Modular Homes
Does anyone out there have experience with Modular homes (NOT MOBILE) I see so many benefits to this way of building, including shorter construction times, etc. that i am tempted to buy one and see how it works out. Of course teh salesman do a great job of explaining how wonderful they are, but i need some real world feedback on them.
Are they any good,?
Do they really appraise just as a stick built home?
Do buyers like them (Can i sell it?)
Can't believe i have no feedback in the past hour.
I am currently looking into this in my area, do to the unrealistic not to mention negative cash flow properties out there. I have previous experience with home building and rental properties and anticipate the competition for land use is my No. 1 problem. But like any investment a budget and game plan are required before leaping forward.
You can run a search on 'modular' and find many threads, especially in the builder area.
I've done a ton of research on the subject and the bottom line is this: you may see some savings with modular but it's worth checking with local stick-built guys to see if they can match the cost.
There is one advantage: time
According to those I've spoken with, modulars go up quicker.
You should also Google 'panelized' homes which are similar to modular.
And yes, many, many people confuse modular with manufactured and/or double wides.
Some modulars are so well made you can't tell the difference between them and stick-built.
PS:
Yes, they appraise just like stick-builts.
And unless you mention it, many people can't tell the difference.
And from what I understand, most problems happen when 'finishing' the units, meaning plumbing, electrical, etc.
because you, as the buyer, are responsible for hiring the contractors.
(Unless the modular company is giving you a turn key.)
Lately, there has been an increased interest from the general public concerning modular homes and modern (less traditional) architecture. Check out the book "PreFab" by Bryan Burkhart and Allison Arieff.
Also check out the magazine "Dwell". It is about modern architecture, but they are pushing the modular concepts pretty hard as well. They even have a project that they are putting together in North Caroline (I think it's in Pinehurst). They are working with the local modular/mobile builders to come up with something.
Keep us updated! My biggest fear is rapid depreciation because of some stereotype about "trailers".
David,
That is my fear as well. I like the time advantages of teh modular units, but am a little concerned regarding teh public perception.
Modular and mobile really have nothing to do with one another.
Modular means that the pieces of the house are built at the factory, shipped as 'boxes' to the job site and pieced together. You can have a huge modular home. I saw one in CT that was 4500 sq. ft. and looked exactly like the stick-built homes down the street. AND the FMV was the same. It would be impossible to tell that it's modular unless someone tells you.
A mobile home is a contiguous home on wheels, that is placed in a park or vacant lot and the truck pulls away. A double-wide, so to speak.
I realize most of you know this, but for clarity's sake, I wanted to point this out.
If you are concerned that potential buyers will be put off by the term 'modular' then you need to educate them.
The right question remains: Do you have to disclose the prefab nature of the house to your buyer?
getting approvals in some areas on these also is a problem due to the " trailer" mind-set still associated with modulars. The newest models though are amazing in the amount of square footage and styles and models to choose from. And if getting the unit up quickly to speed up the cash coming in is what you need, you can't beat these null
I find myself in sort of the middle ground. I am taking steel containers ISO, 40 footers and 20 footers and putting them together on site in various configurations. Our purpose to create truly low cost housing, yet at the same time furnish housing the equal of or above in technical advances of any now stick built house.
To that end I find myself in the Building department obtaining a Building Permit to erect such dwellings scattered throughout Southern California. Beginning of course in the center hub city known as Los Angeles.
The problem is similar to that faced by Don Q. as he faced the windmills. It is entertaining but having broken a lance or two in the Building Department over the last 40 years I am adjusted.
Upon the completion of this wonderous task I will post again listing the items of interest which while creating time delay are not too expensive after all I do work for a minimum wage. $6.75 an hour?
I think the first ones will be assembled and stuffed on site and that will delay the time and add to the cost. Most workers are not too checked out on steel and there is a learning phase to go thru and of course we do have the Pickets with large signs walking up and down in front of the lots. "Unfair to Organized Termits" We throw them a piece of wood from a pile we keep on site.
So we are in the middle, almost stick building the first ones and then turning to a form of modified production line as we move up the ladder of volumn
This should be fun to watch. But I alas am involved and it is on occasion frustrating.
In view of this frustration we will probably have a fully modular bar stocked to service the long suffering staff. The bar of course will not open until the conclusion of the extended working day, say 5PM?
Cheers Lucius