Modular homes in Sevier County (crawl space, buy, construction)

[amyevansmom]

We've been looking at homes in Sevier County and have stumbled across a great house. We absolutely LOVED this house......until we discovered it was a modular. HONESTLY!! I COULD NOT TELL!!! Great amenities, drywall, etc. I've lived in a modular, so I know what to expect, and I totally did not expect this great home to be a modular.

Which brings me to my question. Anybody know what re-sale is in Sevier County for Modulars? Is it like other states, where they depreciate, not appreciate? I'm looking, for instance, in 5 years if I want to sell it.

[mbmouse]

The big question here would be is it a true "modular" or a "mobile"? There IS a huge difference. Don't take the Realtors word for this ( I apologize to any Realtors, not disparaging, just know sellers aren't always honest in this particular case) Look at the ends of the house, where the foundation means the siding. Look for two metal id plates,they will have the letters HUD on them. If you find these, it is a mobile. If you don't it could be a modular. Second test: Look under the house, in the crawl space. Do you see two metal beams running from end to end (not side to side) If there are the beams, it is a mobile.
Modulars, come in more than 2 sections, they are brought in on flat bed trailers, no wheels attached to the frame of the house. These modulars DO appreciate just like a construction built home and are very nice. Mobiles, although nice, do NOT appreciate like a construction built home and are VERY hard to finance. Modulars are also financed the same as a construction built home.
I hope that helps you out some!

[bbkaren]

Our modular inspection standards labels are in two locations: a bedroom closet and a kitchen cabinet.

We have neighbors who have a 15 year old modular bi-level (they all used to be bilevels at that time, I think). And they've actually made additions and finished the attic on this place. Seriously, a modular is nothing to be scared of.

Our house came in two pieces, so modulars can come in two pieces. Our "marriage wall" is a wooden set of beams that runs the length of the house; you can't really tell except that the rooms are set up in such a way that it's obvious that this is where the house came together.

See my post in the thread I just bumped for you. I'm having trouble getting to the pictures but hopefully they'll load for you. We're having computer "issues" around here.

Don't be scared! lol

[amyevansmom]

So, I guess my question is, what is the difference between a modular and stick built other than the modular wasn't built on-site? I've hear the "the modular is better b/c it's built outside of the elements...no rain, etc" and the realtor told me it's better quality b/c in Sevier County there are no building inpsectors. Is this true???? I found it hard to believe there were no building inspectors for new homes. I so love this house and really love the price, but am afraid I'd be wasting money.

[bbkaren]

There is no difference in terms of standards.

They conform to the same standards a stick-built house would. However, because they're mass-produced, modulars are often actually built to standards that surpass the local code. This way, the same materials can be used for many houses, allowing them to streamline the operations more, and buy more in bulk of a given material.

I don't know this to be fact personally, but it's what I've been told and learned online.

[mbmouse]

She is correct. The only thing that HAS to be inspected is the electricity.
Not to say there are bad builders all over the place, most homes ARE built very well. But if this a modular, and YOU like it, go for it! You will not be stuck with an unsellable house if it is maintained normally.

[bbkaren]

do it do it do it!