4 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on The Average Rent in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Located in the ‘Wolverine State,’ Grand Rapids, MI is a fantastic, vibrant and forward-thinking cosmopolitan city that is a great place to live and rent a property in.
Grand Rapids, MI is widely known as the ‘Furniture City’ due to its history for being the go-to hub of furniture manufacturing. The city continues to follow its furniture manufacturing traditions today.
Not to mention, Grand Rapids is also known as Beer City, USA, but that’s a story for another time ;).
It is a relatively affordable place to live, with the Grand Rapids, MI average apartment rent price being $1,140, while the average size of an apartment in the city is 864 square feet.
With that being said, before we get into all of the average rent rates and stats for Grand Rapids, MI, let’s touch on why it’s such a great city to begin with.
What’s so Great about Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids, MI lies on the picturesque serene Grand River, blessing its residents with glistening riverfront views all year round.
The city’s neighborhoods offer plenty of variety and character, from the trendy historic arty Heartside neighborhood in the Downtown area, to the leafy suburban areas, such as East Grand Rapids, MI.
The neighborhood of East Grand Rapids, MI is an ideal place for families to settle, and the homes there offer residents plenty of living space. East Grand Rapids, Michigan boasts a combination of both contemporary and historic architecture, from centuries ago.
Grand Rapids, MI is a large city with approximately 203,000 inhabitants today. With that said, the ‘Interurban Transit Partnership’ and ‘DASH’ (Downtown Area Shuttle) provide urban residents with an efficient public transport bus service, enabling people to move around the city with relative ease.
In recent years, a special express bus lane has been opened to ensure buses are capable of transporting passengers around the city, as well as to and from the surrounding suburban areas (such as East Grand Rapids), at a quicker rate, all while avoiding the time-consuming hassle of traffic.
What is There To Do in Grand Rapids?
If you are a culture vulture, you are in luck! Grand Rapids, MI is a hotbed of cultural heritage with many unmissable attractions for you to enjoy.
For example, the top museums to visit in Grand Rapids, MI include the Gerald R. Ford Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The Gerald R. Ford Museum’s collections pay homage to Ford’s time as president in the mid-1970s, and the impressive Grand Rapids Public Museum, which showcases exhibitions dedicated to science, history, and culture, makes for a fascinating educational day for people of all ages.
Now let’s get into one of the most important factors when deciding to move to Grand Rapids, MI, the rent prices.
Average Rent in Grand Rapids, Michigan
We definitely recommend carrying out a sufficient amount of research on average rent rates before deciding on a Grand Rapids, MI property.
On various real estate websites, you will be able to use virtual tours online to get a good idea of the homes on offer, and all of their rooms. This is a great starting point to begin your search, which will give you an excellent insight into what it is like to live in Grand Rapids, MI rental properties, and the living spaces they have available.
The Cost of Studio Apartments for Rent
Studio apartment living is ideal for young professionals or single individuals seeking to follow a minimalistic and simple way of life.
Rental statistics show that the average monthly cost of renting a studio in Grand Rapids, MI is around $850. The rental price for a studio in the city has gone down by over $100 from where it was back in March, 2020, which was $964.
If you are seriously looking into renting a dreamy studio, get yourself a bargain and dip into the Grand Rapids, MI rent market now. You will be able to take advantage of the current low average rent prices of studio units in this area.
The Cost of 1-Bedroom Apartments for Rent
The average rent price for a 1-bed apartment in Grand Rapids, MI is currently $1,175. This average rent has increased by around 10% in the past month alone.
With that said, the average monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Grand Rapids, MI is still considerably more affordable than the national average rent of approximately $1,560 a month.
The Cost of 2-Bedroom Apartments for Rent
Do you require a bit more living space? Or are you hoping to be able to host guests in a spare room?
If the answer to these questions for you is Yes, then renting a 2-bed apartment may just be the thing you are after.
Surprisingly, the cost of Grand Rapids, MI rent for a two-bedroom apartment is hardly more than renting a 1-bed apartment!
The current average rent for a 2-bed apartment is $1,200 a month. Therefore, why not take the plunge and opt for a place which can offer you a handy extra bedroom at a reasonable price?
The Cost of 3-Bedroom Apartments for Rent
For growing families looking for extra space and bedrooms, a three-bedroom apartment may be the best fit to meet your needs.
With that said, bear in mind that inevitably renting a 3-bed property not only in Grand Rapids, MI, but anywhere, for that matter, will naturally work out to be more expensive every month in terms of rent costs.
Factors Behind the Grand Rapids Rental Market Trends
Grand Rapids, MI is an increasingly popular city to move to, and it has experienced a steady population growth every year since 2010.
As a result of the rise in the city’s population, the average rent for an apartment has also increased, but not at an excessive or ridiculously high rate.
The median household income in Grand Rapids, MI is $65,615, which is lower than the national average of $68,000. Therefore, in order to attract renters to invest in Grand Rapids apartments for rent, and provide them with reasonably priced housing, landlords try as much as possible to keep rents at rates that are realistic and affordable for local residents.
How Much Do I Need to Earn to Comfortably Afford Rent in Grand Rapids?
The average annual salary in Grand Rapids, MI is $61,000. Therefore, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment being at $1,175 a month should be easily affordable and well within most working individuals’ budgets.
If you are earning at least the average annual salary in Grand Rapids, you should even find yourself the luxury of being able to afford the average rent of a 3-bed apartment unit or home, which is $1,365 a month.
Overall Cost of Living in Grand Rapids
When deciding whether to rent in a certain location or not, it is crucial to take into account the additional living expenses of being in the given neighborhood.
Grand Rapids’ cost of living index score is 87.8, which is a whopping 12.2 percent lower than the national average cost of living! This means that the cost of living is conveniently very much affordable.
Let’s break down the cost of some key expenses in Grand Rapids:
● Housing: The cost of housing is an astounding 28.7% lower than the national average
● Grocery Shopping: The cost of groceries is 4.8% lower than the national average
● Transportation: The cost of transportation is 4.9% lower than the national average
● Utilities (electricity, heating, gas bills etc): The cost of utilities is 0.1% lower than the national average
● Healthcare: The cost of healthcare is an impressive 26.6% lower than the national average
The Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Grand Rapids
The most expensive neighborhoods to rent in this city, in terms of average rent prices per month, are:
● Roosevelt Park ($1,393/month)
● South Hill ($1,393/month)
● Southeast Grand Rapids ($1,393/month)
These more expensive neighborhoods to rent in are all situated in central locations, which means they are closer to the downtown district.
Living in one of these three neighborhoods, you will find yourself conveniently at a walking distance from the popular downtown cultural sites, along with being nearby the best neighborhoods in Grand Rapids for creatives and art enthusiasts, such as the Heartside area (average rent rates based on renter occupied comps).
Honorable mention here is NE Grand Rapids (northeast).
The Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Grand Rapids
The most affordable neighborhoods to rent in this city, in terms of average rent prices per month, are:
● Garfield Park ($936/month)
● Baxter ($992/month)
● Eastgate ($992/month)
Therefore, if you are seeking a lower cost of living, we recommend looking into renting property in these Grand Rapids neighborhoods, where rent prices are much cheaper (average rent rates based on renter occupied comps).
Please Note: The Grand Rapids neighborhood of Baxter has the double advantage of having cheaper rent prices as well as being a centrally located neighborhood, being a mere stone’s throw from the heart of the city.
Honorable mention here is NW Grand Rapids (northwest).
Renting vs. Buying in Grand Rapids
45% of housing units in Grand Rapids, MI are renter occupied households.
Why choose to rent instead of purchasing a property in Grand Rapids? Well, here are some different benefits in opting for renter-occupied housing units:
● Access to amenities provided by the landlord/property management owned communities
● You do not need to pay a large down payment for a deposit or worry about the burden of paying off an expensive mortgage
● Free maintenance service on hand to cover your repair costs
● Renting gives you flexibility of choosing where you want to live, all while allowing you the freedom to leave and move to another neighborhood at the end of your tenancy with relative ease
Conclusion
Renting in Grand Rapids, MI is fortunately an affordable option, which you should not hesitate to take advantage of.
We suggest you go and visit websites, such as apartments.com, to carry out further research, by using their apartment market intelligence solution, into homes or apartments for rent in Grand Rapids, to get a better understanding of what living in a property is really like through virtual 3D tours online.
Read more
4 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Mobile Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids, MI: The Good and Bad
Mobile homes are becoming increasingly popular in today’s property market, which is why the cost of buying one has been rising over the last few years.
If you are selling a mobile home in Grand Rapids, MI 49548 or Grand Rapids, MI 49544, you need to understand the entire process for a successful sale.
Apart from the process, there are some logistical challenges that require the transaction to be handled by a professional realtor.
Mobile Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids, MI
In Grand Rapids, MI, there are some manufactured homes for sale that are amazingly done, such that it is difficult to tell that it is a mobile home.
Here are some of the things that you should know if you happen to have manufactured homes for sale in Grand Rapids, MI 49548 or Grand Rapids, MI 49544.
Understand the Local Mobile Home Market
When selling your mobile home:
The main objective is to close the deal as fast as possible.
Some sellers often assume that potential buyers will be lining up to pay for their manufactured homes. Unfortunately this is not the case, unless your mobile home is the least expensive in the area, or the most attractive compared to any other property in Grand Rapids, MI 49548 or 49544.
The local manufactured homes market is such that there are two types of buyers. There are those who are willing to make cash payments for used modular homes, or others that are looking to finance the purchase.
The cash buyers are mostly people who have either just cashed in on their tax refunds, they are downsizing from a more traditional stick-built home, or they are using some other form of savings to make the purchase.
There are also the potential buyers willing to make a down payment for your mobile home, then make subsequent payments over a period of time.
You need to understand the local dynamics in the Grand Rapids, MI real estate market so that you don’t end up selling to the wrong buyer.
For starters, make sure that when selling to a payment buyer, collect as much of a down payment as you can upfront, in case the buyer defaults.
Understand Your Options Before Making the Sale
Now that you understand the difference between payment and cash buyers for manufactured homes in Grand Rapids, MI, the next step is establishing how fast you need to sell the mobile home.
Of course everyone is looking to sell, and sell fast.
If you have been trying to sell your mobile home for some time, with no results, there could be something that you are doing wrong, like inflating the value of the mobile home.
One of the things that the buyer will look for is the location of the mobile home, whether it’s in Grand Rapids, MI 49548, Grand Rapids, MI 49544, or even just outside of Grand Rapids, like Kentwood, MI 49548.
For example, say the manufactured home is located in Brentwood Village Mobile Home Park, located at 201 60th St SE, Kentwood, MI 49548. The average mobile home in Brentwood Village will not appraise as high as homes located in either Alpine Meadows, which can be found at 3800 Fruit Ridge Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544, or Kentwood Mobile Home Park, located at 6122 S. Division St, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, strictly based on the location.
If you need to sell your mobile home in Grand Rapids, MI fast, then you are most likely looking for a cash buyer.
If you are fortunate enough to have the luxury of time when selling your Grand Rapids, MI mobile home, then make sure that you market the house in the best way possible in order to get the maximum value for the property.
Take Advantage of All Marketing Platforms
There are so many ways that you can advertise your mobile home in Grand Rapids, MI in order to get a buyer much faster.
As the original seller or agent, always stay updated on the current trends in property market advertising options.
For instance, there are specialty apps geared towards real estate listings, for both buyers and sellers. Having a common digital marketplace means that your mobile home listing, in or near Grand Rapids, MI, will be viewed by the people who matter most.
Social media has also emerged as one of the best advertising platforms for properties for sale.
With that said, you should never ignore the hidden power of traditional advertising methods, such as print media. Strategies like this still have a huge impact in the real estate world, and cannot be wished away.
To maximize the exposure of your mobile home listing, you should choose to advertise on a multitude of platforms in order to have a wider audience reach.
Know What Your Mobile Home is Worth
If you are selling a Grand Rapids, MI mobile home, you probably know the area much better than a person from outside these parts.
If you are not sure about the value of your mobile home in either Grand Rapids, MI 49544 or Grand Rapids, MI 49548, then you should have the property appraised. This ensures that you sell the mobile home for what it is worth.
Selling the house at an inflated price may make it even more difficult for you to find a buyer. Considering how competitive the mobile home for sale market is, you cannot afford to over-quote the value of your beautiful home, especially if you need to sell.
Undervaluing the property can also work to your detriment, as it means that you will lose on the actual value of the property.
Selling at a lower cost than the actual value of the house should only be done under unique circumstances, such as when you need to sell the house fast or you are facing eviction for various rent payment failures to a mobile home community.
A good rule of thumb is never to allow yourself to be bullied into accepting an offer that will leave you feeling short-changed.
Verify the Buyer Has Funds, Follow-Up, Then Close the Deal
Real estate agents and home sellers face a great challenge, which is coming across potential buyers that are not genuine.
Of course when selling mobile homes for sale in or near either Grand Rapids, MI 49548 or Grand Rapids, MI 49544, due to the hot market right now, you will likely get many offers from prospective buyers. The problem is that you need to identify the people who are actually serious about the deal in an effort to not wasting your time.
Make sure that the buyer has funds to make the purchase so that you don’t end up spending your time on a non-existent deal. Once you accept an offer from a prospective buyer, follow-up with the person making the purchase so that the deal is completed within a set timeline.
Then, finally closing the deal allows you to focus on other issues, such as finding a new place to live.
Verifying whether the buyer has funds, following-up, and closing the deal should take place in a seamless manner. Make sure that you have all of the documents required by the local and city authorities in Grand Rapids, MI, so there are no further delays along the way.
Are Grand Rapids, MI Mobile Homes Worthy Investments?
With more people shifting their focus away from permanent properties, there are a lot of benefits that come with owning a mobile home in Grand Rapids, MI.
With that being said, you need to understand that different areas and neighborhoods will yield different outcomes, in the event that you decide to sell your mobile residence.
More importantly, an understanding of the local property market, and laws that apply to buying and selling of property, is also required for a successful sale.
It is this knowledge that gives homeowners an advantage when listing their mobile homes for sale in either Grand Rapids, MI 49544 or Grand Rapids, MI 49548.
Read more
5 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Mobile Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids vs. Cedar Springs, MI
The mobile home industry has been booming in the past ten years, like never before. People have now resorted to either buying or renting manufactured homes, as opposed to stick-built homes.
This can be attributed to the fact that a mobile home is more affordable and has a higher speed of construction. You can also relocate with the home, from one place to another, if you find a new place of work in a different city.
If you reside in Michigan, two key places where you can find homes for sale are Cedar Springs and Grand Rapids, MI. Here, you’ll have several mobile home options to select from.
This article will compare what it’s like to live in a mobile home in Cedar Springs vs. Grand Rapids.
Mobile Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids
There are several homes that you can buy in Grand Rapids, MI. Let’s look at the pros and cons of purchasing a mobile home here.
Benefits of Settling in Grand Rapids Mobile Homes
Variety of Home Options
If there is something you’ll appreciate about buying a home in Grand Rapids, MI, it is that there are a variety of options to choose from. Most of the available home options are also affordable.
Below are the top 14 mobile home options you can consider, with their respective addresses and prices:
- Southwood Village, Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $85,995
- Brentwood Village, Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $104,995
- Pinebrook Village, Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $68,995
- Cutler Estate, Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $52,995
- Pinebrook Village, Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $68,995
- Champion Mobile Homes for Sale, 333 N. Edinburgh Grand Rapids, Mi 49548: $60,755
- Crest Homes, 321 Saber Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $44,995
- Clayton Homes, 286 N. Edinburg Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $62,900
- Cutler Estate, 196 Scabbard St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548: $42,995
- Alpine Meadows, Grand Rapids, MI 49544: $100, 995
- Clayton Mobile Home, 3628 Boyne Grand Rapids, MI 49544: $42,995
- Crest Homes, 3740 Sugar Loaf Grand Rapids, MI 49544: $40, 995
- Alpine Meadows, 3785 Stowe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544: $34,995
- Alpine Meadows, 3503 Pine Knob, Grand Rapids, MI 49544: $41,995
An Impressive Downtown
The rise in mobile homes, and residents occupying these homes, has increased tourism in the area.
The downtown area offers various exciting avenues for activities such as sightseeing, entertainment, and shopping. All of this is within a 10-minute walk from any mobile home community.
The streets are also clean, and the people are friendly. A team of local citizens called Safety Ambassadors have dedicated themselves to ensuring that the Grand Rapids’ environment is always beautiful and eco-friendly.
The downtown area, therefore, offers a blend of new developments and a rich history. For instance, you can access the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum, which boasts many great attractions.
Exquisite Gardens and Mobile Home Communities
Many people prefer to settle in Grand Rapids, MI 49544 due to the location’s beautiful landscapes and gardens.
For instance, the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids has become an international attraction for tourists. It features five indoor theme gardens, natural trails, outdoor gardens, Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory, sculpture galleries, education center, meeting rooms, a library, and a cafe.
The mobile home communities in the area also have some of the best features you’ll ever come across.
Disadvantages
Noisy Neighborhood
Although buying a manufactured home in Grand Rapids has its benefits, there is also a downside. If you don’t like settling in noisy neighborhoods, then Grand Rapids, MI 49544 isn’t the place for you.
There is always something noisy going on, including concerts at Rosa Parks Circle and loud music from the Polish Festivals. During winter, there are still noisy ice skating activities.
This makes it tough to buy a home and settle in a home park here.
Mobile Homes for Sale in Cedar Springs
Apart from buying a mobile home and settling in Grand Rapids, MI 49544, you can also settle about 20 miles away in Cedar Springs.
Cedar Springs is a small town that offers many features, especially as far as mobile home living is concerned.
If you’re here for some more convincing, let’s look at the benefits of living in one of Cedar Springs’ mobile homes.
Benefits of Settling in Cedar Springs Mobile Homes
Strategic Location
If you expect to be traveling a lot within Kent County, then you should strongly consider one of the mobile homes in Cedar Springs. These mobile homes are strategically located in critical locations.
For instance, most places in the town are just about 20 miles from Grand Rapids, as mentioned before, and about 26 miles from Wyoming, Michigan. At the same time, Cedar Springs is only a few hours from Milwaukee, and 10 miles from Rockford.
Plenty of Fun Activities
Although Cedar Springs is a small town, there are many fun activities to engage in within the mobile home communities, or even outside of them. For instance, inside the communities, different activities are organized to bring people together.
The city is popular for the Red Flannel Festival, which is the longest-running and famous festival in the state of Michigan. The festival involves the display of arts and crafts, amazing parades, and a horseshoe throwing contest.
If you love nature, then Cedar Springs doesn’t disappoint. There are several parks within walking distances of Cedar’s mobile home communities where you can walk with pets or enjoy quality time with family.
If you love quality foods, there are more than enough restaurants for you. There are also various activities to entertain you and keep you occupied within the city limits.
Affordable Living
Another great reason you should settle in Cedar Springs is its quality and affordable living. The average cost of living in Cedar Springs is 6.5% lower than the rest of the country.
Most of the available mobile home units are very affordable in this town. The real estate market here is also flexible. You’ll, therefore, be presented with plenty of options.
The mobile homes for sale in Cedar Springs, MI and mobile homes for rent Cedar Springs, MI have excellent features, including spacious floor plans, beautiful kitchens & bathrooms, quality parking, granite countertops, and more.
You will absolutely get the most bang for your buck here in Cedar Springs.
Security and Growth Opportunities
Most of the mobile home parks in Cedar Springs, MI guarantee the security of their tenants. For instance, the residential areas are appropriately lit. This keeps the crime rates lower than other parts of the county. The mobile homes here, therefore, are safe and secure.
Not to mention, Cedar Springs is currently experiencing an upswing in opportunities. There are so many business opportunities in the city that you can grab, so don’t let the size of this town fool you.
Disadvantages
Difficult to Search for a Mobile Home
It isn’t easy to search for a mobile home in Cedar Springs, even though it’s a small town.
You may have to involve a realtor to assist you in looking for a home. However, even if a realtor helps you, you should acquaint yourself with your family dynamics and neighborhood characteristics.
If you do this, you’ll get a perfect manufactured home for yourself in Cedar Springs.
The Final Verdict
If you’d like to purchase a mobile home and settle in Michigan, Cedar Springs is the best place to consider living. This small town has affordable homes and is also secure, with plenty of opportunities and fun.
However, you can’t go wrong by settling in Grand Rapids, MI 49544, if the homes there meet your requirements.
Read more
5 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Things to Consider when Buying a Mobile Home
Mobile homes are the new trend in the world today. People are now looking for quality, yet affordable housing options.
There are at least two types of factory built homes that you should select from, manufactured homes and modular housing units. The difference between the two homes, primarily, is their foundation.
In most cases, when people have the thought to buy a mobile home, they are not sure whether it is a good idea or not.
The truth is that buying a mobile home is an excellent idea. With that said, there are things that you should consider when purchasing your mobile home.
In this article, we will focus on what you need to consider while purchasing a mobile home.
Things to Consider when Buying a Mobile Home
Before we focus on what to consider while buying a mobile home, let’s look at what manufactured and modular homes involve.
What is a Modular Home?
Modular homes are manufactured in a factory and then installed on permanent foundations. A home manufactured this way is sometimes known as a lit housing unit.
The factory environment abolishes potential challenges related to climatic conditions at the home construction sites, including snow, wind, rain, and mildew.
If you seek to buy a modular home, you should first have a contractor develop a foundation. You can then fix the house permanently on that foundation.
What is a Mobile or Manufactured Home?
So, what is a manufactured home? A manufactured home is developed entirely in a factory and then transported to the site where they are fixed.
These factory built units are designed to make relocation feasible. Instead of having manufactured homes on permanent foundations, they are anchored to the ground after installation.
Even though these homes are not designed to be put on permanent foundations, it is still possible to do so.
You can choose a permanent foundation for the reasons below:
● If you own the land where you want to put the house and see it being a permanent structure, just like a site-built home
● If you want a basement to offer storm shelter
● If you are afraid of strong wind and feel that your house is safe on permanent foundations
● If you want to set the manufactured home in a flood-prone location, a foundation will help elevate it
Building and Quality Standards
The Department of Housing and Urban Development introduced the HUD Code for mobile homes to guide the development of manufactured homes.
The HUD Code addresses the following issues:
● Transportability
● Fire resistance
● Construction standards
● Quality of building materials
● Durability and strength
● Design, such as relocation accommodations
● Electrical, plumbing, and electrical codes
● Energy–efficiency
Manufactured homes are built and assembled in environmentally controlled factories by professional workers.
It is because of this that the modern manufactured homes, therefore, beat site-built homes both in durability and quality.
Defining Your Mobile Home
The best starting point to begin buying a manufactured home is to ask: “How will the home be used?”
● Who will stay in the house?
● How many bedrooms will you need?
● Will you need special accommodations?
● How many bathrooms will you require?
● Will you need a room either as a nursery or office?
● Will any room have a minimum size requirement?
If you would like to live in a mobile home for the long term, then you should define the manufactured housing unit from that perspective.
It would be better if your home meets your lifestyle and needs not only today, but into the future.
The good thing is that most manufacturers have several mobile home options that you can buy from.
If you are a patient buyer, you can participate in designing your house, including exterior and interior finishes and room dimensions.
Size
Mobile homes are smaller in size compared to stick-built homes.
Therefore, while thinking about the size of your house, it would be better to focus on the number of rooms, rather than the size of the room.
However, manufacturers offer generous floor plans, especially for triple-wide, double-wide, and single-wide mobile homes.
For instance, a double-wide manufactured home can have a size of over 2,000 square feet.
Rooms
You might need a storage room, self-storage facilities, or office space. This could be just a bedroom that is dedicated for a special purpose.
The size of your rooms should depend on the profile of your family. For instance, if you have a family of four people, it can function well with a single living room.
It would help if you also considered your kitchen. If you like cooking, you should have a spacious and well-equipped kitchen.
You can also implement an open floor plan, where your kitchen flows continuously into your living room.
Flooring
You will have several flooring options to select from, including tile, laminate, linoleum, and carpet.
There is even the possibility of designing unique floor coverings in every room.
Interior Options
You can improve the interior of your mobile home by including amenities like a fireplace. This will be very helpful, especially during winter.
Exterior Options
Most manufacturers have several siding options that you can select from.
If you invest in quality siding, you will achieve longer life, durability, and color retention for your mobile home.
There is also a wind zone option, with most homes being constructed in Wind Zone 1. Learn more about wind zone ratings for mobile homes here.
Architectural Options
There are several exterior colors that you can select from.
You can also implement architectural features, like gables.
Location of a Mobile Housing Unit
There are at least 6.8 million mobile homes in the U.S., with about 17 million Americans living in these homes.
Almost half of the mobile homes are found in mobile home communities, where they pay monthly lot rent.
When deciding where you will locate your house, there are two options:
● On someone’s land
● On your land
Each of these options has its pros and cons.
If you own a piece of land, then your own land would be the best option to consider.
You can still consider this option even if you have a mortgage on the land.
In case your land has never hosted a mobile home before, it would be best if you precisely determine where to place it.
The location you select should be flat. If there are stumps or boulders on the land, you will have to remove them and grade the location.
It would also be best if you focused on the orientation of the structure, including the sun’s view and exposure.
You need to keep in mind that the cost of buying land varies throughout the United States.
With that said, if you choose to place your house in a manufactured home community, they will offer you enough space for what you pay for.
The lot rentals vary from one mobile home park to another, and from one real estate market to another.
The average rent in the country, for renting land in a mobile home park, stands at $300 per month.
Although a mobile home park in Cedar Springs, MI will cost less for the first few months, it can be expensive in the long run.
This is because manufactured homes in home parks depreciate at a faster rate.
If you have a house on your own land, however, you will likely never see it depreciate.
With that said, many manufactured home communities have exciting amenities that you can consider, including:
● Playgrounds
● Social events
● Shopping centers
● Recreational facilities
● Swimming pools
However, there are risks associated with having a mobile home in a park:
● The landowner might decide to sell it to a property developer, which could put you in a tough spot if you need to relocate your house
● Your monthly rent might be increased, forcing you to pay more
● You might be forced to sell your house and fail to find a suitable buyer
Installation and Delivery
You should also consider the installation and delivery of your house. A mobile unit must never be installed on the ground that is thawing snow or softened by rain.
Delivery should at least wait until the ground hardens enough. The good thing is that a mobile home mover is an expert that can determine when it has hardened enough.
Home Financing Options
Most manufactured home buyers can finance their homes. However, unless the mobile home is on a permanent foundation, these homes are not considered equivalent to a site-built home in the eyes of lenders.
They are viewed as personal property, thus mobile home loans have higher interest rates. The interest rate for the home loans is at least 5%, in most cases.
One common type of loan that you can select is the FHA loan. With these, some lenders could require up to 20% down.
There are also chattel loans. Chattel mobile home financing loans are personal property mortgages that you can use to finance your house. They have a lower interest rate than normal lendings, with the rates ranging anywhere from 1% to 5%, on average.
How to Purchase a Used Mobile Home
We have explored almost everything except how to buy used mobile homes for sale in Cedar Springs, MI.
As mentioned before, manufactured housing units are considered to be personal property, and not real property.
Due to this, these homes depreciate at a higher rate over time.
A used house is cheaper compared to a new one, meaning that you should go for one if you are looking for the best bang for your buck.
You should also go for a used house if you are not so sure of the length of time you will live in the house.
You might be wondering how much a used mobile housing unit costs.
The price of these homes varies depending on several factors, including:
● The location
● Available amenities
● The current house condition
We here at Cedar Springs Mobile Estates offer some of the best mobile homes for sale and mobile homes for rent in Cedar Springs, MI. Contact us today or pay us a visit to find the home of your dreams.
Read more
5 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Cedar Springs, MI: Amazing Reasons to Live Here
Cedar Springs is a town in Michigan with a population of around 4,000. This city is situated in Kent County and is just 20 minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids.
Cedar Springs, MI
Unlike the bigger city of Grand Rapids, Cedar Springs offers its residents a suburban and rural mix and feel within its community, and most of the residents here own their own homes.
According to studies, Cedar Springs residents tend to live a more conservative lifestyle; unlike its counterpart, Grand Rapids. The town boasts a very tight, yet vibrant business district, numerous Cedar Springs parks and rec areas, and famous lakes.
Cedar Springs is very popular for its Red Flannel Festival that celebrates the very famous “drop-seat” long johns and nightwear. Learn more about the history of the Red Flannel Festival here.
Top Things To Do in Cedar Springs, Michigan
● Visit Cedar Springs Brewing Company
A well-known Bavarian-style restaurant, wine-maker and distiller that is located in the heart of town. It is one of our top five Cedar Springs restaurants to dine-in at.
● Visit the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail
This is a 92 mile long linear trail state park. The whole 92-mile section is open from Cadillac to Comstock Park.
It has 13 miles of asphalt pavement from Reed City to Big Rapids, and around 7 miles of asphalt pavement from just north of Rockford to Belmont.
● Participate in the Red Flannel Festival
This is one of the longest running festivals in all of Michigan! Celebrated every autumn with amazing parades, arts & craft shows, car shows, horseshoe throwing contests, lumberjack suppers, and more.
Where to Eat in Cedar Springs, Michigan
There are lots of places to eat here in Cedar Springs, Michigan. The most notable of them all are as follows:
● Sue’s Country Kitchen
● Classic Kelly’s Family Restaurant
● Jose’s Restauranté
● Main Street Restaurants
Houses for Sale and Rent in Cedar Springs
If you are planning to move and stay in Michigan for good, surely you will be looking for houses for rent and homes for sale that you can call your own.
Here at Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, we offer a number of mobile homes for sale in Cedar Springs, MI and mobile homes for rent in Cedar Springs, MI. Some are even offered as rent-to-own mobile homes that will surely fit your budget.
For more information on our homes for rent and for sale, contact Cedar Springs Mobile Estates today.
Read more
