What are the benefits of living in a manufactured home community?

When you buy a home in one of our Four Leaf communities, you are buying into a lifestyle. It’s a totally different experience than renting an apartment or living in a rental community.

You get your own space – room to walk the dog, play with the kids in the yard, sit and watch the sunset on your porch.

You are buying safety and security, with real neighbors who care about one another and watch out for each other.

You get a full-time, onsite management staff and a maintenance team who are there to handle those little issues that pop up from time to time. These are people who you can trust, and people who genuinely care about you and the success of the community.

Why are manufactured home communities great for starter homes, families and retirees?

Manufactured homes can be the perfect starter home for folks who may not have a lot of money to buy a stick built home, but want to make a strong financial start. Down payments and monthly payments are typically much lower. And for folks who don’t have much credit history, or some challenging credit history, they may still qualify.  With a home of your own in a great community, you may be able to save money for future goals or live a better lifestyle in the short terms. Apartments with their noise issues, escalating rent and more are far less desirable. Monthly payments, even for homeowners, are typically far less than a monthly rental payment. And, when you purchase a manufactured home  you are actually building your good credit to take the next step if you decide to do so.

For families looking for an affordable home so you can stop renting an apartment, manufactured homes are an awesome option.  You will have more space, a yard and community amenities to make your lifestyle better. And, like all manufactured home buyers, your payments are typically less than renting and you will eventually own the home. That’s an American dream that’s attainable.  We like to say that ownership rocks.

Finally, living on a fixed income in a safe and caring community is the goal. Retirees are looking to keep costs down while enjoying lifestyle amenities that can be shared with family and grandkids. They also want space for themselves, a lifetime of their ‘stuff’ and often beloved pets. Manufactured home communities are the BEST kept secret for retirees.

Are manufactured home communities safe places to live?

Safety and security are our top priorities because it’s the foundation of a great living experience. Safety is driven by our commitment to finding good neighbors. As part of our one-step application process that allows folks to apply for credit, we also screen for anything detrimental to our property living experience. We conduct background checks that screen for any criminal record, dangerous pets and more.

Another factor that impacts safety is the on-site professional management team that we have at each and every location. We only hire reputable, responsive and caring staff that are tasked with making our communities desirable places to put down roots or take life easier in retirement. The managers are in charge of security, making sure that only authorized visitors enter the community. They are in constant communication with residents and even coordinate community social events. The residents get to know others and build relationships. All of these factors create a safe and secure place for both families and seniors.

Finally, it’s important to remember that unlike apartment complexes – where people tend to move around more – Four Leaf recruits owners who plan to stay. In many cases they are owners who know that their home (investment) has more value if it is in a safe and desirable place to live.

Are the communities family friendly?

Our communities are secure and friendly places to raise families. Many of our residents want to put down roots in a place where they have a yard, a playground or a place to walk their dog. They want to get to know their neighbors and build friendships with our staff. Our managers are professionals and are held to high standards to create an environment where residents ‘love where they live.’

How should I choose a Manufactured Home Community?

Choosing a manufactured home community is like choosing a good neighborhood. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision.

Checklist for Choosing a Community:

Security. Is the community a safe place to live?

Does a reputable company own and operate the community?

Does the company that owns and operates the community have manufactured housing expertise?

Is the community growing? Are new residents moving in?

Are new homes being brought in and sold in the community?

Is there a professional on-site manager tasked with making it a great place to live?

Is the community in a good location relative to work, shopping and entertainment?

Who takes care of the property when you live in a manufactured home community?

All of our manufactured home communities have on-site maintenance. That is rarely the case when living in an apartment building. Residents enjoy 24 hour emergency support for issues that arise such as a broken water heater. Other services such as snow removal, landscaping and lawn mowing are provided in some communities for a fee. Of course,  common areas are taken care of by the property owner at no charge to the residents.

What manufactured homes do you sell?

The model homes that we sell in all of our properties contain custom-selected finishes and materials. In purchasing thousands of homes, we have identified many key features and attributes that are critical to maintaining the quality and longevity of a home. All of those attributes are built into every model home, and include combinations of cabinetry, flooring and fixtures that fit a very select criteria. As a result, each of our model homes is custom-ordered. Our website contains floorplans, photos and some virtual tours of new homes that we sell.

How can I get financing to buy a home?

Folks buying a manufactured home can financing it in a few ways. They can pay cash, of course. They can apply for a home loan at a credit union or other bank.  In the case of our Four Leaf Properties’ communities, we also offer in-house financing. That means we have an exclusive relationship with First Choice, which is a bank that makes loans to residents buying manufactured homes. The good news is that they work with all types of credit and it gives folks a great shot at getting approved. Many have been overjoyed to be approved and become homeowners when they thought it was not an option.   Click here for a FREE Credit Application to Buy a Home.

Are manufactured homes high quality?

Manufactured homes today must be built to federal HUD code building requirements, which include specific construction and design elements. Throughout the manufacturing process, quality control steps and inspections are conducted including tests for outlets, exterior quality, plumbing, interior features and more.

According to the Manufacturing Housing Institute, “Every manufactured home bears a label certifying that the home has been designed, constructed, tested and inspected to comply with the federal standard.”

Do the homes have a warranty?  

Yes, new homes have a 1 year warranty.

How do I know how to take care of my home if I own it?

Taking care of your home should mean basic maintenance like changing light bulbs, batteries in smoke detectors, furnace filters and the like.   New appliances have warranty periods and our pre-owned home also come with a warranty for appliances.  Beyond that, if there is some sort of repair needed, the community manager can help guide you in and even refer to an outside company.

What are some features of today’s new manufactured homes?

Today’s manufactured homes are nothing like those of the past. Advancements in manufactured home technology and sophistication are incredible. Examples include the following:

Custom kitchen cabinetry, which includes a variety of mixed wood tones, through the kitchen and living areas

Mosaic tile backsplashes

Oversized islands with nestled seating

Oversized master closets

High-efficiency, upgraded appliance packages

Where can I go to see the manufactured homes? Are they at my local Four Leaf Properties community?

Our communities have new homes for sale that are already on site. These are spec homes that are ready for move in. We also have one or more models on site at each community. If you like the model home and décor, you can purchase a fully-staged home that looks exactly like the model. If you prefer, you can tour the homes and work with a leasing agent to select other custom finishes and upgrades. Our communities do have resale homes if those are in your budget.

How quickly can I choose a home and move in?

You are eligible to close on your home and move in 4 days after your application is approved.

How do I get started?

First, take a look at our properties at www.fourleafprop.com. Once you have selected a good location, complete the credit application online, right from our website. Once approved, you can look at the home floor plans and options, again right on our website.  Four Leaf properties also lists pre-owned homes on our community pages if that is in your budget.

In any case, we welcome you to come into the sales office to see some homes and answer questions.