How to Choose the Right Park Home
Have you finished renovating your own home? Perhaps you’re satisfied with the interior décor, for now. Whatever the reason, now is a great time to be thinking about investing in property.
Fortunately, you don’t need to dive in at the deep end. Purchasing a park home is an excellent way to dip your toe in the water and gain insights into how the market works.
The right park home can be a great vacation property for you, your family, and perhaps even your senior loved ones. It can also provide an income opportunity.
Of course, you need to choose the right one, there are several things worth considering.
Intended Use
You need to decide why you’re buying a park home. It can be a great option if you love a specific area and you want a vacation property there. Equally, you can invest in a park home for your parents.
You’ll have to choose whether to situate this in a retirement park, in your yard, or on a vacant piece of land. In all cases, make sure you have the correct permits.
It’s worth noting that the US Census Bureau of 2022 found that 3.2 million adults over 60 lived in park homes. That’s 31% of all park home residents. In other words, a park home can help continue your parent’s independence while giving them a community of like-minded people.
If you have land, you can even invest in multiple park homes and rent them out. The trick to renting in a highly competitive market is to stand out. That’s where your interior design skills come in. Every home will be unique and the exterior will look fantastic thanks to the latest exterior design trends.
Knowing what you intend to use the home for will help you decide on a budget and the appropriate size home.
Location
When considering the location of a park home, it is crucial to take into account various factors that can significantly impact the quality of life for seniors. Proximity to loved ones is often a top priority for many older individuals who value staying connected with family and friends.
By choosing a park home situated locally, seniors can enjoy the convenience of having their support system nearby, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional well-being.
Living in a park home within close proximity to familiar surroundings can also provide a sense of comfort and security for seniors. Being familiar with the neighborhood, local amenities, and community resources can make the transition to park home living smoother and more manageable.
Additionally, having easy access to healthcare facilities, shopping centers, recreational activities, and other essential services can contribute to a more fulfilling and independent lifestyle for seniors.
Furthermore, choosing a park home in a local setting allows seniors to maintain their social connections and participate in community events and activities. Building relationships with neighbors and engaging in social interactions can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, promoting mental and emotional wellness.cxroberoberoberr
If you’re considering a vacation home then you’ll want to choose your favorite place to vacation.
However, if you’re hoping to rent it, this will need to be balanced with what destinations are attractive to holidaymakers. They usually like having amenities close by.
Understanding what you and your visitors need is critical to selecting the right location.
Interior Design
A typical park home will be between 400 and 500 square feet. However, they can be smaller or larger. You’ll need to start by looking at the range of available park model homes. It’s not just the interior space, the style of the home dictates how well it will fit into its surroundings.
As someone conscious of good design techniques, you need your park home to either blend in or stand out for the right reasons. In other words, take your time choosing the right style.
New park homes come fully furnished. It’s not usually easy to move furniture around. However, that shouldn’t stop you from putting your own mark on the place. Soft furnishings and pictures are a great starting point. You can also add luxury to the kitchen area without tearing it all out and starting again.
Remember all the techniques you’ve learned and tips you’ve been taught regarding interior design. You can quickly turn a basic park home into a stunning and desirable destination.
Costs
Park homes are significantly cheaper than brick-and-mortar real estate. That’s part of what makes them so attractive.
There are other charges you should be aware of. Perhaps the largest is the site rental. You own the park home, not the land it’s on. That means you need to pay rent to the landlord. There will also be costs for electricity and gas usage, along with water and sewage.
It’s important to verify what these costs are in advance, it will help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Energy Efficiency
Modern park homes have a lot of high-quality insulation. This helps them to be very energy efficient. In short, the cost of living in a park home, whether full-time or for a vacation, is significantly cheaper than a traditional house.
You’ll need to consider the insulation level when choosing a park home. The cooler the climate the more important the insulation is. That’s why you should be wary of older park homes. They may be cheaper to purchase but it will cost a substantial sum to retrofit insulation.
Consider The Future
It’s important to think about what you envision happening in five or ten years' time. A good park home can last 50+ years. However, it’s still a significant investment that takes years to recoup your money. Make sure that you’re in it for the long term.
Summing Up
You may not have thought about owning a park home before. However, as you can see, it’s a good investment and should perhaps be your next project. After carefully considering your options, purchasing a park home could be a lucrative and exciting opportunity.
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and All The Pretty Homes in 2024. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
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