The Pros and Cons of Buying a Mobile Home

Many people looking for a new home do not consider a mobile home a valid option. But that is a mistake. Mobile homes, like all the other home types, offer a few unique advantages. For instance, they can be environmentally friendly and provide more flexibility than traditional homes.

Nevertheless, mobile homes also have some disadvantages, such as limited design choices, fewer loan options and high depreciation. Deciding whether the pros outweigh the cons can be a challenging task.

If you are unsatisfied with the search results that show up after you type in “Vancouver: houses for sale,” you might need to change your approach and start looking for a mobile home instead. Here is all you need to know to decide whether buying a mobile home is the right choice for you.

The Pros of Buying a Mobile Home


Low Cost

A mobile home is made of components that can be easily moved, making it less expensive to buy, repair and maintain than a traditional home. As a result, buying a mobile home is considerably cheaper than buying a regular house.

Environmentally Friendly

Mobile homes are environmentally friendly. Since they’re usually smaller than typical stick-built homes, they use fewer resources than traditional houses, and they produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions to build and to operate. Many of them are constructed from recycled materials, and because they’re manufactured off-site, they have the same environmental advantages of other types of modular homes when it comes to production.

It is worth noting that mobile homes were not always so green. However, with new technologies, this type of housing has become more environmentally friendly.

Flexible Layout

The fact that anyone can quickly move their mobile homes makes them more flexible than traditional homes. You can also change the layout of the house at any time you like. For example, if you decide later to start a family, you can move the kitchen or bedroom to another location.

On the other hand, traditional houses often have predetermined layouts that you cannot change. The only solution here is a home renovation or remodel.

Moreover, mobile homes can come with modular additions, such as bathrooms and kitchens. These additions can be attached or detached according to your needs. If you decide to sell the home later on, you can, in theory, take these additions with you to save money.

Easier Maintenance

Mobile homes are an ideal choice for those who are looking for a low-maintenance home. Since mobile homes come finished, you can move right in. Plus, they are easy to clean—more so than traditional houses.

Additionally, mobile homes have simpler mechanical and electrical systems, which makes their maintenance more manageable. If anything goes wrong with the air conditioning system or plumbing system, for example, you can easily find someone to fix it. Generally, mobile homes need fewer minor repairs than traditional houses do.

Financial Freedom

Finally, many people buying a new home do not like being tied down with a mortgage for 30 years. Mobile homes are generally financed through banks for a shorter period and are available for rent or resale at any time.

The Cons of Buying a Mobile Home


mobile home at night - the pros and cons of buying a mobile home

Limited Design Choices

Mobile homes do not offer many design choices because most of them come ready-made from the factory. Additionally, you cannot always create your new home just the way you like it to be. 

However, some brands offer more unique design options, providing something that is both affordable and still offers an appealing design. For example, many different styles of mobile homes are available on the market now, including contemporary and colonial designs.

Also, modern mobile homes have spacious interiors with large windows and skylights that give them an appealing look that is similar to that offered by traditional houses. If you want to pursue your vision of the perfect home, however, a site-built home will be the better choice. That way, you will have complete control over every step of creating your new living place.

Fewer Loan Options

Traditional homes are built on permanent foundations. There are therefore more options to finance them than there are for mobile homes because lenders consider them more secure investments. Even if you have a low income or bad credit history, you might get a traditional home loan, whereas finding a fair loan offer for a mobile home may be challenging.

High Depreciation

The most significant disadvantage of buying a mobile home is that they depreciate with time. Mobile homes lose their value faster than traditional homes. The reason behind this is that mobile homes have a shorter life span.

The tax benefits of buying a traditional house usually last for 30 years. This period is long enough for most people to recoup the initial cost of purchasing it. Mobile homes, on the other hand, depreciate in value quickly. As a result, you will have to increase your capital investment in fewer years for them to remain profitable.

Smaller Living Space

If space is what you need, then you should forget about buying a mobile home. Mobile homes are smaller than traditional houses. As such, they offer less living space and fewer rooms.

Manufactured Off-Site

All mobile homes are manufactured off-site. Buying such a home can mean that there might be some problems with the structure and finish when the house gets to your property. However, these problems are usually minor and can be fixed easily by hiring an experienced mobile home contractor to work on them.

The Bottom Line


The decision of which type of home you will buy might be one of the most significant ones in your life. To make the right choice, you have to consider all the options that lie before you. One of these options is buying a mobile home.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll know if buying a mobile home is the best decision for you. If not, carefully weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of the other possible options. With determination and time, you are bound to find the right living place for you and your family.

Feature image: Tristan Gevaux; Image 1: Kyle Johnson

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