What’s The Difference Between a Park Model and Mobile Home?

Many people use the terms park model, tiny home, and mobile home interchangeably. In reality, these properties have many differences, including size, taxation, and placement possibilities.

Before you make an investment in one of these properties, you need to explore their differences in detail. Otherwise, it’s easy to face unexpected expenses and disappointment.

Let’s take a closer look at the difference between a park model, tiny home, and a mobile home.

What is a Park Model?

A park model or tiny home is a compact, RV-style home designed for semi-permanent or seasonal living. These homes are usually under 400 square feet and offer a more affordable housing option for seasonal vacation properties. While technically movable, the seasonal park models or tiny homes at Munds Park RV Resort are permanently set.

What is a Mobile Home?

A manufactured or mobile home is a prefabricated structure built on a permanent chassis and transported to a specific site for long-term living. Manufactured homes aren’t limited to a certain size. They come in single-wide (500–1,300 square feet) or double-wide (1,000–2,300 square feet) configurations. These homes are mostly used as full-time residences by our residents in our communities.

Park Model, Tiny Homes, and Manufactured Homes Compared

Besides the obvious difference in size, these homes have many other elements that set them apart. They are:

Taxes

The IRS classifies most park models or tiny homes as a recreational vehicle. This means that they don’t qualify as permanent residences for property tax purposes. As an owner, you are likely to pay personal property taxes for this home similar to purchasing a car.

Manufactured homes are considered permanent residences. Depending on where they are placed, they are subject to real estate or property taxes.

Locations

You can find a seasonal park model or tiny home in one of our RV parks or seasonal communities. Because of their recreational classification, these homes are less suitable for permanent residential lots.

Meanwhile, a manufactured home can be found in all our manufactured home communities.

Transportation

Both seasonal park models, tiny homes, and mobile homes have wheels when they leave the factory. Mobile homes and seasonal tiny homes or seasonal park models in our communities are removed permanently as soon as they are placed on the foundation.

Building Codes

Seasonal park models or tiny homes adhere to RV standards, which have different housing codes compared to manufactured homes. They do not fall under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code. Meanwhile, mobile homes must comply with HUD safety and construction standards.

Park Model vs. Mobile Homes: Pros and Cons

To make an educated decision about your new type of residence, consider these pros and cons of each:

Park Model: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lower initial cost compared to mobile homes
• Easier to move and transport due to lighter weight
• Ideal for seasonal or recreational use
• Smaller size can mean lower utility costs

Cons:

• Limited living space
• Not always built for year-round use in all climates
• May not appreciate in value over time

Mobile Homes: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• More living space, with options for single-wide or double-wide layouts
• Built for permanent, year-round residence
• Can be placed on owned land, leased property, or in mobile home parks
• Offers potential for property appreciation

Cons:

• Higher initial cost than park models
• More difficult and costly to relocate once installed
• Limited placement flexibility

Both park model homes and mobile homes differ in type and style. The pros and cons can also depend on the model you choose.

Should I Choose a Park Model or a Mobile Home?

The choice between a park model home and a mobile home depends on your living plans. If you are looking for a vacation house on wheels with all the perks of a real home, you may want to consider a park model. If you are thinking about an affordable permanent residence, you might appreciate a mobile home.

If you’d like to learn more about the differences between park models and mobile homes, get in touch with our team. We have extensive experience with all types of properties at Munds Park RV.

Image source: Greg Kelton via Shuttesrt