Pros and Cons of Owning a Mobile Home

Mobile homes are an affordable alternative to owning a traditional house. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to owning a mobile home. In this article, I will discuss some of these advantages and disadvantages.

What do I know about mobile homes? Well, I lived in one for ten years, so I have some personal experience in this subject. The type of mobile home that I lived in was called a double wide mobile home. Double wide mobile homes are usually split in half during transport and then reassembled upon the desired location. There are also single wide mobile homes, which are smaller and more affordable.

Now for some advantages to owning a mobile home. The most obvious reason many people choose to live in a mobile home is because it's cheaper than an ordinary house. The mobile home that I lived in cost about forty thousand dollars. Granted, that was seventeen years ago. But even back then that was a pretty good price and much more affordable than a ninety thousand dollar traditional house.

Another advantage that a mobile home has over a traditional house is that it's easier to move a mobile home. If you decide to move somewhere else, then just take your mobile home with you. With a normal house, you can't do that. You have to sell the house, and then purchase another one in the area that you are moving to. It can be a hassle.

A third advantage to owning a mobile home is that there is less waiting for the home to be built. Basically, your mobile home is put on a truck and shipped to you in a few days. When the mobile home arrives, you just tell the work crew where you want it to be placed. And then you're all done.

Of course, as I mentioned above, if it's a double wide mobile home then it's albeit different. Double wide mobile homes are too large to be transported all at once. So they're split in half, transported to the site separately, and put back together at your desired location. It doesn't take long for the mobile home to be reassembled. Usually, it only takes one day.

A final advantage to owning a mobile home is the fact that the house is yours faster. Since mobile homes are much cheaper than traditional homes, you truly own the mobile home in a much less span of time. It's a nice feeling.

Now for some disadvantages. Unfortunately, mobile homes do not increase in value like traditional houses. So if you're looking to sell your mobile home in the future, don't expect to make a profit. In fact, you should expect to lose money. However, if you own land then that may increase in value; thus, it may not be a total loss. That's what my parents did. I would say they made a small profit or at least broke even.

Another disadvantage is that mobile homes are not as sturdy as normal houses. You always hear on the news about a tornado outbreak that obliterated some houses. If the news media doesn't comment on the type of houses that were destroyed, you can pretty much bet that they were mobile homes. Same thing with hurricanes. Mobile homes are just not built that well.

And then there is the temperature difference. It's more difficult to keep mobile homes at a proper temperature. I guess mobile homes are just not as well insulated as traditional houses. So if it's hot or cold outside, then you're really going to have to use the air conditioning or the heater more than you would in a normal house. It's not that big of a deal, but you will notice it.

It's also easier to hear sounds that are coming from the outside. Whether it be a woodpecker bashing it's beak against a tree, or the dogs barking; you will notice the difference. Remember, these houses are cheaper for a reason. It's not high quality materials that make up mobile homes.

Mobile homes are a great way to save money. However, be aware that mobile homes are cheaper for a reason. But if you really want to be a homeowner and don't want to spend a small fortune on a house, then a mobile home may be just what you need.