Why are Mobile Homes so Cheap?


If you are new to the world of mobile homes, it is likely that you will be taken back at first when you realize how much they actually cost.

As mobile homes are used as full-time homes by many people, you might expect them to cost a lot to buy.

But, when compared with more traditional forms of real estate, mobile homes are actually pretty cheap. 

The low price point of these houses can cause alarm for some people, and it might have you questioning why this style of housing is priced so low.

After all, there has to be a reason why mobile homes come with such a low price point, and that reason isn’t necessarily a good one. 

In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at why mobile homes are so cheap, and lots more. So to find out more, keep on reading. 

How Much Do Mobile Homes Cost?

In order to understand why mobile homes are so cheap, we first need to take a look at how much they cost. Of course, the cost of a mobile home will differ depending on the specific mobile home that you buy.

This is because factors such as make, model, age, and condition will have a huge impact on the value of the mobile home.

Other things, such as the profit that the seller wants to make, will also impact the cost of a mobile home. But, let’s take a look at some average prices. 

According to figures published by the United States Census Bureau, the average mobile home costs around $81,700. To the average person, this is by no means a small amount of money, so it could seem a little offensive to claim that this figure is ‘cheap’.

But, when you compare this figure with the cost of traditional real estate, it suddenly does seem cheap. The cheapness of mobile homes is relevant to the cost of other forms of housing.

So, when you take into account the fact that the average house in the USA costs around $269,039, you will realize that mobile homes are actually a very cheap alternative. 

Why Are Mobile Homes So Cheap?

So, in comparison to traditional homes, mobile homes are very cheap. There are lots of different reasons for this. With that in mind, let’s take a look at these differences. 

Well, the main reason why mobile homes are so cheap in comparison to traditional homes is because mobile homes are not considered to be real estate.

Real estate is an expensive market, and generally, the cost of real estate is constantly increasing as the value of homes increases too. But, mobile homes do not work in the same manner.

Technically speaking, mobile homes are a form of personal property, just like an RV or converted van, and this is why they are cheaper than traditional homes. 

But, this isn’t the only reason why mobile homes are so cheap. You will find that some mobile homes have a significantly higher price point, and this is generally because less of these mobile homes are built.

But, the cheaper mobile homes generally have a lower price point because they are mass-produced and built on assembly lines.

This means that manufacturers save a lot of money in the production of these buildings, and so they are able to sell these mobile homes at a cheaper price point. 

Are Mobile Homes Poor Quality?

As mobile homes are so cheap in comparison to traditional housing, a lot of people assume that this might be because they are poor quality. But this isn’t necessarily the case.

As we have said, there are lots of reasons why mobile homes are able to be sold at such a cheap price point. But is it possible that poor quality is one of these reasons?

In reality, it depends on what you are comparing it with. If you are comparing mobile homes with other mobile homes, then you will find that they are generally good quality.

Sometimes, the more expensive mobile homes that have not been mass-produced are better quality than the cheaper mass-produced models. However, this isn’t always the case, and most of the time all mobile homes are made to a high quality. 

But, if you compare mobile homes to traditional homes, you will find that they are generally made to a lower quality than standard-built homes. This is simply because of the difference in design between these two styles of houses.

However, all in all, no mobile homes are not poor quality. So, this isn’t the reason why they are so cheap in comparison to traditional homes. Instead, the reason for this is a combination of everything that we have looked at above. 

Is there Anything Wrong with Living in a Mobile Home?

So, as we have seen, mobile homes are considerably cheaper than traditional homes, and this is part of the reason people have decided to live in them. But, before you choose to do this, let’s take a look at if there is anything wrong with living in a mobile home permanently. 

Traditional mobile homes would not have been suitable for permanent living. But, changes to their design over the years have meant that mobile homes no longer seem temporary, and they can now last for many years.

So, this means that they are suitable for permanent living physically. But, there are some things that could restrict you from living permanently in your mobile home. This includes the area that you are based in, and the restrictions that this area has on forms of living.

So, before you decide to move permanently into your mobile home, it is important to research if this is suitable for you, and if it is allowed in the area that you live in. 

Summary

In short, mobile homes aren’t necessarily cheap if you look at their value alone. But, when you compare the cost of mobile homes with the cost of traditional homes, this is when you will realize just how cheap they are.

There are lots of reasons why mobile homes are cheap in comparison to traditional homes, but it mainly comes down to the fact that they are not considered to be real estate. To find out more about this, check out the guide above.

Mandy Carlos
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Mandy Carlos

Hi, my name is Mandy Carlos, and I moved into my own tiny home around 5 years ago. My home is situated on my own plot of land in the country, and for the most part, I live off grid. Living in a tiny home has been incredible, and I love being away from the fast pace of city living. While tiny homes are becoming increasingly popular, there are still many people that are unaware of the best accessories, and necessities to purchase. This is why I decided to set up Clothesline Tiny Home, to share my experiences with others.

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