Manufactured Homes Appeal To Range Of Homeowners
It’s difficult to market your products in an industry full of misconception, misunderstanding and even a disconnect when it comes to terminology. The companies building and selling manufactured homes must top the list when it comes to this situation. Not only are they faced with overcoming the image some people hold of the mobile homes sold before the HUD Code came into effect some 35 years ago, but they have to combat the stereotypes of buyers the entertainment industry continues to portray, often in less than flattering terms. The reality is that manufactured homes for sale today are a compelling alternative to traditionally built houses and attract a wide range of buyers, including families in the highest income brackets.
One of the most difficult issues to address for companies selling Manufactured homes is public perception. Even current owners of mobile homes muddy the waters when some of them refer to their home as a trailer. A quick tour of a factory where these homes are built (a good starting point would be factoryexpohomes.com, a company that builds and offers new manufactured homes for sale), will quickly dispel that misconception. With floor plans that can feature 4 bedrooms and multiple bathrooms, and built to HUD standards that ensure plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning and structural integrity that meet or exceed the requirements for typical homes, no-one is going to mistake one of these for a trailer. Recently published housing statistics showed the average size of modular mobile homes sold in the US in 2005 (the last year for which statistics are available) was 1,725 square feet. At that time, new manufactured homes for sale averaged $68,000, which represented a cost to buyers of under $40 per square foot (compared to over $90 per square foot for a traditional home, after the cost of land is factored out). Despite being built to stricter standards and under controlled conditions using a skilled labor force, manufactured homes remain significantly more affordable than houses built on site.
Affordable doesn’t mean cheap. Manufactured homes for sale today include customization options and premium upgrades that appeal to those looking for an upscale home. Statistics compiled by the insurance industry show that in 2005, 64 percent of owners were employed full time (19 percent were retired), 43 percent reported an income of over $40,000 and 27 percent topped $50,000 per year. In other words, buyers of manufactured homes are not typically those who can’t afford to buy a traditional home; statistics suggest they are people who choose a mobile home as an alternative to plowing the majority of their income into the expense of housing.
Penny Talbot authored a report on Manufactured homes for sale in Florida. Her findings surprised many real estate industry professionals, as they showed mobile home owners in a new light. According to Penny’s findings, the buyers of New manufactured homes for sale in some areas are more likely to drive a BMW than a Chevy.
Tags: Manufactured homes, Manufactured homes for sale, New manufactured homes for sale
