1) MYTH: Manufactured homes are not well-made..

FACT: You are assured of first-rate construction, because all manufactured homes built since 1976 must meet the strict performance standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The department's code requires the highest standards in every phase of construction and its requirements are comparable to the Standard\Building Code for site-built homes. Also, all manufacturers have their own quality assurance programs, and every home's design and construction is inspected and approved by an independent outside source.

In most areas of the state (non-hurricane prone areas), manufactured homes are built to withstand sustained winds in the range of 90 miles-per-hour.  Above this range, a manufactured home will experience some form of damage.  Only in the case of severe weather, such as a tornado, are these areas likely to experience winds in excess of 90 miles-per-hour. It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of all tornados have winds in excess of 112 miles-per-hour.  Tornados can generate winds 200 miles-per-hour in extreme cases.  Current building codes and practices, for either manufactured homes or site-built homes, are not designed to withstand sustained winds in excess of 110 miles-per-hour.  One of the most important aspects in providing adequate safety for you manufactured home in the event high winds do occur, is proper installation and anchoring in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation standards and state law.  A properly secured manufactured home is your best bet against loss of property in the event of a tornado or a hurricane.  Manufactured homes built in Mississippi are built to building codes of either Zone I or II, depending on the wind safety standard in each county. 

2) MYTH: Manufactured homes appreciate in value or depreciate.

FACT: One of the most frequently asked questions about manufactured homes relate to whether the home, once purchased will appreciate in value. The question is simple, the answer is not. There are several factors that contribute to the appreciation value of a manufactured home in today’s housing market.  Many of these factors relate to all types of housing, not just manufactured homes.  These factors include initial price, age, condition, community, and other factors such as inflation, obsolescence, supply and demand in the existing housing market and consumer expectation.  The price you pay for your home will have considerable impact on whether the home increases or decreases in value.  If you pay too much , it will take you longer to see a return on your investment.  Generally, the market prefers something new.  The impact of age on value declines significantly as the home grows older. Once a home is 10 or more years old, condition of the home becomes the most significant factor.  A home that is taken care of, maintained and kept in good repair will hold its value.  Conversely, a home that is ignored and allowed to run down will lose a lot of its value.  Location affects the value of a home and holds true for manufactured homes as well.  Contrary to popular belief, manufactured homes do not adversely affect surrounding property values.  A permanently sited, well maintained manufactured home will appreciate in value at the same rate as the surrounding neighborhood.

3) MYTH: Manufactured homes are difficult to finance.

FACT: Financing a manufactured home is no more difficult than financing any other home. Personal property financing is readily available. Conventional, VA, FHA and other financing programs, with terms of up to 30 years, are available when a home is financed as real property. Lenders are active in financing manufactured homes because studies prove that the appreciation of these homes is comparable to the appreciation of site-built homes.

4) MYTH: Manufactured homes are not attractive.

FACT: Seeing is believing, so step inside and you'll experience all the appeal and comfort you expect in a high-quality home. There's a spacious, stylish and beautiful manufactured home for every taste, budget and lifestyle. Whatever you want in your next home, you can have it in a manufactured home!