Recent studies show that Oregon is one of the top 20 states with the highest percent of housing units that are mobile homes. As these are affordable housing options, many families, retirees, and professionals are moving into manufactured homes in Oregon every year.
Looking for mobile homes in Oregon is exciting and challenging. With hundreds of options, it can be confusing to determine the right unit that suits your lifestyle and meets your needs.
To help you find the perfect unit, we’ve listed some of the things you have to check when buying a mobile home:
Durability
While floor plans and visual appeal are important for any type of home, checking a unit’s durability is also essential. Our reliable agents provide valuable information about our mobile homes, including the year the manufacturer built the unit, its roofing condition, and insulation.
Roofing
When shopping for a unit, experts recommend choosing a home with a shingled roof. It should go beyond the sides of the manufactured home, which prevents rainwater from going through walls and causing damage. In general, most metals roofs do not have overhangs while many shingled roofs do.
Attic Ventilation
Sufficient ventilation in the attic is important, as it prevents moisture from forming during the cold months. Inadequate ventilation can result in higher temperatures in the summer, which can be very uncomfortable for the residents. Furthermore, an improperly ventilated or unventilated attic reduces the service life of the shingled roof or voids its warranty.
Walls
According to builders, exterior walls that use 2.6-in lumber are more durable than thinner lumber with the same stud spacing and grade. Outer walls should have a minimum height of 7.5 feet, which allow you to use standard-sized doorways. For sidings, think about choosing a home with vinyl siding over one that has hardboard or metal siding.
Exterior sheathing offers additional structural strength for manufactured home units. Typically, it is a layer or oriented-strand board or plywood placed between the siding and the stud. Note that units with metal siding do not always come with an exterior structural sheathing.
Floors and Windows
Sliding and double-hung windows are popular in manufactured homes. You won’t have to worry about air gaps and water leaks, as the corners of insulated glazed windows are often fused together. This helps you save on heating and cooling costs. For easier maintenance and lower energy costs, choose vinyl frames over aluminum ones.
For the floor, mobile home experts recommend one with 2×8-in joists that is separated by a plywood subfloor. Particleboard subfloors aren’t ideal, as they are prone to warping and swelling. To avoid sagging and floor flexing, the floor should have a thicker subflooring, larger joists, and smaller spacing between joists.
Plumbing
Make sure the mobile home comes with high quality bathroom and kitchen fixtures. A shutoff valve at every plumbing fixture is convenient during emergencies or repairs.
Air-conditioning and Heating
Generally, you will find air supply outlets in the ceiling, in the floor alongside the outer walls, and in the floor along the center of the unit. Air ducts installed under the floor offer greater comfort than those set up in other areas. Your furniture items are less likely to block them. You also won’t have to worry about your family members tripping over them, which is a good safety feature when living with kids and the elderly.
Let us help you find the right mobile home for your family. We offer a comprehensive collection of manufactured homes in Oregon. Contact us to learn more about your options.
Resources:
http://complete-mobilehomes.com/
http://www.americanhomeowners.org/ahf/links%20pages/consumersuniontips.htm