When Julie Johnson and her husband set out to buy their own home, they turned to an unexpected source: Facebook Marketplace. One month and $52,000 later, they became owners of a 2,200 square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom manufactured home that was delivered in two pieces to their address in central North Carolina.
Manufactured homes—often referred to as mobile homes—are gaining popularity in the U.S. as more people seek affordable housing options amidst the ongoing housing crisis. With skyrocketing mortgage rates and a nationwide shortage of homes, homeownership has become increasingly out of reach for many Americans. According to a September CNN poll, housing costs were the most pressing economic issue for nearly a quarter of U.S. renters.
The Growing Popularity of Manufactured Homes
Manufactured housing accounts for about 6% of the U.S. housing stock, with a significant concentration in rural areas. In 2024, over 77,000 new manufactured homes were shipped through September—an impressive 16% increase from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The affordability of manufactured homes, including pre-owned options available online, is attracting younger buyers who are looking for a more accessible path to homeownership.
On platforms like Amazon and Facebook Marketplace, a variety of low-cost homes are gaining attention. A foldable home listed on Amazon for less than $25,000 and a multi-story house made from recycled shipping containers for $29,000 have gone viral on TikTok and YouTube, captivating those in search of affordable living solutions. While Amazon has not responded to inquiries about its home offerings, it’s clear that manufactured homes are becoming more widely available through online retail channels.
Historically, Sears, Roebuck and Co. began selling kit homes over 100 years ago, shipping materials for DIY home construction. While these kit homes were available for under $1,000, modern manufactured homes are subject to local zoning laws, making the path to homeownership more complicated for today’s buyers.
Challenges of Manufactured Homeownership
Marc Norman, associate dean of the Schack Institute of Real Estate at New York University, points out that zoning and building regulations vary significantly from town to town, and many municipalities no longer allow the construction of certain types of homes. Those seeking to buy a manufactured home must ensure it meets their local zoning and building codes.
Julie Johnson’s journey to homeownership included spending about $10,000 to lay a brick foundation, a requirement in her area, and additional costs for a septic tank and water well installation. After failing an inspection, she also had to hire a structural engineer to ensure her home complied with local codes.
Though manufactured homes must now be constructed on permanent foundations, the term “mobile home” still carries a misconception. Despite their affordability, these homes are increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, as noted in a 2023 Urban Institute paper. Mobile home parks are often located on cheaper land, which can be more prone to flooding, wildfires, and other hazards.
Location and Financial Concerns
Julie Johnson’s manufactured home is located on property her family owns, but many manufactured homeowners rent the land beneath their homes. Homeowners who don’t own the land may struggle to qualify for traditional mortgages, instead relying on more expensive personal property loans. Additionally, investors purchasing land under rented manufactured homes have begun raising rent prices, making it harder for some families to maintain affordable housing.
Despite the challenges, Julie Johnson continues to educate her followers on TikTok, where her videos about her manufactured home have garnered millions of views. She strives to provide a realistic picture of what owning a manufactured home entails—both the benefits and the obstacles. Her experiences inspire others who are looking for ways to achieve homeownership on a budget.
“I get a lot of questions like ‘how did you do it?’ and ‘how much does it cost?’ People want to know how they can do it too,” Johnson says.
As the housing crisis continues to push Americans toward alternative housing options, manufactured homes, with their lower price points, are becoming an increasingly viable solution for many people looking for a way into the housing market.