Welcome to Glenwood

Glenwood is one of the most beautiful manufactured home communities in Illinois.  Our lots border green space and are almost a quarter acre in size.  We are in a country setting but still conveniently located near good shopping and hospitals.  It is an age 55 and above community with a peaceful lifestyle and homes with only one set of steps.

The newer homes are energy efficient with 2×6 exterior walls, drywall interiors, steeper roofs and open floor plans. Many homes have large garages and sheds.  And with only 63 homes on 40 acres, you won’t feel crowded.

In a land lease community, such as Glenwood, residents own their home and pay a monthly fee to lease the land.  They pay no property tax (which is high in Madison County).  They get a beautiful home for about half the price of an equivalent home in similar residential neighborhoods.  All homes are owner occupied to maintain stability.

The monthly fee covers maintenance of roads, common ground, trees and underground utilities.  This fee may increase periodically to cover cost of living increases and other expenses such as maintenance.

They can be quite spectacular, from high end homes like Dutch and Commodore  to mid-range homes like Redman  and down to less expensive manufacturers.   They are built to federal (“HUD”) code and can have excellent cabinets, beautiful kitchens, open floor plans and steep roofs.

Glenwood is an age 55 and above community.  Prospective residents will be interviewed by the manager and must pass a credit check.  They must sign a lease but can get out of it when they sell their house (no need to pay for the full year as in an apartment lease).  Glenwood rules are carefully enforced to maintain the high standards of our community. When an empty lot becomes available, we bring in a new home appropriate for that particular lot and set it up.

It is simpler than buying a residential home.  Legally it is similar to buying a car in that a title is exchanged.  A sales contract is signed, where the price, closing date and other conditions are agreed to.  The seller arranges for an Occupancy Inspection from the city of Alton, where the city checks for working CO detectors in gas homes, smoke detectors in each bedroom and GFCIs.  The seller provides proof of payment of the Madison County Privilege Tax.  This tax is typically about $100/year.  On closing, the buyer receives a mobile home title from the seller or later from the seller’s lender.   The buyer then takes this to an Illinois Drivers License Bureau (e.g. 20 Terminal Dr, Bethalto, IL, 258-0600) and files it in his name. 

Selling a home is as simple as putting a sign in your yard with flyers.  Glenwood has many visitors so it will be seen by many people.  You may also list your home on our website for free.   Buyers must be approved by Glenwood.

Many banks offer their customers personal loans or lines of credit, which can be used to buy a manufactured home.  Also, there are companies that specialize in financing manufactured homes.  Some examples are:

21st Mortgage Corp

Mountainside Financial

Triad Financial Services