There are a number of ways to make your manufactured home more valuable. Whether you’re trying to sell it at a higher price or simply make your home more comfortable for yourself and your family members, it’s important that you know which upgrades will improve your manufactured home’s value.
There are certain improvements that will not only increase your home’s value, but will help to improve its functionality, too. In a way, by upgrading your manufactured home, you’ll be killing two birds with one stone. Let’s take a look at what making your manufactured home more valuable will entail below.
What is a Manufactured Home?
A lot of people think that a manufactured home is basically the same thing as a mobile home. This isn’t quite true (although, they are similar). A manufactured home is a type of prefabricated residence that is built in a factory and then transported to a permanent location.1
Unlike “traditional” homes that are built from the ground up on-site, manufactured homes are usually built in controlled environments. They’re usually made from high-quality materials and tend to be more cost-efficient.2
Furthermore, traditional homes are usually built on foundations, whereas manufactured homes are typically placed on concrete blocks or metal piers.2 It can be difficult to tell if a home has been “manufactured,” though, because they can resemble traditional homes pretty closely.
Manufactured homes often have lumber framing, fiberglass insulation, drywalls, wood flooring, and PVC plumbing.3 In this way, they’re not so different from your average built-from-the-ground-up home. Plus, you can even customize your manufactured home however you want.
How to Increase the Value of a Manufactured Home
If you’re planning on selling your manufactured home eventually, you’re going to need to upgrade it. Naturally, certain upgrades add to the home’s value. Let’s take a look below:
Upgraded Appliances
Replacing your old appliances with more energy-efficient models will be one of the best ways to improve your manufactured home’s value. Modern appliances don’t just reduce energy consumption, but environmentally-conscious buyers will be more likely to show interest in your manufactured home.
Upgrading your appliances can be expensive, but think of it as an investment. It should pay off in the long run! For example, by upgrading to a more energy-efficient dishwasher, you’ll be able to save a lot of money on utility bills. This will make your manufactured home even more attractive to potential buyers.4
Fresh Paint
You can never go wrong with adding a fresh coat of paint to your manufactured home. This will make your home look clean and well-maintained, which will improve its curb appeal. It’s recommended to stick to neutral colors when you’re repainting your home.5 This will appeal to a much broader audience.
Improve Curb Appeal
First impressions matter more than you might think. By improving your manufactured home’s curb appeal, you’ll be adding to its value.6 Remember, potential buyers are going to see the outside of your home first. That’s why you should focus on landscaping first.
Even if you don’t have a sprawling garden, you can still make the exterior of your home look nice by adding nice touches — like potted plants and hanging bird feeders. You should also get any cracks in the walkway leading up to your home repaired if this is an issue.
Small Upgrades
Small upgrades can actually make a really big difference. For example, you might consider replacing your old shower heads, updating your drawer and cupboard handles, and installing new faucets in the bathrooms and kitchen.
You could also swap your standard ceiling lights for something a bit more swanky — like stylish pendants or even simple chandeliers. You might also want to consider adding ceiling fans, especially if you live in a place where it gets really hot during the summer.
Upgrade the Flooring
Upgrading your home’s flooring is a big project, but it’s honestly going to be one of the best ways to improve its value. You should consider installing hardwood floors (or even high-quality laminate that mimics wood).
Hardwood floors are great because they’re super easy to clean. This will improve your manufactured home’s value, since people appreciate and are often looking for flooring that’s easy to clean.7 For your bathrooms and kitchen, you should consider installing a nice, modern tile.
Modernize the Kitchen and Bathrooms
It’s not all that easy to keep your kitchen and bathrooms looking fresh and new, especially if you’ve been living in your manufactured home for several years. By modernizing your kitchen and bathrooms, you can add a whole lot of value to your home, though.8
Consider installing stainless steel appliances, and updating your light fixtures. These small upgrades will help these spaces look more stylish, which will help make your home more appealing to potential buyers.
SOURCES:
- https://www.two70.com/difference-between-mobile-home-manufactured-home-and-modular-home/#:~:text=A%20manufactured%20home%20is%20a,subject%20to%20federal%20construction%20standards
- https://brothershousing.com/modular-homes-vs-traditional-homes/
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/modular-vs-manufactured-homes/
- https://www.triadfs.com/news/upgrades-that-can-increase-the-value-of-your-manufactured-home
- https://www.rismedia.com/2021/11/30/should-you-paint-your-home-in-neutral-colors-before-you-put-it-on-the-market/
- https://www.homelight.com/blog/how-to-give-mobile-homes-curb-appeal/
- https://www.usatoday.com/money/homefront/flooring/best-flooring-resale-value/