8 Mobile Home Upgrades You Can Do to Add Value to Your Property. Just like traditional homes, you can opt to upgrade your mobile home. Mobile home upgrades not only add beauty and functionality to your property but also add significant value, should you decide to resell it in the future.
However, not all upgrades are worth the time and expense you put into them. Some significant changes, such as adding walls and increasing square footage, are costly yet only add a little to the resale value of your home.
In fact, many inexpensive updates are much more effective. Whether you’re planning to sell your home or simply want to make it more comfortable and attractive for your household, you should consider the following mobile home upgrades.
1. Paint the Interior Walls
For both mobile homes and traditional homes, a fresh coat of paint does wonders in improving both the appearance of a house and its marketability. The right combination of colors can brighten a space and make rooms look bigger. Painting a home isn’t too costly and is a reasonably quick project that you can do on your own.
Paint also ups the resale value of your mobile home. According to a survey by Zillow, specific paint colors can increase the amount a buyer is willing to pay for a home by as much as $5,000.
Generally, it’s best to stick to neutral tones like gray, beige, and white. Blue is also a crowd favorite. These colors appeal to potential buyers who want a blank slate to work from.
2. Replace the Flooring
It may be time to update your flooring if your floors are scratched, stained, or otherwise showing signs of heavy use. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a luxurious-looking floor. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) has the look and feel of expensive flooring materials at a fraction of the cost.
LVT comes in various designs, textures, and shades that mimic ceramic, stone, and hardwood. LVT flooring is also durable and water-resistant, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
LVT is easier to install than other types of flooring. Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward—a damp cloth and a mild detergent are generally all that’s needed for spills and stains.
You can install LVT yourself. Just make sure you purchase from a reputable mobile home parts store to ensure you get high-quality floor tiles. Alternatively, you may hire a professional installer to save time and effort.
3. Put in Energy-Efficient Windows
Old and leaky windows allow indoor air to escape and outdoor air to enter. This means that heat loss can occur through your windows in the winter months, and cold drafts can enter your home.
Meanwhile, in summer, inefficient windows allow cooled air to escape and cause condensation on window panes. This increases the risk of water damage and leads to mold growth. What’s more, your HVAC system will have to work harder to heat and cool your home, which means higher energy bills.
Replacing your windows with energy-efficient options allows you to enjoy the benefits of lower energy bills and improved indoor comfort. While window and door replacements have a high initial cost, they offer good ROI. According to the Efficient Windows Collaborative, replacing old windows with energy-efficient windows may lower cooling costs by 11%to 37% and heating costs by at least 15%.
And, when it comes time to sell, you’ll be happy to know that homebuyers prefer these mobile home upgrades. According to a 2021 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, 39% of homebuyers consider Energy Star-rated windows essential, while 44% consider them a desirable feature.
4. Install Skirting
You’ll need skirting if your mobile home uses a pier and beam foundation. This is a barrier made of a durable material that covers the gap between your home and the ground. Skirting has many benefits. It helps:
- Insulate your home, keeping indoor temperatures comfortable
- Keep wild animals and pests away from your home
- Protect the foundation and plumbing system from the harsh elements
- Improve your home’s curb appeal
If your home already has skirting installed, but it’s showing signs of wear, or if you just want a new look, you might consider replacing it. There are many options to choose from, made from materials such as vinyl, cinderblock, wood, model, faux stone, and cement board.
Installing skirting requires materials and supplies such as top and bottom tracks, screws, and more. Make sure to buy your skirting from a trusted mobile home parts store to ensure you get everything you need for a quality installation.
5. Add Ventilation to Your Roof
A roof ventilation system is necessary to keep your roof in excellent condition. It helps prevent moisture from accumulating in your attic, warding off mold and mildew growth.
A roof ventilation system also helps make homes more energy-efficient by allowing heated air to escape. This keeps your home comfortably cool in warm weather and helps keep cooling costs low. Most importantly, it helps extend the life of your roof by preventing heat buildup that can damage shingles.
You have a few options when it comes to roof ventilation systems. These include:
- Ridge Vent: This is a long vent that runs across your roof. It is designed in a way that allows heat to escape while keeping out rain, snow, ice, and pests. Compared to traditional roof ventilation systems, ridge vents are easier to spot if you’re looking for them. The unobtrusive design is perfect for mobile homeowners who want the benefits of a roof ventilation system while preserving their mobile home’s curb appeal.
- Box Vent: This is a type of vent that resembles a small box. Box vents use the wind to draw out hot air and moisture from an attic. Several box vents are typically installed on a roof, depending on the size of the home, for optimal ventilation.
6. Add Insulation
If you own an older mobile home, consider adding more insulation to its walls, roof cavity, and underbelly. Doing so will make your home more comfortable regardless of the season. What’s more, it can add to the resale value of your mobile home. There are many types of insulation, including the following:
- Blanket (batts and rolls)
- Foam boards or rigid foam
- Loose-fill and blown-in
- Insulating concrete forms (ICF)
A professional installer will be able to help you choose the best type of insulation for your mobile home.
Once you’ve had insulation installed, ensure that it’s a tight fit in areas that typically penetrate it, such as electrical boxes. Remember to periodically check for gaps as well as any damage that could affect its R-value.
7. Minor Interior Upgrades
Don’t underestimate the power of small changes. Replacing worn-out bathroom fixtures, new handles on cabinets and drawers, and stylish lighting can vastly improve the look of a home. You can also update plumbing fixtures, such as changing the shower head to a high-end massaging model, to make your mobile home more attractive to buyers.
8. New Appliances
A cost-effective way to add to the functionality of your mobile home while increasing its value is by replacing the appliances. If your appliances are ten years old or older, it might be time to replace them.
New appliances not only make everyday tasks easier to accomplish. They will also come in handy when the time comes for you to sell your mobile home.
Buyers are more likely to be drawn to mobile homes with modern, clean, and working appliances. However, you don’t have to replace all of them. You can start with these three appliance upgrades that add significant value to a home:
- Refrigerator: Choose an Energy Star-rated model to appeal to buyers who value energy efficiency. If your budget allows, opt for a refrigerator with helpful features like a built-in ice dispenser.
- Dishwasher: There’s no need to splurge on a fancy dishwasher with all the bells and whistles. Any dishwasher from a reliable brand will do, but make sure to get one in a color and finish that complements the kitchen area’s décor and color scheme.
- Washer/Dryer: A small but powerful washer/dryer combo makes doing the laundry less of a chore. Opt for stackable models to make the most out of your available space.
Contrary to popular belief, there are many ways you can update and improve your mobile home, whether for your own benefit or to prepare it for selling. Mobile home upgrades range from minor, such as replacing fixtures, to major, such as installing new skirting.
The Bottom Line
When planning mobile home upgrades, make sure to choose cost-effective improvements, provide immediate results, and deliver lasting value. Doing so helps ensure you get good ROI should you sell your mobile home in the future.
Shop for Quality Mobile Home Parts
Basic Components, Inc. is a network of wholesale distribution warehouses specializing in quality products and building materials for manufactured, modular and mobile homes. These include roofing materials, flooring, adhesives, caulks, and sealants. Our clients include manufacturers, builders, and designers, as well as DIYers and contractors.
Visit the Basic Components, Inc. product pages to learn more and place an order today.
