You can Buy a Home in Billings for Less than you Think
Because people have different preferences and priorities, it’s understandable that not everyone wants to have their own home and some are perfectly content with renting a place their whole life. With renting, there’s less responsibility (there’s a designated maintenance guy to handle repairs), greater mobility (it’s easy to move somewhere else when you want to), and lower cost of living (because renting is sometimes cheaper than buying your own home). At least that’s what most people assume. When you think harder and deeper about it, though, you might be surprised to discover that some people have been spending too much on renting when they could have been spending the same amount (or even less) if only they had broadened their options. Did you know you can buy a home in Billings?
Coming to terms with the fact that you are tired of renting should ideally mean taking steps to buy your own home. Sadly, this is hardly the case. Because of the major cash outlay involved, many people are hesitant to take the risk. Sure, buying your own home is expected to be expensive. The good news is, it shouldn’t have to be that expensive.
There was a time when the only housing option available was the very costly traditional stick-built or site-built homes. We’re way past that era, and now, there are other less expensive housing options.
Modular Homes and Manufactured Homes
A modular home is a home built in a factory, transported on a truck, then delivered to the homeowner’s lot where it is put on a permanent foundation for final assembly and completion. Constructed under controlled settings and conditions, a modular home has to meet strict quality control requirements that comply with all local, regional, and state building codes at their designated location. Considerably less expensive than a traditional stick- built home, a modular home offers many other benefits including faster construction time, greater strength and resilience (because it was built under factory controlled conditions and should be able to withstand the stress of being transported), highly customizable features, and better energy efficiency.
On the other hand, a mobile home is a home built in a factory, then transported to its destination using its own set of wheels. All mobile homes built after June 15, 1976 are referred to as manufactured homes. Following the enactment of the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standard Act on that date, mobile homes now have to conform to a Federal building code (known as the HUD code) instead of just the building codes at their destinations. With stricter requirements on construction, design, durability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, transportability and overall quality, manufactured homes are the upgraded version of mobile homes.
Instead of having to permanently stay on its wheels, a manufactured home can be detached from its wheels and placed on some kind of foundation once it is at its destination lot. And don’t think for a second that a manufactured home looks like the stereotypical trailer you might be picturing. A manufactured home can in fact look like a traditional home with a customized design, multiple stories, a garage, a deck, even a porch (added on-site), at a price that is significantly lower.
Of course, there are some limitations like special zoning restrictions (you can’t just place a manufactured home in any community or neighborhood) and fewer financing options (it is considered personal property, not real property, so it does not build equity). Because virtually nothing comes with pure advantages and no disadvantages at all, right? Still, if cost is your issue, this might just be the most feasible solution for you.
Why continue renting when you can buy your own home?
You shouldn’t have to continue renting forever. If you feel you are not ready to buy your own house because you’re focused on having a traditional type of home which you know you can’t afford, why not consider other housing options? For all you know, there might just be that one manufactured home somewhere that will turn out to be perfect for you.
Big Sky Homes Let’s You Buy a Home in Billings
Here at Big Sky Homes our mission is simple: to provide affordable housing to those living in and near Billings. That means we have a large selection of new modular homes on our lot, we also have new manufactured (mobile) homes on our lot as well. But perhaps you can’t afford new, and you just need something to get you started. Then you need to get in touch with us and see what we have available in our previously loved department. We are always taking trade-ins and acquiring manufactured homes that need a new owner. Give us a call at 406-256-0240 or visit our lot (map below).