If you’re driving down Route 413, just a stone's throw from the historic Peddler’s Village, you might miss the entrance to the Village of Buckingham Springs PA. It doesn't shout for attention. There are no flashing neon signs or towering gates. Instead, it’s just a quiet, winding road that leads into one of the most misunderstood housing markets in Pennsylvania.
Bucks County is expensive. Like, "sell your firstborn for a 1,200-square-foot rancher" expensive.
But then you have this place. It's a land-lease community specifically for people 55 and better. People hear "manufactured home" or "land lease" and their brains immediately jump to outdated stereotypes from the 70s. They’re wrong. Honestly, walking through Buckingham Springs feels more like a upscale suburban subdivision than a "trailer park," a term that residents here will politely, but firmly, correct you on.
What the Village of Buckingham Springs PA Actually Is
Most people get the concept of homeownership mixed up when they look at this neighborhood. In the Village of Buckingham Springs PA, you own the house, but you rent the dirt it sits on. It's a land-lease setup.
Think about it.
You aren't paying $15,000 a year in property taxes. Since you don't own the land, your tax bill is significantly lower than the guy living three miles away in a traditional stick-built home. You pay a monthly "land lease" fee, which covers your trash, snow removal on the streets, and access to the massive clubhouse. It’s a trade-off. You give up the equity in the land to keep more cash in your pocket every month.
The homes themselves are mostly double-wide manufactured units, but don't let that fool you. We're talking about three-bedroom layouts, vaulted ceilings, and master suites with soaking tubs. Some of these units have attached garages and sprawling front porches that would look right at home in a Hallmark movie.
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The Reality of Costs in Buckingham
Let's talk numbers because that’s why most people look here.
Prices for homes in the Village of Buckingham Springs PA usually range from the low $200s to the high $300s, depending on the year of the unit and the level of internal renovations. In a township where the median home price often flirts with $800,000, that’s a massive gap.
However, you've gotta account for that monthly fee.
As of the last few years, the monthly site rent generally sits somewhere between $700 and $950. It fluctuates. Some people hate the idea of a "rent" payment that can go up, but when you factor in that it covers the amenities and the lack of high real estate taxes, the math starts to make sense for a lot of retirees.
- Real Estate Taxes: Low.
- HOA/Land Lease: One monthly payment.
- Maintenance: You're responsible for your own roof and HVAC, but the community handles the "big stuff" like the pool and common areas.
Is the "Lifestyle" Just Bingo and Early Dinners?
Not really.
There's a massive clubhouse that serves as the heart of the community. It has a library, a fitness center, and a ballroom. The pool is a huge draw in the summer. It’s where everyone ends up around 2:00 PM on a Tuesday.
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The community is managed by McKnight, and they keep a pretty tight ship. You won’t see overgrown lawns or peeling paint because the rules are strict. Some people find the rules a bit stifling—like what color you can paint your shutters—but that’s exactly what keeps the property values stable. It’s the price of a clean neighborhood.
You’re also five minutes from New Hope and Doylestown.
If you want world-class dining or a show at the Bucks County Playhouse, you're right there. You get the peace of Buckingham and the culture of the surrounding towns without the million-dollar price tag.
The Tricky Part: Financing and Resale
This is where it gets complicated.
Traditional mortgages can be tough to get for manufactured homes on leased land. You’re often looking at "chattel loans" or specialized financing. Most buyers in the Village of Buckingham Springs PA come in with cash from the sale of their previous, larger family home.
And appreciation?
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It's different here. In a traditional neighborhood, the land appreciates. Here, you're owning a structure that behaves a bit more like a car—it can hold its value well if maintained, but you aren't going to see the explosive 50% growth you might see in a Doylestown borough Victorian. You buy here for the lifestyle and the monthly cash flow, not necessarily to make a killing on a flip.
What People Get Wrong About Manufactured Homes
Quality has changed.
The homes built in the late 90s and early 2000s in Buckingham Springs are sturdy. They have drywall, not that weird thin paneling people associate with old mobile homes. They have central air. They have modern kitchens.
Living here is basically a life hack for aging in place. Most of the homes are one-story. No stairs to navigate when your knees start acting up. It's a flat community, easy for walking the dog or biking to the mailbox.
How to Actually Buy in Buckingham Springs
If you're seriously looking at the Village of Buckingham Springs PA, you need to move fast when a good unit hits the market. Even with the land-lease model, the demand for affordable housing in Bucks County is so high that well-maintained homes don't sit for long.
- Check the lease terms. Ask exactly what is included and what the historical rate of increase has been.
- Inspect the "skirting" and the "pier." Since these aren't on traditional foundations, you want to make sure the structural support is solid and there's no moisture trapped underneath.
- Visit at different times. Walk the streets on a Saturday morning and then again on a Tuesday evening. Talk to the neighbors. People here are generally very chatty and will give you the "real" scoop on the current management.
- Verify the age requirements. It's a 55+ community. This is strictly enforced. If you're 52 and your spouse is 56, you're usually fine, but you've got to check the specific bylaws for the current year.
The Bottom Line on Buckingham Springs
It isn't for everyone. If you’re obsessed with land ownership and building a massive real estate portfolio, keep moving. But if you’re a retiree who wants to pull your equity out of a big house, stay in the beautiful Buckingham area, and live in a place where someone else plows the snow?
It’s hard to beat.
The Village of Buckingham Springs PA offers a middle ground that’s increasingly rare in the Northeast. It’s a way to live a high-quality life in an expensive zip code without being "house poor." Just make sure you do your homework on the financing and the lease agreement before you sign on the dotted line.
Actionable Next Steps
- Request a Prospectus: Contact the community management office to get the most recent land-lease fee schedule and a copy of the rules and regulations.
- Consult a Tax Professional: Ask how the specific tax structure of a land-lease community in Buckingham Township affects your personal retirement income.
- Tour Specific Models: Don't just look at photos online. The "feel" of a 1995 model versus a 2010 model in this community is vastly different due to changes in manufacturing standards.
- Evaluate Your Vehicle: Many homes have carports or garages, but some only have pads. If you have two cars and a hobby vehicle, check the street parking rules immediately, as they are often quite restrictive.