It doesn’t seem that long ago we started hearing about Generation X for the first time. But now we’re already up to Generation Z, or Gen Z, referring to those born between 1997 and 2010.
Some members of this group are entering the home-buying stage, or will soon do so. Will they consider manufactured homes? We think so – in fact, today’s manufactured homes seem to fit their generational priorities, according to a recent survey conducted by a national homebuilder.
One of those priorities is flexibility. Families are changing – mom, dad and two kids are not always the standard unit anymore. Some couples remain childless longer – or permanently. Some adult children still reside with their parents.
That’s why Ma Williams offers a number of flexible floor models from top manufactured home providers that can accommodate the needs of families of all sizes and types. Granny flats, or ADUs, offer another option for extended families; these allow parents or adult children to live in a separate unit on the same land as the main house.
If we’ve learned nothing from this past year it’s that technology has made it possible for many of us to work from home – and that’s not such a bad thing. Telecommuting was already on the rise before the pandemic, and once we start getting back to normal it’s likely that many companies will allow employees to make that work-from-home change permanent.
Once again, manufactured homes can make this transition easier with floor plans that accommodate the creation of a home office.
Gen Z adults have grown up in a world where climate change has been a prominent issue in the media and in political campaigns.
Even more than the millennials that preceded them, this is the generation that feels a greater responsibility to the environment, and prefers products that compliment their commitment to saving energy and living a green lifestyle.
Manufactured homes fit that description. Factory construction makes more efficient use of building materials, and any leftover lumber, drywall, wiring and plumbing can be reused or repurposed instead of being thrown away. According to the National Association of Home Builders, manufactured homes can eliminate as much as 75% of the 8,000 pounds of waste generated in the construction of a 2,000 square-foot site-built home.
The manufactured housing industry has shown a further commitment to green solutions with the establishment of the EnergyStar program, which identifies and promotes energy-efficient heating, cooling, water heating and appliances.
At Ma Williams we are happy to welcome our first Gen Z homebuyers. If you have questions about whether a manufactured home is right for you, talk to one of our representatives today.