Mobile/Modular/Manufactured Homes (flooring, how much, shingles, foundation)

[Aylalou]

Hi,

I am considering the purchase of one of these homes in an accommodating climate. Is there anything in particular that I should take notice of, or look into, when making a decision to purchase one of these? (I know there are monthly fees for land/park rental.) Any information or experiences you've had that may be helpful to me will be much appreciated.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Modular home doesn't go in the same sentence with mobile and manufactured.
You can't tell the difference from a stick-built and a modular- and you won't be pulling it somewhere with a truck and a ball hitch.
Modulars are just that- modules; usually 3 or 4. They come on a flat bed tractor-trailer and are placed on a pre-prepared foundation with a crane.
These types of homes are extermely popular in the northeast- but are gaining popularity in other parts of the U.S.

[teatime]

I bought a manufactured home about two years ago and absolutely LOVE it! I had to move and downsize for health and financial reasons but when I looked at small stick-built homes in my price range, I found them to be too small and old, in need of updating.

My search took me to this double-wide manufactured home on its own land. It's 1,340 square feet and fairly new -- it looks like a ranch-style home. It was a Fannie Mae foreclosure and I bought it for an incredibly good price. The layout of the home is perfect for me. The master bedroom suite is very roomy -- I really love the master bath. It has a big kitchen, separate dining room and a big living room, two smaller bedrooms and a second guest bathroom. There's a pantry, with space for a second freezer and lots of shelves, plus a laundry area, too.

I disagree with the other person who said you can't put mobile/manufactured in the same sentence with modular. Sorry, but the companies that build manufactured homes are the same ones, in many cases, that build modular homes and manufactured homes like mine ALSO come in sections, on a flatbed, that need to be assembled on-site. I was thinking of buying direct from the manufacturer near Burleson, Texas, and an "upgrade" to modular costs only about $4,000 extra. Manufactured home standards have improved GREATLY in the past 20 years. My home is windstorm-certified and has handled our crazy Texas storms better than a lot of stick-built homes in town. And, let's face it -- not much is going to survive a direct hit by a F2 or higher tornado.

I would suggest not moving to a park unless you want the amenities like activities, a pool, and such. I live in the country but minutes from the city and I like the peace and quiet and owning my own land.

[harry chickpea]

teatime is right. You have to do your homework, but the good manufacturers put out an excellent product. I'd suggest you use the search function on city-data, as there are a few threads on manufactured housing.

[DubbleT]

Aylalou, if you are only wanting to rent the land, you are probably looking to buy mobile/manufactured, not modular. Modulars aren't usually put on rented land.

Modular Homes, Mobile Homes & Traditional Homes Compared

Sometimes people do describe their doublewides as modulars, even though they really aren't. I think it's confusing for a lot of people.

I studied buying a modular, to put on some land I own, then I found out how much it would cost for a well, septic, foundation, etc.

The thing I would probably pay a lot of attention to if I were buying, is energy efficiency, since that is one area I found that varied a loton different homes I looked at.

[teatime]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

Aylalou, if you are only wanting to rent the land, you are probably looking to buy mobile/manufactured, not modular. Modulars aren't usually put on rented land.

Modular Homes, Mobile Homes & Traditional Homes Compared

Sometimes people do describe their doublewides as modulars, even though they really aren't. I think it's confusing for a lot of people.

I studied buying a modular, to put on some land I own, then I found out how much it would cost for a well, septic, foundation, etc.

The thing I would probably pay a lot of attention to if I were buying, is energy efficiency, since that is one area I found that varied a loton different homes I looked at.

The link doesn't provide current info on "mobile homes." Understandable, since it's a modular home website, but they really should update so as not to mislead.

You CAN customize a mobile home very easily and order it the way you want it. That's why I was considering ordering direct from the factory. As they explained to me, it is easy to take one of their floorplans and build it the way you want by moving around walls and such. You can also upgrade everything from flooring and cabinetry to wall textures and windows.

If I hadn't found this fab Fannie Mae bargain, I was planning to order a manufactured home that looked very much like a stick-built Cape Cod style home with a front porch. There are so many great styles of manufactured homes available now and some are very energy-efficient.

Mine is airtight. It holds the heat in the winter and the AC in the summer VERY well. If I open the windows at night during the early summer and then close them when I get up in the morning, the house stays cool until late afternoon and I only have to use the central air for 3 or 4 hours.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by teatime

The link doesn't provide current info on "mobile homes." Understandable, since it's a modular home website, but they really should update so as not to mislead.

You CAN customize a mobile home very easily and order it the way you want it. That's why I was considering ordering direct from the factory. As they explained to me, it is easy to take one of their floorplans and build it the way you want by moving around walls and such. You can also upgrade everything from flooring and cabinetry to wall textures and windows.

I think they are referring to the fact that you can only change some interior walls on a mobile, while the basic footprint stays the same. With a modular you can change the footprint, build in different shapes depending on what sizes and how many modules you buy. I was amazed when looking at some high end modulars.
modularcenter.com - The Modular Center Masterpiece Collection of Modular Homes
Probably not what the OP had in mind though

I agree that mobile homes have come a long way from what they were twenty years ago. The first house I bought was a single wide mobile and I remember tripping and falling and putting my hand right through a paper thin wall.
As you mentioned a lot of modulars come from the same manufacturer, and when I would show up on a lot to look at modulars they would take me through to look at mobile homes too. I was impressed with how nice they are. Loved the bathrooms and kitchens!
Speaking of which, I was also told by a friend in construction that it was well worth upgrading the plumbing fixtures on a mobile, even if you don't upgrade anything else.

[teatime]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

I think they are referring to the fact that you can only change some interior walls on a mobile, while the basic footprint stays the same. With a modular you can change the footprint, build in different shapes depending on what sizes and how many modules you buy. I was amazed when looking at some high end modulars.
modularcenter.com - The Modular Center Masterpiece Collection of Modular Homes
Probably not what the OP had in mind though

I agree that mobile homes have come a long way from what they were twenty years ago. The first house I bought was a single wide mobile and I remember tripping and falling and putting my hand right through a paper thin wall.
As you mentioned a lot of modulars come from the same manufacturer, and when I would show up on a lot to look at modulars they would take me through to look at mobile homes too. I was impressed with how nice they are. Loved the bathrooms and kitchens!
Speaking of which, I was also told by a friend in construction that it was well worth upgrading the plumbing fixtures on a mobile, even if you don't upgrade anything else.

Yeah, it's gotten to the point in high-end manufactured homes that you don't really know where "manufactured" ends and "modular" begins since the sections are all factory-built for both types. I was just looking at the website for the manufacturer I was going to use to order a new home and, dang, they've got even MORE multi-sections and cool designs! I should post the link in case the OP or anyone is interested in seeing the pics.

Actually, here are a few links covering different parts of the country. The second one covers the whole country and includes the company I was going to use in Burleson, TX. I think that models and floorplans vary by region because each factory builds for its region. They won't transport a multi-section home cross-country!

Factory Direct Manufactured Homes, Featuring New Manufactured Homes.

Manufactured Homes

I like looking at the photos to get decorating ideas for my home! I just switched out the regular shingles to architectural, laminated shingles and now I want to change my exterior colors to match the beautiful new roof, LOL.

[Aylalou]

Thank you both. And I will keep looking for responses/ideas.

[teatime]

Originally Posted by Aylalou

Thank you both. And I will keep looking for responses/ideas.

Check with Realtors, too. That's how I found mine. If a Realtor is handling it, then the home is on a suitable foundation and is considered "real property" by lenders. This is important if you need to get bank financing.

Financing through a manufactured home dealer is NOT a good idea unless you have a sizable chunk of money to put down and you get a good interest rate/terms. Without the land and "real property" designation, it will be similar to an auto loan and the terms may not be in your favor. That's why so many manufactured homes fall into foreclosure.

Check Fannie Mae and HUD for foreclosures, too. Many will be in lousy shape but there are some gems out there, too. I was working with a Realtor and she would go out and check the HUD foreclosures to see if they were worth showing me. Two weren't; the one I bought clearly was, LOL.