First, figure out how much you can afford. As with any significant purchase, you should shop around for the mobile/manufactured home of your choice. Compare cost, floor plan design, and interior and exterior decor. When you are shopping for a mobile/manufactured home, don't hesitate to find out the details of its construction methods and materials.
For a mobile home, remember that you are also going to have to pay someone for the space the home will be set up on. That may be a park owner, a lot owner, or the bank. Alternatively, you may own land already or receive land from a relative.
In general, manufactured homes decrease in value. That's not true for every type of manufactured home or in every instance, but it is true overall. Even your land could decrease in value if it is surrounded by other manufactured homes that are decreasing in value. Do your homework! Learn as much as you can about the resale value of manufactured homes in the area before you buy. A real estate agent can help you find that information.
When shopping for a manufactured home, look for companies that build Energy Star labeled homes. An Energy Star labeled home is at least 30% more energy efficient than a comparable home built to the 1993 Model Energy Code.
For more information on energy efficiency and manufactured homes check out: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/downloads/manufactured_procedures.pdf
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