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MANUFACTURED HOMES & SAFETY:
How do manufactured homes stand up to natural disasters like
strong winds, earthquakes and floods?
Manufactured homes are as safe as site-built homes.
In fact, when you think about it, every manufactured home
is tested by winds in excess of 65 miles per hour! All manufactured
homes are towed at freeway speed (pulled by trucks) and are
often subjected to stiff crosswinds. We know they are tough!
Does the construction of manufactured housing conform
to any kind of building code?
Yes! All manufactured homes built since June 15,
1976 conform to the National Manufactured Home Construction
and Safety Standards Code, a national, uniform building code
administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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MANUFACTURED HOME FINANCING:
What is the typical down payment when financing a manufactured
home?
Depending on your credit, job and income history,
anywhere from 5% to 20% is a typical down payment for manufactured
home financing. Naturally, as with site-built homes, the greater
the down payment, the lower the monthly mortgage payment.
How would bankruptcy, a bad credit rating, or not
having a steady job affect my chance of qualifying for manufactured
home financing?
At Advantage Homes, we work things out on a case-by-case
basis. Chances are, even if you have been turned down for
a home loan in the past, we can work out a plan where you
would qualify for a manufactured home loan, especially if
you have a large down payment.
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MANUFACTURED HOMES VS. SITE-BUILT
HOMES:
Are there any costs associated with manufactured homes beyond
those of site-built homes?
No! In fact, manufactured homes are much cheaper
to maintain.
In dollars and cents, what is the bottom line difference
between a site-built home and a manufactured home?
Because manufactured homes are factory-built homes,
you can save as much as 50% per square foot, and get a manufactured
home that has every feature you could possibly imagine, like
vaulted ceilings, skylights, fireplaces, and much, much more.
How does living in manufactured housing compare with
what I would get from renting an apartment or a condo?
Generally speaking, for the same rent as a 2-bedroom,
1-bathroom apartment, you could have a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom
manufactured home that is brand new and packed with amenities.
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HEATING, COOLING & PLUMBING:
What heating, insulation and plumbing are available in manufactured
homes?
As with most site-built homes located in California,
manufactured homes are heated with natural gas-forced air.
Standard plumbing is CPVC with optional copper lines available
as an upgrade. As for insulation, most of our manufactured
homes use blown-in Thermaflex for the ceiling and fiberglass
in the walls and floors. These can also be upgraded. Additionally,
our manufactured homes come with a 20-year manufacturer's
warranty (materials only).
Is air conditioning available in manufactured homes?
Air conditioning is an option that can be installed
into any of our manufactured homes, provided the manufactured
home has 100-amp electrical service.
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MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES:
What kind of people am I likely to have as neighbors in a
manufactured housing community?
With more than 1.1 million Californians living in
manufactured housing, you have a real cross-section of people,
many of whom are likely to share your family's interests.
Recent purchasers of manufactured homes in California tend
to be younger, more affluent and have attained a higher level
of education. There are also a large percentage of retired
persons living in manufactured housing communities in California.
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TAX ADVANTAGES:
Are manufactured homes subject to property tax?
Manufactured homes sold new on or after July 1, 1980
are subject to property taxation. The county does not tax
most manufactured homes sold prior to July 1, 1980. Manufactured
homes not subject to local property tax are subject to a yearly
in-lieu license fee, much like the Vehicle License Fee that
owners of automobiles pay.
A manufactured home placed upon an approved permanent foundation
is subject to property taxation regardless of the date first
sold new. Owners of manufactured homes subject to local property
taxation may be eligible for the Homeowners’ Exemption
and the state property tax assistance programs.
Are there tax advantages to owning a manufactured
home?
Yes! The mortgage interest is tax deductible. See
your tax preparer for details.
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OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS:
What size manufactured homes are available?
Manufactured home sizes range from 400 to 3,000 square
feet and more!
How long does it take to move into a manufactured home after
purchase?
Approximately eight weeks from the date your order is confirmed.
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