Can I Airbnb a Manufactured Home in Michigan?

Airbnb Your Manufactured Home in Michigan

Manufactured and prefab homes can make excellent Airbnb rentals in Michigan. While not all areas of Michigan allow short-term rentals, areas in West Michigan do. If you own a manufactured home and are considering renting it out for short-term rentals on Airbnb, there are several things that you should consider first.

Make Extra Money Through Short-Term Home Rental

Renting out a manufactured home on Airbnb is a great way to make some additional income. Snowbirds that own manufactured homes can rent out their residence on Airbnb to guests that are seeking a picturesque Michigan vacation. In fact, according to Airbnb, Michigan Airbnb hosts made $210 million in the first nine months of 2021.

This is in large part a result of the pandemic, which released many workers from having to clock into a specific location for work. These new work-from-home conditions have allowed workers to be on vacation year-round by simply renting an Airbnb in a different city or state. This is advantageous for you because it means that you can tailor your property to cater to this growing crowd and ensure that you have guests all year long.

Manufactured Home vs. Stick-Built Home for Airbnb: Which Is Better?

Manufactured homes are a great option for Airbnb rentals in comparison to more traditional homes. They’re faster to set up and easier to customize to create that perfect vacation experience.

Manufactured Homes Are Quicker to Build

Manufactured homes require less time to build. Ultimately, this translates into less money spent on labor, and these savings are transferred to you when you purchase. That means that manufactured homes could not only be the option for you if you want your home sooner, but they are also ideal for those who are on a budget.

Manufactured Homes Are Customizable

Besides the fact that they are quicker to build than stick-built homes, manufactured homes are also just as customizable—if not more so! Many of these homes offer a range of floor plans as well as finishes, which allows you to create a space that meets your needs and the needs of your potential guests. Additionally, manufactured homes are typically more energy efficient than their stick-built counterparts, which translates into savings for you on your cooling and heating bills.

How to Create an Airbnb in West Michigan

If you are interested in creating an Airbnb listing in West Michigan, there are a few simple steps that you need to follow.

Check with Your Local Regulations

Potential Airbnb listers will have to check with their city or township in order to assess their specific regulations, as they do vary somewhat throughout the state. For example, in Grand Rapids, short-term rentals have to be inspected and licensed in order to be legally utilized by guests. Other regulations may include:

• Holding a license to rent out rooms (and in Grand Rapids, the city only allows approximately 200 a year)
• Only renting one property at a time and limiting visitors to two people at a time
• Living on and owning the property up for rent

Acquire a Preferred Manufactured Home

If you don’t already have a manufactured home, consider buying one from Preferred Homes. Our homes are of the highest quality and suitably durable for Michigan winters, making them ideal investments for your Airbnb rental.

Prepare Your Home for Rental Guests

Michigan is a fantastic destination year-round for guests that are seeking winter fun or hoping to retreat for a summer lake vacation. To make your rental home ideal and cozy for your guests, first make sure that it is clean and well-stocked with essentials like towels, linens, and kitchen supplies. Touches like these make a difference in the eyes of guests and ensure that they’ll keep coming back year after year. These small amenities also increase the likelihood that guests will leave positive reviews, thus making your listing more popular.

Create an Eye-Catching Listing

To attract guests to your new home, make sure that your listing has plenty of engaging photos and a colorful description explaining all that the area has to offer your guests. You’ll also want to highlight any unique features of your manufactured home that can make it stand out from other listings in the area. These include things like a large deck or an exceptional lake view. Showing off all the amenities that your home has to offer will place your property in a positive light so that guests know what to expect.

Manufactured Homes from Preferred Homes

Preferred Homes offers a wide variety of manufactured homes, including single wide homes and double wide homes.

Single Wide Homes

Single wide homes are perfect for smaller families or couples. These typically range in size from 600 to 1,300 square feet and can have up to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. They are the more affordable option over double wide homes, which makes them a great selection for those who are on a budget.

Double Wide Homes

Double wide homes are larger than single wide homes. These homes can range in size from 1,000 to 2,400 square feet. Rather than three bedrooms and two bathrooms, they can have up to four bedrooms and three bathrooms, making them ideal for larger families and groups. Double wide homes also have more features and amenities than single wide homes. These are things that can make your property more desirable to potential Airbnb guests, like spacious porches and larger kitchens.

Airbnb Your Preferred Manufactured Home

Preferred Homes has an array of homes available for every budget. Whether you are just beginning the process of buying your own manufactured home or you are ready to commit, we can help you select the home that will be right for you and your guests. Contact us today to schedule a tour and see what homes we have in stock.