How Do I Buy Land for a Manufactured Home?

As the cost of buying a new home continues to increase, many people are discovering the benefits of manufactured homes. These high quality, durable homes are built in modules in a controlled factory setting according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development code. Then they’re delivered to the property for final installation.

Providing a more attainable path to homeownership, manufactured homes are often available at more affordable prices than site-built homes. They can also be built faster than site-built homes, so you can move into your new home faster.

One of the first steps in the manufactured homebuying process is finding land for your home. There are generally two paths people take when they’re considering getting a manufactured home: living in a manufactured home community or living on their own private property.

In a community, you pay a set amount each month to lease land for your home, so you don’t have to buy property yourself. 

If you want to live on private property and you don’t already own land, you’ll need to purchase your own property for your manufactured home.

Whether you’re in a rural, suburban, or urban setting, buying land is exciting because it’s the first step in visualizing your future home! To help you buy the right property, we’ve compiled our top tips for purchasing land for a manufactured home.

Key Takeaways

• Your local independent manufactured home retailer or a real estate agent can assist you with purchasing land available in your area. Although it’s less common, you can also buy land directly yourself.

• Some important things to consider before buying land are the type of manufactured home you want and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need, which will affect the size of the property you’re looking for.

• Although land costs vary a lot from state to state, the average price is $29,311 per acre for residential land in the United States. 

• Land-home packages are available from some local independent manufactured home retailers, which can sometimes save you money in the long run depending on your location.

Who Can Help Me Buy Land for a Manufactured Home?

Working with a real estate agent or a local independent manufactured home retailer can speed up the process of finding land. To find a real estate agent who’s a good fit for you, research agents in your area with positive reviews or ask your community for referrals. Look for agents who have experience representing buyers and who are familiar with the area where you’re looking to purchase land.

In addition to helping you find your manufactured home, local independent retailers can sometimes help you find land. Make sure to work with a retailer who has a real estate license in the state where you’ll be purchasing property. These retailers keep track of the land that’s available in the area they service, and they can help you with the purchase process.

You can also look for land on real estate websites. Use the filters to narrow down the type of land you’re looking for by location, size, and price. Some sites even have filter options to show vacant lots compared to land that currently has a house on the property. 

How Do I Prepare to Buy Land for a Manufactured Home?

There are several aspects to consider when you’re preparing to purchase land for a manufactured home. Thinking about the type of home you want is key because that will guide the size and shape of the property you need.

Types of manufactured homes

• Single-section manufactured homes: They're built from a single module in a factory. Single-section manufactured homes can range from one bedroom/one bathroom up to three bedroom/two bathroom models. These homes are a great fit for both individuals and families.

• Multi-section manufactured homes: These homes are built from multiple sections in a factory. Two sections are most common, but they can be as large as three sections. Multi-section homes are usually three bedrooms or more with two or more bathrooms. They’re ideal for families, anyone interested in multi-generational living, and people who love to host guests.

• Endwall entry manufactured homes: Ideal for skinny lots, endwall entry manufactured homes have the front door on the shorter end of the home. You can fit a small or moderately-sized front porch or back deck on an endwall entry home. These homes are more common in urban and suburban areas. 

• Sidewall entry manufactured homes: Perfect for wider lots, sidewall entry homes have the front door on the longer side of the home. They’re ideal if you’re looking for a large front porch or back deck.

Once you choose the type of home you’re looking for, there are a few other aspects to consider that will affect the size of land you need. The items below will help you determine which manufactured home will work best for your family.

Important considerations for a manufactured home

• Number of bedrooms

• Number of bathrooms

• Home office 

• Playroom

• Laundry/utility room

• Garage (built on-site)

Once you have a general idea of the kind of manufactured home you’re looking for, you or the independent retailer you’re working with can make an informed estimate of your eventual home’s dimensions (ex. 56’ x 28’). You don’t need an exact figure, but having an outline of your future home’s dimensions and footprint will be helpful when you’re evaluating land options. 

Figuring out how much land you need

We recommend thinking about the questions below to help narrow down the type of land you’re looking for.

• How much space do you want on your property in addition to the land that your home will take up?

• Do you need room for additional structures like a shed? 

• If you have pets or farm animals, how much space do they need?

• How much mowing are you comfortable taking care of?

Local regulations and zoning laws can also have a big effect on which land you can buy for a manufactured home. Your independent manufactured retailer will keep you updated on any details you need to know, but these questions can be a good starting point.

Key questions to ask when purchasing land

• Is the land zoned for residential use and for manufactured homes?

• Are there setback, easement, permitting, or minimum property size requirements in the local building code you’ll need to meet?

• Has the land been inspected recently or should you hire your own inspector?

• If you find a parcel of land with an existing well or sand mound, can your home footprint accommodate that?

• If you’re in a rural setting, is the land eligible for utilities and Internet access?

• Can a semi-truck get to the land when it’s time to deliver the home? For example, are there any low-hanging power lines, overgrown trees, or narrow bridges and tunnels the truck will need to navigate?

How Much Does It Cost to Buy Land for a Manufactured Home?

The average cost of residential land in the U.S. is $29,311 per acre, according to Landsearch. Land costs vary greatly by state, ranging from $9,808 per acre in New Mexico to $153,698 per acre in Hawaii.

Average Land Cost in Popular States for Manufactured Homes

• Arizona: $17,494 per acre

• California: $36,304 per acre

• Florida: $137,092 per acre

• Kentucky: $14,061 per acre

• North Carolina: $35,188 per acre

• Pennsylvania: $33,353 per acre

• South Carolina: $37,041 per acre

• Texas: $28,661 per acre

Can I Get a Land-Home Package for a Manufactured Home?

Land-home packages are exactly what they sound like – they’re combined packages of a manufactured home with a parcel of land included with your purchase.

Some independent retailers will offer these packages to streamline the process of buying a new construction home. If you’re looking to buy a home as soon as possible, land-home packages could be a great fit for you to simplify the process. 

Is it cheaper to buy land with a manufactured home?

It can sometimes cost less overall to purchase a land-home package rather than buying them separately. This can vary a lot depending on your location, though. Talking with your independent retailer will give you a better idea of the types of packages they offer, price points, and estimated move-in timelines if you choose this route.

Find Your Manufactured Home with Champion

Start your homebuying journey and explore Champion’s variety of smart-built manufactured homes. Find the best Champion home for you, or contact a Champion retailer in your area. You can also contact our Homebuyer & Homeowner Assistance line Monday–Saturday 8am–8pm EST at 877-201-3870, or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you.