Buying a Park Model Home? Pros and Cons Explained
Owning a traditional home can mean constant maintenance and hefty expenses, some of which are financially painful, such as a new roof or windows, while others can be downright annoying, like HOA fees. Sure, living in a condominium is easier, but you’ll have to deal with the condo association, which, if you’re unlucky, can be silly.
But what if there were a more manageable alternative? Park model homes promise a more straightforward way to live—without draining your wallet or your weekends.
At Lancaster Log Cabins, we know how to build park model homes that last and, most importantly, feel like home. Since 1990, we’ve observed industry trends and built quality homes that not only meet but also surpass the expectations of a park model home. Today, we’ll draw from that knowledge and talk about the pros and cons of owning a park model home, so that you can make an informed decision on whether a park model home is right for you.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
No time to read? Here's a summary:
- Park model homes are small, portable homes (400 sq. ft. or less) intended for recreational use, not full-time residency.
- Advantages include affordability, low maintenance, mobility, and customization options.
- Disadvantages include limited living space, potential zoning restrictions, seasonal limitations, and unique financing/insurance requirements.
- They are best for retirees, vacationers, and minimalists, with tips provided for addressing potential downsides.
Keep on reading to find out more!
What is a Park Model Home?
A park model home, also known as a park model cabin, is a preassembled, portable home on wheels that is 400 square feet or less, and fits the ANSI A119.5 classification as a Park Model or Oversized RV. They’re mainly intended for temporary recreational use, such as in a campground, short-term rentals, or getaway cabins, but not for full-time residence.
They’re typically larger than most tiny homes, but smaller than a modular or mobile home. Mounted on a trailer frame, it’s designed to be transported as a single-wide unit but is intended for long-term parking.
Benefits of Park Model Homes
Did you know the median size of a new American home is between 2300 and 2500 square feet? A small home is classified as anything under 1500 square feet, which in 1980 was about the median size. But while houses have grown bigger by 150% in the last 30 years, families aren’t getting bigger. In fact, they’re getting smaller, although the amount of clutter in homes has increased.
So you’re just looking to live in a small, cozy home with minimal possessions, you’re out of luck, unless you’re willing to purchase a home larger than your needs.
Enter the park model home. If you tend to live a minimalist lifestyle and don’t enjoy living with clutter, park model homes offer many benefits:
- Affordability: Park model homes have much lower purchase costs compared to traditional houses, and even some tiny homes. Smaller homes also mean reduced expenses for property taxes and upkeep.
- Low Maintenance: Easier and cheaper to clean, repair, and maintain. Minimal yard work and upkeep, thanks to its compact design, means less cleaning and more living!
- Mobility: It’s a house on wheels, so you can relocate your home to different communities or regions, and have the flexibility to adapt to lifestyle or job changes.
Customization Options
With a smaller footprint, you can make personalized design choices without compromise. Make this park cabin home truly yours:
- There’s a wide range of interior and exterior design choices. The possibilities are endless!
- Personalize your layouts, fixtures, and finishes to make your home fun with an infusion of your personality.
- Reflect your style and preferences affordably. A smaller space lets you concentrate on decorating your home with more intentionality.
Community Living Benefits
Just because you’re practically living in an RV doesn’t mean that you have to live like Cousin Eddie parked at Clark Griswold’s driveway. As park model homes gain popularity, dedicated park model communities are emerging in many states, featuring high-end facilities such as pools, clubhouses, and other amenities. It’s almost like living in a country club:
- Shared amenities such as pools, clubhouses, and social events keep life around the park busy and lively.
- There’s a sense of community among neighbors who share similar lifestyles. While people come from all walks of life, everyone shares a desire for a simpler lifestyle in a smaller space.
- Supportive and social atmosphere, ideal for retirees and vacationers.
One factor contributing to the quality of amenities in park model communities is that most owners are older, retired, and willing to spend a little more for good facilities. As a result, park owners are willing to invest more in amenities to attract paying customers.
Environmental Impact
In addition to occupying more space, large homes also have a substantial carbon footprint, resulting in significant environmental and financial waste. Heating and cooling a large house with numerous rooms is inefficient if many of those rooms aren’t always occupied. With a smaller space, you can live an eco-friendly lifestyle with:
- A smaller ecological footprint due to reduced size and resource usage.
- Opportunities to integrate eco-friendly features, such as solar panels and composting toilets. Not only do they save you money by being renewable, but these off-grid capabilities also give you more flexibility when living on the move.
Drawbacks of Park Model Homes
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and there are some realities you’ll have to face if you decide to move into a park model home:
- Limited Space: Smaller square footage means careful lifestyle adjustments. Suppose you have hobbies that occupy a significant amount of space, such as woodworking, model trains, or typewriter collecting. In that case, you may need to downsize your hobby or consider more minimalist hobbies.
- Zoning or Regulatory Restrictions: Communities often express reservations about new RV parks, and by extension, park model communities, starting up nearby, whether legitimate or perceived, so even though you could pack up and move, where you can park varies by region, limiting placement options.
- Seasonal Limitations: Park model homes are often designed for mild or seasonal climates. To get through the colder seasons in comfort, invest in winterization modifications.
Insurance and Financing Considerations
Enthusiasts are enthralled at the prospect of buying an RV and hitting the road, like a modern-day John Steinbeck, travelling across the country and encountering new people and adventures in a house on wheels. But they often forget about the challenges of purchasing an RV or park model home, such as:
- Unconventional Financing: Different from traditional homes, often requiring specialized loans or financing. Park model homes are usually purchased using RV financing, chattel mortgages, or even personal loans.
- Insurance policies are different, tailored explicitly to RVs. The good news is that RV insurance is significantly lower, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 annually, depending on factors such as location, coverage limits, and the specific insurance provider.
Like any major financial decision, it’s crucial to research and secure financing and insurance early in the buying process.
Who Are Park Model Homes Best Suited For?
If you’re drawn to purchasing a park model home, you’re likely to be a:
- Retiree seeking to downsize to more affordable, low-maintenance living, with the option of relocating whenever they want.
- Vacationer seeking a second home with minimal upkeep. No dealing with finding housekeepers or the availability of vacation homes!
- Minimalist, attracted to simpler, intentional living spaces.
Whichever approach you’re coming from, a park model home will teach you to simplify your life and learn to enjoy the simpler things in life.
Tips for Overcoming Common Drawbacks
Knowing the disadvantages of living in a park model home, they are not insurmountable. There are many ways to make living in a park model home work for you.
- Space-saving Solutions: The combination of minimalist living, 3D design, and plain human ingenuity has taken living in small spaces to a new level. From IKEA’s storage solutions and small space design to innovative, stowable furniture design, there’s never been a better time to live in a park model home. Explore innovative vertical storage solutions and stowable furniture to optimize your space.
- Community Selection: While park model homes offer the freedom of simpler living, there’s still the expectation of playing by the rules in your community. Research zoning laws and community regulations thoroughly, especially when it comes to ordinances related to noise, sewage, and waste disposal. There are many communities to suit your needs, so choose locations tailored to your seasonal or permanent needs.
- Preparation for Seasonal Living: Set aside time to winterize your park model home as the seasons change and perform regular maintenance to keep your home in top condition.
Conclusion
We get it, park model homes aren’t for everyone. But if you’ve been on the fence on whether you’re ready to take a big leap into the world of living in a smaller space, this blog should help you make a more informed decision on whether the park model lifestyle is right for you.
At Lancaster Log Cabins, we’ve been meeting the needs of the park model home community for over 35 years with homes crafted from real wood, emphasizing relationships, transparency, quality, and integrity. We’re located in the heart of beautiful Lancaster County, PA, and we ship our cabins throughout the contiguous United States.
Ready to take that first step? Contact us today!
