Over the last decade or so, manufactured homes (still commonly known as mobile homes) have become a great option for new homebuyers. Unlike the old shoddy trailer park mobile homes people think of, manufactured homes now come as two-story homes or even townhomes and include features like high ceilings and fireplaces.
However, the basic configuration of manufactured homes is still single or double width. Single width or single section mobile homes are made of one main unit. The average single-sided manufactured home typically has around 1,100 square feet of living space, while double-wide ones average around 1,700 square feet. Needless to say, there are larger prefabs out there, too, but single and double width are still the most common sizes.
Manufactured homes have their problems. According to Consumer Reports, single-section homes have more problems with floors, roofs, windows, and doors, while problems in multi-section homes tend to be related to the joining of the sections.
In part, the problems relate to the fact that the house is built in a factory and then transported to another location on a flatbed truck. The movement involved can have a negative effect on joints and connectors. However, quality home manufacturers go to great lengths to correct any problems that may arise during shipping.
Today, it may even be impossible to tell the difference between a mobile home and a house on the site unless you have seen how it is built. The most common difference is that manufactured homes tend to have a lower roof slope because the house has to go under highway bridges.
On the other hand, the materials used now tend to be comparable in quality to site-built houses and, apart from the roof slope, generally resemble “normal” houses. In fact, if a manufactured home wasn’t located in a “trailer park,” most people would have a hard time telling the difference.
Today more double widths are sold than single widths. In large part, this is because the typical home buyer wants more space, not less, and double-wide homes offer that at a much cheaper price than a traditional home of the same size. Not only that, but zoning in many areas actually means that double-wide manufactured homes are the smallest size allowed.
As a homeowner, you should also know that double-wide manufactured homes tend to hold…or even increase…in value compared to single-wide homes.
