All You Need to Know as a Mobile Home Owner (or Aspirant)

Do you currently own a mobile home, or are you thinking about getting one? To get the most out of your investment and living situation, it is critical to comprehend the specifics of this unusual housing option. 

A prefabricated dwelling unit that is constructed in a factory and then transported and assembled at the designated location is known as a manufactured home or mobile home. The housing option is adaptable to any preferences or needs because it comes in a variety of sizes, designs, and configurations.

Mobile homes make up 6.4% of the US housing sector, with an estimated 8.5 million mobile homes in the country. The number of occupants is not precisely recorded but is estimated to be around 20 million. There are almost 4,800 manufactured housing areas, also known as mobile home parks, in California alone. This is where most mobile home owners choose to live.  Mobile home parks have become a new way for many people and their families to live, even though every year the California Legislature works to make the rules that “deal” with them better.

Therefore, you should think through and be aware of all the potential consequences if you already own a home or are choosing to buy one.

Types of Mobile Homes

When compared to double-width mobile homes, single-width homes typically have a more slender structure and are more affordable. For single people or small families looking for a comfortable place to live, these apartments are perfect.

Single-width mobile homes usually have a standard width of about 16 feet, with most falling between the 14 and 18-foot range. These precise dimensions ensure that occupants can enjoy a warm and inviting living space while making them easily transportable on roads. 

Double-wide mobile homes are a good choice for people and families who want comfort and space. These homes are great for people who like space and a well-organised layout because they are twice as wide as a single-wide home and have a lot of square footage.  People who want a bigger living space or big families who need a lot of room to live in these homes.

Enjoying a roomy interior without sacrificing comfort is one of the main benefits of double-wide mobile homes. With more space to work with for a more adaptable floor plan, homeowners can design a comfortable and practical living area. With their spacious bedrooms and open-concept living areas, double-wide homes offer the flexibility to customise the layout to meet individual requirements and tastes.

Buying a Mobile Home

Purchasing a mobile home involves numerous crucial factors that you need to carefully evaluate before making a decision.

It is essential to set a well-defined budget that not only covers the initial cost of the home but also accounts for additional expenses such as site preparation, delivery, and setup. Creating a comprehensive budget will help you manage your finances effectively and avoid unexpected costs along the way.

One of the most important steps in the buying process is choosing the ideal site for your mobile home. The accessibility of amenities, the calibre of the local school system, and the presence of employment opportunities are all important factors to take into account. Making sure the place you pick fits your needs and lifestyle will go a long way towards making you happy in your new house overall.

Performing comprehensive examinations is an essential measure before completing the acquisition of a mobile home.  You can make sure that your investment is sound and free from potential issues by closely inspecting the property’s structural integrity and looking for any underlying issues.  You will have confidence in your decision to proceed with the purchase and peace of mind if you take the time to conduct thorough inspections.

How to Style a Mobile Home like a House

1. Enhance your mobile home with a deck or porch
2. Add siding, skirting, and pitched roofs to the outside.
3. Install drywall in place of panelling, and update the interior fixtures.
4. For authenticity, use natural materials like stone and wood.
5. Put appealing landscaping into practice
6. For sustainability and comfort, install energy-efficient windows and upgrade insulation.
7. For extra charm, include architectural elements like porches and dormers.
8. Aim for a seamless blend of mobile living convenience with traditional house aesthetics.

How to Paint Mobile Home Walls

Your house’s walls give the world colour. It is they who establish the standard for daily existence. So, the way you apply your paint can be just as important as the colour itself.

Clearing

To give yourself enough room to work, remove any furniture from the area.

Clean the Wall

After using sugar soap to clean your walls, place a drop sheet down. Despite your desire to omit this step, a clean surface is your best defence against a poorly executed paint job.

Prepare

In order to cut in, mask your trim. Painting in areas that are inaccessible to a roller is known as “cutting in,” and it is accomplished with a brush or application pad.

Loading

Fill your brush with paint by dipping it about half the length of its bristles into the paint. For extra removal of paint, tap the brush against the side of the paintpot. A few centimetres away from the edge or corner, begin brushing. As you move the brush, the edge of the paint will show. To make the paint line follow the edging, drag the brush into the edge.

Rolling

It is time to roll out the wall. To ensure even spinning, load your roller by pushing it forward on the tray and then lifting it. In order to spread the paint evenly, keep rolling your roller over the tray in full rotations if it seems unbalanced. This is because uneven paint application is the cause of this problem. 

Starting

Roll across the wall, starting at the point where you cut in. Roll as deep as you can into the brushed area for optimal results.

Laying Off

It is time to take a break after covering a portion of the wall to ensure a smooth finish. Once you have painted a section of about three to four metres, you should roll the wall—possibly the most crucial step in the process. When you lay off your wall, you conceal those erratic brush strokes and give it a uniform, smooth finish. Simply place your unloaded roller at the top left corner of your wall. Make sure your roller’s handle side is facing the right. Next, roll straight down your wall until you reach the bottom while applying almost no pressure.

Taking out your roller, go back up and slightly overlap the area you previously rolled so that each panel removes the line left by the previous lay-off. You are done now. Just give the walls a quick cleaning and savour the gorgeous new paint

Moving a Mobile Home

You must be wondering how to move a mobile home and if it will take a lot of work. Think about the associated costs first when moving your mobile home. When moving, most mobile homes do not need to be separated. A movable frame supports them.

Moving it can cost a lot, depending on distance, size, and route. It is difficult to find alternate mobile home rental spaces in other parks. It is usually too costly or impractical to use a private plot of land for instruction or to move your mobile home from one park to another.

The transfer of mobile homes is frequently a contentious matter because the sale of a mobile home within a park requires the management’s approval. In some cases, the courts might require more proof before they can declare that a moving process was improperly conducted.

A careful examination of the terms and conditions is advised, as certain companies offer free mobile home relocation services as part of their business strategy. When relocating your mobile home, remember to get the required permits and follow local laws to guarantee a seamless and lawful process.

FAQs

1. How much does moving a mobile home cost?

Depending on a number of variables, including size, route, and distance, the cost of moving a mobile home can vary significantly.  However, you should budget several thousand dollars for relocation services on average. The cost of moving a mobile home can range from $1,000 to $8,000 or more, depending on various factors. These include the weight and size of the mobile home, the distance to be moved, permits, extra services needed (like disconnecting and reconnecting utilities), and the cost of transportation. 

2. Can a mobile home be relocated for free?

Certain businesses may offer free mobile home relocation services, but these options are frequently limited and subject to restrictions. When accepting any free moving offers, be sure to do your homework and carefully read the terms and conditions.

3. What is the weight of a mobile home?

Accurate weight calculations are essential for safe and legal transportation, affecting everything from fuel efficiency to permit requirements. Furthermore, the safety and structural soundness of the house itself depend on knowing its weight. Legal issues, higher expenses, and even safety risks can arise from incorrectly estimating the weight of the house.

Mobile home steel frames typically weigh between 15 and 18 pounds per linear foot, including cross pieces, for a total weight of about 2500 pounds. An owner states that he has personally built a bridge using two 10-26 I beams that span 20 feet when it comes to building bridges with these frames.

4. Is it okay if I move a mobile home onto my parents’ land?

According to local zoning laws and regulations, you may or may not be able to put a mobile home on your parents’ land. Some areas allow for the placement of additional dwellings on existing properties, while others have strict rules regarding land use and occupancy. It is important to get the required permissions and approvals and to speak with local authorities before making any decisions.