3 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Mobile Homes for Sale: Rockford, MI vs. Cedar Springs, MI
When you’re looking to move to Michigan, or just want to be in the happening location of Grand Rapids, there are several choices that spring to mind.
You might want to avoid attending too many open houses and simply need a convenient, economical option to buy and call home.
Rather than looking at houses or apartments for sale, many people are now more interested in manufactured homes and mobile homes.
What are Manufactured and Mobile Homes?
Manufactured homes are those that have their sections made in a factory, but are assembled or constructed on a plot of land. While they are cheaper and more customizable than regular houses, they are very different from mobile homes.
In Grand Rapids, MI, and other areas, mobile homes are often a preferred choice due to their portability. With a home like this, one can easily move on to another place if a certain location doesn’t suit them.
They can also easily put up the mobile homes for sale and make a quick flip for profit.
Here are some tips for buying single-wide mobile homes for those who are considering this step.
Mobile Homes for Sale: Rockford, MI
If you’re planning to get a mobile home in Grand Rapids, MI, the best choices boil down to either Rockford, MI or Cedar Springs, MI. There are pros and cons for each decision, which is what we’ll discuss below.
Have a look at the ups and downs of each location:
Considering Mobile Homes for Sale in Rockford, MI
Rockford, MI is located near the Grand Rapids area, and within Kent County. It gives its 6,000 plus residents a feeling of sparse suburban life.
Most of the people here have bought their own homes, including young professionals and several families. It’s mostly a conservative area.
Pros of Getting a Mobile Home in Rockford, MI
1. High Livability Score
Many residents report that Rockford is a great place to live in.
There are several variables that contribute to this result. Quality of education, overall happiness, stability, and other factors come into play here. So, we may conclude that this is indeed a desirable place to live.
2. Several Employment Opportunities
There has been a lot of industrialization in Grand Rapids, MI, and Rockford has benefited from it. With all the new industries and businesses operating here, it might not be too hard to find decent employment.
Cons of Getting a Mobile Home in Rockford, MI
1. Relatively Higher Cost of Living
The sale price of a mobile home in Grand Rapids is not the only financial factor to consider here.
Rockford, MI may not be the most expensive location in the state, but it’s certainly a bit more costly as compared to neighboring areas.
2. Growth Rate is Not Very High
Rockford, MI might have seen a lot of economic growth in the past decade, but it’s more or less stuck in one place now. With a lack of business or employment opportunities in the near future, it could get harder to climb up the career ladder or make it in your own venture.
3. Not a Very Close Sense of Community
While 6,000 plus people might not be too many, it’s around twice as much as the population in Cedar Springs. This means that the latter has more of a tightly-knit community, something that Rockford may lack.
4. Fewer Festivals and Other Events
As compared to other places, Rockford lacks a deep and rich history. This could have helped to give its residents a strong sense of identity.
Considering Mobile Homes for Sale in Cedar Springs
Cedar Springs is a suburb in Michigan located very near Grand Rapids, MI. At present, its population is around 3,600 people.
This area has a mixed feel of suburban and rural. The education quality and conservative mindset are similar to that of Rockford.
So, how do the two compare? Let’s answer this question by looking at the pros and cons of a mobile home in this area:
Pros of Getting a Mobile Home in Cedar Springs
1. Exciting, Traditional, and a Rich History
The history of the Red Flannel Festival is something that defines this suburb, but the fun doesn’t stop there. You get to attend and enjoy all sorts of festivals and events throughout the year. These make for enjoyable activities that are still family-friendly.
2. The Homes Use Energy-Efficient Systems
Most mobile homes for sale in Cedar Springs, MI use energy-efficient methods, materials, and technological processes. This lowers your monthly costs; however, you may still have to learn how to fully insulate a mobile home.
3. Tight-Knit Community
With the small population, you can be sure of a warm reception here. People are always ready to help out their neighbors. Overall, it feels like fitting right into one big, happy family most of the time.
4. Relatively Affordable Rates
Whether you go for manufactured homes or mobile homes, this area has some luxurious options for very reasonable prices. The mobile homes on sale are especially affordable when compared to the surrounding areas.
5. Strong and Sturdy Economy
The economy here is growing at a decent rate, which means that several job opportunities are consistently becoming available. With Grand Rapids so nearby, the hopes of landing a proper job are quite high.
Cons of Getting a Mobile Home in Cedar Springs
1. A Lot of Snow
The snowy weather in Cedar Spring, and other places near Grand Rapids, MI, is expected to last above five months each year. Once you learn how to unfreeze pipes in a mobile home, though, the rest is pretty much smooth sailing.
2. Small Number of Residents
This town might be near Grand Rapids, but it doesn’t offer a similar happening lifestyle. With everyone knowing each other, there could be a lack of privacy, as well as a feeling of boredom, at times.
The Takeaway
In Rockford, residents do get some conveniences and beautiful surroundings, with quality services and other amenities. However, we would say that it’s better to check out mobile homes for sale in Cedar Springs instead.
The high crime rate and relatively higher cost of living are just two reasons why even getting a house in Rockford is not recommended. On the other hand, Cedar Springs has a lot more history to offer, along with a close community and several other benefits.
Settling down in a new place can be challenging. So, look at your priorities and insist upon them before getting a mobile home for sale. No matter which one you choose, these mobile home maintenance tips should be a part of your knowledge.
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3 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Used Mobile Homes for Sale: Everything You Need to Know
To find yourself an ideal mobile home for sale that meets all that you and your closest ones’ need, it is first necessary to carry out plenty of research online into mobile homes for sale in Cedar Springs, MI, or nearby, like Grand Rapids, MI.
Used Mobile Homes For Sale
How to Find a Used Mobile Home for Sale
Visiting real estate property websites, such as realtor.com and apartments.com, and using their search filters, can help you learn more about the key amenities and services in the local neighborhood.
These are things such as schools, house prices, local parks, hospitals nearby, and so on.
Many used manufactured homes for sale in Cedar Springs, MI or Grand Rapids, MI are featured on those real estate websites. By visiting them, you will be able to compare a mobile home in the local area and weigh up which residence will best suit your needs, as well as be a good sound investment.
Key Things to Look for When Buying a Mobile Home
● The overall living space (in square feet) that mobile homes for sale offer
It is important when you are beginning the process of buying a mobile home for sale in Cedar Springs, MI or Grand Rapids, MI to bear in mind how much living space you need your mobile home to have.
- Are you a retired couple looking to downsize and purchase a smaller property that is minimalistic and requires little maintenance?
- Or are you a large family that needs four bedrooms, a large kitchen and dining area, plenty of spare living space, along with lots of outdoor space too?
Being able to purchase a used mobile home with an abundance of living space is not only better value for your money, but it should also provide you with a more relaxing and comfortable living experience.
● The local neighborhood
The local neighborhood, the quality of its amenities, and the perks that living in a neighborhood provides residents are all key factors behind buying a used mobile home in a given location.
Both Cedar Springs, MI and Grand Rapids, MI are definitely great places to buy a mobile home. These cities both have fantastic family friendly dine-in restaurants, highly rated local schools, splendid local public parks and nature reserves, for lovers of the outdoors to enjoy all year round, local festivals and traditional events.
Not to mention, Cedar Springs, MI and Grand Rapids, MI are conveniently only 25–minute drives away from each other.
The city of Grand Rapids, MI is a much larger urban area and has a population of approximately 202,000 inhabitants.
Therefore, Cedar Springs, MI, and neighborhoods near Cedar Springs, MI, being located at such a close proximity to Grand Rapids, MI is definitely a useful bonus for residents.
Also, Grand Rapids, MI is a wonderful place to go shopping, with an array of shopping malls!
● Consider the Price and Costs Involved in Purchasing a Mobile Home for Sale
Fortunately, purchasing a mobile home for sale in Cedar Springs, MI or Grand Rapids, MI, in terms of financing, is much easier than getting a conventional mortgage for traditional stick homes.
Mobile home communities, like Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, offer chattel loan finance programs to help those on lower incomes be able to purchase a mobile home for sale more easily.
Chattel loans also have the advantage of being paid off in full in a shorter time period, compared to how long it takes to pay off expensive traditional mortgages.
Chattel loans are definitely a blessing for anyone looking into buying a mobile home in Cedar Springs, MI or Grand Rapids, MI.
● Amenities Mobile Home Communities Offer Residents
Having great amenities available at a site, such as swimming pools, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a clubhouse to socialize and host community focussed social events, can really enhance your experience as a resident in a mobile home community.
Conclusion
Cedar Springs is a small friendly city where neighbors truly look out for one another, whereas Grand Rapids, MI is more for people interested in big city living.
With that said, there are a great variety of mobile home communities in both cities, thus giving you lots of options when it comes to purchasing a mobile home in either Cedar Springs or Grand Rapids, MI.
Our top pick for the best manufactured home community in the area is Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, located at 400 Susan, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.
The single and double-wide manufactured homes for sale at this community boast up to 2,000 square feet of high-end living space, and up to four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Whether you are a single individual, a couple, a smaller family, or a larger family, Cedar Springs Mobile Estates has plenty of luxurious mobile homes for sale to meet your needs.
Purchasing a mobile home for sale at Cedar Springs Mobile Estates will not break your bank and is very much an affordable investment opportunity. A used mobile home for sale on site here ranges anywhere, on average, from $5,000 to $35,000, and offers wonderful high quality in-home features and amenities.
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5 years ago
·
Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on The Benefits of Living in a Mobile Home
The age of manufactured homes is now upon us, and more people are now building, renting, or buying a mobile home on the regular than ever before.
There is no argument that manufactured homes have greatly improved their features to the extent that you can not tell the difference between them and site-built homes (see manufactured homes vs. stick-built: which is better?).
For instance, unlike in the past, these homes now come with garages and landscaped lawns. Lawn care experts can help you build a beautiful lawn for your home. There are also multi-story mobile homes that come with energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and appliances. Learn how to make a mobile home more energy-efficient here.
This is why mobile homes are becoming more popular and at least 17 million people in the United States live in manufactured homes to date.
So, why do these people find comfort settling in manufactured homes? In this article, we will explore the top 10 benefits of living in a manufactured home.
Benefits of Living in a Mobile Home
Let’s consider the benefits of living in a mobile home and the reasons why you should find one for yourself.
Mobile Homes are Very Affordable Compared to Stick-Built Homes
A manufactured home is a very affordable option, especially for Americans who want to buy a home. For instance, while a single-family home costs an average price of $272,200, a mobile home costs about $62,600.
If you desire to build your own manufactured home, it will cost you about 10% to 35% less per square foot than stick-built homes. This makes home ownership easier to achieve.
This affordability is the main reason why the middle class has fallen in love with mobile homes. The average annual income for most people living in manufactured homes is $34,700.
At least 25% of all households in the United States bring home more than $50,000. The average household has about 2.58 people, per the 2010 Census, meaning that a modular home is the best option.
By the way, modular homes are manufactured homes built and assembled in the factories and then taken for installation to a site.
You will have Control Over the Home Building Process
If you have ever built a home, you can relate to the challenges of snarly contractors, delayed construction, and cost overruns.
It is not easy to encounter such problems in manufactured homes. This is because homes manufactured in factories are developed under tight federal regulations and strict rules, i.e. the HUD Code for mobile homes.
Factories develop mobile homes on the assembly lines, leaving no room for error. The manufacturing process also maximizes the efficiency of industrial workers. Learn more about how mobile homes are built here.
One advantage of homes built in a factory is that they are under a controlled environment that is not affected by unreliable contractors, vandalism, or bad weather. The control over the construction process, therefore, enables you to save money and time.
Most factories buy massive amounts of appliances, products, and materials, making everything more affordable compared to a site-built home developer. They, therefore, pass the cost savings on to home renters and buyers.
High Speed of Construction
First, it is crucial to outline that homeowners are responsible for developing the foundation and establishing utilities, such as sewage and electricity, before a mobile home is brought to the site.
Here, a factory can take about ⅓ of the time spent to build a stick-built home to complete a single-wide or double-wide unit.
When you receive the home on your personal property, it is about 90% done, thus allowing you to move into it faster than you expected.
Even though the development and setup is faster, this does not mean that the developers can ignore building and safety codes.
In most cases, a third-party or in-house inspector will examine your home and foundation before and after the mobile home arrives on site.
Design Flexibility
Most people mistake manufactured homes for the old mobile homes developed before the HUD Code was put into effect by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which was 1976.
The design of modern mobile homes is much more elaborate nowadays. For instance, there are modular homes that are developed with more than one story. They also have vaulted ceilings, decks, garages, and porches.
Depending on the type of land, you can incorporate beautiful landscaping and lawns. A factory can also design a mobile home based on your specifications and needs. Checkout the top 10 manufactured home dealers in Michigan here.
For example, you can have a housing unit with granite countertops, hardwood floors, and stainless steel appliances, if you so choose.
High Energy-Efficiency
Factories are now outfitting manufactured homes with ENERGY STAR appliances. This means that modern mobile homes are of high energy-efficiency.
On top of that, builders ensure every manufactured home is developed with efficient, high-performance windows, water heaters, and heating & cooling systems.
You might be wondering how much energy can a mobile home possibly save compared to a stick-built one. These homes have proven to save almost 55% of energy compared to their site-built counterparts.
Designed and Developed with Excellent Amenities
Almost every amenity you can find in a traditional home is now included in a mobile home. This is among the several reasons why people have fallen in love with these homes.
Some of the features you will find in manufactured homes include ceramic tiles, 10-foot ceilings, energy star appliances, wall-to-wall carpets, hardwood floors, and top-of-the-line fixtures.
The only difference compared to traditional homes is that everything is installed before the homes get to your land or manufactured home community.
There are even some mobile homes that have soaker bathtubs, jetted tubs, and walk-in closets. Others have bay windows, gabled roofs, and fireplaces.
Nowadays, it is common to find a manufactured home with more than one bathroom, sunken tubs, and double sinks. Learn where to find mobile homes for sale here.
Supremely Green
Mobile homes are available in all types of colors. However, the critical color here is green, since they are environmentally friendly.
Factories that design and manufacture these mobile homes do not waste any building materials. Any scraps left during the construction process are recycled.
With a manufactured home, fewer construction materials will be used without compromising the structure of the building.
For instance, Warren Buffet is one real estate investor who has gone green, as far as mobile homes are concerned. He owns Clayton Homes, which is responsible for the i-house project.
The i-house has a low price of less than $75,000 for a space of 750 square feet. It also comes with roofs developed to collect rainwater, high-efficiency heat pumps, and faucets.
If you decide to live in such houses, you are guaranteed to save water and energy, all while reducing carbon emissions. Simply put, manufactured homes are built to be eco-friendly.
Can Be Located in Excellent Manufactured Home Communities
Despite many people not liking the idea of a trailer park, a mobile home community is a fine place to live. Learn the answer to ‘is a manufactured home a trailer?’ here.
As a homeowner, you can either own the land or rent the space where your manufactured home sits. Find out what is lot rent for a mobile home here.
At least 75% of the available mobile homes in the U.S. are located on personal property. The remaining 25% are located in mobile home communities where occupants lease the land. Learn more about a land-lease community here.
The benefit of settling in mobile home parks is that there is no need to worry about expenses related to trash removal, snow plowing, lawn maintenance, and on-site repairs.
Most of the manufactured home parks are also secure and gated, while other communities resemble tiny resorts. Here is our list of top mobile home parks in Michigan.
In a home park, you will find swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts, walking trails, organized social activities, and fitness centers.
You will also come across several common areas in most home communities. Another bonus is that a home park is landscaped beautifully.
Try as much as possible to find a mobile home community of your choice. Learn more about what it’s like living in a manufactured home community here.
Appreciate in Value
There is a lie going around that manufactured homes never rise in value. Some believe that manufactured homes are guaranteed to depreciate with time.
When a mobile home is developed and repaired properly, it will usually improve in value, just like a stick-built home.
However, the value of any mobile home depends on several market factors, including:
● Inflation
● The local real estate market
● The initial price or cost of the house
● The local community you live in
● The real age of your house and whether or not it was built before the HUD Code came into existence (1976)
● The park where your manufactured housing unit is located
● The overall condition of your manufactured home
Learn how to increase the value of a mobile home here.
New Manufactured Homes have a Warranty
You would not want to buy a home where it would be difficult for a contractor to fix something you did not notice when you purchased it, right?
Manufactured homes have a one-year warranty, covering construction. There is also a separate warranty covering siding, appliances, faucets, doors, and even windows.
Some manufacturers will even offer you an extended warranty, if you so choose. However, even though a new manufactured home could come with a warranty, a used home will not.
You should be able to ask and answer the questions below before buying a mobile home:
- What does the home’s warranty cover?
- How long will the warranty last?
- What will void the warranty?
- Does the installer, builder, or retailer perform the warranty work, or is it shared between the parties?
- Is the warranty voided if the installation site is not prepared well?
Learn how to buy a new manufactured home here.
If you choose to buy a manufactured housing unit, you should keep a copy of the complete warranty. These mobile homes have this added benefit since they are considered personal property.
The Final Verdict
From our points listed above, it is clear that living in a mobile unit comes with more benefits than you could ever imagine. Living in these homes will prove to be worth it in the long run.
For instance, mobile home living is affordable, secure, and presents you with affordable amenities.
You should ensure that you research housing units before buying mobile homes for sale or renting mobile homes for rent. You should also weigh the pros and cons of manufactured homes. Take time to locate the best park or lot rent for your housing unit.
The best unit is one that meets your needs. We hope that you find a perfect housing unit for you and your family, and be sure to check out what we have to offer at Cedar Springs Mobile Estates.
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