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Talk to a Specialist →What Clover Commons Is
Clover Commons is Cloverleaf Communities' newest and flagship Pittsburgh-area 55+ manufactured home community, located in Plum Borough, Allegheny County. Cloverleaf has operated Pittsburgh-area manufactured home communities since 1969 and manages four 55+ properties across the metro; Clover Commons is positioned as their most amenity-rich offering.
The community sits with convenient access to Route 286, Route 22, and Route 376 (the Parkway East), placing residents within a short drive of Monroeville's extensive retail and medical corridor — Forbes Regional Hospital and UPMC East are both within 5 miles.
Unlike the TOA and Eddy Homes communities in this guide, Clover Commons operates on a land-lease model — you own the manufactured home but lease the land from Cloverleaf. This is a fundamentally different financial structure, and understanding it matters before any visit or offer.
Amenities
- Spacious clubhouse with vaulted ceilings
- Palladium windows throughout clubhouse
- Banquet room
- Card and billiard room
- Library
- Fitness studio
- Heated inground swimming pool
- Large pool cabana
- Bocce courts
- Clubhouse deck for social gatherings
Clover Commons has the most complete amenity package in the Cloverleaf portfolio — notably including a heated inground pool, which most manufactured home communities in western PA do not offer. The clubhouse design (vaulted ceilings, palladium windows) is a step above typical manufactured home community common areas.
Monthly Cost Structure
The land-lease model means two separate ongoing obligations: home financing and lot rent. These are distinct from a HOA fee in important ways.
| Cost Component | Monthly Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Loan (P&I, $165K home, 10% down) | ~$1,040 | ~$148K at 7.5% — manufactured home rates run higher than conventional |
| Lot Rent | ~$500–$600 | Covers land lease, community infrastructure, amenities; increases annually — verify current rate directly |
| Property Tax (on home only) | ~$75–$125 | PA taxes manufactured homes separately from land; land tax embedded in lot rent |
| Homeowners Insurance | ~$75–$95 | Manufactured home insurance — typically lower than site-built at equivalent value |
| Utilities | ~$165–$200 | Plum Borough area estimates |
| Estimated Monthly Total | ~$1,855–$2,060 | Full monthly obligation including financing |
| Cash Buyer Monthly Total | ~$815–$1,020 | Lot rent + tax + insurance + utilities (no loan) |
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What to Verify Before Signing a Lot Lease
Current lot rent and 5-year increase history. Lot rent increases compound. Get the actual history, not an estimate.
Lease term. Month-to-month vs. annual vs. multi-year. Longer terms give more stability.
Pennsylvania Manufactured Home Community Rights Act. PA law gives residents right of first refusal if the community is sold, and requires advance notice before closure. Know your rights before you sign.
Financing options. Conventional mortgage lenders don't finance manufactured homes on leased land. You'll use a chattel loan (personal property loan) or a specific manufactured home lender. Rates run 1–2% above conventional mortgage rates.
Location Context
Plum Borough sits east of Pittsburgh along the Parkway East (Route 376) corridor — convenient to Monroeville's extensive retail hub (Monroeville Mall, hospital row, big-box retail) and accessible to downtown Pittsburgh in 20–30 minutes via I-376. UPMC East and Forbes Regional Hospital are both within 5 miles, providing solid healthcare access without traveling to the city.
The Plum location makes Clover Commons most relevant for buyers with existing connections to the eastern suburbs — Monroeville, Murrysville, the Penn Hills corridor. For buyers oriented to the North Hills or South Hills, the drive adds meaningful commute time.