Manufactured Home Checklist: What You Need to Know Before Buying One

Manufactured Home Checklist: What You Need to Know Before Buying One

Are you planning to buy a home in central Alabama or the surrounding area but are on a strict budget? Perhaps your current house is just too big for you? Or maybe you are merely looking for an economical housing alternative? We have one solution to all your concerns—a manufactured home. 

Manufactured homes are becoming the most viable option for people with financial constraints and those on the brink of retiring or are already retired. Its hassle-free assembly, affordability, and energy-efficiency make it an attractive housing option among new homebuyers in Montgomery, AL. 

But before you head out to buy one for yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind. These include: 

1. Getting a loan     

Once you are sure about buying a manufactured house in Montgomery, AL, taking a loan would probably be the next thing on your mind. So is it hard to take a loan for a manufactured house? Not really. But it is different. 

There are many loan options available, and you should know about all of them to better decide which one you should go for. The most common ones include FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans, VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) loans, USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) loans, and specialized manufactured home loans, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. 

2. HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) Code   

All manufactured homes have to adhere to the building standards laid down by HUD. This code is a national standard for manufactured homes and overrides all other local building codes. It went into effect on June 15, 1976, intending to improve the house’s structural safety.

According to the guidelines, an ideal manufactured home is supposed to be attached to a permanent foundation, have an appropriate number of exits, and a proper ventilation system. Apart from these parameters, there are many such regulations that the manufacturers have to follow. All this ensures that the house is habitable. 

A manufactured home that complies with all these rules has a red label, a HUD tag attached to the rear exterior. If you are buying a manufactured home, only consider those houses that have this certification label. 

3. Quality 

Checking the quality of a manufactured home before signing the dotted lines is crucial. Rather than a casual glance, inspect everything thoroughly. Though the house will be of a high-quality if it has the HUD tag, make sure to check to protect yourself and your investment. 

A thorough examination can also be done by a competent, licensed inspector who knows the entire manufacturing process. They will closely look at some key areas—roofs, plumbing, electricity, flooring, drainage, heating and cooling systems, etc.—and be able to pinpoint any current as well as potential issues. 

4. Land 

Are you satisfied with the manufactured home? Wait, don’t pay yet. Before you buy your manufactured home, you need to search for land to place it. This is one crucial step that you cannot afford to miss. As manufacturers do not sell land with the house, you need to do a little hard work and get a foundation to place your home.   

You can place your new house on land leased from a manufactured home community or even place the home on the land they own. These manufactured home parks can provide you with excellent amenities and a vibrant community. 

Take help from Jaco Sales, LLC.

If you want to buy a manufactured home in Montgomery, AL, Jaco Sales, LLC. has got your back. Serving the people of central Alabama and the surrounding area for more than 15 years, we pride ourselves on offering the most affordable and high-quality manufactured homes. 

Want some assistance in purchasing a new manufactured home? Call us at (334) 283-1017 to learn more about our services.