Modular Homes - Does anyone have any opinions (Columbia, Charleston: homebuyer, contractors)

[southernlady5464]

There is another discussion about modular homes y'all might want to read over here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/coast...lar-homes.html Liz

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by LuvLogCabins

Blue Ridge Log Cabins are definnitely the real deal. When I get out of grad school my wife and I are planning on building a BRLC back home. If any of you have caught Blue Ridge Log Cabins at a log home show, they have limited floor plans and can't build custom. However, for the money they are beautiful log homes. Sure they are modular, but you cannot tell the difference. I have been researching log builders for some time and there are some great site built log home builders out there but not a whole lot. I don't trust the kit sellers who keep Log Home Living, Log Homes Illustrated, Country's best and the other magazines in business. There are some horror stories of people buying kit homes and being left out in the cold by dealers.

Blue Ridge builds your home in a controlled factory environment and assembles the home on your foundation. It includes electrical, plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. If any of you caught the HGTV special featuring Mr. & Mrs. Indelicato. You can see theirs was a beautiful home. We plan on building the same home they live in. I can attest to it's structure as I have been to the Indelicatos home and toured their home and one of their rentals. It sold me on building a BRLC. It may not be the home I spend the rest of my life in but I know it will be a good investment and a great home for a few years before I sell it for resale. As far as modulars being poor in resale value, that is absolutely absurd. Contemporary modulars have excellent appreciation. if you find a good modular builder you can't tell the difference between a site built home and a modular. I have watched Blue Ridge Log Cabins built and re-sold for great profits, some almost twice what it cost to have the home built. I saw one of their smallest cabins, the Cullowhee, floorplan 950 sq ft, built for about $150K resell for $220K in Dillsboro, NC. Of course location is key and western north carolina is a hot vacation spot. But I have seen other blue ridge log cabins resell for almost double their building cost. They are true solid log homes and I can't say enough about them.

I really like the hand hewn round log look, a look blue ridge doesn't offer. They only build with D-logs. So my dream log home would actually be built by a company called Tomahawk Log and Country Homes. They are site built homes but they build a half log home which eliminates the worry for settling, warping, twisting, checking, and air and water infiltration. But still, Blue ridge log cabins are a great deal and a solid home. I look forward to building one and putting my own personalized touch on it.

I too love log cabins! I bought 10 1/2 acres up in SW Virginia and have the perfect homesite picked out on a high flat spot - already cleared. I plan to put a home on it when I retire here in SC. I have been considering a site-built log home or modular log home. I have visited Old Virgnina Log Homes which has their sales office and model homes about an hour from my land up there. I LOVE several of their models and the prices are very reasonable. Does anyone have any experience with this company or do you know anyone who has lived in one of their homes?

They deliver the materials and build the home but the owner has to have the inside finished, which I realize can be very costly. I have 3 brothers who have all experience in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc. who said they would do the labor for me for free.... so I am seriously considering this. I am going to look into Blue Ridge Log Cabins also, though. Since these are modular, are they completey finished inside? What about prices? I have no problem with buying a modular home, but will talk to my bank financial counselor before making a final decision to be sure this is a wise investment.

When I retire and sell my home in Chas. (2,400 sq. ft. site-built plantation style home on 1 acre) I will be able to pay cash so won't have to finance and really don't plan to move or sell again....but never say never, right?

[ladyabigail0914]

my husband and i bought a modular home one year ago, we love the home but the hassle of getting everything fixed to our standards and not theirs has been unbelieveable. The house itself is built better than a stick bulilt house b/c of being built in a factory ( that way when the wheather's bad it doesn't get on the inside when being bulit). Problems we've had are the piecing together of the pod and the main frames of the house; ceiling and floors just a tad off not totally even and some electrical problems. This was all in the way it was setup not the way it's built, the crew just hurries through the process of setting up.

Any more questions just let me know you can use my email ladyabigail0914@yahoo.com

[Lisa29706]

You might want to check with your insurance company before buying one or at least ask about the underwriting. Some insurance companies make you jump through hoops before insuring it at other than a mobile home.

[ln1jag]

In reply to mark about building. I just bought 4.01 acres for $7,500 at delinquent tax sale, Oconee County, SC. If no one pays taxes, I get the land, if someone does pay taxes, I get my money + interest. 2008 sale sked in October, they should list properties in daily journal (oconee county) in August/Sept. You really need to look at property before buying. I lucked out, it already has septic/well! I agree that you should be able to build a really, really nice home for $150K if you don't go overboard with updates. Oconee county land runs about 10,000 an acre if you don't want or need lake front/gated community. In addition, in Oconee County, you are near I85 (30-40 min south of Greenville; 2 hrs north of Atlanta) Jobs are the big ???? not many to be had. Although, Clemson U is just over the county line. There is the new (relatively) BMW just north of Oconee County. Mark, send e-mail to me about building, willing to work a land for general contracting deal for building me home!!!! ln1jag@hotmail.com

[cathm]

Have you googled modular versus stick built? Modular homes have come strides since they first started. I'm sure you have heard the line before, if you can drive it down the road 60 miles per hour and lift it on a crane that's got to say something. You have many options today as to customizing them. They are not just your basic house anymore. My advice to you is to look at many of them and your biggest concern should be the companies reputation for service. The bottom line is they are built in a controlled enviornment and if you do research you will find they use many extras that stick built contractors do not. I would never stick build again, not with all the options you have today, and also the fact that you can move in within months. Keep looking I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

[sheilaramos]

[quote= This was all in the way it was setup not the way it's built, the crew just hurries through the process of setting up.

QUOTE]

I agree....we are having problems with our flooring. Its so unstable that our furniture shakes when walking. My mother bought a modular home the same we did and her floors are solid. The setup crew definetly hurries through the process of setting up and thats where the problem comes in...not to mention some home builders are hiring un-skilled and un-experienced crew workers that do crappy work. All that does is cost the manufacturer more money in the long run.

If my home builder does not soon contact me about my issues....I will be seeking legal advice.

[claudian]

Modular Home companies of SC for u to check out.
it's proved useful for my own.
Prefab Homes Search - FindPrefab.com
this list, sorted by area, provide brief information of prefab companies attatched to different needs of modular home, including their telephones, addresses and basic discriptions.
hope it helps.

[martylamb]

If buying a "mobile home" I would stay away from Clayton. They might have better built homes but their car saleman pitch is highly annoying. After dealing with them for six months, running your credit like there is no tomorrow no deal was made just a headache. Lost $2,500.00 in the process.

[AbbyGale]

We bought a modular home 5 years ago. We are very happy with the choice we made. In the area we are in, it is a requirement that the home is placed in a concert foundation. we were here when they poured it and we were here when they set the home up. I think that is very important. They never knew when one of us would show up. This was the 3rd home we have purchased and I think it was the best choice we made.

Make sure you check with the county on the regulation requirements for modulars in your area. We found out after the fact that our area did not allow the heating system inside the house. So, we ended up with a nice closet in the laundry room. The builder had to install a full outdoor heating and air unit. I love my closet!