How to Increase (and Maintain) Your Manufactured Home Value 

Manufactured homes can appreciate in value just like any other home!

Factory-built homes have been seeing a rise in popularity over the years, and there’s no question why: they are built faster, more affordable and just as attractive as their site-built counterparts. This is especially true with Champion® Homes, since we’ve been a leader in building high quality manufactured and modular homes for decades.  

Even with the rising popularity of factory-built homes, people still have worries. One of the main worries is the value of the home after it leaves the retail lot and is placed on land for you to live in. Because of this, many owners of manufactured homes have decided to invest in upgrades to improve their curb appeal and chances of a higher sales price in the future. Yes, you do have power in this issue! When you combine that power with Champion’s high-quality practices and materials, you will find yourself much better off than what common perceptions might believe.  

Here are some things that can be done to keep a high value manufactured home.  

Better Appliances, Better Home

The first step to home value appreciation is made easy when buying with Champion, and that is to install energy-efficient appliances, which luckily come standard in our homes! When you are shopping for your home with your local retailer you’ll explore options of brand-new Whirlpool® appliances, many of which are Energy Star® compliant. These not only lend home value, but they also look darn good too! 

The Innovation 2860S is built in our Athens, TX manufacturing facility 

Curb Appeal Helps Everyone 

Curb appeal doesn’t only give you the warm & fuzzies when you’re coming home after a long day, it also helps the entire neighborhood and surrounding area! Not to mention, your home value! Improving curb appeal can include keeping the exterior paint on your model up-to-date and potentially getting a fresh coat when it’s needed. Or you could simply choose from some of our upgraded siding selections to drive the appeal home (pun intended). 

Curb appeal also includes landscaping, like making sure the front lawn gives an appealing traditional feel with details like a walk up or some nice flower beds. Even more influential, consider adding a front porch or garage! Not sure where to start? No worries, we’ve got a whole blog on manufactured home garages HERE!  

Consider A Community 

Manufactured Home communities are great options for homeowners for many, many reasons. We made a whole TikTok on the topic because there are so many (watch it here)! The perks and amenities associated with living in a land-lease community can add significant value. Ground maintenance being taken care of, potential access to clubhouses and swimming pools are just a few perks you might find. Thanks to these perks and the HOA you could join in a community, maintaining your home’s value will be much smoother! Need help searching for a community that fits your needs? We’ve got you! Click HERE

Key standout features of the Titan Extreme 2864H include 3 walk-in closets, a vanity in the primary bath, a walk-in pantry and MORE. 

To account for the differing value details that manufactured homes have in comparison to site-built, a solution is to invest in the quality of your home with desired upgrades, energy-efficient improvements and more. Ready to find the home for you? Get in touch with a local retailer today!  

How to Tour a Home from the Comfort of your Couch 

When you’re ready to see the home’s floor plan but not ready to make the trek to a retailer, we’ve got your solution!

Did you know that with Champion® Homes, you’ve got the option to see the interior (and exterior) of a home you’ve digitally fallen in love with without having to go outside? It’s true! Here at Champion®, we are always trying to enhance your home shopping experience, and that includes giving you a comprehensive way to tour a manufactured or modular home.  

The Ironclad 3276 (virtual tour above)

First, let’s find models near you that you love! You can complete a home search using the location details of where you’d like to build and place the home. Once you have a list of models that are available to you, you’ll be able to view home landing pages on our website!   

NOTE: Need more information on how to find a great home with everything you need near you? Click HERE to read the blog!  

Once you’ve found your way to the web landing page for the model(s) you’re interested in, all that’s left to do is…scroll! You’ll soon find our high-quality virtual tours where you can tap your way throughout the home as if you were physically there!  

The living room in the Aspire is just SO good. View the virtual tour of this home above! 

In our virtual tours, you can see the home as a whole with the floor plan, click to be taken to specific rooms/areas of the home, or just flow from room to room as you would normally. It’s just like you’re touring the home in person! You can even zoom into features you’re curious about and get a real feel of the space from the comfort of your living room! Our Matterport tours also allow for certain measurement capabilities so you can compare sizes of features you see.  

There you have it! Now, here’s the thing…these virtual tours are SO FUN! So don’t be surprised if you find yourself touring another home and another home and another home, because we’ve got that many! Ready to get touring? Click here to find a home near you and check out the landing page!  

Figuring Out Where to Put a Manufactured Home 

If You’ve Ever Thought “I like your homes…but where do I put them?” this is the blog for you! 

So, you found it. You found the manufactured home for you, and you’re ready to just live in it already! Great! If you’ve made the smart decision in choosing a quality Champion® Homes prefab home, you’re likely trying to figure out one important detail: where does the home go??! Have no fear, the Champion® Homes Blog is here to help.  

Your Choices 

When considering where you want to place your manufactured home, you’ll have 2 main choices: privately owned land, or land within a land lease community. When trying to choose the option that works best for you, you’ll want to consider a variety of factors. Let’s get into them! 

NOTE: Still trying to figure out the right home style for you? Click HERE to take the quiz! 

The Chipper is a 3-bedroom home built in our Millen, GA facility. 

Option 1: Private Land 

If you’re considering buying private land to place your prefab home on, you might prefer the privacy and personalization potential of having your own lot. Where do people go when they are shopping for land? Websites such as Zillow.com and Realtor.com are great options! You can search the area where you want to live and select “Lots/land”, etc. If this is the route you would like to take, there are quite a few details to make sure you’ve thought of before signing the dotted line. These details include: 

  • Lot size. Understandably so, you’ll want to make sure the lot you plan to purchase will have enough room to place your manufactured home. This might also need to include space on each side of the property line, also known as a ‘setback.’ When you purchase property, you should be given a document outlining the setbacks. This is especially important when you’re thinking of living in a subdivision. 
  • Zoning Requirements. This will likely differ from area to area. You’ll want to get with your local municipality before purchasing a lot to make sure manufactured homes are approved in that location. Reach out to your county officials for this information.  
  • Regulations. Your home might need to be placed in a specific location or face a specific direction on the land.  
  • HOA Covenants. You’ll also want to investigate homeowner covenants that may apply to you should you choose to live in a community with a homeowner’s association, for example “must at least have a 2-car garage,” “side-entry garage required” or “needs a covered front entry.”  
  • Permits. After you’ve gotten through zoning and any restrictions, it’s important to secure any necessary permits for placing your home. This could include permits for additional construction services. A local retailer can help guide you through this process. 
  • Environmental concerns. It is recommended to perform a perc and soils test of the land before you even think about placing a home there. This ensures adequate soil drainage and without it, you could face lots of problems down the line.  
  • Utilities. Are utilities available on the property? These include natural gas, water or well, electricity, sewer or septic. If not, it’s time to figure out the costs for getting them on your property. The retailer you work with will be able to help with this too! 
  • Required preparation. Is the lot hilly? Are there lots of trees? Are there overhead wires that need to be removed? These are just a couple of factors you’ll need to consider when getting the land prepared for a home to be safely placed.  

Another great resource to help you through this process is a local retailer! They will be able to help you find the home, and lot, of your dreams – then guide you through the process of preparing your land. Click here to find a retailer in your area. 

Option 2: Manufactured Housing Community (Land Lease) 

For others, the best choice is going with a manufactured home community. In most cases, you’ll be able to rent the land for your home in a community. In some other cases, you’ll be able to buy land or participate in a rent-to-own program.  

There are many perks to living in a manufactured home community; many have amenities like a pool, fitness center, green space and home care like grass watering. 

@championhomesusa

Manufactured living communities are…waiiiiit for it….AMAZING 😅 Take a stroll through Cider Mill Crossings, a Sun Community, with Charlie! #manufacturedhomes #modernmobilehomes #SplashSummerVibe #factorybuilthousing #mobilehomeliving #championhomes #mobilehome

♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
Check out this TikTok for more information on living in a manufactured home community! 

The main detail you’ll need to consider when choosing the community route? Making sure you find the right community near you that fits your needs. Are there specific age requirements? If you have a family, will the specific amenities do well with the kids? These are some important questions to ask yourself as you decide on the community for you.  

Another great perk of communities is they will help to guide you through the process of finding a home. Looking to find a community in your area? We’ve got you covered: click here!  

The Innovation 1668H is quite the stunner! It’s built in our Athens, TX facility. 

Realtor.com® is the official site of the National Association of REALTORS® and is operated by Move, Inc. and Zillow® is a registered trademark of Zillow, Inc. Champion is not an affiliate of any of these entities. This is not a paid endorsement. 

How to Personalize a Texas Manufactured Home in 2023 

Ready for Home Sweet Home in a Manufactured Model that Fits Your Needs?

There are many perks to working with Champion® Homes to select and purchase your manufactured or modular home. One of those perks? We’ve got manufacturing facilities and independent retailers across the country! Specifically in Texas, we recently released an innovative tool Texan home shoppers can use to personalize their chosen manufactured home to their tastes, desires and needs. From Navasota, TX to Mansfield, TX and beyond, you can use our personalization tool to better collaborate with your local retailer on securing the home of your dreams.  

There are lots of benefits to choosing a prefabricated home over a site-built home, including affordability, efficiency, and a huge one being personalization. Here at Champion®, you can work with an independent local retailer to choose layout plan options that work best for your lifestyle.

The Paramount 1856 A8A

After you’ve contacted a local retailer, you might tour a new manufactured home and think “I really didn’t want a farmhouse style in the kitchen…” We have eliminated that problem by allowing our customers who are ordering a customizable manufactured home to change the décor style from farmhouse to contemporary, classic and more. With our personalization tool, customers can also select the color of the interior, exterior, and even the type of flooring in package selections. Getting the home you want and need on the front end helps to keep you from doing unnecessary “fix” work on the back end.  

NOTE: Need to figure out what décor style fits you most before your upcoming manufactured home tour? Click here to take the quiz and find out! 

The New Moon 3252 A2E

If you haven’t already checked out our Manufactured Home personalization tool, you definitely should! It’s like the BuzzFeed quiz of homebuying, with an affordable twist…so it’s a win-win situation! What could be even better than hand-picking details of your décor, kitchen, floor plan, exterior and more? At the end of all your selections, you will have a base quote! You can take that base quote and send it to others, like your spouse or roommates if applicable, or you can go ahead and submit a request to speak to a local professional housing consultant!  

NOTE: Need help deciding which floor plan best suits your lifestyle needs? We’ve got you covered! Check out the blog on prefab home floor plans

The New Moon 3256 A1C

Walking into the door of your personalized manufactured home from Champion at the end of a long day is so rewarding when you can say with confidence that you chose and selected details that really make it your own. Ready to try out the selection process for yourself? Check out our personalization tool here and get connected with a professional housing consultant!  

*= What is MSRP? 

MSRP pricing includes the base model, selected options from design.titanfactorydirect.com, fees, and material surcharges. Freight is not included and will be determined by the distance from the manufacturing center to the city/state you selected for your home search. MSRP is valid for 14 days following your online inquiry. All pricing and specifications are subject to change without notice. 

Additional Costs 

Additional costs for installing and finishing your home will be provided by your local retailer. Below is a list of some typical cost items that your retailer will discuss with you. List is for illustrative purposes only. Contact your retailer for a full list of additional costs. 

  • Land 
  • Permits, taxes, and fees 
  • Foundation 
  • Installation and trim out of home 
  • Utility connections (water/well, sewer/septic, power, natural gas/propane) 
  • Site built additions such as garages, porches, and decks 
  • Any HVAC equipment needed to be installed once the home has been set 
  • Grading, concrete flatwork, and landscaping 
  • Required upgrades to comply with local requirements such as energy efficiency, snow loads, and wind loads 

Looking for a great manufactured home somewhere else in the United States? Get in contact with a local retailer near you today!

How to Find a Great Champion Home Near You 

How to get that stunning home off of Instagram and on your land.  

We’ve all been there before: checking out our Instagram page and seeing a thumbnail that stops you in your tracks. It’s a beautiful Champion home, and it’s got everything you could ask for: the right number of bedrooms, the right floor plan, the perfect kitchen. You’ve got to have this home, so you comment asking if it’s available in your area.  

Interestingly enough, the question we get asked most after “What’s the price of a manufactured home?” is “How do I get this home in my area?” The manufactured housing industry is very much geographically tailored, and this applies to site-built homes as well. Think about it:  

  • You’re more likely to see a brownstone home in New York City than Los Angeles 
  • You’re more likely to see a farmhouse or cottage in the countryside than the city 
  • You’re more likely to see Spanish or Mediterranean style homes along the Southwest coast 

This is because certain building requirements exist in particular areas depending on that area’s climate, proximity to bodies of water, population density and more. This equally applies to factory-built housing. Décor tases vary by region and our manufacturing facilities build and design to meet their regional demand. Whether you’re looking into manufactured or modular home options, knowing what’s built in facilities near you is the best way to get a home that fits your needs on your land. To do that, you can visit our website and perform a “Find a Home” search. 

NOTE: Need to know the difference between manufactured & modular homes in your shopping? Click here

The Buckhorn FH68 is built in our York, NE facility and available to surrounding areas. 

While you might feel bummed to find the specific model you were interested in on Facebook isn’t available in your area, chances are there are tons of similar homes that ARE. Since Champion is one of America’s largest manufactured homebuilders, we’ve got amazing options across the country. That means if you liked that gorgeous 3 bed/2 bath home on Instagram, there’s an equally gorgeous 3 bed/2 bath being built and delivered to your region.  

The Cypress Manor 5644a is built in our Lake City, FL facility and available to surrounding areas. 

Where Do I Go to Find That Home? 

If you see a home that is giving you the warm & fuzzies inside but isn’t available near you? Be sure to talk to an independent local retailer who can direct you to similar models that will leave you feeling just as satisfied. 

And there you have it! Now the next time you see a Champion Home that makes your heart skip a beat, you’ll know what to do next!  

Not Your Trailer Home Anymore: Meet the New Prefab Homes of Today 

If you hear “manufactured” and automatically think of a trailer from the 70s, read this blog to see what you’ve been missing from this updated industry! 

When some people think about the types of homes we build here at Champion Homes, they might envision old, bent-out trailers and want to avoid that like the plague. What those folks might be surprised to learn is how far manufactured housing has come! It’s quite an exciting path, actually.

Check out these vintage photos of our models dating back to the 60s and 70s!

How We Got to Where We Are: 

  • According to Construction Physics, in the 1910s and 1920s, car adoption was rapidly increasing. By 1925, cars in the U.S. had increased from 500,000 to 17.5 million cars in 15 years. 
  • Mobile homes as we know them today came about in 1926 with automobile-pulled trailers or “Trailer Coaches.” 
  • Trailer Coaches transitioned into mobile homes after a surge in interest during World War II. 
  • In 1976, a significant regulatory shift happened when the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development worked with the industry to enact the first manufactured housing construction code.  This code really put manufactured housing on the map.   It established the consistent construction parameters needed to improve overall quality and safety standards and did it at a federal level that works for all states.   
  • Things were further refined and improved throughout the 80’s and 90’s with more advanced developments around structural load paths, installation procedures and much more.  The codes continue to be advanced and improved even today through a robust collaboration process that occurs between federal agencies and industry experts using the latest in construction engineering and technology.  This ensures that manufactured homes will always be built for value, performance, and great looks. 
The Paris is a stunning modern home built in our Dresden, TN manufacturing facility.

What the “Big Change” Means for You: 

After the industry shift in 1976, companies such as Champion Homes went on a mission to transform our collective perception of manufactured housing by consistently building quality homes that are affordable, attainable and durable. The result is a manufactured housing industry that looks completely different from what you were seeing in the 20s through the 70s.  

The Aspire is built in our Sangerfield, NY manufacturing facility and is quite the looker!

Key Feature Updates and Changes 

So, what are some of the main differences between the mobile homes of before 1976 and manufactured homes built to more current codes? Thanks to the implementation of the HUD code, you can expect to see changes such as: 

  • Manufactured homes are wind-resistant. They are built to withstand similar forces as site-built homes and are as safe as site-built homes during a storm-even on the beaches. 
  • Manufactured homes are structurally sound. The federal HUD code established structural parameters for snow loads throughout the country.  This allows for the proper use of materials and assemblies to ensure a manufactured home can properly transfer heavy loads to foundations-even in the mountains. 
  • Manufactured homes provide for fire safety.  The manufactured homes of today are built with flame spread-resistant materials, smoke/carbon monoxide protection and, in some cases, fire sprinkler protection. 
  • Manufactured homes are more energy efficient.  Modern Federal codes have established provisions to ensure good thermal envelope efficiency and optimal use of heat and cooling equipment.  This keeps your operation costs low and your comfort level high. 
  • Manufactured homes are more material efficient.  Well thought out construction practices within the manufacturing environment ensure that material usage is optimized by recycling and reducing waste wherever possible. This keeps the materials in your home rather than in the landfill. 
  • Manufactured homes go through a detailed plan review and construction approval process.   Federal codes require that all homes designs be reviewed and approved by engineers before construction begins.  Federal and state inspectors then oversee all factory construction and site installation processes.  These procedures ensure that your home meets the safety and quality standards you expect.  

Under current HUD codes, manufactured homes can be installed on a variety of foundation types. From the efficiency offered with traditional manufactured home foundations to the anchored feeling of a permanent foundation just like a site-built home, Champion has a foundation system that works for you. Check out the building process in this video…it’s pretty cool! 

The Innovation 3266F kitchen…WOW!!

Ready to step into the new and become a homeowner of a fabulous manufactured home? Talk to a local retailer today to find models near you!  

WATCH: We’re on Lifetime TV’s Military Makeover: Operation Career! 

Watch the special to learn about Champion’s commitment to our veterans

This is not a drill: Champion® Homes and Star Fleet Trucking will be featured in a full episode of Military Makeover: Operation Career on Lifetime Television. As part of the special, you’ll be able to meet and follow along with 3 of our employees who have bravely served their country in the United States Military as they speak about how they transfer the skills and values they gained in duty to their roles here at Champion. 

Behind -the-scenes!

You’ll also hear from our President and CEO, Mark Yost, as he speaks to the importance of hiring and valuing veterans in the workforce. At Champion Homes, we take very seriously our company-wide dedication to provide quality homes to hard-working Americans, and hiring veterans fits perfectly in line with that goal.  

Get to Know More About the Featured Employees:

While we proudly employ many veterans on our team at Champion Homes, the Military Makeover: Operation Career special will feature 3 from various areas in Champion Homes and Star Fleet Trucking. You’ll learn more about their stories in the episode, but here’s an intro on who they are and what they do: 

  • Trish Nowak, Safety Director for Star Fleet Trucking  
  • Ron Baer, Jr., Star Fleet Truck Driver  
  • Scott Kennemuth, former Operations Manager for Champion Homes 

Hosted by Montel Williams, Military Makeover: Operation Career speaks to the opportunities we offer veterans at Champion Homes and Star Fleet Trucking

How Can I Watch the Special? 

Many of us personally know someone who has served in the U.S. Military, so this episode will surely warm your heart and remind you of the freedoms to cherish every day. If you’re interested in watching the Champion Homes and Star Fleet Trucking episode of Military Makeover: Operation Career, keep reading. 

The show airs on November 30th at 7:30 AM EST/PST time on Lifetime TV.  

The Ultimate Manufactured Homebuying Checklist 

Keep this checklist handy for reference during your homebuying process! 

So, you’re ready to buy a manufactured home. First things first: congratulations! Celebrations are in order for such a monumental decision and time in your life. But celebrations can soon turn into stress when all the things to do and consider come into play! Have no fear, Champion® Homes is here, and we’ve rounded up the ultimate checklist to keep handy when you’re purchasing a manufactured home.  

When you’ve just decided to buy a factory-built home, the first thing you want to do is decide what kind of factory-built home you’ll be shopping for. The differences between manufactured homes, modular homes and even park models may enlighten your decision. If you choose a manufactured home, you’re choosing a home that is built to the HUD code for manufactured housing, and is manufactured indoors and delivered to your build site. This checklist is specifically for purchasing a manufactured home. If that sounds like your boat, keep reading!

Click here to read more about the differences between manufactured and modular homes!

The Laurel II kitchen just oozes new home appeal!

Consideration Station

The One-Stop Shop for What You’ll Need to Remember for Purchasing Your Manufactured Home

  • Look into which independent retailer will be best for you when it comes to purchasing the best model for you. 
  • Decide whether you’ll be living in a manufactured home community or if you’ll be placing a home on your own private land. This will help you consider details such as property taxes, and local zoning regulations. Need land? A local retailer can help with that!  
  • Consider your budget, since this will help guide many of the decisions you’ll be making. 
  • Found the model that’s calling your name? Consider the specs that matter to you: single section or multi-section? Number of beds and baths?  

Buying a manufactured home is a great option if you’re looking for quality blended with affordability.
  • Think about your utilities: figure out who the providers are for each utility service and think about your rough out-of-pocket cost for each. 
  • Arrange the down payment and financing. Work with a retailer who can assist in making this process smooth.  
  • Get things ready as your home is being built! Furnishing and infusing your new home with your personal home décor style will give you the personable flair you need.  

When it comes to buying a manufactured home, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or getting your third castle, don’t overthink it. At Champion, we’ve done most of the hard work for you, to make buying your dream home easier than ever before. Ready to start your home buying process? Talk to an independent retailer today!  

Where Do I Buy A Manufactured Home?

The 411 on Where to Find the Home for You

There are many reasons to be interested in a manufactured home: attainability, affordability and personalization are just the beginning. But in addition to these 3 factors, the process of buying a manufactured home differs from that of a site-built home. This blog will explain the “where” of that process. Keep reading if you want to find that factory-built oasis for you! 

Scenario:  

Fatigued from an exhausting housing market and frightening prices, you’ve decided to take a more sustainable approach and go the factory-built route. Good for you! But therein lies the dilemma: where the heck do you look for and find a manufactured home? Well first, you’ll want to think about where the home will be placed.

Manufactured housing is an attainable, affordable and attractive housing option

Let us explain: Manufactured homes are built in a factory and then transported in one or more sections to be placed on either a plot of land or manufactured home community. So where to get your home will largely depend on where you’re placing it. 

Moving on, once you’ve decided where your home will be placed, now it’s time to reach out to Champion® Homes! Our models are sold through a network of independent retailers. Retailers not only sell our homes, but are also great destinations for any of the questions you might have about the process, such as: 

  • How much will the home cost? 
  • Does this specific model ship to my area? 
  • Should I get a manufactured home or a modular home? 
  • How long will this process take? 

And more! 

Our retailers are trained to cater their home recommendations to your lifestyle and needs.  

So, there you have it! Long story short? Find a factory-built home near and for YOU, head to our site to find a retailer today!

The Cost of A Manufactured Home

Figuring Out How to Price Your Dream Home

Imagine this: you’ve been perusing through the Champion® Homes Instagram page, looking at some of the models posted until you stop. There it is. There are only 4 photos of it posted in the carousel, but that’s all you needed anyway. This is the home you want. Well, at least you think it is. You need to know the details before you can be sure. Eager and ready to make a move, you type a single-worded question… 

“Price?” 

But what you might not be aware of is the fact that pricing for factory-built homes is a process that depends on the home, location and your dream preferences! Here’s a transparent look into what that process entails that will help with an understanding of factory-built home pricing.  

So first, let’s start with the obvious base price: the home itself. This price varies depending on details like home size, spec level and personalization options you may choose.  

The AF3276HDE

Then we consider things like location. At Champion Homes, we sell our homes through a network of independent retailers who work directly with customers looking to purchase a home. The customer’s price comes from an independent retailer in your area. For example, additional costs for installing and finishing your home will be provided by your local retailer.  

Count the Cost – Typical Cost Items An Independent Retailer Might Discuss with You 

  • Land (where your property is located) 
  • Permits, taxes, and fees 
  • Foundation 
  • Delivery of home 
  • Installation and trim out of home 
  • Utility connections (water/well, sewer/septic, power, natural gas/propane) 
  • Site built additions such as garages, porches, and decks 
  • Any HVAC equipment needed to be installed once the home has been set 
  • Grading, concrete flatwork, and landscaping 
  • Required upgrades to comply with local requirements such as energy efficiency, snow loads, and wind loads 

Note: List is for illustrative purposes only. Contact your independent retailer for a full list of additional costs. 

The price on your home will reflect the fact that it’s your home. Ready to get more pricing information and move closer to moving into your home? Visit a retailer in your area for pricing information. 

Work with one of our retailers today!