About 32% of today’s buyers are purchasing a home for the first time, and finding an attainable house is the main concern for many of them. That’s where Clayton’s manufactured and modular models come in. They make such great starter homes because they’re built and designed with affordability and quality in mind. But choosing more attainable home doesn’t mean you have to compromise on its appearance, either. We offer a variety of features, styles and price points so you can find the right options that fit you.

We’re here to help you with your home search, whether you already know what features you want in your first home or are just starting on your list. Check out these top picks for all first-time home buyers to consider.

Spa Bathrooms

Home buyers are looking for upgraded bathrooms, especially in the primary bedroom suite. At Clayton, our homes offer a wide variety of bathroom styles and layouts. Standalone bathtubs to soak in, spacious walk-in showers and double sink vanities are popular, but the design elements are just as important. Many want that at-home spa experience, from glass half shower walls or glass shower doors with black metal grids to marble-style counters and stylish tile options.

Other desirable bathroom features also include comforts like rainfall and handheld shower heads, shower benches, personal vanities that are separate from the sinks, large mirrors and private toilets. And don’t forget about built-in linen closets, cubbies and towel racks help you keep all your favorite toiletries organized and easy to grab.

Luxury Design Details

The rise of quiet luxury emphasizes curated design elements and quality materials to create a simple but sophisticated look. Think warm, inviting neutrals, clean lines, thoughtful lighting fixtures and classic details like crown molding and French doors.

Many Clayton models have luxurious features like decorative range hoods, large islands and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, along with cozy fireplaces, tray ceilings and built-in entertainment centers in the living room. You can also find quartz-style or butcher block counters, pendant lights and beautiful tiled backsplash through a variety of our homes, whether you prefer modern, classic or farmhouse.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living spaces have continued to grow in popularity in the last couple of years. Think outdoor dinners, fire pit gatherings, a reading corner on the porch, a meditation spot in the garden or simply a yard to play in with your pets. Home buyers want to maximize their space and create an extension of their home into areas like a porch, yard or patio. Just add some lounge furniture and personal touches like potted plants and decorative lights, and you have a comfortable space to share with friends and family.

Also, the growing interest in wellbeing and biophilic design – which is focused on connecting people to nature – makes an outdoor area even more appealing. Many of our home models offer porch options in their floor plans to help you get started on creating your space. Whether you like the classic front porch or a more private side porch, you can enjoy the fresh air, rain or shine.

Energy-Efficient Features

Energy efficiency is also becoming important to more and more home buyers who are looking for ways to save on utility costs. And at Clayton, our focus is not only on building our homes more efficiently but also including features that help homeowners with those energy costs over time.

That’s why we offer eBuilt® homes. These manufactured homes are constructed to the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Homes™ standards and are estimated to save homeowners up to 50% on their annual energy costs* compared to a traditional site-built home.

An eBuilt® home includes energy-saving features like a smart thermostat, an ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerator and dishwasher, low-E windows and more. Our eBuilt® homes also come ready for solar panel installation, with the conduit and built-in space on the electric panel so homeowners can choose if they want to add solar power components later.

Personalization Options

Home buyers also want a floor plan that works for their lifestyle, and they want to make their new home theirs. Having the ability to personalize your home is a big benefit of buying a new manufactured home. In many of our homes, you may have several bathroom or kitchen room layouts to choose from, like a separate tub or cabinet arrangement. Or, you could swap a den for an extra bedroom or home office.

Depending on the home model, you’ll also have cabinet, kitchen finishes and flooring options to select inside, as well as and siding colors and skirting material for the exterior. Also, some floor plans offer options like a fireplace, ceiling beams, a tray ceiling, a study nook with a built-in desk or additional storage.

Mindful Spaces

Speaking of floor plans, intentional and flexible spaces are equally desired by home buyers. Defined and clearly separated spaces are ideal for certain activities, like a home office for focus, a dining room for intimate gatherings or a split-bedroom floor plan for privacy.

Flex rooms, on the other hand, are mean to be multi-functional, so the space can be what you need it to be, when you need it. Whether you need a home gym, a craft room or play area for kids, you can arrange, change and use a flex space how you want. Our Tempo home series specifically include flex rooms in every one of the floor plans, so your home can more easily match the rhythm of your day-to-day life.

Storage Solutions

Built-in storage solutions are also key for mindful spaces, and Clayton incorporates storage solutions throughout our homes. Walk-in pantries give you plenty of room for food storage, extra dishes and appliances you don’t need every day, while kitchen islands, coffee bars and hutches provide more counterspace and cabinets for frequently used items.

Enjoy built-in entertainment centers and bookshelves in many of our living rooms, and finally have room for all your clothes with walk-in closets in the primary bedrooms. You can also check mess at the door with entryway hall trees and mudroom benches, cubbies and hooks. These storage features help keep rooms organized so you can enjoy your home to the fullest.

Garages

Zillow listed garages as one of the top ten features home buyers searched for in 2023, and we’re not surprised. They are a useful feature to have with your home, and garage options can be found in a several Clayton floor plans or potentially added to the design of your home before it’s built.

With a garage, you can keep your vehicle more secure and protected from the elements. They can also provide extra storage space or somewhere to enjoy more hands-on hobbies, like working on a vehicle or DIY projects. Plus, a garage can boost your home’s curb appeal.

Smart Technology

More of today’s home buyers, especially younger buyers, want smart technology features for convenience. Every new Clayton home includes an ecobee Smart Thermostat® that can be controlled using your smartphone to set the temperature before you leave work or automatically adjust it to the conditions outside. This not only keeps you comfortable but helps you use less energy for heating and cooling your home.

The Rheem® ProTerra® hybrid heat pump water heater in our homes can also let you control its different modes with an app on your smartphone connected to the internet. And our partnership with Kwikset® means your home’s locks have SmartKey Security™ technology that is not only designed to protect against common break-in attempts but also lets you re-key the lock, especially helpful if someone in your household has lost their key.

And there you have it, the most popular features for first-time home buyers. Of course, each person’s list of must-have features can look a little different due to their specific needs and style. If you love to cook, the perfect kitchen may be number one. Maybe pet-friendly features are a priority for your fur babies. Or you want a smaller home that fits just right for you. No matter what you’re searching for, you can get started on your journey by browsing the Home Features category on our Studio blog to see more of everything we offer at Clayton.

*ZERH Logo Use Guidelines (energy.gov)

ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR mark are registered trademarks owned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Trademarks of companies other than Clayton Homes are the property of those other companies.