Can I live permanently in a mobile home? (a review)

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 08/09/2022 | Next review date: 08/09/2024
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Elaine Knight
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In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Can I live permanently in a mobile home? We will discuss the pros and cons of living in a mobile home, explain how to live long-term in one, and discuss how profitable investing in a mobile home is. 

Can I live permanently in a mobile home?

Yes, it is possible to live permanently in a mobile home. It has its pros and cons, and it is a decision that one must think about well. The most important thing to consider is where you’re going to place the mobile home. 

Most campsites establish a maximum time that you can spend a year in a campsite. And they range from six to 11 months a year. If you want to live permanently in a mobile home, there are a few options:

  1. You can change the name on the contract every six months – Many people live the whole year in the same campsite changing the name of the rental contract of the plot every six months (or the maximum that the law allows), as long as they are registered in a house, which of course is only possible outside from the campsite.
  1. You can live on a private campsite – Another option is offered by private campsites, where members can enjoy the facilities for the payment of an annual fee that includes taxes and general expenses. At the same time, electricity and gas are charged according to meter consumption by distributors.
  1. You can live in various campsites throughout the year – Another option valued by those who have vehicles that allow them to move with all their possessions or who live permanently in a habitable recreational vehicle (home vehicle) or camper vehicle.
  1. You can buy your piece of land. On it, you could install a mobile home, but I warn you that it is not so easy because, for example, each terrain has its specific use. If your plot is not buildable, you cannot put up a house whatever the modality is: conventional, wooden, prefabricated, mobile, with wheels, without wheels. 

Why should you live permanently in a mobile home

Next, let’s talk about the advantages of living permanently in a mobile home:

  1. It is cheaper – Mobile houses are, on average, between 22% and 34% cheaper than properties from conventional construction. They are also more competitive and economical because the system with which they are made is designed to optimize labour and generate time savings of up to 70 %.
  1. Less hassle – Mobile homes are entirely or largely factory-built, which is why they use industrial manufacturing techniques, processes and procedures that make these processes more efficient in quality, time and money. 
  1. Custom properties- This type of house offers the customer its final customization. In this sense, most companies dedicated to this product have a standardized manufacturing system that, however, leaves the customer free to choose finishes, shapes and materials. 
  1. Energy efficiency  – Another positive differentiation of mobile homes is that they consume less energy than traditional buildings. They have built-in quality control procedures that are far superior to those of traditional on-site construction.
  1. Respect for the environment –  Mobile homes are characterized by respecting the environment, since the systems with which they are made minimize waste generated on-site and provide more modern solutions than conventional ones. 

Why you shouldn’t live permanently in a mobile home

Now, let’s see some of the disadvantages of living permanently in a mobile home:

  1. Cultural rejection – The opposition of consumers towards this type of property is one of the resistances that managers of manufactured housing companies have to face on a daily basis. Most people like the idea of ​​strong, durable construction, with low maintenance and guarantees, which has led customers to associate – by mistake and ignorance – this type of homes to homes for second homes.
  1. Maintenance – The market dedicated to mobile homes is heterogeneous and the maintenance of each property differs depending on the materials used. Their ageing is not controllable and their maintenance, especially in silicone seals, is especially expensive.
  1. Location – The location of a plot is the main key that increases its final price. This is due to the fact that the spaces located on urban land have a remarkably high value, which makes the final price of prefabricated homes more expensive. 
  1. Financing – Another limitation that mobile homes pose is their financing. Sometimes you have to first mortgage the land to start the work and then go to the traditional mortgage loan.
  1. Procedures and legislation – Finally, mobile homes must comply with the Technical Building Code, as if it were a conventional property. A particularity that does not distinguish these constructions from the traditional work and that can reduce the interest of those users who want to have a house as personal as possible but flee from administrative procedures.

Investing in a mobile home: is it a profitable investment?

Interested in investing in a mobile home? Here are some figures:

  1. Take a second-hand mobile home (5 years old) with 3 bedrooms, which you equip in “high-end” standing, installed in a 4-star campsite.
  1. You rent your plot for around $4,000 per year.
  1. This mobile home was bought for $25,000. You recover 20% VAT on this purchase, i.e. $5,000, so your mobile home costs $20,000.
  1. By starting from $2,500 in profits per year, you have reimbursed your mobile home in 8 years ($2,500 * 8 = $20,000).

To compensate for the inevitable hazards, and the few refreshments necessary, a few thousand dollars are subtracted, which gives between $10,000 and $15,000 in potential profits over the duration of the operation.

Conclusions

I have listed the undeniable advantages of owning a mobile home. Clearly, there are certain benefits that alone can achieve goals that you set for yourself or your family. Obviously, buying a mobile home also comes with a few drawbacks that you should be aware of. 

I realize more and more that many buy for pleasure and investment and they are very happy with the concept. What do you think? I hope this article has given you some useful information, but if you have a different opinion, feel free to leave a comment!

FAQ on Can I live permanently in a mobile home?

Is it bad to live in a mobile home?

It is not necessarily bad to live in a mobile home, but it does have its disadvantages. One particular point should attract the vigilance of the new investor: it is the choice of camping. Indeed, not all campsites are created equal. And some practice abusive conditions, not to say illegal.

Is it good to buy a mobile home?

The advantage of investing in a mobile home is that you can buy for a relatively small amount compared to real estate in general. Indeed, it is possible to buy a second-hand model for $12,000, the price of a small car!

Why not buy a mobile home?

The biggest disadvantage of the mobile home is that it depreciates, it would be hard to resell and costly to maintain, especially during winter.

What is the difference between a bungalow and a mobile home?

The difference between a mobile home and a bungalow is the structure of the facades. The bungalow is in waterproof canvas while the mobile home is in insulated PVC panels.

References

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