The Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Mobile Home

Mobile homes have a long and storied history, but today they have a disparate reputation. Mobile homes might have been more portable in the past, but today they are prefabricated in a warehouse or factory and then moved to a more permanent location location – usually a trailer park. When it comes to the common dream of owning property, mobile homes are the answer for people who can’t really afford traditional housing. These days, mobile homes are more kitsch than a symbol of certain socioeconomic class and it can actually be a great, low impact way to live. However, while there are advantages to living in a mobile home, like more affordable upkeep, there are the inevitable disadvantages too. Here are some of the pros and cons of purchasing a mobile home.

One of the biggest pros is that mobile homes are affordable. For a nice, one bedroom mobile home with a living room and kitchenette, you are looking to spend at least a quarter of what you would spend on a moderately priced home. With most mobile homes, you still get all the amenities of modern life – albeit with a few modifications. These amenities include a hot shower, a functioning stove and electricity. What more do you need, right?

However, one of biggest cons, or downsides, to living in a mobile home is that while you have four walls and a roof, you don’t have the sturdiness that comes with a modern house. Also, you don’t have the same insulation. These disadvantages can result in the home being less than impervious to extreme weather and if you live in a particularly cold region, you could be quite cold in the wintertime. Also, many mobile homes aren’t equipped with a central HVAC system, so you are usually left fending off the weather with a space heater and lots of warm clothing.

Yet, one advantage, or pro, to purchasing a mobile home is that it doesn’t take as long to build one. One of the biggest benefits of manufactured selling solutions, is that you don’t need to wait six months to a year for your home to be built. If you are ready to move in, you could have your mobile home delivered in less than two months. So, not only is purchasing a mobile home an affordable option, but is also a quick and convenient option if you are raring to be a homeowner.

Another big disadvantage to owning a mobile home is that you really do get what you pay for. Typically, you won’t be living in a residential neighborhood. When you purchase a mobile home you only really have one option: moving into a zoned plot of land that is dedicated to the placement of mobile homes. You can call these plots of land trailer parks, but actually they are more like big parking lots, because at anytime you can move your mobile home to a new location – even a brand new state.

Lastly, one of the biggest benefits of a mobile home is that they are mobile. Yes, they are fixed to a semi permanent foundation, but with little effort they can be moved and attached to a truck for transport. If you love having a sense of freedom – of not being tethered down (technically), perhaps purchasing a mobile home is the best option for you.