New manufactured home community offers more affordable housing options

Housing affordability has become a major issue in the Lehigh Valley, but a new land-leased housing development in Lehigh Township could offer a solution for some homeowners.

The Sam Del Rosario Group at SERHANT is marketing the new development being built by Valley Community Management.

Northwoods Homes will ultimately be a 200-home residential community on more than 60 acres in Lehigh Township, Northampton County.

Jared Surnamer, president of Valley Community Management, said as a second-generation manager of land-leased properties, he believes Northwoods will bring affordable living for many families.

Most of the homes, which are built on leased land that is not part of the purchase, are selling from the mid to upper $200,000s.

According to the most recent report from Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors, the average price for a home in Lehigh and Northampton County is $353,750.

He said that while less expensive than traditional housing, these factory-manufactured homes provide modern, energy-efficient, and customizable living.

The development has also been designed for low-maintenance living, Northwoods offers professional management with lawn care, snow removal, and road maintenance included.

“Northwoods Homes is about redefining value for today’s buyer,” said Sam Del Rosario, associate broker and team leader of The Sam Del Rosario Group at SERHANT. Pennsylvania. “This community offers new construction homes that are energy efficient, customizable, and beautifully designed — while providing a low maintenance lifestyle that meets the needs of modern homeowners.”

Surnamer said there has historically been some prejudice against manufactured housing and land-leased properties because of people’s feelings on the old-fashioned mobile home parks, but he said the current state of manufactured housing is quite different.

“This community with paver-lined roadways really lets us display what factory-built housing can offer,” Surnamer said.” These are not the trailers of yesterday. They’re well built.”

He said not only can the homes be built at a lower cost, there is 30% less waste in constructing a house within a factory setting. The homes are also built in an air-tight space and components, like wood beams, aren’t being exposed to the elements during construction.

Currently Northwoods Homes has five floor plans that customers can choose from that are customizable from home color to the types of fixtures used.

The homes can also be delivered much quicker than traditional construction, with delivery generally within 12 to 13 weeks from the initial order.

He also noted that each new home comes with a 10-year warranty.

“I see this as a solution for our affordable housing crisis,” Surnamer said. “I believe there is really a market for this.”