TiVo Community Forums Archives - Question about modular homes.

TiVoCommunity.com
(c)opyright 1995-2005 All rights reserved
indexcheckTC
This area is a static history of posts in the TiVo Community Forum Archive.
This archive history was made for the simple indexing of search sites like Google.

Pages:1

Question about modular homes.
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: packerfan

My wife and I are planning on buying a new home next summer. We hadn't thought about building a home b/c of all of the headaches involved, until recently. I've heard that modular homes are somewhat less inexpensive to build than a stick home and the quality is just as good if not better. If anyone has a modular home, I would be interested in any info you could provide.:D

Posted by: bkc56

quote:
Originally posted by packerfan
I've heard that modular homes are somewhat less inexpensive to build than a stick home and the quality is just as good if not better

I assume that was a typo: less INexpensive.

I believe (in general) the first statement to be true (cheaper). But from any modular homes I've seen, and from the extensive (and expensive) problems my BOL had with his "high quality" modular I wouldn't believe the second statement. Also, very seldom can the phrases "less expensive" and "higher quality" refer to the same thing.

A brand new modular home can be real nice for some number of years. But in the long run a traditional home would appear to last longer with less repairs than a modular.

But, that's just my opinion never having owned one...

Posted by: Haps

I haven't seen that they are really any cheaper then building a normal home. My boss built one last year and 2 features stuck in my mind with the company he used.

All of their wood is kiln dried and stored before the building is built indoors. No wet wood etc.

Everything is screwed together instead of nails which makes for a stronger frame.

Posted by: loswald

I just looked at modulars in NJ and the build time was not much less than a stick and the prices were dead even. I've seen some nice modulars though, it all depends on the builder.

BTW, since we're talking about a new house I feel the need to bring up my tip of the day. When I had my last house built I had the electrician run a piece of 2" PVC conduit from the attic to the basement (on a 2 story house. That way I can get wire to the 2nd floor from tha attic and to the first floor from the basement and the best part is being able to run from the attic to the basement with no drilling/snaking/swearing. He did it for me for $50 when he wired the rest of the house and I would never get a house without it again!

Posted by: QueenBee

My in-laws had a modular. After they added a basement and some other extra features it turned out to be about as expensive as a regular house. It was pretty nice, though, and they didn't have to wait for contractors who were behind schedule.

Posted by: packerfan

Living in Wisconsin, having the frame built indoors really appeals to me. The fact that a modular home could be built in less time than a traditional home makes me think there may be a fair amount of savings involved.

Posted by: jsmeeker

if you go that route, check local regulations to see if they allow that type of home on that piece of property. Its fairly common to only allow site-built homes. Depending on how "modular" it is, it might not qualify as site-built.

Posted by: groundcrack

One of the benefits of a modular home is that the cabinets, closets, etc. are well designed. Also, they have some really cool floor plans. You get a lot of storage space & living area in a small area.

Some of the problems with modular homes are with loans. Some lenders won't allow a conventional loan for a modular home. If it's not on a permanent foundation they will charge as much as 5 to 8% more as an interest rate. Modular homes historically were thought to fall apart a lot faster than a site built home. I'm not sure about modular homes built today, but as of about 10 years ago, I was told that many modular homes start to really deteriorate after 10 years.

Posted by: GoodSpike

My mom has a modular down in Mesa. It's nice.

I think the main problem is that you're not going to get the resale value out of the thing. Houses appreciate. I'm not sure the same is true of modulars, and if it is, I'm virtually certain it's not at the same rate.

Posted by: groundcrack

quote:
I'm not sure the same is true of modulars, and if it is, I'm virtually certain it's not at the same rate.

I think that most appriciation comes from the land. My Modular house(on land) appriciated 25% in less than 3 years.

Posted by: Convert

While I like the idea of the modules being built inside (don'cha wonder about houses built in the rain?), I've heard good things about modular concrete houses. They're supposed to be as solid as a ....

Modular houses are very popular everywhere else in the world.

Posted by: FLbadgirl

6 words for you.... You get what you pay for

I'd be very careful when you make an investment of that magnitude. You might want to reconsidering building rather than modular.

Posted by: avaloncourt

quote:
Originally posted by GoodSpike
My mom has a modular down in Mesa. It's nice.

I think the main problem is that you're not going to get the resale value out of the thing. Houses appreciate. I'm not sure the same is true of modulars, and if it is, I'm virtually certain it's not at the same rate.

I have to lean in this direction. Someone once made a comment to me about modulars, "Double-wide's and modular homes are the only housing that will depreciate over time.