1. Manufactured Homes are Not Mobile

“Mobile home” is a misnomer. According to the 2013 American Housing Survey, at least 80% off manufactured homes remain at the first site they were initially installed. Costs for moving a manufactured home typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, and can cost as much as $20,000, depending on the distance, permits and fees, and size of the home.

2. Today's Manufactured Homes are Well-Designed and Constructed

Manufactured housing is of comparable quality and lifespan to site-built housing. Being built in a controlled, factory environment means assembly line efficiencies and no weather delays, and results in production cost savings that are passed to the homebuyer. Federal construction regulations mandating minimum construction and safety standards for these homes have been in place and overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since 1976.

3. Manufactured Housing is Home to a Significant Number of Americans 

More than 17.5 million Americans live in manufactured homes, which make up over 6 percent of the nation’s total housing stock. (2017 American Community Survey).

4. Manufactured Housing is Energy Efficient

Today’s manufactured homes are safe and energy efficient. A new manufactured home can be quickly installed and customized with numerous features. For millions of homebuyers, a manufactured home is the smart choice: an affordable investment with the potential to appreciate.

5. Manufactured Housing is a Stable Housing Option

The median manufactured homeowner household spends only 16% of their income on housing, and less than 25% of manufactured homeowner households are cost-burdened, compared to over 27% of all US homeowners and almost 50% of all renters (2017 American Community Survey).

6. Manufactured Housing is Found Across the United States 

Manufactured homes can be found in urban, suburban and rural areas throughout the country. According to the 2017 American Housing Survey, manufactured housing makes up about 3 percent of all housing in urban areas and 15 percent in rural areas. Over half of all manufactured housing is in rural areas.

7. Most Manufactured Homes are Located on Individual Lots

Most manufactured homes are placed on privately owned land, rather than in land-lease communities, or “parks,” where homeowners rent their home site. Between 1995 and 2017, only 31% of all new manufactured homes were installed in manufactured home communities (2017 HUD Manufactured Housing Survey).

8. Manufactured Housing is Affordable 

In the US, 49% of manufactured housing is affordable for households at or below 50% of the area median, compared to just 26% of all housing (2017 American Community Survey).

9. Residents of Manufactured Home Parks Can Own and Operate their Own Communities

Homeowners want the security of community ownership. Throughout the United States, there are over 200 resident-owned manufactured home communities (visit rocusa.org for more information). A national nonprofit, ROC USA, works with local and national organizations to provide technical assistance and financing to help homeowners collectively purchase their communities, ranging in size from as little as 4 homes to over 400. Manufactured homes can also be owned and operated by nonprofits like Augusta Communities in California or Addison County Community Trust in Vermont.

10. Manufactured Homes Can Appreciate in Value

Properly installed on land with long-term security, manufactured housing can be an asset-builder for homeowners. The most important factors affecting appreciation are land control, financing and titling. Similarly, new research published in 2018 goes suggests that manufactured homes appreciate similarly compared to site-built homes.