As you browse Florida’s wide selection of manufactured homes, you’ll find that they come either brand new or pre-owned.
You might not immediately know which one is better for you and your needs. New and pre-owned manufactured homes both have their benefits, and each homeowner will value some of those benefits over others.
Before you decide which type of manufactured home is best for you, here’s what you need to know.
By buying a home brand-new, you’re ensuring that everything from floor to ceiling is in unused condition. This means there’s less maintenance overall to deal with when you first move in, as things are likely to last longer before needing a repair.
If you’re buying a new manufactured home to be sited in a community, then you’ll have a wide variety of locations to choose from for your home. Compare this to pre-owned homes, where it can often be very expensive to move them from their current home site. Simply put, by buying brand new, you can more easily choose where you live.
Here’s another benefit that many homebuyers don’t consider: customization. From the floor layout, to trims and finishes, to appliance packages, brand-new manufactured homes can be customized to your liking in many instances.
When homebuyers think about buying a pre-owned manufactured home, the first thing they think of is cost-savings…and for good reason. Generally, you can expect to save thousands of dollars when you buy a pre-owned manufactured home over a comparable new home. This may mean that you save money on the initial down payment, too.
And, more often than not, buying a pre-owned manufactured home means you buy it as a complete package with the land and utilities included as well. A pre-owned home, especially in a community, has almost always been sited, meaning you’re factoring the location into your search, too. It may be in an established community with built-in utilities and landscaping, compared to a new home and site.
Some communities include water, trash pickup, and even high-speed internet as part of your monthly payment (often called lot rent). And, most will offer amenities such as swimming pools, clubhouses, and more for residents to enjoy.
Truthfully, there’s not a right answer here. When choosing between a brand new or pre-owned manufactured home, it almost always comes down to personal preference.
Do you prefer having a home that is customized to your liking? Or are you willing to shop around for a better price on a pre-owned home? Do you want power in choosing where to place a brand-new home, or just want to buy the home as a package in a community?
Think about what you prioritize most in your manufactured home search, as well as what’s available in your market.
If you’ve decided on a brand new manufactured home, your first step will be to browse through homes on MyFloridaManufacturedHome.com. Click on the Browse tab at the top of the page, then click on Home Plans. Here, you can shop for homes based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and other factors.
You can also use our website to contact a retailer or sales center directly. They can assess your wants and needs and find a new manufactured home to match.
If you prefer to buy pre-owned, your best bet will be to head to MHVillage, the nation’s leading platform for buying, selling, and renting manufactured homes. Not only can you filter your home search by market, but you can also search for homes on private land, in pet-friendly communities, or in all-ages parks.
Whether your preference is for new or pre-owned manufactured homes, Florida will give you limitless options to choose from.