Home Buying Guide
New to manufactured homes? Check out our step-by-step purchase guide.
Purchasing a home for you and your family does not have to be a stress-inducing experience. In fact, Cavco Family Home Brands™ have streamlined the home buying process to give you the keys to your dream home in the most hassle-free and efficient way we can. Where to start?
1 | PLANNING For Homeownership
Living the American dream of owning your own home can be a little overwhelming at first. So many things to consider, such as where to live, what kind of home to buy, and how to finance your investment.
Our Cavco Family Home Brands™ are built with you in mind - offering you the best in choice, value, and quality. To help you navigate this important decision, we have gathered a wealth of information that can help you to make a smart buying choice and own a home that you and your family will be proud of.
2 | BUYING a Home
The most common financing methods families use for purchasing Cavco Family Home Brands ™ homes are conventional home mortgages and chattel mortgages.
With a conventional mortgage, the home is financed and purchased as real property just like a conventional site built home, which means that the home and the land are bought and/or financed together. There will be a deed with a conventional loan. These home loans are offered at competitive rates, so it pays to shop around for the best deal. Land/home packages can often qualify for this kind of financing.
Similar to a car loan, chattel mortgages are personal property loans. They are used when only the home is financed. Unlike a conventional mortgage, there will be a title instead of a deed. If you are buying a home that will be on leased property, a chattel mortgage may be the only financing available. This type of financing is common in planned communities, where the home buyer leases the lot.
Finding a Mortgage or Loan to Finance your New Mobile Home
In addition to Cavco’s own CountryPlace Mortgage, a Cavco Industries company, our retailers work with financial institutions across the country who specialize in financing manufactured homes and mobile homes to secure the best possible rate for you. Contact your local dealer for more information about the right finance solution for you.
3 | LOCATING Land
Finding Property for Your Home
Our local Cavco Family Brands™ home sellers can help you navigate the market and put you in touch with local realtors who can locate properties in your area. Whether you’re buying or leasing land, you’ll need to consider a variety of factors when choosing a home site including neighborhood amenities, the size of the lot, zoning and permits, access to the site and more. After you’ve decided on a property for your Cavco home, the real preparation for move-in begins.
Getting the site ready for the home installation is the next step. Unlike a site-built home, the installation process only takes a few weeks. You’ll want to make sure the land is cleared, graded, and ready to accommodate your new home. Once the site is ready, professionals from your selected Cavco Family Brand™ team will deliver the home, complete installation, connect utilities, and arrange for any required inspections. The final steps for completing the installation will vary depending on the model and location of the home.
While many states require your home builder or installer to do a final inspection to make sure all codes are met, it’s important to conduct your own detailed inspection as well. This is your opportunity to ensure that everything is installed correctly and ready for move-in.
4 | PREPARING For Move-in
Once you've located the ideal piece of property for your new home, it's time to prepare the site and plan your move-in.
Site Preparation
If you have property in mind that you think would be good for a Cavco Family Home Brand™ home, there are some things you should consider:
- Placement of the home on the property - Will the site accommodate the home size selected?
- Access to the site - Homes are delivered on heavy, oversized trucks, so road access is important.
- Zoning, permits, development fees - Are there any regulations that would keep you from installing your home?
- Utility location - Is there access to gas, electricity, water, sewer or space for a septic system, and all other utilities you need?
- Preparing the site - The land needs to be cleared, graded, and made ready to accommodate your new home.
See our Site Preparation Checklist
Installation
Once your home is delivered, professionally trained installation personnel need to complete the home, connect your utilities, and arrange for any required inspections. The correct installation of your home is critical. Here's where working with a reputable home professional and experienced contractors really pays off. The final steps will vary by home model and the location where the home is installed. Unlike a site-built home, installation typically only takes a few weeks rather than months.
Third-Party Vendors and Accessories
As part of the process, coordination with third-party vendors will be scheduled to install accessories such as awnings, porches, and other out buildings.
Cleaning
When the installation work is done, your home will be thoroughly vacuumed, dusted, and any construction debris removed.
Home Inspection
Once you have closed the funding on your new home, it's time for final inspection. This is your opportunity to make sure that everything has been done right. Get organized and use a checklist so you cover everything.
While you're conducting your own detailed inspection, your home dealer or installer should, too. Many states will also require a final inspection. You benefit from these inspections - they ensure all local codes are met, which can prevent expensive problems down the road.
Are you ready to own a home?
Get started by finding a local dealer or reviewing available floor plans in your area.