article
6 min readManufactured Homes vs Site-Built: The Investor Math
Cost per square foot, appraisal treatment, insurance, and rent parity. Where manufactured wins and where it does not.
Manufactured homes can often deliver finished living space at a lower cost basis than comparable site-built construction, though the gap varies widely by home, builder, site and market. For rental investors the relevant question is not cost alone but achievable rent, which depends heavily on the local market, the specific home, its location and condition, tenant demand and comparable properties nearby. Underwrite both sides with your own local rent comparables rather than assuming a fixed relationship.