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If you’re considering downsizing your home, or just exploring alternative living situations, a mobile home might be a good option for you.

But a mobile home isn’t exactly like other types of houses. While the cost might be significantly less than a traditional home, you could have some other expenses to consider. Here’s what you need to know about mobile home costs.

In many cases, mobile homes are manufactured homes. These are homes that are constructed in a factory and transported to their location after being built. This is different from traditional home construction—or a site built home—which is when a home is built on the site it will stay for the duration of its lifetime.

It’s important to note that the government changed the term “mobile” to “manufactured” homes through the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, so mobile homes built after 1976 are considered “manufactured” homes. However, while you might see the terms “mobile home” and “manufactured home” used interchangeably, not all manufactured homes are mobile homes.

In some cases, homes are considered “mobile” when they’re trailer homes. These depreciate in value similar to cars and other vehicles. Even though they’re built according to the standards set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), they’re not usually considered “real” property and are instead regulated more like cars. If a trailer home has wheels, they’ll need to be removed if the home needs to be installed. They’ll also require what are called “tie-downs” to anchor the home to the ground.

How much you pay for a mobile home depends on the type of home you buy, its condition and where you buy it.

There are a few different factors that can impact the total cost of buying a mobile home including:

There are plenty of upsides to buying a mobile home.

If you’re ready to buy a mobile home, make sure you research options to qualify for the right funding.

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you’ve taken some steps to prepare for buying a mobile home:

While the more money you put down on a home will lower your monthly payment, not everyone has the cash on hand to afford a down payment. If you’re trying to buy a mobile home without a down payment, there are a few ways you can do it.

You might be able to take out a loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or VA office with no money down, as long as you’re eligible. Credit and income requirements for these kinds of loans also aren’t as stringent compared to conventional loans. So if your credit isn’t great or you don’t have enough of a down payment saved up, these loan options might be the best way for you to buy a mobile home with no money down.

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