Things to Know When Buying a Mobile Home in New York

This week our series takes us North, with things you need to know when buying a mobile home in New York. So far our state guide section has covered over 35 states, to see if we have visited your state yet, check out our State Guide Resource Section.

Mobile Home Living in New York Facts

Did you know that New York has the third-largest population among the 50 states? Only California and Texas have more people, and although 40% of the state residents live in New York City, mobile home living is still a very popular option in other parts of the states. Here are some other interesting facts about mobile home living in New York:

The average price of a pre-owned ho $62137
Average model year of a pre-owned home: 2003
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1184
Average sites in a manufactured home community: 75
Average year a community was developed: 1982
Number of age-restricted communities: 94
Number of all-age communities: 904

Know Before You Buy

The New York Manufactured Housing Association website is a wealth of information. They share all kinds of information about factory-built housing for potential homebuyers. Just some of the information you can find includes:

• Financing
• Information about manufactured home foundations
• How to find a community
• The differences between stick-built and factory-built homes

You can contact them if you have questions about manufacturers, dealers in your state, or any other question you may have.

New York Housing Association, Inc.
634 Watervliet Shaker Rd
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 867-3242 • (800) 721-HOME
[email protected]

Making Your New Home Legal

When buying a mobile home in New York, your new (or new to you) manufactured home will need to be titled. Like most states, New York uses the DMV to handle its titling process. One major difference, New York doesn’t require homes manufactured before 1995 to have a title. You can find the form here.

Keep in mind, if you are purchasing your manufactured home from a dealer, they will typically handle all the titling for you. Just make sure to ask about it at closing.

If You Run Into Issues

If you are buying a new mobile home, the home automatically includes a one year manufactured warranty. Any issues or defects from the factory or the installation are usually taken care of by contacting your dealer. They typically have a staff that handles any problems that occur. So, don’t wait if you see any issues!

Keep in mind you will want to keep a record of any correspondence (typically contact them in writing via certified mail) so that you will have a paper trail in case your issues aren’t handled properly.

If you aren’t able to get the manufacturer or dealer to resolve your issues it may be time to try and resolve it elsewhere. After buying a mobile home in New York and having an issue that can’t be resolved by the dealer or manufacturer, you will need to contact the Division of Code Enforcement and Administration/Manufactured Home Division and file a complaint. This is the qualifications for filing according to their page:

Any homeowner, retailer, manufacturer, installer, mechanic, or lending entity may file a complaint with the Department of State seeking resolution of an allegation that a substantial defect exists in the delivered condition, installation, service or construction of a manufactured home.  The term “substantial defect” means a defect or a number of defects or other conditions in the delivered condition, installation, service, or construction of a manufactured home which collectively can reasonably be expected to cost $500 or more to cure.  The complaint must be filed within one year and ten days after the date of service, installation, or issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or the expiration of any applicable provision of a contract or warranty, whichever is later.

Source: Division of Code Enforcement and Administration/Manufactured Home Division

Mobile Home Living in New York

When you first think of New York, New York City skyscrapers are probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, we came across some very cool mobile homes as well. From single wides, double wides, and even some awesome lakefront tiny homes. These are just a few that we found on Zillow.

• 

• 

Related: Take a look at some other cool tiny homes we have found over the years: Stylish Key Largo Park Model Home, Park Model Home Decorating Ideas – Beach Cottage Chic, and These Park Model Mobile Homes with Amazing Views are Dream Homes.

Buying a mobile home in New York is a great and affordable choice for the growing population in the state. If you are considering buying a mobile home in New York, we hope our resources will help you before, during and after your purchase. Whether you want to live in a community or on land of your own, the choice is yours!

Continue to watch for our next installment in the state guide series, when we explore buying a mobile home in Kansas. And as always thanks for reading Mobile Home Living.