The Manufactured Home Buyers Guide

The Manufactured Home Buyers Guide

Buying a manufactured home? This guide includes all you need to know about home buying – including financing, manufactured home loans, comparisons and features, buying new vs. used, placing your manufactured home, designing a manufactured home and more.

Should you buy a manufactured home?

If you’re here, it means you’re probably taking steps towards buying a new home. Congratulations! There are few things more rewarding than owning your own home.

If you’re considering a manufactured home as an option, you’re probably wondering how they stack up against other home types. So, first thing’s first.

What is a manufactured home?

Some people think of “mobile homes” when they think of manufactured homes. However, mobile homes are actually older, lower quality and under-regulated. In 1976, manufactured homes become HUD-approved, which means that they must be built with the same standard quality as stick-built homes. In 1980, the Housing Act ruled that “mobile homes” should be referred to as “manufactured homes” for structures built after 1976. Nowadays, manufactured homes often even exceed the quality standards and dependability of older stick-built houses!

Manufactured homes are constructed off-site in climate-controlled facilities and moved to location once completed. From the inside, most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a manufactured home and a stick-built hose. From the outside, they do have some notable features:

  • Most manufactured homes have vertical paneling along the bottom, called a “skirt.” That’s where the crawl space of the home is.
  • They are long and rectangular in shape, so that they can be easily transported on the highway.
  • Many manufactured homes have porches, and even carports or garages.
  • They come in two standard sizes: Single-section and multi-section.

 

 

 

Other home types

Modular houses

Modular homes, like manufactured homes, are built in factories or off-site facilities. Unlike manufactured homes, they are usually larger and designed to look like stick-built homes. are built on permanent foundations like a basement or a crawl space, and comprised of many modules assembled on top of it. The possible configurations are limitless! Modular home builds can be very impressive, but they generally come at a higher price point than a manufactured home.

Stick-built houses

Stick-built houses are probably what you think of, when you think of a house. They are built on-site, and as such can be subject to weather and climate conditions during the construction process.

Tiny homes

A tiny house is precisely what it sounds like. Ranging from 100-400 square feet, a tiny house is built to be minimalist and down to the essentials. For people who desire a simpler life, an efficient space, and a good reason to downsize their belongings, tiny homes are a trend that’s catching on. How do manufactured homes compare to other home types?

Here are some of the factors that a potential homebuyer should consider: Cost, square footage, lot placement, customization, and energy efficiency. Let’s explore how manufactured homes stack up against other build types.

Cost

Tiny Home: $23,000 (source: realtor.org)

Manufactured Home: $69,000 (source: census.gov)

Stick-Built Home: $269,000 (source: census.gov)

Modular Home: $211,638 (source: modularhomeowners.com)

Price is a key factor in the accessibility of home ownership for many Americans. The average listing price of a manufactured home is less than one quarter the average cost of a stick-built house, and closely comparable to a modular home as well. Tiny homes rank #1 in affordability, unless of course you’re looking at price per square foot. They come with their own caveats, as we’ll see below.

Size

The sticker price of a home is one thing, but what about cost per square foot? Tiny homes are a romantic idea for many, but the minimal living space might not work out very well for growing families, or elderly homebuyers who aren’t willing to climb a ladder to their bed every night. That’s where the size of your home factors in.

Tiny Home: 100-400 sq. ft.

Manufactured Home: 850-1,600 sq. ft.

Stick-built Home: 1,400-2,399 sq. ft. (source: houseplans.com)

Modular Home: 1,600 sq. ft and up

With tiny homes, you are locked in to a restrictive size for easy mobility. Manufactured homes must be a built to lengths and widths that are legal for highway transportation, but unlike tiny homes, can be assembled as a multi-section home for more space. Stick-built and modular homes, of course, vary from quite small to Beverly Hills-level large! But due to more restrictive and expensive building costs, both stick-built and modular homes will have a higher price per square foot, meaning of all four options, manufactured homes offer the most bang for your buck.

 

Manufactured Home Kitchen - Modern Home Manufactured Bedroom Manufactured Home Modern Bathroom - Glass door - Stand up shower

Lot Placement

Your home is where you will live – but where will your home live? For people who have never bought a home with mobility before, this might not be something they immediately think of. Obviously, for stick-built homes, this is not an issue, but what about the rest of them? Modular homes require a foundation, and as such, people who purchase modular homes almost always own the land they place them on. Once they are assembled, they cannot be moved, so for this category, they are again comparable to site-built. And what about the tiny home? 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, so they can often be placed anywhere that is zoned for a stick-built home (though this varies by county ordinances). Plus, 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, electricity, and water hook-up which is something I think most of us could do without!

Customization

Everyone loves a good “demo day” on HGTV (short for demolition), but in reality, home renovations are a notorious nightmare. For older stick-built homes, the plumbing, electrical wiring and other materials hiding behind your walls are a mystery and potential hazard that can limit your modifications. Brand new stick builds are costly and timely. Modular homes can be very customizable; modularity introduces near infinite possibility! Many modular home builders have pre-spun floor plans that can be customized to your home lot and design desires. Tiny homes, while known for their craftsman character, do have limitations on customization. Because the space is so small, most features need a dual purpose. For example, a couch with hidden storage, or a table that folds up when not in use. The need for extreme functionality sometimes comes at the cost of personal style. Not only are manufactured homes the easiest to customize if you’re buying new, but manufactured home customizations have also blossomed over the years. A far cry from the cookie-cutter pre-fabs of decades ago, most manufactured home builders offer a wide range of customizations. From cabinets to floor plans to appliances, the growing options give buyers the opportunity to design the home of their dreams. Also, all of the components put in manufactured homes today, are the same materials used on site-built homes. If you need to do a repair, you can use any product you find at Lowe’s or Home Depot in your manufactured home.

Energy Efficiency

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 or modular 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.

So what’s the verdict?

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your budget, lifestyle and home aspirations. But for homebuyers looking for an affordable, reliable home, manufactured homes are a great choice! Read on to learn more about the logistics and decisions involved in buying your first manufactured home.

Buying Used vs. Buying New

Of course, the most important thing for new homebuyers is the quality of their home. A lot of this can depend upon the age and history of the home. Unlike site-built homes, manufactured homes depreciate in value over time. Used manufactured homes for sale will often be less expensive than new ones, but new ones will often be easier to secure a loan for. So which is the better option?

Buying Used

If you plan on buying a used manufactured home, there are some things you should know. For starters, any manufactured home built before 1976 will not have been held to HUD regulations, and should always be considered a risk. And not all used manufactured homes can be moved, so if your plan includes placing the home on a different lot, be sure to verify that this is possible. Homes that have been extensively renovated or placed on foundations may be permanently fixed to the land they reside on. And of course, as with anything previously owned, be sure to adequately inspect a used manufactured home before purchase. Looking for signs of water damage, deterioration and assessing regular wear and tear before you buy will help mitigate any surprises! If it all checks out, a previously owned manufactured house can make a wonderful new home.

Buying New

Buying new is appealing for many reasons. For one thing, buying a new manufactured home through most manufacturers means you can customize it to your liking: cabinetry, appliances, flooring and more! And while a new home will surely be more expensive than a used one with the same specifications, there are some financial incentives. Loans may be easier to secure, and most new manufactured homes come with warranties.

Financing a Manufactured Home?

So, you’ve looked at manufactured homes for sale, found your dream home, and now you’re wondering how to finance it. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or have purchased a home before, the process of home financing for manufactured homes is unique and usually leaves people with a lot of questions. Like: What credit score do I need to buy a manufactured home? Is getting a mortgage for a manufactured home different than a mortgage for a new stick-built house? Or, Do manufactured homes come with warranties? In this section, we’ll share our home-buying expertise with you and help answer some of these questions, so you can finance your manufactured home worry-free.

Click Here to Read More of our Blog Post on Financing A Manufactured Home to answer all of your quesions including:

  • Loans for Manufactured Homes
  • Warranties on Manufactured Homes
  • and more!
Placing your manufactured home
 
We touched briefly on lot placement for manufactured homes earlier in this article. Now, let’s get into more detail.
 
When it comes to finding a place to put your manufactured home, it really comes down to two main choices: you can place it on land that you own, or you can place it on rented land within a land-lease community. For either option, there are three things to consider: legality, cost, and logistics.
 
Legality
Before you purchase that perfect land parcel, there are some boxes that need to be checked! 
 
Zoning laws for residential housing apply to manufactured homes as well as stick-built. It’s crucial that you ensure with your county or municipality that the zoning and land use laws on your property allow for the placement of a manufactured or modular home. In the case of older manufactured homes and mobile homes, due to modern building requirements, it is possible that your home may not be legally placed on land in certain municipalities, even if it’s zoned for residential housing.
 
If you would like to place a manufactured home on owned land, make an appointment to discuss your plans with a zoning administrator in your county before you make any purchasing decisions. 
 
Logistics
Although your home has been pre-fabricated in a factory, there are still some installations that can only be completed on-site: namely, power, foundation & plumbing.
 
Just because your land is zoned appropriately doesn’t necessarily mean it will support a septic system. Having land that meets the legal and structural requirements for a septic system is critical. For something like this, it is best to have a licensed professional do their due diligence. 
 
And unless you’re planning on going “off-grid,” water and electricity need to be hooked up. Get bids from contractors who can hook up to existing infrastructure; or, if there is none, have your land surveyed to see if it’s suitable for a well or city water.
 
Cost
Cost is a huge factor to assess when considering where to place your manufactured home. The upfront investment for buying your own land can pay off in the long run, but much of the process in the short term can be costly, difficult and time consuming.
 
Land-lease communities provide a place for your home to live, usually for a small monthly rental fee. And while you’ll never own the land that you’re home lives on, each home is placed in a beautiful community. Plus, all of UMH’s land-lease communities take care of all of the aforementioned legality & logistics for you, which gives this option huge appeal. All you need to do is collect your keys when it’s time to move in!
 
Whether you decide to take the long route to land ownership, or settle for the security & savvy of a land-lease manufactured home community, placing your home is a huge accomplishment. Once you’ve made it this far, relish the rewards. Move in, get comfortable, throw a party, do some landscaping and enjoy homeownership in all its glory!
 

How to Finance A Manufactured Home

So, you’re wondering how to finance a manufactured home. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or have purchased a home before, the process of home financing for manufactured homes is unique and usually leaves people with a lot of questions. Like: What credit score do I need to buy a manufactured home? Is getting a mortgage for a manufactured home different than a mortgage for a new stick-built house? Or, Do manufactured homes come with warranties?

In this post, we’ll share our home-buying expertise with you and help answer some of these questions, so you can finance your manufactured home worry-free.

 

Loans for Manufactured Homes

The process of accruing loans for manufactured homes is somewhat different from the process for stick-built homes.

For example, while you may be able to find financing through a credit union or even through the retailer, financing through a private standard home lender can be hard to find for a new manufactured home. Then there’s the issue of land: Will you need your mortgage to cover the cost of land, or will you be leasing the lot your home is placed on? Lastly, the year your home was built can determine whether it qualifies for certain loan types, so buying new vs. used will be a big deciding factor for many lenders.

Lenders

If you are buying a manufactured home that has a permanent foundation as well as the land it’s installed on, you can secure financing from retailers, government-back loans, or even lenders that specialize in manufactured home financing.

Specialized manufactured home lenders will often be your best bet due to their expertise, and they may be certified brokers of government-backed loans like the FHA.

Loan types

If you’re only financing your home and not the land, looking into personal property chattel loans might be your best option. 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.

FHA loans are government-backed loans that can make borrowing for manufactured homes more affordable, as long as you meet the criteria:

  • The home must be not have been built before June 15, 1976.
  • The home must be HUD Code compliant. This is more likely if the home has had little modifications.
  • Each home section must have the HUD label attached to it. (E.g., one label for singlewide homes, two labels for doublewide homes, etc.)
  • The home must be on privately owned land.

If you qualify, FHA loans have a requirement of at least 3.5% down with a 30-year term, and they also offer low rates. In addition, if you are also purchasing land, both the land and the home can be financed together in one loan.

The type of loan you choose can vary depending on your current situation. Personal property loans, like the chattel loan, may be right for you if you want to finance a manufactured home without property. This would work for most homes in UMH’s land-lease communities, but you may want to secure a substantial down payment for a better interest rate. On the other hand, conventional and FHA loans cover both the land and the home, and have flexible terms that accommodate a variety of manufactured home buying situations.

UMH works with the industry leaders in manufactured home lending, in an effort to help clients secure competitive rates and terms.

To calculate what your monthly payments may look like, take a look at UMH’s home loan calculator.

UMH also offers lease-to-own programs in some of our communities. Our Lease with Option to Purchase Program is an option for those who, for one reason or another, may not be equipped to buy just yet, but would still like to build equity towards their future home purchase.

If you are having trouble searching for an appropriate loan, feel free to contact our team of licensed loan professionals today to see what options may be available for you: wecanhelp@umh.com.

 

Can I get a loan for a manufactured home with poor credit?

It’s no secret that some lenders may be unwilling to work with you if your credit score is low. Other lenders may set prices according to risk, meaning that if a borrower is risky, they may have to pay a higher interest rate or a larger down payment to make the terms appealing to the lender.

FHA loan brokers may be more forgiving than private lenders: the minimum qualifying score is 500 for an FHA loan. However, if your credit score is between 500-579, you must make a 10% down payment, rather than their traditional 3.5%. It is worth noting that not all FHA lenders and brokers will approve poor-credit applicants. At the end of the day, loan approval is at the discretion of the lender.

More likely, you will need to seek out lenders who work with low-credit borrowers. In this case, expect to pay at least 20% down, and be prepared to show anything you can that makes you appear less risky, including proof of income, bank statements dating back several months, and any debt you may currently have.

If you’re considering community living but our concerned about your credit score, the UMH COP program looks at credit scores from 450 and up, and offers a low interest rate of 6.75% on new homes placed in a UMH community for 25 years.

 

Warranties on manufactured homes

It’s a well-known phenomenon for people buying older stick-built homes: whether it’s the roof, the foundation, the electrical, or something else entirely, there will probably be some repairs. Lucky for you, when buying a brand new manufactured home, this wear and tear won’t be present. And, the fact that manufactured homes are built with streamlined, time-tested scientific processes means not having to trust a contractor or builder to do the job right!

However, while it is a very small percentage of homebuyers who experience issues with their brand new manufactured homes, it can sometimes happen. That’s where warranties come in handy.

Home manufacturers, installers, retailers, third-parties or even appliance manufactures may all offer their own warranties, each of which covers a different part of the home. Some of them you may want, and some of them you may never need. So what are the best options?

Manufacturer warranties are the most appealing options, as they come directly from the manufacturer who built your home. Most manufacturers offer warranties with reasonable terms up to one year or more. To ensure you can redeem your warranty when you need to, make sure you’re aware of what claims you can make and what sort of home modifications may void your warranty.

Appliance warranties may vary, but if you are purchasing a home that came with a full appliance package – as most of UMH homes do – be sure to enquire about what warranties are available for your new kitchen appliances!

Manufactured Home Communities & Their Residents

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!

Tiny Houses vs Manufactured Homes

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.

Overcome the 2017 Affordable Housing Gap

For more than a decade, low- and medium-income homebuyers haven’t had many options.
 
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (http://nlihc.org/research/gap-report) the US faces a shortage of 7.4 million affordable homes among the nation’s lowest income households. And the shortage affects residents in every state and major metropolitan area. 
 
New homes aren’t being built at the same rate as in the past, and limited inventory of single-family homes means higher prices. Additionally, rapidly rising healthcare costs worsen the situation by making it almost impossible to save enough cash for the down payment on a new home.
 
So where can potential homebuyers turn?
 
 
Manufactured Homes Put Buyers in Control of Housing Budgets
 
The news for homebuyers isn’t all bad. Innovative developers and homebuilders like UMH Properties, Inc. offer hope for this underserved segment of the population. For about the same price as renting a one-bedroom apartment, potential buyers have the option of purchasing a brand-new manufactured home in convenient, well-placed communities.
 
You really can buy a home today without taking on huge mortgage payments that squeeze the life out of your lifestyle. Starting at just $59,900, the average 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom UMH home costs about 50-60% less than site-built homes. 
 
Manufactured homes, located in attractive, amenity-rich land-lease communities, offer homeowners benefits that site-built homes don’t. Since UMH communities take advantage of a land-lease structure, they’re able to keep expenses even lower by eliminating closing costs.
 
Founded in 1968, UMH appeals to residents of all ages by offering affordable, comfortable, appealing lifestyle choices throughout the Northeast and Midwest. UMH communities can be found in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
 
 
Take Action
 
For more info about an affordable brand-new 2-3 bedroom, 2-bath UMH home, please visit UMHSalesCenter.com.
Getting kids ready for the start of a new school year can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive. But that task has been made a little easier for the residents of Countryside Village in Columbia, TN. 
 
For the last six years, this UMH community of 350+ homes just outside Nashville has given away backpacks filled with school supplies to all 300 school-age kids who live there. 
 
Community Manager Sue Salisbury and her team start planning the event months ahead of time. Local vendors and contractors make donations to get the ball rolling. Then Salisbury buys high-quality backpacks in an array of sizes and colors to fit varying ages and tastes. 
 
Residents are asked to register their kids’ needs at least three weeks prior to the giveaway. As the day of the event approaches, volunteers assemble in the community center to fill the bags with the grade-appropriate supplies: crayons, pencils, scissors, etc for K-4; and pens and ruled notebooks for older students. The backpacks are labeled with each child’s name to eliminate confusion and potential bickering. 
 
And if you’re a kid, here’s the best part: Three of the backpacks, chosen at random, contain a gift card that can be exchanged for a shiny new bike! 
 
Salisbury calls the event the "Backpack Party" for good reason. It lasts the better part of a day and brings together the entire community for lunch, games and prize drawings. 
 
This program has been a boon to many single-parent and low-income families. It’s also earned accolades from school officials who credit the event with giving kids the basic tools they need to learn on day 1. “Teachers tell me that some kids show up for the first day of school with just the clothes on their back,” says Salisbury. “That puts them at a disadvantage.”
 
The Backpack Party may be the most popular community-wide celebration of the year at Countryside Village, but it’s certainly not the only one. Three separate luncheons celebrate the contributions made by the local fire fighters, police officers and sheriff’s department. 
 
Sue Salisbury and UMH are making a difference by putting their residents first.

Being the Best at What You Do

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.

 

Celebrating 50 Years in the Business

UMH Properties, Inc. – 50 Years in the Business
 
Happy 50th Birthday to UMH Properties, Inc.!
 
UMH Properties, Inc. is proud to announce its 50th year of business. What started as United Mobile Homes, Inc. in 1968, is now a publicly traded company known as UMH Properties, Inc. Operating in eight states throughout the northeast, UMH communities can be found in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. UMH Properties, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with a vast experience in developing, managing, and expanding manufactured housing communities. It is because of this experience that UMH is able to provide top of the line communities that are affordable, clean, and safe – a combination residents can be proud of. This experience has stemmed from 50 years of becoming a leader in the manufactured housing community industry.
 
 UMH Properties, Inc. through the years:
1968 – Eugene Landy founds United Mobile Homes, Inc.
1976 – HUD Code is enacted, ending the Mobile Home Era and federally regulating the construction quality of homes.
1980 – Congress officially adopts the term “manufactured housing”, making it clear that pre-built homes are not mobile, but are strictly-built, quality homes.
1985 – UMH begins operating as a publicly traded company, with only 13 communities consisting of 2,675 home sites.
1992 – UMH elects real estate investment trust (REIT) status.
1995 – Samuel A. Landy is named President and Chief Executive Officer.
2001 – UMH Sales and Finance, Inc. commences, allowing UMH to sell quality homes and provide financing to prospective residents.
2006 – Corporate name changes from United Mobile Homes, Inc. to UMH properties, Inc.
2017 – UMH Properties, Inc. owns and operates 107 communities, consisting of 19,400 home sites, as well as 810 acres of land for the development of new sites.
 
During the last 50 years, UMH has seen the ups and downs of the housing market, economy, and regulations imposed on the industry. Yet, 50 years later the company stands stronger than ever, with a history of delivering affordable housing. It’s impossible to predict how the manufactured housing industry will change over the next 50 years, but one thing’s for certain…UMH will be leading the way. Thank you for supporting us during this wonderful journey.
 
If you are interested in purchasing a new home, please contact us at 1-800- 504-0670. To apply for residency, please fill out these forms – http://www.umh.com/content/residency-application

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

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

 

Open House in Greenfield Center, New York

 

 

Visit us at our Brookview Village Expansion Grand Opening in Greenfield Center, New York from June 2-3. UMH Properties is showcasing 4 brand new manufactured homes with homes for rent and sale. There are 64 home lots available. Enjoy free food and giveaways on Saturday, June 3rd. Financing is available for qualified buyers.

 

Open House times and dates are:

Friday, June 2nd: 10am – 4pm

Saturday, June 3rd: 10am – 4pm

 

Event Promotions:

1. Free Smart Home Package upgrade – for anyone who custom orders a home within a month of the open house will receive a free Smart Home Package upgrade.

2. Free Gas Grill with the Purchase of a Model – anyone who purchases a model home will receive a brand new gas grill with their purchase.

 

Greenfield Center is located near Lake George and Saratoga Horse Track, making it the perfect place for a dreamy vacation home. Enjoy stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains and a short drive to the New York state capital of Albany. This hospitable area has a great selection of entertainment, dining, and shopping options.

 

These three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes have spacious floorplans that fit your modern lifestyle. Brookview Village has a 24/7 on-site manager for worry-free living with quick maintenance responses.

 

Why Manufactured Home and Mobile Homes Aren’t the Same

While some people believe that manufactured homes and mobile homes are similar, they’re very different structures. The homes at Brookview Village are constructed to regional standards that offer strict guidelines on roof loads, overall durability, and efficiency requirements. They are constructed in a modern facility and then pieced together on site. Mobile homes have not been constructed since the mid-1970s.  

 

For more information, contact us at:

2025 Route 9 N, Greenfield Center, 12833

M-F 9:00 – 5:00

518-893-2989

brookviewvillage1@gmail.com or wecanhelp@umh.com

 

UMH Sales and Finance, Inc., Licensed by the New York Department of Financial Services NMLS # 200331