Types of Manufactured and Mobile Home Communities

When it comes to finding your dream manufactured home, it’s not just about the construction, features, or style – it’s also about the neighborhood. With so many manufactured home communities out there, navigating your options can feel a bit overwhelming. You want to find the perfect blend of affordability and amenities that fit your lifestyle.

Let’s dive into the different types of manufactured house communities available and discover what makes each one a unique choice for your family.

What Are Manufactured Home Communities?

To put it simply, a manufactured home community functions like any traditional neighborhood filled with “stick-built” houses. The key difference? Homeowners don’t always have to own the land their homes are on, which often makes manufactured homes more budget-friendly than site-built ones.

Some of these manufactured home communities feature beautifully maintained common areas and amenities like clubhouses, swimming pools, and recreational spaces. Plus, some communities are even tailored to specific demographics, such as families or retirees. If you’re looking for a place to set down roots, you can likely find it in a mobile or manufactured home community.

What Are the Benefits of Living in a Manufactured Housing Community or Park?

Depending on which you choose, manufactured housing communities often provide a range of benefits that appeal to different types of residents. Here are some of the most important:

• Affordability: One of the biggest draws of living in a manufactured housing community is the (typically) lower cost. Manufactured homes can be significantly less expensive than site-built homes, meaning prospective homeowners can purchase homes without the financial burden of a large mortgage.
• Community and social interaction: One great thing about living in a neighborhood is getting to know those neighbors. That’s why many manufactured home parks foster a strong sense of community, where neighbors look out for each other. Communal spaces, social events, and clubs provide plenty of opportunities to forge lasting friendships.
• Amenities: Residents of certain communities enjoy access to a variety of amenities, such as fitness centers and playgrounds. Luxury mobile home communities, for example, may offer perks like golf courses, spas, or private lakes.

What Are Some Types of Mobile and Manufactured Home Communities?

Manufactured housing communities cater to nearly every type of homeowner, making it important to consider what each one offers before making your move. Some homes even require community memberships, so future homeowners should research the rent, fees, and responsibilities associated with a manufactured home community before committing to a property.

Let’s take a look at the most common types of manufactured and mobile home communities you can find.

Resident-Owned Communities

In resident-owned communities (ROCs), the mobile and manufactured home residents collectively own the land their homes sit on. Since the cost of the land is distributed to all the residents, it’s sometimes more affordable than having to pay for your manufactured home’s land parcel by yourself.

By owning the land, residents avoid the risks associated with rising land lease fees or a community being sold to a private investor, and they get more control over how their community is managed. Decisions about the mobile or manufactured housing community are made collectively by the residents, typically through a co-op or homeowners’ association.

All in all, ROCs offer easier land affordability and, in many cases, a stronger sense of community since everyone shares in the investment.

Land-Lease Communities

In land-lease mobile and manufactured home communities, residents still own their homes. However, they rent the land instead of owning it outright. They may finance their manufactured home with a chattel loan for property that can be moved.

With a land-lease community, residents typically have a lower overall cost of homeownership, but they also have to pay monthly fees for their leases. These fees usually cover maintenance of communal areas, utilities, and access to community amenities.

Given these differences, land-lease communities are popular picks for those seeking affordable housing options. They range from basic, budget-friendly parks to more upscale developments.

Park Chains

Park chains are essentially large, corporate-owned mobile home parks. They can be found in multiple states and might make up larger networks of communities.

Mobile home owners might choose these for several reasons. For example, they can provide consistency in terms of management, rules, and amenities across multiple locations.

Many park chains focus on convenience instead of flashy luxuries, providing access to basic amenities like laundry facilities, community centers, and well maintained common grounds.

Over-55 Communities

Over-55 manufactured home communities are specialty communities catering specifically to retirees and seniors. These communities have age restrictions, with at least one household member being required to be 55 years or older. In exchange for this restriction, they enable lifestyles focused on relaxation, convenience, and recreation.

The amenities in these communities are chosen based on the needs or preferences of their older residents. Amenities can include golf courses, clubhouses, and pools, plus plenty of organized social events and activities. Ultimately, over-55 communities are ideal for retirees seeking an active, social lifestyle in a lower-maintenance housing option.

Family/All-Ages Communities

For families and younger individuals, all-ages or family mobile home communities provide affordable housing with the essential amenities needed or desired by growing households. For instance, family or all-ages communities could feature family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, sports courts, and swimming pools. Some high-end neighborhoods sometimes offer after-school programs or childcare services.

Naturally, these communities appeal to younger families looking to own a home without the high costs of a traditional house. Like classic neighborhoods, they’re also pathways for homeowners to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for their children.

Budget Communities

What about homeowners with tighter finances? In those cases, budget mobile home communities are affordable alternatives to renting or buying a more expensive traditional home.

Since they’re more affordable, these parks have fewer amenities than other communities and may be more basic in terms of services offered. They do, however, provide a cost-effective solution for people seeking affordable living arrangements.

The big difference between park chains and budget communities is that park chains are more standardized since each location belongs to a single, overarching company. Budget communities, on the other hand, can be single locations with their own quirks, layouts, and amenities or features.

Luxury Communities

Luxury manufactured home communities provide high-end amenities to complement a more upscale lifestyle. These communities can resemble resort-style living, complete with high-end fitness centers, golf courses, spas, and gated security.

Due to their higher upfront and ongoing costs, luxury communities normally cater to retirees or working professionals looking for a low-maintenance, high-comfort living arrangement. The homes in these communities are generally larger, feature upgraded finishes, and are situated on premium lots with picturesque views compared to other manufactured houses.

Apply for a Manufactured Home Loan from 21st Mortgage

Once you’ve found a repossessed mobile home or the ideal manufactured home and decided community living is right for you, all that’s left is to make sure your financing is in order. 21st Mortgage, America’s number one manufactured and mobile home lender, has the experience and expertise to help you find a financing opportunity that works for your wallet.

Your move-in date is closer than you think! Get in touch with us online, or start your mortgage application today!