Ways To Customize Your Mobile Home

One of the best ways to make a home yours is to customize it, but did you know you can customize a mobile home?

Before we get into how to customize your mobile home, let’s define mobile and manufactured homes because the terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences.

A mobile home was built before June 15, 1976. Mobile homes are built on a chassis and prefabricated but aren’t permanently affixed to the ground. A manufactured home, on the other hand, is also prefabricated, but meets all U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards, making it a manufactured home versus a mobile home. Manufactured homes were built after June 15, 1976, and can be permanently affixed to the land, making it “real property.”

Because most people use the terms interchangeably and favor the term “mobile home,” we’ll use that in this article; however, we’ll be specific in areas it’s imperative, especially when it comes to financing because mobile home financing is much more difficult to find. For example, Rocket Mortgage® only lends on manufactured homes that are permanently affixed to the property.

The best thing about mobile or manufactured homes is you have just as many customization options as you would on a traditional house, but at a more affordable price.

Customizing your mobile home makes it feel more personal than a stock home someone else designed without your needs in mind. You likely already have floor plans in mind for your dream home. There may be features you must have or design options to make your house feel like a home.

The right company will help you design your own mobile home. The best way is to provide you with existing floor plans, selecting the features you like the most from each and putting themntogether to create your new home.

When choosing a company to design your own mobile home, consider one with the ability to visit floor models to see in person which features you like the most and which may not be what you envisioned.

According to the Census Bureau, the average mobile home costs $125,200 before customization options. The type of design options you choose will determine the price. On average, adding square footage, such as upgrading from a single-wide to a double-wide floor plan, will cost much more than cosmetic changes, such as higher-grade countertops or specific design options in a living room. The costs vary not only by builder but also by location.

Each home builder allows different options when designing a mobile home. The customization options can include different floor plans and additional interior features in specific rooms.

Floor Plan

The floor plan is the most significant factor when you design or customize mobile home plans. Home builders have stock floor plans, or you can tweak your options by doing some of the following:

• Moving rooms
  
  
• Adding room dividers
  
  
• Changing the primary bathroom layout
  
  
• Adding flex space (to be used for multiple purposes)
  
  
• Adding a bedroom

Room-By-Room Options

After choosing the best floor plan, you can customize each room further to meet your needs. Below are a few examples of how you can customize a mobile home.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the gathering space of the home for family and friends. It’s likely where you entertain and spend most of your time daily. Kitchens have many design options, including the following.

• Island: Choose the size of your kitchen island. Consider how much cooking and entertaining you do when designing it, as this is the main area of your kitchen.
  
  
• Sinks: Customizing your sink is a big decision with a custom mobile home. Large farmhouse sinks are the most common today, but you can choose any sink that suits your style.
  
  
• Countertops: Choosing custom countertops when designing your mobile home is a great way to give it your desired look. Corian, granite and quartz are some of the upscale options you might have.
  
  
• Vent hoods: You can customize your vent hood, opting for a designer hood that gives your kitchen an upscale feeling while keeping your kitchen safe.
  
  
• Appliances: Consider the appliances when designing a mobile home. Stainless steel appliances are trendy but consider the options that suit your overall design best.

Living Room

The living room can be a flex space or an area you can do multiple things, such as watch TV, play games, or host your home office. You can have one large room or opt for dividers to split the space for multiple uses.

• Built-in entertainment centers: To save space and provide your living room with a seamless look, built-in entertainment centers can provide the desired design.
  
  
• Ceiling beams: If you want to give the illusion that your room is larger, consider adding ceiling beams for aesthetic appeal and to draw the eye upward.
  
  
• Fireplace: A cozy fireplace can make any room feel warm and comforting, especially during those cold winter months.
  
  
• Paint: Paint colors are a fun way to play with your design options; whether you go with trendy or neutral colors, they can set the tone for the room.
  
  
• Furniture: The furniture in your living room will dictate how you use it. For example, a couch and TV make it a good space for family time around the TV, and a gaming system and puzzle table make it great for game time.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are an essential part of the home, often an area people focus on when they customize a mobile home. Some of the customization options in a bathroom include the following: 

• Double sink vanities: If you have a large family, or even if it’s just two of you, double sink vanities allow more space and save time when multiple people need to get ready simultaneously.
  
  
• Rainfall showerheads: If you want to add a bit of luxury to your new home, invest in rainfall showerheads and enjoy the luxury at the end of a long day.
  
  
• Freestanding tubs: If you want an upscale bathroom, consider freestanding tubs, such as a jacuzzi tub, to give your bathroom an element of luxury.
  
  
• Tile showers: If your family prefers showers only, a tile shower can add some sophistication to your bathroom.

When you customize a mobile home, don’t forget about the exterior. Depending on the company you choose, there are several customization options.

Colors

The exterior of your mobile home is the first thing people see. Choose a color that you love and fits in the area. You don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb, but you also want a color that works well with the home’s design.

Siding

Siding is another way to create the dream home you envisioned. There are many options and colors, including hardboard, vinyl, or lap siding, among other choices. Hardboard siding is the most durable, protects your home in bad weather, and comes with many design options.

Roofing

Like siding, roofing protects your manufactured home. Along with protecting it, a roof can provide other design options. Some common roofing choices include tall roof pitches and hip roofs. Some mobile homes also have metal roofs. Look around at other mobile homes in the area to see what most people choose to determine what works best.

Porch

A porch can be a great way to customize the exterior. Wraparound porches, back porches, and porch swings are just a few customization options for enhancing a mobile home. Porches can be elevated and have decorative posts to create a beautiful home.

Windows

Windows affect the home’s interior and exterior. They provide aesthetic appeal and function by letting in sunlight and fresh air while protecting your home from the elements. Home builders can easily change the home’s exterior to account for how you want your windows.

Customizing a mobile home is a great way to build your dream home. You have many options indoors and out, allowing you to create a manufactured home that you love.

At Rocket Mortgage, we offer financing options on manufactured homes, but not mobile homes (prefabricated homes built before 1976). So, if you’re ready to start the home buying process, whether for a manufactured home or any other eligible types, start the mortgage approval process with Rocket Mortgage today.