| If you're looking forward to retirement and plan on | | | | 2) You can have added any design feature at your |
| selling your home, you may wish to consider a | | | | lot that a site-built home has such as a front porch, |
| retirement community. You may also wish to consider | | | | garage and decks. |
| a manufactured homes retirement community. | | | | 3) Interior ceiling heights are now available up to 9 |
| Manufactured homes are built in factories and then | | | | feet and roof pitches have been increased to blend in |
| transported to your site to be installed. In a | | | | with surrounding site-built homes. |
| manufactured homes community, there are 2 types | | | | If you have questions about design, Patriot Homes |
| of communities: you can either lease your lot or you | | | | offers a nice service on their website where you can |
| can buy a home and lot as a package. There are | | | | ask a question of a "lifestylist" about design or the |
| advantages to each. When you lease your lot, you | | | | construction process. |
| will not have to pay a large sum of money for a lot, | | | | Since 1976 new safety standards have been required |
| however, you will have a monthly fee to lease. When | | | | by our government and are referred to as the HUD |
| you purchase your land, it will seem more financially | | | | code. In addition, a revision to this code pertaining to |
| stable since you will not have a monthly fee on the | | | | wind safety was added in 1994. It is preferred to |
| land which could be subject to increases. Which type | | | | purchase homes built after this time and especially if |
| of community you would like is a decision you have | | | | your home is located in hurricane or tornado areas. |
| to make. | | | | (See HUD's windzone maps.) Of course, we know |
| With the huge numbers of baby boomers reaching | | | | that there is no total assurance against these |
| retirement, I believe manufactured homes will | | | | disasters if they are at a very strong force for any |
| become more popular. There are 2 reasons for my | | | | home, whether site-built or manufactured. |
| thinking: 1) The manufacturers are making these | | | | Be sure to purchase from reputable dealers with a |
| homes more customizable and attractive, and 2) | | | | long-standing good reputation in an area. Ask for |
| Their price makes them an affordable option. | | | | references. The Manufactured Housing Institute has a |
| Compared to site-built homes, they are said to be | | | | list of manufacturers by area on their website. You |
| priced from 20 to 50% less in cost. This is due to | | | | should choose your area first and then a |
| being built in a controlled factory environment. | | | | manufacturer for that area since costs to ship your |
| More recently, there have been increasing | | | | home can be higher if the manufacturer is located at |
| improvements in their designs and style such as: | | | | a further distance. |
| 1) You can find 2-story homes now such as capes. | | | | |