Has anyone purchased a modular home? (Serious only, please!)?
Modular Home Questions August 30th, 2009I just recently started looking at a few modular homes…I’m just wondering what the catch is? They look VERY nice and are decently priced. I think they probably aren’t as sturdy as a normal everyday house, and there’s the headache of having to build your own basement, but what else? Have you purchased one? Do you know any facts (good or bad) that you’d like to share? Thanks in advance!
August 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I’m going to try to keep this short, but won’t have much luck. I think modular homes are terrific. They are all built to government standards (inspected seriously) and yes, they are less expensive. Your modular home dealer will be able to help you with the basement-building if you want their contractors to do it (recommended for good fit). They buy lumber, cabinets, everything in bulk. Their savings are passed on to the buyer. Most modular homes are built in the USA by the Amish workers who take great pride in their craftsmanship. People have placed a stigma on modular homes, but they are as quality or better than stick built homes. No, in 20 years, they won’t be more valuable than stick-built homes for resale, but they didn’t cost more than stick-built homes to begin with! It’s just common sense. Go ahead and buy your home, you will exist happily in for many years! Good Luck!
August 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
As with on site contractors, some companies are good, some are not. I bought and live in a Mod-U-Kraf Home in Savannah, GA. We love it. If it were possible, I would attach a picture. Our home is 3,000 square feet, 2 story valued over $450,000. My mother-in-law and her husband have just purchased a cape code home for themselves after seeing ours, and they love it. Check out http://www.mod-u-kraf.com. If you are in a different area other the WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, MD compare, compare and get references. But it is the best way to go.
August 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Actually we just moved into our new modular home at the beginning of August. Whats the catch, well its like buying a car. The price they quote you is the base price. They will give you a list of upgraded options, such as upgrading the insulation and appliances. The upgrades are very expensive. Our base price was $52000. With the upgrades it was $90000. You can sneak by without upgrading alot, however upgrading the insulation to the maximum will save you tons on your energy bills every month. Also consider complete drywall. It helps the resale value of you home considerably. Our home sits on a complete basement. It is just as sturdy as a stick built home.
August 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
There are two kinds of "modular builders", the traditional "mobile home" builders and true modular homes. The true modular home builder build homes to meet or exceed national standards for building codes.
the original mobile home builders used 2×3 construction for walls, and light floor structure, the modular home builder uses 2×6 walls, 1/2 and 5/8 sheetrock all built above standards… You have perform some good due diligence to find a decent home..
I know of a couple builders in the midwest, one such builder is Heritage Homes of Nebraska out of Wayne Nebraska. Another is Wardcraft Homes out of Minden Nebraska. Both of these builders build MODULES and perform site construction on full basements in the Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota region, there are many good ones around the country that do the same.
Generally speaking for a Modular you will pay $120-150k for a nice ranch verses about $70-80k for a (mobile type modular)..
I’ve looked into both for acreages I’ve owned. Due to loan value and FHA lending the lendersare leary of lending on the cheaper construction when it comes to resale. So If you intend to buy one do it right or don’t plan on selling it.