Mobile Home Types, Advantages, Disadvantages

Many choose the compact solution of a mobile home as a lifestyle, mainly due to its low cost and transportability. This article addresses the types of mobile homes available today—their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and fundamental differences.

What Is a Mobile House?   

Mobile houses are manufactured in factories and placed on transportable trailer chassis. They don’t have a solid foundation as property but are instead tied down to secure them. As a result, they are often confused with trailers, campers, or caravans.

Mobile homes are often used as temporary or permanent living spaces. But it’s becoming more common to set them on a property permanently.

There are different types of mobile homes. But if you’re considering purchasing one, you need land to place it on. You can own the land, rent, or have other arrangements. The land, however, must have utilities you can attach your mobile home to so it can be functional and safe.

You can also choose to live in a mobile home park that provides the necessary conditions and utilities for your home.

Types of Mobile Homes

Mobile homes are classified as single, double wide, and even triple wide, depending on their size and the number of units (or blocks). All of these are manufactured in controlled conditions. But double- and triple-wide homes consist of two, three, or more units transported to and assembled at a customer’s destination for a unique design.

• Single–Wide Mobile Home

This type is the smallest of mobile homes and, therefore, the most affordable and easiest to move. In addition, they’re compact—typically with designs of up to 18 ft. wide and 90 ft. long.

They come with one floor and a different number of rooms and provide a surprising number of options for customization—so layouts and design can vary significantly.

Single wides—often the choice of young families and those who plan on moving—are transported as a single unit to the site.

• Double-Wide Mobile Home

A double-wide mobile home is more spacious and private when it comes to a double-wide vs single-wide determination. The typical double-wide size is up to 90 ft. in length and 20 ft. or more in width.

Due to each unit’s standards, this structure provides more privacy because of better sound isolation between the units than in a site-built home.

The double-wide consists of two units, prefabricated and placed together on the site. So if professionals join these units, there’s no room for concern about leakage or similar problems.

• Triple-Wide and Multi-Section Manufactured Homes

Mobile home types also include the triple-wide and multi-section manufactured homes that consist of three or more separate units, most resembling site-built houses. The number of units depends on the needs of the customer. This type is the largest and most difficult one to move.

Nowadays, you can find luxurious mobile homes with walk-in closets, custom-made ceilings, jacuzzis, and more. You can also upgrade your home by adding extra units.

Key Takeaways

Advantages of Living in a Mobile Home

• Lower Price 

The affordable prices of mobile homes can grant you the opportunity of homeownership. It also affords cheaper maintenance. And with its manufactured standards, a mobile home is energy-efficient, compact, and transportable. As a result, you can enjoy more space and comfort for the money.

• Open Options 

What types of mobile homes are there on the market? This question infers good alternatives if you’re not ready to commit to a site-built house or not sure about your living place. Of course, you can always rent the land to place your mobile home on and be prepared to move. (Besides, you’ll have your own living space wherever you go.)

• Quicker Move-in Time

Once you choose a mobile home to your liking, chances are you won’t need to wait for months to move in. Because the construction process doesn’t depend on the weather or subcontractors, the usual obstacles causing delayed construction are excluded. So the option of moving into a mobile home is much faster, depending on the mobile home classification.

• Remove the Chassis and Apply for a Loan

In some cases, you can be eligible for a mortgage with a mobile home that has been constructed or placed in a location permanently. Check with your lender about all the possibilities and requirements you should meet to qualify for this option. (You can also look for a mortgage lender suitable for bad credit if that’s your situation.)

Disadvantages of Living in a Mobile Home

• Depreciation

Even though living in a mobile home presupposes less cost, its value quickly decreases. But still, it’s not much of an investment.

• Additional Shelter if in a Storm-Prone Area

Although a mobile home is compact and has a firm structure, you might want to look for additional shelter if you’re located in an area with stormy weather.

Conclusion

Living in a mobile home can be budget-friendly and liberating in many ways, but it also comes with limitations that are not for everyone. This article has aimed to give you a good perspective on purchasing a mobile home and which type fits your needs—or nudge you to find another solution for your housing situation.