We recently put out guides on buying a mobile home in Georgia and Florida and thought we’d continue the series with Kentucky as our next state. We’ll cover how to choose a mobile home dealer, the requirements for buying and living in a mobile home in Kentucky, some good statistics to know, and more!
Related: Five Reasons to Choose a Mobile Home
About Mobile Homes in Kentucky
Kentucky is number seven on the list for the highest percentage of mobile homes in the US—almost 14% of all houses in Kentucky are mobile homes. Let’s look at a few other statistics regarding mobile homes in Kentucky:
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The average price of a pre-owned mobile home in Kentucky is $56,000.
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The average size of a pre-owned mobile home in Kentucky is 1,247 square feet.
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There are approximately 286 all-age mobile home communities in Kentucky.
What to Know When Buying a Mobile Home in Kentucky
Here’s the lowdown on purchasing a Kentucky mobile home and the state’s requirements.
Purchasing Your Kentucky Mobile Home
The first thing you’ll need to do on your journey to buying a mobile home in Kentucky is get in touch with a reputable dealer. They can help with your budget, purchasing the home, and ensuring that it meets Kentucky’s requirements for mobile homes.
Once you and your chosen dealer decide on a budget, you can begin planning on where you want to place your mobile home, whether it’s in a community or on land you purchase separately. However, many cities in Kentucky have different zoning restrictions, meaning that you’ll have to double-check those requirements when deciding on where you’d like to live in your mobile home.
All of these steps are crucial, but they can be time consuming and challenging. At Home Nation, we like to make this process as easy as possible for our customers. From pre-approval and budgeting to financing and buying, we’ve got you covered, whether you’re looking to get into a new or used mobile home in Kentucky.
Getting a Title For Your Mobile Home in Kentucky
Most states require mobile homes to get titles, and Kentucky is no exception. The DMV processes title applications, and then you’ll have to file them with your county clerk’s office. In most cases, titling your mobile home will get handled during the closing of the sale. If your mobile home permanently sits on a property, you can obtain a deed and convert it into “real property.” For this, the requirements are:
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Submitting a notarized Affidavit of Conversion to Real Estate for your mobile home.
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The mobile home’s title must be in the same name as the person applying for the conversion.
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The mobile home cannot have and outstanding taxes
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There must be no liens on the mobile home.
Setting Up Your Kentucky Mobile Home
When working with Home Nation or any reputable mobile home dealer, they’ll take care of all of your necessary paperwork and handle the requirements for moving and installing your newly purchased mobile home in Kentucky.
Related: Pros & Cons of Buying a Mobile Home
One requirement you should be aware of is that, in Kentucky, mobile homes must get a seal of approval (a “B” seal) from the fire marshall. This seal shows that they have inspected your mobile home and that its HVAC and plumbing systems are up to standard.
Kentucky Taxes on Mobile Homes
Mobile homes in Kentucky are taxed as real property regardless of whether they are on a permanent foundation or now. To learn more about Kentucky mobile home taxes, you can view the state’s regulations on taxable personal property here.
Tips For Buying a Mobile Home in Kentucky
If you’re considering purchasing a new or used mobile home in Kentucky, here are a few tips from our Home Nation team!
Budgeting
Here are some lesser-known things to think about when budgeting for your mobile home in Kentucky:
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Call your insurance company. You might be surprised at how much insurance rates can vary between zip codes, and that’s not a surprise you want to find out on your first day as a new mobile home owner.
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Don’t underestimate the moving costs. Not only does transporting the mobile home add to your expenses but so do moving boxes, packing materials, and truck rental or moving crew costs.
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Think about renovations and repairs. After you get a mobile home inspection, you’ll likely find some aspects of the house that will need fixing up, and as a new homeowner, those will be your responsibility to handle. While some repairs are relatively inexpensive, others can be of high cost.
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Kentucky Mobile Home
Make sure to ask these questions to your mobile home dealer:
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How old is the home?
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What material is the siding?
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How do the HVAC and plumbing systems look?
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Are there signs of wear and tear?
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Do you have proof of owning the title?
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Does the mobile home meet local regulation standards?
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Have any modifications been made to the mobile home? How about additions?
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Who built the home?
Is Buying a Mobile Home in Kentucky Right For You?
There are plenty of reasons to buy a mobile home in Kentucky, like:
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Customization. A significant benefit of mobile homes is that you can easily customize them to fit your needs. From various floor plans to bathroom and kitchen features to the trim and siding materials, it’s not hard to find the perfect mobile home for you.
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The HUD code. All manufactured homes are built within standards set by the HUD code, meaning that just about any mobile home can be placed almost anywhere without worrying about variances in local building codes.
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They’re affordable. It’s no secret that mobile homes are much more affordable than traditional stick-built ones. They get built with the same high-quality materials but can end up costing up to 30% less than other houses!
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Easy to finance. Because of their lower initial cost, it’s easy to get financing for a mobile home than it is for other properties.
Ready to start looking at mobile homes in Kentucky? Home Nation is your trusted local mobile home dealer—Let us help!
