Tips on Placing a Manufactured Home on Land You Own...

Placing your manufactured home on land you own (or intend to buy) allows you a certain amount of freedom, in the location of the land itself and in the location of your home on the land. However, if you plan to place a manufactured home on private property, there are several things you need to know and consider before you can site your home.

The following information is intended to familiarize you with the issues, regulations and building codes that control private property placement of manufactured housing.

Manufactured Housing and Kansas Regulations

In 1992, a state law went into effect that makes it illegal for any city or county to exclude a residential-design manufactured home from a residential district in Kansas (K.S.A. 12-763). A residential-design manufactured home means “a manufactured home on permanent foundation which has minimum dimensions of 22 body feet in width, a pitched roof, and siding and roofing materials which are customarily used on site-built homes” (K.S.A. 12-742).

State Law Treats Residential-Designed Manufactured Housing
the Same As Site-Built Homes

Manufactured housing is required by federal law to be built to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards. Both state and federal law prohibits any local government from requiring any other construction standard for manufactured housing. However, local governments can (and often do) regulate the installation of manufactured housing. Check with your city or county code enforcement office on installation standards. In most cities and counties, a building permit is required to place a home, and a fee is charged for the permit. Also, licensed craftsmen may be required at an additional expense.

Check Your Local Zoning Regulations

Before you site a manufactured home on private property, make sure you understand the local zoning requirements of your city and county. Zoning information is available through a city and/or county land use and planning office. It's best to call and make an appointment with the zoning administrator to discuss your plans, and get copies of ordinances and regulations that affect single family housing placement. Typically, zoning regulations deal with the use, location (including flood plain), size, shape, height and set-backs required of a structure. Sometimes zoning regulations address the architectural features of a structure.

Restrictive Covenants

Private restrictive covenants are limitations in property deeds that control how you can use the land. Many residential subdivisions (and some rural properties) have private restrictive covenants that go beyond public zoning regulations. Therefore, you should always check to see if the land you are interested in has covenants before you purchase a lot. Covenants may be available from the current property owners, the subdivision homeowners' association (if one exists), and they are recorded at the Register of Deeds office and are available to look at if you have a legal description of the property. Always check to make sure you have the most current copy of the covenants.

Manufactured housing comes complete with plumbing, electrical and heating systems that must be connected to
electrical, water and sewer facilities. To find out what utilities are available to a property, how much it will cost to run services to your home, and what connection fees are, contact your local public utilities division for information. In some areas, water and sewer services may not be available, requiring a well and septic system. Contact the local health department for information and permits.

Choosing Your Neighborhood

Today’s manufactured home delivers all the amenities and comforts found in site-built housing, but at 20 to 35% less per square foot, depending on the region of the country. Built in a controlled factory environment where construction quality is painstakingly maintained, today’s manufactured homes are constructed with materials virtually identical to those used in traditional site-built homes. Economies of scale and the efficiency of factory production produce savings that are passed on directly to the homebuyer. Manufactured homes range in size from 1,000 to 3,000+ sq. ft. and come with a long list of standard features, such as modern kitchen appliances, and custom options such as wood-burning fireplaces, whirlpool baths and cathedral ceilings.

Tips On Placing A Manufactured Home In A Land/Lease Community

Many people don't understand the financial benefits that can be realized from leasing land while owning their own home. When you live in a land-lease manufactured home community, you purchase your home but lease the land where your home is located. When homebuyers make their housing purchase with land costs included, their total housing costs increase significantly. When purchasing your home, but leasing the land your home is sited on in a manufactured home community, your initial dollar investment is much lower.

This lower initial investment puts more money in your budget each month to either save, cover living expenses, or to give you some of the extras you want and need. If you invested your savings, the earnings could offset the rent you pay on your homesite, further reducing your monthly expenses. You could decide to make use of your monthly savings in numerous ways. You may initially wish to buy a bigger home since land costs are not included in your home purchase. You may decide to take more vacations or buy that boat you have always wanted.

Another financial benefit of living in a manufactured home community involves real estate taxes. When leasing land, real estate taxes are paid by the community owner and are included in the monthly land rent. The individual homeowner only pays taxes on the value of his or her home, usually in the form of personal property tax.

Services and Amenities

Many manufactured home communities offer lawn maintenance, pools, clubhouses, cable television, storage facilities for RV's and boats, and playgrounds. They also have the staff to keep things in shape, freeing the homeowner from many of these chores. The services found in your manufactured home community are usually included in the rent for your homesite.

Secure Environment

Manufactured home communities can provide you with the secure living environment you are looking for. The manufactured home community is the original gated community. Many have only one point of entry and exit. Some have security guards that ensure only residents and their guests have access to the community. Some communities provide security forces that constantly patrol the community to ensure resident safety. Plus, neighbors look out for each other, forming a full-time, caring, unofficial crime watch, so to speak. Residents can leave their homes for days or weeks without worrying about its security.

Professional Management

Professional managers for the community ensure that the common areas, homes and homesites are attractive and properly maintained. They ensure that the pool is operational, the snow is removed and the trash is collected. The owner of a manufactured home community wants to keep the community in "tip-top" condition to keep you as a resident and attract new residents. This professional management helps you protect your home investment.

Resale Value

When you want to sell your home, you may find the resale of your home in a manufactured home community is quicker and easier than in a traditional subdivision. The price of your home will be more competitive than homes similar in size with land included. The amenities of your community will help sell your home as well. Three things mostly determine resale value: the condition of your home, the location of the community, and the condition of the community. In a manufactured home community, the management helps you enhance the value of your investment by maintaining the overall community.

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