Our team offers a range of services to support owners, operators, and developers of manufactured home communities. These services include localized research, thorough site analysis, preliminary site planning, sketch master planning, assistance with re-zoning, operations set-up and marketing.
Manufactured Home Communities of today mark a significant shift in the housing sector, offering a blend of affordability and livability while maintaining high-quality standards. Despite being labeled as trailer parks or mobile home parks by some critics, modern manufactured houses often exhibit construction quality and finishes that rival or surpass traditional homes. These communities frequently serve as a crucial and beneficial solution to the affordable housing crisis affecting numerous individuals in the United States real estate market.
Click here to get started today!As per the statistics provided by the Manufactured Housing Institute, approximately 22 million Americans reside in manufactured homes, with the average cost of a new home being under $100,000. This makes it a considerably more cost-effective choice compared to traditional site-built homes.
One of the contributing factors to the affordability of manufactured homes is the land ownership structure they often entail. Many manufactured home communities operate as land lease communities, meaning residents are not obligated to own the land but have the option to lease the land where their home is located.
Furthermore, unlike traditional site-built homes, manufactured homes are constructed inside a factory. This cost reduction is a result of various efficiencies in the factory building process, including a controlled construction environment, implementation of assembly-line techniques, and the elimination of external factors such as adverse weather conditions, theft, vandalism, and material damages.
Numerous manufactured homes conform to the U.S. federal HUD code, which establishes regulations for home design, construction, strength, durability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. According to the Manufactured Housing Institute, these homes are considered to be among the safest housing options available today due to mandated features such as smoke detectors, escape windows, and limited use of combustible materials around furnaces, water heaters, and kitchen ranges.
Additionally, manufactured homes contribute to a lower environmental impact as they are constructed within a factory setting, preventing the contamination of land beneath them with harmful materials and toxins. Moreover, manufacturers minimize material waste by procuring supplies precisely tailored to meet the specific requirements of each home.
A modular home is a type of prefabricated home that is built in sections or modules within a factory setting. These modules are then transported to the home site and assembled on a foundation to create the final structure. Modular homes are constructed using the same building codes and standards as traditional site-built homes, and they can be customized in terms of design, size, and features.
A mobile home is a type of prefabricated dwelling that is designed to be transportable and can be moved from one location to another. It is typically built in a factory and then transported to a designated site for installation. Mobile homes are often used as affordable housing options or temporary residences. Nowadays, the term manufactured homes have replaced mobile homes in name as the latter refers to any manufactured home built before June 15, 1976.
Previously, communities of manufactured homes were often referred to by a less favorable term, namely "trailer parks" or "mobile home parks," which seemed to diminish their perceived desirability as a housing choice.
Strategxy has actively opposed the use of these labels, as they no longer align with the current goals and objectives of the manufactured housing industry. Today, manufactured home communities provide a comprehensive range of amenities, such as parks, clubhouses, ponds, playgrounds, and more, that are comparable to the standards set by well-established neighborhoods. As a result, many of these communities are now nearly indistinguishable from traditionally constructed ones.
Given the prevailing real estate market conditions, where one-bedroom homes begin at prices in the lower six figures, a significant number of individuals in the United States perceive homeownership as unattainable. However, the manufactured housing industry has inadvertently addressed this issue by offering a solution that enables people to achieve homeownership and foster a sense of community where they live.
In the upcoming decade, we anticipate substantial growth in the planning, design, and development of manufactured housing units and communities. Furthermore, we expect a strong emphasis on resiliency, sustainability, and the enhancement of community livability.
"From an urban designer's perspective, the combination of these liberal land-use regulations with narrow, shared streets feel reminiscent of traditional urban design principles that are more common in Japanese cities and walkable European cities. So, the next step in preventing 'affordable' from becoming 'cheap' is to essentially approach manufactured housing communities with the same step-by-step design rigour and innovations as we would any other carefully conceived master plan." - Malvin Soh, An urban design approach to creating a manufactured housing community.
Satisfying residents' expectations in land lease communities relies heavily on the presence of well-designed amenities. When we envision public spaces, we think of green spaces, benches, monuments, and more. The most successful public spaces offer a diverse range of amenities that can entertain and support various individuals. It has been long emphasized by urban specialists that public spaces serve as the living rooms, gardens, and corridors of urban areas. They extend small living spaces, foster social interaction, and facilitate economic activities, ultimately enhancing the development and desirability of a community.
At Strategxy, we recognize the inherent value of public spaces. We approach the development of public spaces with a deep understanding of their unique character and essence, a proprietary concept known as X-Limitless. X-Limitless, as an art, inspires collective reimagining and reinvention of public spaces as the heart of every community. It encourages creative patterns of use and pays close attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place, supporting its ongoing evolution
Successful and engaging public amenities foster a stronger sense of community and local identity, bringing people together and creating stronger connections, safer streets, and enhanced value. Even incremental changes or updates to existing spaces within established communities yield significant benefits, whether it's in an urban area, on a rooftop, or within privately-owned public spaces.
At Strategxy, we prioritize both homeownership and community as essential aspects of livability. When working with land developers of manufactured home communities, we ensure that the design reflects a strong sense of community. Our approach emphasizes equitable design principles, including walkability, accessibility, and amenities that cater to people of all ages, genders, and capabilities.
Our process begins by understanding the unique essence of the area through site inspections and analysis. We conduct comprehensive research and analyze the space's characteristics, culture, topography, and other factors that contribute to people's sense of place. In architecture, "Sense of Place" is often described as the overall impression that encompasses how people feel about a place, perceive it, and attach concepts and values to it.
Understanding the community's perspective plays a crucial role in guiding our design of public amenities. While we consider the desires of our clients, it is equally important to discover the wishes of those who will use the space.
Meaningful amenities in public spaces can significantly influence people's choices of where to live, work, and play. Whether it involves standalone public amenity projects or additions to a master or secondary plan, Strategxy can assist you in achieving your goals and objectives. We also prioritize the long-term viability and value of the projects we undertake.
With extensive experience in the manufactured housing industry, we recognize the significance of employing robust land-use planning principles and deliberate design guidelines to establish comprehensive communities. Our objective is to craft visually stunning and memorable communities through innovative planning and design, minimizing economic and environmental costs while enhancing community livability. We firmly believe that communities centered around modern manufactured homes are at the forefront of future affordability and much needed housing solutions in the real estate market.
Strategxy has assisted park owners in the United States in bringing their manufactured home communities to fruition. Leveraging our extensive industry knowledge, we can provide support throughout the research, planning, and design processes, including:
Discover the potential of your current or future manufactured home community with Strategxy's comprehensive services. From site analysis to landscape architecture, and branding and marketing to operations we can guide you towards a successful project. Contact us today to learn more and begin transforming your vision into a thriving modern manufactured home community.
