A distinction has been made in recent years, between what are considered traditional or basic mobile homes and what are considered “luxury” mobile homes. So, what is a luxury mobile home? This is a mobile home that includes high-end features and finishes more typical of traditional site-built homes.
Band and texture
One of the most expensive luxury features in a luxury mobile home is the wall tape and texture. The standard wall finish for mobile homes is vinyl-on-drywall wallboard, with battens installed to cover the joints. Walls finished with tape and texture require more materials and labor and therefore add a few dollars to the price of a home. While the tape and texture gives a seamless finish, it’s also a job that can be accomplished later if a new mobile home buyer discovers they’d rather save money upfront than make finish ribbon and texture straight from the home manufacturer.
Luxury kitchen and bathroom accessories
Most of the luxury items on a mobile home buyer’s wish list are found in the kitchen and bathroom. Luxury items in these areas may include stainless steel appliances, an over-the-range microwave, a farmhouse sink, a freestanding tub, and tiled showers. These wishlist items are primarily cosmetic. They can improve the look and feel of parts, but don’t improve function much. Still, cosmetic details are important, so it’s crucial to weigh the added cost of these luxury features with the home’s long-term affordability.
Up-Flow ventilation
Another sought-after feature in mobile homes is “up-up” vents, better known as ceiling vents. The standard in mobile homes is to have vents and ducts installed in the floor. Although the idea of floor vents may be foreign to those new to mobile homes, they provide easy access from underneath the home for maintenance and repairs. The downside to floor vents can be the limitations of furniture placement and, if you have young children, they will tend to have fun dropping objects into the vent (this second problem is easily solved with the use of ventilation grilles). Floor vents, however, are a luxury feature that won’t be easily exchangeable later as an owner.
Why buy a luxury mobile home?
The choice between luxury and standard features in a mobile home is essentially a choice on budget. The same goes for the choice between a new or used luxury mobile home. If a luxury mobile home is maxing out your budget, opting for standard or basic features and upgrading as funds become available makes perfect sense. However, if your budget allows, making a purchase with luxury upgrades already included saves the additional time and logistics of installing the upgrades later.
View all our articles