Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/657319
APRIL 2016 26 THE JOURNAL Why I Chose To Live In A Manufactured Home BY ED HICKS DEVELOPMENT MARKETING Many of my friends, family, and business as- sociates seemed somewhat taken "aback" when my wife and I chose to purchase a manufactured home for our retirement years. It has occurred to me that many of them have not completely thought out our reasons, and it can seem some- what like a "sales pitch" when we try to explain it to them. So, the following are all the positive reasons for our choice, and with virtually no negatives based on our future lifestyle. First and foremost is consideration that the more stable portion of our anticipated income will be fixed. With this as our anticipated future eco- nomic future, it is most important that we not be subject to surprises and unexpected financial de- mands which we may not be able to meet. Our new home was built with ease of maintenance in mind, and it was installed on a new steel and con- crete foundation system to protect against the "slings and arrows" of Mother Nature, in what- ever form she takes. Maintenance of our homesite is provided by our community management, so it is not necessary for us tour, maintain, and store lawn mowers, trimmers, gasoline and other lawn maintenance equipment. Our homesite is adequately drained for high rainfall, and a time irrigation system pro- vides for regular lawn and landscaping watering. Our home was built in a factory environment where modern assembly materials and construc- tion techniques using aids and systems which as- sure consistency and strength through a carefully monitored practice by experienced technicians. Our home met or exceeded all national building codes, including but not limited to the National Electrical Code and the National Plumbing Codes. it is designed to withstand exterior winds of up to 120 miles per hour, and has been installed on a foundation system designed to resist damage in earthquakes and high wind storms. All bedroom windows are built for easy exit in an emergency, and the use of safety devices like smoke detectors assure adequate alarm in the case of fires. The knowledgable salesperson who assisted us with our home acquisition, arranged for us to take a tour of the nearby factory which built our home. Although we purchased one of the model or sam- ple homes in the community, we were able to see how well built our home was, by seeing other homes being build at all stages of the construction. Seeing the construction quality and careful work- manship probably was one of the more important considerations we had when we made our home choice. I notice a fair number of our community resi- dents are either retired professionals, previous business owners, or generally more well educated than the general public. Not sure why this is, but I think it is because they tend to be those who take truly objective views of their lifestyle, and make decisions which provide for a down sizing of their living quarters. Homes have generally smaller in- vestments, able to travel freely knowing their home is somewhat better protected through com- munity management and/or adjacent or commu- nity residents, lower utility costs, easier access to their car for transportation, more storage capac- ity, floor plans which are more compact and use space more efficiently, and many many other fea- tures. In short, they seem to be more independ- ent thinkers and act on their more object analysis of housing alternatives. My wife and I have found many new and interesting friends in our commu- nity. We especially like that for our smaller home which is also much easier to maintain, it is sited with a low silhouette foundation system, which makes for easier, safer access. Although our homesite is smaller, we are able to decorate it nicely using some easy to maintain plantings. With our low cost, timed irrigation system, we are able to maintain a nice looking landscape with minimum costs of using our potable water supply. Access to and from our home is both at the front and rear, which gives us easy access to our auto- mobile which is covered with an attached carport. For maximum use of internal space, our freezer and food storage areas are located in a locked shed, safely out of the weather and under our car- port. Entering and exiting our car is easy and rain free from underneath our tandem parking area. Some in our community have wider homesites which provide for parallel parking of up to 4 vehi- cles. Our community is conveniently located only a mile and one half from a shopping area which has all the normal day to day businesses: gas stations, super markets, a large drug store, hardware store, dollar store, and two great restaurants in clinging two fast food eateries for convenience. We also have direct access to a large nearby lake, with a boat launch facility within 1/2 miles of our com- munity. A major International airport is less than 45 minutes from our front door, with a local con- venient shuttle service available should we need it. In addition to a small community center, we have a controlled, timed, front access gate a heated pool, and spa area, and a comfortable lanai for sun bathing. Showers and rinsing off areas are located conveniently adjacent to the bathrooms. Since we are an age 55+ age restricted community, the only time we have children in the pool area is when grandchildren accompanies guests of our neighbor's are on limited visits to our community. Since they must be accompanied by their hosts, there are rarely any problems. Worried about high wind storms, no, due to the installation of our home on a strong, steel and concrete foundation system, which allows for low interest 30 year financing if we should ever decide to sell. As far as we are concerned, we have all we need in safe, attractive, functional, long last- ing retirement housing. Any questions, now? Edward "Eddie" Hicks, lic. RE Broker, and Lic. Mortgage Broker has been a manufactured housing community developer and indus- try consultant, retailer and home manufacturer since 1963, and is currently a manufactured home resident of a seniors Age 55+ m/h community in Central Florida. He may be reached at (813) 300- 6150 and at easteddie@aol.com His websites are: www.mobile- homepark.com www.factorybuilthome.com T J