Placement of Your Home

Before you buy a home, you'll need to decide where you want to live. You have several options. You can place your home on land you own or intend to purchase in a rental community or in a subdivision.

Personal Real Estate
If you plan to buy land, there are several matters to consider. Your retailer can help you with the following concerns:

Zoning. In cities and suburban areas, and in some semi-rural areas, you may face zoning requirements or restrictions. Some areas may prohibit manufactured homes. Others may have requirements regarding their size and appearance. Contact your retailer and your planning and zoning office for more information.

Restrictive Covenants. These are limitations in property deeds that control how the land can be used. Covenants may mandate that homes be a certain size or that land be used for certain purposes. The title search, conducted when you buy the land, may outline these limitations. However, sometimes, the restrictions are described in ways that are difficult to understand. You may want to seek the advice of an experienced real estate attorney to avoid problems.

Utilities. Although a manufactured home comes with plumbing, electrical, and heating systems, it must be connected to utilities. Contact your local public utility companies for connection and cost information.

Water. Not all areas have local water lines and you may have to drill a well. Check with a local well-drilling company about costs and whether success is guaranteed, as success rates are less than perfect. Also, check with local health officials about water quality.

Sewerage. Some areas rely on septic systems rather than city or county sanitary sewerage systems. If you can't connect your home to a municipal or county system, you must check with local authorities about installing a septic tank. While properly installed septic systems can work quite well, in some cases environmental conditions may prevent their use. For more information, contact your local health department or the office responsible for issuing building permits.

Rental Communities
Perhaps a rental community specifically planned for manufactured housing appeals to you. Placing your home in such a community involves fewer practical concerns than siting the home on your own land since most services are included in your lease payments.

If the idea of a rental community interests you, visit several. Today's manufactured home communities offer many of the same conveniences and services found in other planned residential developments. Retailers will have information about rental communities and, in some cases, operate such communities themselves. Compare services, amenities, and the costs of each, including the rent, installation fees, and other miscellaneous service charges.

Ask the following questions before deciding on a community:

Q	Is a written lease required? If so, for what length of time?
Q	What are the charges for utility connections and other services?
Q	Can my home be installed by my retailer or other professional, or does the community require that it handle installation?
Q	What will I be charged for installation?
Q	Who is responsible for ground maintenance, snow removal, garbage collection, street maintenance, and mail delivery?
Q	What are the community's rules and regulations? Can I live with them? For example, are pets allowed?
Q	Are there any special requirements or restrictions if I sell my home?
Q	How are rent increases handled?
Q	Is there a homeowner's association?
Q	Are there restrictive covenants?

Buying a Home on Site
Another option that's gaining popularity is a planned subdivision where the developer is responsible for installation. Be sure to ask about costs, services, and covenants before you buy.