Manufactured Housing News

If you're thinking of selling your current manufactured home, tackling different home repairs or upgrades without professional involvement could be a great way to save some money while making your property more appealing to potential buyers. On the downside, a series of DIY mistakes could prevent you from obtaining the results you expect. Because the consequences of specific renovation fails can have serious financial implications, here are some common mistakes you should avoid when prepping your manufactured home for sale.

Mistake #1: Opting for Costly Upgrades

The internet abounds with tons of upgrades that a manufactured homeowner can do in order to enhance the curb appeal of a home and increase its resale value. However, some homeowners choose complex home upgrades, which may not only cost them a small fortune, but also fall outside of their skill set. As a result, they might need to hire a professional contractor to do the job, which could lead to extra costs. Besides having to pay more for repairs or upgrades, some homeowners might not recoup the renovation costs when selling their homes.

Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong DIY Repairs and Upgrades

Most home improvement projects look easy on HGTV. But in real life, many DIY home improvements go wrong. Basic home upgrades, such as painting the interior walls, can be done by most DIYers, as they don’t pose the potential for any big problems down the line. On the other hand, more complicated projects, such as those that involve electrical or plumbing work, foundation or roof repairs, and siding replacement, are better left to the pros. When not done correctly, specific repairs or upgrades could cause extensive and costly damage to a manufactured home.

Mistake #3: Performing Repairs or Upgrades without Advice from Professionals

Unless you've previously done different home repairs or upgrades yourself, it's best to consult with a professional before starting a home improvement project. To help you achieve your goals, a home renovation consultant will use his own experience to guide you through the project and come up with the right solutions to any problems you may encounter. The consultant can also help you create a realistic budget before you start working on your project so that you know what to expect beforehand.

Mistake #4: Overlooking Structural Problems

While manufactured homes rarely experience structural defects, some problems could develop over time. For instance, if a manufactured home is installed on a permanent foundation, a series of >factors could lead to foundation damage, which in turn may affect the structural integrity of the home. If your manufactured home has structural problems, doing minor repairs or performing any aesthetic upgrades could bring little to no benefit. Before doing any repairs or upgrades, it’s important to have your manufactured home inspected and any structural issues fixed by professionals.

Mistake #5: Not Having a Clear Vision

While simple DIY projects, such as painting the inside of your manufactured home, don't require an elaborate plan, complex home repairs or upgrades can become problematic without a clear plan of action. For more complicated DIY home projects, you should make a list of the materials and tools needed as well as a list of the tasks that need to be completed. Then divide these tasks into those that you can carry out yourself and tasks that require a professional. When planning your project, make sure that you also investigate local zoning regulations and any permits required.

Mistake #6: Failing to Budget Accordingly

It’s easy to get caught-up in the excitement of boosting the curb appeal of your manufactured home in order to sell it faster and for more money, which may allow you to purchase another home sooner. However, depending on the current condition of your property, home repairs or upgrades could be quite expensive. So, before you decide on any home repairs and upgrades you should tackle, it’s important to factor in their cost. This is the only way to make sure you have enough money to complete your DIY project.

Mistake #7: Overlooking Building Permits

While you might not need a building permit for minor upgrades, such as painting the walls or repairing the floor, you may need a permit for other home improvements. For instance, if you intend to replace your manufactured home siding, a structural permit may be required. Furthermore, if the new siding material adds weight to the home, you might also need to submit new plans confirming that the existing structure can support the additional weight. Thus, before you start your DIY project, check with the local building department if a permit is required for the work that you wish to complete.

Whether you want to renovate your manufactured home in order to improve the quality of your life, or you intend to sell it and buy another manufactured home, contact us today! Our friendly professionals are ready to help you choose the right manufactured home loan, or refinance for your particular situation.