Michigan Manufactured Homes: A Primer on Buying and Moving

Michigan offers plenty of opportunities for affordable homeownership all over the state. This is especially true if you opt to purchase or lease a manufactured home from a dealer in the state.

Discover the benefits of buying a Michigan manufactured home, plus some of the types of manufactured home communities you’ll find throughout the state.

Buying a Manufactured Home

The process of purchasing a manufactured home in Michigan is a bit like buying a car. Instead of buying a home directly from the factory, you can purchase one from a dealership like Preferred Homes. Most home manufacturers will not sell to consumers outright due to state regulations that protect the homeowner. This allows you to work with a savvy dealer to buy the perfect manufactured home for you.

Also, much like buying a car, manufactured home dealers in Michigan frequently offer both new home models and used homes. Both new and used manufactured homes have a whole range of different price points, making it easier for you to find a home within your budget that fits your exact needs.

New Manufactured Homes for Sale in Michigan

Finding new manufactured homes in Michigan allows you to build your dream home on a budget. Dealerships like Preferred Homes work with manufacturers to provide you with numerous floor plan options. Doing this lets you choose the overall layout of your choice.

From there, you can work with us to customize your home with upgrade options that make it truly yours, without having to pay to build a new home on your land, hire an architect, or other steps that make setting up a traditional home too expensive.

Depending on the home model you’re interested in, some of the extra options available to you with buying a new manufactured home include:

• Ceramic tiles in kitchens and bathrooms
• Storm doors
• Hardwood cabinetry
• Stainless steel kitchen appliances
• Covered porches
• And more

Each manufacturer offers a different set of options for upgrades and customizing your home. Just let us know what interests you, and we can help you find the best home in our inventory for your needs.

Used Manufactured Homes for Sale in Michigan

Manufactured homes tend not to appreciate in value as easily as their site-built counterparts. This is great news if you’re in the market for a manufactured home on a budget.

Many used manufactured homes have the same quality features as their newer counterparts. The biggest difference between the two is that new manufactured homes tend to be easier to customize to your exact needs. But, used homes also have room to customize after the fact. You’ll still be able to choose your favorite floor plan from the dealership’s list of available options, as well as any extra features you may want.

It’s important to know exactly what to expect when buying a used manufactured home. While most of these homes are in good, like-new condition, they may require repairs and maintenance sooner than a new house. Some are also already in a manufactured home community and cannot be moved as easily, or at all.

Manufactured Home Code Requirements

Unlike traditionally built or modular houses, manufactured homes have a unique set of building requirements and regulations. Although the specific requirements can vary depending on your city or town, here are some baseline regulations for Michigan manufactured homes:

• Every home must have permits for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and installation.
• Only licensed manufactured home dealers, installers, and repairers can install mobile homes. You’ll need to work with a professional to move your home to a new location.
• You can have a licensed dealer like Preferred Homes install your manufactured home on private land you own, land you’re renting, or in a manufactured home community.
• Some locations require manufactured homes to have a crawl space, while others let you install your home on slabs or piers.

It’s also important to note that manufactured homes use a permanent steel frame. You can have an installer place these permanently on your lot if desired, depending on local regulations and requirements.

Finding Manufactured Home Communities in Michigan

55+ Manufactured Home Communities in Michigan

Overall, 55+ manufactured home communities tend to focus solely on catering to the needs of older adults. These communities emphasize offering an affordable, independent, carefree retirement to people in a similar age group. They also offer amenities that older adults may find helpful.

In most cases, these communities offer affordable manufactured homes for sale or rent. This allows seniors to enjoy quality and comfortable living without having to purchase a site-built home later in life. 

There are 55+ manufactured home communities all over Michigan. These communities are usually in suburban cities like Kentwood, Portage, and Canton. The more suburban setting lets older adults enjoy a quieter place than the cities of Grand Rapids or Detroit.

Family-Focused Communities for Manufactured Homes

Some manufactured home communities focus on appealing to the needs of growing families with young children. These communities are more likely to have playgrounds and parks for children to have fun. They also might have community activities meant to appeal to kids and families of all ages.

In addition, many family-focused manufactured home communities also emphasize safety for children. Administrators in these communities may be more likely to conduct thorough background checks on prospective residents. This makes them great places for children to grow up without their parents worrying about letting them play outside.

There are family-focused manufactured home communities located all over Michigan, including in areas like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, and beyond, ensuring families have a community near work, school, and local attractions.

Luxury Manufactured Home Communities in Michigan

Even though luxury manufactured homes command a higher price point than standard models, they are still more affordable than traditional houses. Luxury manufactured home communities attract higher-income individuals who want to enjoy a piece of paradise.

These communities are a common sight in places with high property values, such as along Michigan’s lakeshores or in trendy cities. Some may even have amenities like golf courses or swimming pools.

While these communities tend to command a higher price point, they can also potentially increase the property value of your home, making it easier to sell if you know you’ll want to in the future.

Budget Communities for Manufactured Homes

There are manufactured home communities that are even more affordable for buyers on a tight budget.

While budget manufactured home communities still typically have a manager who lives onsite or nearby, there won’t be a full staff as you’d find in a luxury or family-focused community. They also have fewer amenities. Some will only provide a lot for the home and utility lines to connect to the home. This makes it more affordable for residents who want to own a home without as many expenses.

There are budget communities available in cities and towns throughout Michigan. Combined with our quality inventory of used manufactured homes, even those on a tight budget can experience the dream of homeownership without having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Choose Your Dream Home with Preferred Homes

No matter what you need, Preferred Homes can help you find the best manufactured home for you in Michigan. Our customer service team can help you through every step of the process. Schedule a tour of our quality, budget-friendly manufactured homes today!