Willy's Whimsical Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Manufactured homes have a significant position to play in the real estate market  Here is my take on the subject-
They like to say that Manufactured Homes don't hold their value. I would gently disagree. In my opinion the primary reason a manufactured home may or may not hold value is because someone poorly alters the house for future financing. It is a Manufactured Home. Think of it as modifying your brand new truck's exhaust, computer chip, intake air, and electrical and then try to make a warranty claim. It doesn't work.

If you modify or breach the exterior frame or siding, attach a deck or garage without doing so properly you may be losing value on your home. Here's why. With a poorly modified home you run the risk of eliminating certain types of financing. VA, FHA, State Bond, USDA and other types of financing can be very specific as to what is allowed. Eliminating a form of financing eliminates a pool of potential buyers... Smaller pool of buyers could equal a lower price. Less competition.

I have sold Manufactured homes for every bit as much as a "stick built" home simply because the seller did a great job of maintaining the integrity of the home.

Homes that have been improperly altered don't sell for as much and people get to say "They don't hold their value. It's a somewhat skewed number in my opinion. You don't see studies on whether an A Frame holds its value or not. It's simply lumped in with all the other stick-built homes. You don't see hundred year old craftsman homes segregated into their own class for a narrow price point comparable. Manufactured homes are an easy single category to segregate. 

There are exceptions to everything of course. Get up every morning with a purpose and have a Willy Great Day!