factory-built homes – Champion Homes Blog

March 17, 2023 Champion Homes Home Buying

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.

Describe the Coastal Classic in ONE word! 🏖️

We ❤️❤️ the features inside the GS-20127!

Make your favorite dishes inside the NE-610 kitchen! 1,512 sq. ft. 3 Beds, 2 Baths

The Laurel II interior is modern and bright! 😍 1,500 sq. ft. 3 Beds, 2 Baths

The Ridge has the CLASSIEST living room! 🙌❤️

Go ahead, invite the whole gang over. With the Chipper, anything is possible.

The Buckhorn FH68 primary bedroom is 😍😍😍

This manufactured home is HUGE! With over 2,305 square feet, four beds, and two baths this model has amazing features!! What’s your favorite thing about the CSD3276J?

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.

Enter the information of your desired building location on our Find A Home page
Choose to be contacted by a local retailer by entering building location info on our Find A Retailer page

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!

March 10, 2023 Champion Homes Home Buying

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!

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!

February 24, 2023February 27, 2023 Champion Homes Home Decor

Designing a Kitchen That Screams YOU!

When it comes to the heart of the home, here’s how to nail it on the décor!

Each part of a home serves a purpose of its own. The bedrooms are where you lay your head after an eventful day to get some rest for the days ahead. The family room is pretty self-explanatory; and does its job well when it comes to providing space for quality family time. Then there’s the kitchen. It’s been called the “heart” of the home for as long as we can remember, and for good reason! The kitchen is where nourishing meals are prepared, bonds are strengthened over breaking bread, last minute the-bus-comes-in-5-minutes waffles are devoured and so much more.

That’s why the interior design of the kitchen is so important to so many existing and prospective homeowners alike. If you’re trying to figure out how to infuse a bit of yourself in your kitchen design, keep reading!

The dark tones in the Odyssey Kitchen perfectly complement the cool-toned appliances.

START WITH…

You’ll want to begin perfecting your kitchen design by taking the whole home into account. Think about how each room in the home is connected to the others. We’ve spoken in other blogs about the “flow” of a home, and that flow should definitely be considered when you want to design a kitchen that won’t stick out like a sore thumb, but still has a vibe of its own.

Will the kitchen be traditional like the rest of the home with unique pops of color to stand out?

Will the kitchen take on a nautical feel like your bathroom?

Will the kitchen employ neutrals like the bedroom, but feature some brass details to emphasize the appliances?

These are all the types of questions you want to start asking yourself when thinking of designing your kitchen.

Carved arches and an expansive island in the Cypress Manor 5644A Kitchen make it a truly standout part of this home.

THEN YOU…

Mix a little bit of reality with your dreams. You want to think about the layout of the kitchen and surrounding space, but you also want to think about key elements you’ve just GOTTA HAVE.

Maybe the kitchen is separate from other rooms in the house, and you must take that into account with the big monstera plants you want in the room. Or maybe it’s an open flow layout where the kitchen naturally leads to the family room or living room, and you’ve got to think about where you’ll be aesthetically placing things.

Maybe you want to make the backsplash the focal point of the room. If it’s an open plan home, you’ll want to make sure the design doesn’t clash with the surrounding rooms/spaces.

Do you NEED to have a farmhouse sink? Do you really want your cabinets to be white? Really think about your feature priorities and try to balance those with the space and layout you’re working with.

Image of the inside of our Laurel II model. The kitchen has blue accenting. — The blue tones in the Laurel II Kitchen will have you thinking about the usage of color!

FINALLY, YOU WANT TO…

Get to business! A local retailer can help you by presenting your best options. When you purchase a Champion® home, your local retailer will be able to take your kitchen needs and make suggestions on the best models to suit those needs.

Ready to find the kitchen of your dreams? Get in touch with a retailer near you today!

December 2, 2022December 1, 2022 Champion Homes Home Building

Get To Know a Factory: Navasota, TX Manufacturing Facility

Learn more about the homebuilding process and culture inside our Navasota, Texas plant

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer searching for an affordable and durable home or looking for your third home that will stand the test of time, factory-built housing is more than a great option! Not only will you get more bang for your buck, but you’ll also receive a home of your own that is designed beautifully and built to last.

A home built out of our Navasota, TX manufacturing facility!

If you’re in Texas and looking for a quality manufactured home, look no further than Champion® Homes’ Navasota Manufacturing Facility! Roughly an hour drive from the epicenter of Houston, this manufacturing facility in a thriving small town has been very well received in the marketplace without even being open for a year yet!

Things To Know About Our Navasota, TX Facility:

This facility focuses on building our most affordable homes!
This facility has been recognized by the state of Texas for all the jobs they’re providing in the area. Wow!
Has a training program for people coming in with little experience, which allows most to be promoted quickly.

Puts safety first as proven by its great safety record.
Provides a selection of straightforward home plans that are brought to life with quality.

The Dakota is a beautiful model built out of our Navasota manufacturing facility. Swipe through to check it out!

When it comes to the charming old railroad town of Navasota, our Champion Homes manufacturing facility is really setting a new standard. If you were a fly on the wall looking into the culture of the facility, you’d see the paid-for Sno Cone truck every Wednesday in the Summer, big family-style BBQ dinners, exceptionally clean working protocol and, above all, a level of utmost respect for customers and employees.

If you’re looking for quality mobile homes in Texas, then what you’re really looking for is a manufactured home by Champion Homes of Navasota. Interested in finding the Texas manufactured home for you? Get in touch with a local retailer today!

September 16, 2022January 20, 2023 Champion Homes Home Decor

QUIZ: What’s My Interior Design Style?

August 18, 2022August 25, 2022 Champion Homes Home Building

The Difference Between Manufactured and Modular Homes

Let’s Set the Record Straight on Your Options

So, you’re interested in factory-built housing, but don’t know where to start. We get it! The world of pre-fabricated homes is vast and full of options, so you’ll definitely want to know which of those options work best for you and your lifestyle. When it comes to manufactured homes and modular homes, knowing the difference can take you a long way. So, let’s get into it!

Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes have actually been around longer than you might think. You’ve likely heard manufactured homes referred to as mobile homes in your day-to-day conversations. Before 1976 when the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code was developed, they were referred to as mobile homes. After the HUD code was developed, they were and still are referred to as manufactured. Same type of home, but manufactured homes of today meet the regulations of the HUD code.

Check out our manufactured homes blog for more detailed information if you’re interested.

Modular Homes

A modular home is a home that is also built in a climate-controlled indoor factory, but to a local state code, such as the International Residential Code, or IRC. You may often hear modular homes described as “prefabricated homes.” A modular home is built in sections, or modules, which are then delivered to and assembled on the home site. A modular home is more comparable to a site-built home in details like its available financing through more traditional mortgages and the local codes to which it is built.

Check out our modular homes blog for more detailed information if you’re interested.

Similarities & Differences

The main similarity you’ll find between manufactured and modular homes is that they’re both built in a climate-controlled factory by skilled craftspeople who do the same thing every day. All of our scrap material is used somewhere in the home instead of being piled and thrown away like in site-built homes.

The main difference you’ll find between manufactured and modular homes is the codes to which they are built. The HUD code can differ from the code of a specific state, town or county, and this all helps to determine what kind of house can be built and where. For example, a home built to the HUD Code for delivery in Massachusetts could be very different from a home built to local the Massachusetts modular code.. And that’s just one state!

Bottom line: we’re building homes to the right code for the right regions.

Whether you’re looking to go the manufactured route or the modular route, factory-built provides the advantages you’ll want and need as a new homeowner. Browse our floorplans today and find the home of your dreams.

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August 18, 2022September 9, 2022 Champion Homes Home Building

What is a Manufactured Home?

Here are all the details you’ll need to begin your manufactured home experience

You might be seeing a lot of media about the benefits of manufactured homes and why you should consider one if you’re in the homebuying market. But you may be confused to know: what IS a manufactured home? What sets it apart from a stick-built home and why is it a smart purchase? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

The first thing you should know about manufactured homes is that they’re factory-built. This means our teams work indoors, in climate-controlled facilities, with no dependence on weather fluctuations like your typical site-built home. Because manufactured homes are factory-built, they provide assurance for details such as:

Quality control
Weather-protected construction materials
Construction speed
Energy-efficient structures
Less waste

So, you’ve likely heard manufactured homes referred to as mobile homes in your day-to-day conversations. That’s a historical reference that has changed from the past perception.

Now, let’s move on to why we call them “manufactured” homes. From the early 50’s to the mid 80’s manufactured homes were referred to as single-wide and double-wide mobile homes. In 1976, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) federal building code was developed to bring oversite to the growing mobile home industry and that lead to the new product type “Manufactured Homes.” The (HUD) federal building code continues to evolve and is updated by various government committees on a regular basis to ensure all the latest standards regarding safety, energy, structural integrity, and indoor air quality are maintained at a high level.

The Transitions 20727 makes saying "yes to the house" so easy. — The Transitions 20727 makes saying “yes to the house” so easy.

Why Should You Care? Manufactured homes offer many advantages, including:

Affordability
An independent engineering plan review and inspection process
Governed by the federal HUD code who sets quality standards for manufactured housing
Insulated for the right climate, wind and seismic criteria

With a Champion® Homes manufactured home, you get quality all-around – a premier homebuying experience paired with an elegant product. Our homes will have you thinking “premier” and “elegance” from door to door. We aim to upgrade the manufactured home buying experience by improving construction processes and providing innovative design so that you can worry less about other details and spend that time on what matters: enjoying your home. We’re all about changing things for the better and in more ways than one!

Luckily, we’ve got decades of experience doing just that here at Champion Homes. We have an array of floor plans and design options the modern shopper will love. Ready to give the manufactured life a try? Let’s build your ideal home today.