How Long Will a Manufactured Home Last? Find Out Here!

Manufactured homes are a great customizable and affordable but often overlooked housing option. Potential buyers will be amazed at the options available. One reason many overlook these homes is a lack of understanding the lifespan of a mobile home and how that impacts mobile home valuation. Herrington’s Since 1986 has a wealth of knowledge and we’ve put it together in this blog post to help you understand mobile home longevity and provide tips on how to extend the life of your home.

Average Lifespan of Manufactured Home

Factors Affecting Manufactured Home Longevity

Several key factors that can impact the overall lifespan of a mobile home:

Environmental Factors: Whether you own a mobile home or a traditional build, weather is a significant factor in how well your exterior fares. Homes exposed to harsh climates, such as extreme heat, cold, or humidity, may experience more wear and tear, potentially shortening the life expectancy of a mobile home. Some of this can be offset by preparation and regular maintenance. 

Material Quality: The materials used when construction a mobile home also play a factor in the lifespan of a manufactured home. Manufacturers such as Clayton Homes, Clayton Homes Rutledge, TRU Homes and Buccaneer Homes are known for using high quality materials. The quality of the building material extends your mobile homes longevity and help protect your mobile homes value.

Construction Techniques: The process of putting together the mobile home can also significantly influence the lifespan of a manufactured home. Manufacturers using advanced techniques and modern building codes turn out homes that are more durable and longer lasting, usually with less maintenance than older homes. 

Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Manufactured Home

The importance of regular maintenance can’t be ignored, whether it’s on your car, yourself or your mobile home. Here are some practical tips:

• Routine Inspections: From the exterior to the floors, scheduling regular maintenance with professionals can catch and address issues early which can greatly extend the lifespan of your manufactured home. This can prevent small problems from becoming major repairs that can reduce the mobile home value.
• Roof Maintenance: The roof is one of the most critical parts of your home. This first line of protection helps protect everything below it from water damage from leaks or missing shingles. 
• Plumbing and Electrical Checks: Having a professional give your electrical and plumbing a once over every few years can go a long way to protecting the lifespan of your mobile home and your safety. From hard water buildup to interlopers like mice can create unseen damage that could negatively impact your mobile home valuation.
• Foundation Care: There are a few options homeowners can choose for the foundation of their manufactured home but whatever foundation you choose, making sure it continues to be a supportive and functioning base for your property is essential for its structural integrity. Keep the area around the foundation dry and free of debris, and address any signs of shifting or settling promptly to protect the longevity of your mobile home.

Signs That a Manufactured Home Is Too Old

There are times when a manufactured home is no longer worth renovation or purchase, but how do you know when a mobile home is too old to be a good investment? Like a site-built property, there are several similar things to consider:

• Structural Issues: Indicators of foundation problems, settling or sinking will show up as cracks in walls, especially from the corner of a window or doorway running diagonal towards a wall or ceiling corner, sagging floors, and doors or windows that no longer close properly can indicate that the structure of the home is deteriorating.
• Outdated Systems: As technology as advanced so has efficiency and safety codes, meaning older homes may have outdated plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems that are no longer efficient or safe. Some things can be easy to repair such as replacing an old toilet with a low-flow but other upgrades may make it worth reconsidering a purchase.
• Excessive Wear and Tear: If you notice excessive wear on key components such as the roof, siding, or interior finishes, evidence of damage left unrepaired and other warning signs, it may be time to consider the home may not be suitable for investing in repairs.

Any of these warning signs should give you an honest view on whether the mobile home value is worth the upfront cost of repairs & upgrade components, or if it may be time to look into purchasing a newer mobile home.

Improving the Value of Your Manufactured Home

Whether you are starting out with a pre-owned manufactured home or a brand-new build, there are several ways to enhance the longevity and mobile home value so you can protect your investment:

• Upgrading Materials: From the cosmetic ones like new blinds, light switch and outlet covers, doorknobs and drawer pulls to the functional like exterior lights, carpets, upgrading light fixtures to ceiling fan and light fixtures can all go a long way to not only improving the value of a manufactured home, it can also help you personalize your new space to make it feel more like home. 
• Modernizing Systems: Over time, technology has come up with a lot of ways to provide more while often using less. Upgrades such as efficient plumbing, toilets, shower heads that provide excellent service with less water, new light bulbs that last longer and use less energy are all easy ways to modernize your home. Additional upgrades include replacing outdated plumbing with updated materials, replacing and older HVAC system and replacing built in appliances such as dishwashers and stoves can increase your home's efficiency and mobile home valuation.
• Curb Appeal: Making your home look inviting from the outside can be as simple as keeping the paint fresh and clean, replacing older exteriors with insulated seamless siding, attractive lighting and some landscaping. Not only do these touches help you feel more at home in your space, but they can make a significant difference in your home's marketability and value.

Manufactured homes are gaining traction as an affordable option for those wanting a single-family home but have trouble navigating the traditional housing and financing markets. From those looking to live on their own property as their first home, to retirees looking for an age-restricted community but want their own space, manufactured homes have become a strong contender in the housing market. Buyers are considering several factors, including the life expectancy of manufactured homes when considering where to invest their money. They want to balance the modern amenities they want and the total mobile home value they can expect to yield a higher return when it's time to sell.

Summarizing the Lifespan of Manufactured Homes

While the average lifespan of a manufactured home can range from 30-55 years, that can be greatly improved with proper preparation, care, maintenance, and upgrading while you own your home. There may be things you cannot control, such as weather, disasters, and accidents, but you can protect your mobile home value by being proactive. If you live in an area where the weather is tough on paint, upgrade your exterior to seamless siding or have a strong maintenance schedule to upkeep your exterior. Keep gutters clear to avoid water gathering and causing interior and exterior damage you may not know about until it becomes a costly problem. With care your manufactured homes lifespan can be just as long as any traditional build.

If you're interested in learning more about how to care for your manufactured home or need professional advice about when a mobile home is too old to be a good investment, visit Herrington's Since 1986. Our team is here to help you make the most of your investment and ensure your home lasts for years to come.

Start here.