type of home. You must take into account the cost of the house, the housing market, local community, age, and inflation. In addition, the condition of the house and where the home is located affects home appreciation. A manufactured home often has higher appraisal value when it's placed on a fixed foundation and is located on private land.
 
Factory-Made
 
Factory-made homes are regulated, and they must meet stringent codes for energy efficiency, fire resistance, durability, strength, construction, and home design. Taking these things into consideration, a home made in a factory offers at least the same quality or better than a site-built home.
 
In addition, homes constructed in a factory must be extremely well constructed in order to be taken to a site without damage. A factory-made home can offer all the same amenities of a site-built home, and it is constructed with the same building materials. In other words, they have the same qualities and should appraise similarly.
 
Studies
 
A study revealed that factory-built homes, which were permanently sited, exceeded condominiums in appreciation. It also showed that they rated very closely to site-built homes in appreciation.
 
There is a lot of controversy over whether a manufactured home will increase in value over time. These types of homes are subject to the same market conditions as homes built on site. Therefore, if they are maintained and kept in good shape, they stand to increase in value like other homes.
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Tips For Insuring Your Manufactured Home

Americans purchase thousands of manufactured homes each year. These homes are assembled in a factory and then placed on the homeowner’s leased or owned property. Purchasing a “manufactured” home is far more affordable than a traditional site-built house, making homeownership more realistic for many middle and lower-income families. If you are in the market for a manufactured home, you may be wondering about the insurance plans available.
 
Thankfully, manufactured home insurance is basically the same as conventional home insurance. However, manufactured homes may be more at risk for certain factors, which you will need to protect against. These include:
 
– Fire
– Insulation
– Wind
– Collision
 
It may also be beneficial to choose an insurance provider that specializes in manufactured homes. It’s important to get the right coverage, and these insurers will inform you of any special needs or insurance plans that your home may require. Your geographic location, for example, may greatly determine the insurance policy you need. Tornado-prone areas and locations with higher incidents of wildfires, many severe storms, or higher crime rates typically also have higher insurance rates.
 
Your insurance policy will also depend on the personal possessions that you are planning to protect. Think about preparing for a total loss – how much would you expect to receive in value? It is important to note, however, the problem with over-insuring your home as well. If you choose a plan with a replacement value that is greater than your home is worth, some companies will give you the amount listed on your policy. However, others will only give you the amount it will cost to replace your home and possessions.
 
If you are interested in purchasing a manufactured home, speak with the insurance companies in your area or give us a call at UMH Properties, Inc. for more assistance.
 
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How to Choose the Perfect Manufactured Home

Economic times are tough, and many families all across America are making the decision to purchase manufactured homes. These high-quality, fully customizable houses are factory built according to a strict code and can be tailored to your exact specifications. No matter what your family's unique needs may be, a manufactured home is the smart, affordable solution.
 
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest and most significant investments that a person will make in his or her lifetime. That’s why it’s important to follow these three guidelines when choosing your next home:
 
1. Dream Big, But Stay on Budget
 
There is such a wide range of customizable options available that it’s important to remain on budget when designing your ideal manufactured home. For example, many upgrade packages include luxury items such as fireplaces, bay windows, and oversized garden bathtubs. While these features are exciting, they may not be practical when it comes to payments down the line.
 
2. Your Family's Needs
 
Your manufactured home can be built to accommodate any special needs. Many brands offer assisted living showers, handicap-accessible doors, and personally designed floor plans. It may be helpful to sit down and make a list of “needs” and “wants.” For example, how many bathrooms and bedrooms will your family need to live comfortably? Once you have made a list of your necessities, then think about what types of cabinets, flooring, and window treatments you would like for your home.
 
3. Choose the Right Size for You
 
Manufactured homes come in all shapes and sizes, depending on your needs. Whether you are looking for a small cottage to retire in or a large five-bedroom residence to house your growing family, the perfect home is waiting for you.
 
If you would like to learn more about available manufactured homes in your area, speak to a representative at UMH Properties, Inc. today.
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Four Gorgeous Styles for Your Manufactured Home

There are many different types and styles of manufactured homes available. Learn more about the options and decide which might be right for your family.
 
Manufactured homes allow millions of American families to experience the pride of homeownership each year. These quality homes are built in one-fifth the time and often at half the cost of traditional, site-built houses. They are also more energy-efficient than some conventional homes, grow in value, and increase the price appreciation of your property. A manufactured home is built under pristine factory conditions and can be completely customized to your exact specifications.
 
While homeowners do have the option of creating their own design and floor plan, there are several styles of manufactured homes available:
 
1. Ranch Style
 
A ranch style manufactured home is one of the most common styles. It is popular throughout the country and is sometimes referred to as the rancher or the rambler. It is typically short in stature, has minimal decoration, and is built in an asymmetrical rectangle or “L” shape.
 
2. Colonial
 
The colonial manufactured home is a popular choice in the southern states. This timeless style features white columns and a front porch that often wraps around the entire home.
 
3. Cape Cod
 
This style originated in the Northeast and is usually available as one or two stories. These homes typically have shutter windows, dormers, and a sharply slanted shingle roof.
 
4. Chalet
 
The chalet style is inspired by the Swiss alpine homes and is arguably one of the most beautiful styles available. These homes are best suited for cold, snowy climates, as they have high, pointed roofs to prevent heavy snow from building up. They also feature huge windows that flood the house with light, providing exquisite views and helping to heat the house without cost.
 
These are only a few of the many styles of manufactured homes available. If you are interested in learning more, contact UMH Properties, Inc. and speak with a helpful representative today.