Become a homeowner at jennlake
Install A New Home On An Empty Lot
1. Only new homes (direct from manufacturing plant or retailer) that have never been installed anywhere previously are allowed to be installed at JennLake.
2. The only way a new lot becomes available is if a used home has been removed from an existing lot. JennLake does not have any plans for further expansion, but we are slowly replacing the oldest / worst condition homes with new ones. You will need to check with the office for open lot availability. In general, we will not re-grade and prepare a new lot with a pad until an owner and specific home has been confirmed to be arriving, with a security deposit.
3. It is a somewhat complex and time-consuming process to prepare a lot, and heavily dependent upon weather and contractor availability. Plan well in advance (at least three months). It MAY be possible to get a pad ready on a shorter timeframe, but best to plan as far ahead as possible.
4. We require minimum home quality requirements, as described below. We want to ensure all homes are sturdy and likely to last decades if they are properly maintained. There are many nice-looking manufactured homes on retailer lots that are not actually built very well and it can be difficult to tell the structural differences between homes. The manufactured housing industry is a little bit like the vehicle industry, in that there is significant difference between a KIA and an Audi, and even within one brand such as Chevy there is a wide range of vehicle types and level of quality and trim. We require sort of the Honda Accord level of quality (eg, not super fancy but built well and has a good track record for reliability). JennLake is retailer and manufacturer agnostic. That means we are beholden to no-one and will allow any home that meets our minimum requirements to be installed as long as they utilize a licensed transporter.
Anyone is welcome to purchase a home and live at JennLake Meadows who passes our approval process, follows our rules, and appreciates a safe and quiet environment with plenty of space to take walks and let dogs enjoy off leash exercise in the common areas. We use the National Association of Independent Landlords for approvals.
Looking to buy a used home instead? Visit our "Buy A Used Home" page here.
Minimum Home Requirements
a. Home never installed anywhere previously (brand new home, first install)
b. Single-wides no smaller than14x70 box (all lots are built for 16x76 box). In general, resale is higher for larger homes
c. HUD Data Plate Date of Manufacture no earlier than one year prior to day of installation at JennLake
d. Shingle roof or modern metal roof equivalent or better to shingle roof
e. OSB wrapped sides (foam core not allowed). This means if the siding comes off, you should see a plastic barrier and NOT the actual OSB itself
f. Non-metal siding
g. Vinyl thermal pane / Thermopane windows
h. Main water cut-off inside home and individual cut-off valves under all sinks and toilets
i. One-piece fiberglass / tile tubs and showers
j. Non-plastic sinks (must be porcelain, stainless steel, acrylic or permalux). If the home you want meets all other requirements but has plastic sinks, this is an easy minor upgrade for the retailer
Before you purchase the home
1. BEFORE you purchase the home, make sure you submit the manufacturer build specification sheet for approval. You can find examples of specification sheets HERE. This is NOT the marketing material for the home. Many retailers are reluctant to provide this because it may include their actual costs. They can find a workaround. We must approve the home before it can be allowed here.
2. Other considerations:
a. It is very easy for retailers to work with manufacturers to build you a “custom” home and under normal circumstances there is only about an 8-week lead time. PLEASE consider upgrading to Wind Zone 2. There are differences in how the home is constructed, so it isn’t something that can be done AFTER the home has been built. It is not that expensive overall, and it is a significant safety upgrade. Almost all homes you will find on retailer lots in Mississippi will be rated Zone 1.
b. For single-wide, do you want a 3-bedroom which typically has one large MB but smaller other bedrooms, and a small non-master bathroom? It is nice to have the 3rd BR for a storage / guest or study room. Or, do you want more of a “roommate” model with only 2-bedrooms with a middle living area and both bedrooms larger with larger bathrooms?
c. The further the home has to be transported, the more expensive. It is much cheaper to deliver a home from Columbus or Tupelo than Jackson or even further South. Additionally, if there is an issue with the installation or the home, it can be difficult to get the retailers or transporters to come back if they are located a long distance away.
3. There are several associated expenses involved with installing a new home, and we want to make sure there is full transparency about them so that you do not get taken by surprise. Please refer to the document “Estimated Total Cost of Installing New Home at JennLake Meadows” which can be found HERE. Below is a quick summary:
a. Reserve Lot – There is a $750 non-refundable fee required to reserve a lot. This helps to contribute to the cost of building a pad, which we typically do not do until a specific lot has been officially reserved. It also helps to ensure that you are serious before we undertake prepping a lot.
b. Cost of Home – Price typically includes appliances not including washer/dryer, transport, installation, HVAC and HVAC hookup, and standard skirting installed.
c. Utility Hook-Ups – This is the one-time connection from the underground utilities into the home itself. It requires trenching from electric and water meters, connecting the sewer, and pressure test to ensure no leaks. We do not make any money off of this ourselves, but we do require you to use a contractor that we approve. We do NOT allow retailers to do this, even if they offer.
d. Personal Property Taxes
e. Utility Deposits
f. Decks – Both front and back doors must have permanent decks with attached steps and hand rails within 60 days of installation. Please read the “Deck and Fence Requirements” document which can be found HERE.
g. Storage Building – Optional, but many find it useful for storage especially for lawncare equipment. We must pre-approve the size, type, and location of all storage locations.
h. Fence – Optional unless have children under 10 years of age living in the home. Please read the “Deck and Fence Requirements” document which can be found HERE. Make sure you receive approval from JLM management for location. JLM provides reimbursement for fencing up to $500 if receipts are provided.
i. Trees / Shrubbery – Please read the website FAQ section on Trees which can be found HERE.
j. Walkways – Please ensure that they will not impede drainage. This may require a small bridge walkway depending on the location of the walkway.
k. Seeding / Grass – It typically takes several months before new lots have well established grass yards. This is the responsibility of home owner.