3 years ago
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Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Are Manufactured Homes Safe?
Are manufactured homes safe and secure in storms and other catastrophes? Unfortunately, the answer here is No and Yes.
This probably isn’t an answer that you would expect, but let’s focus on the reasons why.
The home’s safety is mostly about when and how the home was built, rather than the type of home in question.
Unfortunately, the weather happens, whether it is unexpected weather, pleasant weather, damaging weather, or even bad weather. This is something you can’t avoid, but you can get prepared for.
We need to straighten out the stereotypes behind a manufactured home being considered insecure and unsafe, especially when a storm occurs. The fact is that if a home is developed to HUD Code standards (Housing and Urban Development), they’re safe.
In this article, we’ll focus on the safety of mobile homes and probably acknowledge the fact that the safety of a home has little to do with whether the home is a manufactured home or a site-built home.
Are Manufactured Homes Safe?
Let’s look at some things that point to the safety of a manufactured home in the housing industry:
Impact of a Hurricane
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew left devastation on the face of the earth. The category five storm affected various areas that had mobile homes. Most of the mobile homes were destroyed as a result.
It gave rise to the realization that all manufactured homes in the country were developed with the same HUD Code standards, regardless of whether they have been located in the landlocked state of Nebraska or the hurricane-affected coastline of Florida.
Looking back, the idea of constructing houses under the same standard looks insane.
Fortunately, two years after the hurricane, new standards were established to correct the issue. This offered great news and relief to many people that reside in an area with high winds, or a wind zone. The new building codes for manufactured homes were therefore announced.
Now, the country has been divided into zones where mobile homes are to be developed as per the average wind safety speed in the area.
Wind Zones
You might be asking yourself, what are wind zones, and how are they grouped.? Well, we got you covered!
Wind zones involve the rating of the pressure of wind that a manufactured home can withstand.
Whether a storm is caused by either a tornado or hurricane, there is a common factor in the wind.
- Zone I: located typically centralized areas and can withstand at least 70 miles/hour of sustained winds.
- Zone II: involves areas far from the coastline and can withstand at least 100 miles/hour.
- Zone III: located along the coastline and can withstand 110 miles/hour.
Every manufactured housing unit should be built to confirm at least one of these wind zones.
Mobile homes that have been designed and built for higher wind zones can be taken to lower wind zones. However, it can’t happen the other way round.
Twisted Myth
There is a high chance you’ve heard before that ‘mobile homes are tornado magnets.’ Even though it’s just a myth, let’s offer the context behind the belief.
In most cases, mobile homes in a mobile home park are located on flat and cleared land.
Such areas create a smoother installation process for mobile homes, and it also works efficiently to expand and improve mobile home communities.
Unfortunately, flat open areas are often known as transition zones, and tornadoes like to touch down there.
Fortunately, it isn’t the home that’s the magnet for tornadoes, but rather the land where the home is located. That being said, this doesn’t mean that every flat land is vulnerable to tornadoes.
If you want to locate your home in a certain area, ensure you research more about that location to see whether or not it has tornadoes. If the area experiences tornadoes, and you still want to keep it, consider going for higher wind zone mobile homes.
Finding Ideal Wind Zones
So how do you identify wind zones?
Identifying the perfect wind zones for your home is very important since it might be impossible to upgrade to higher zones after that. If you’re buying a home, you can find out about its wind zone by simply asking your sales specialists.
Sales specialists have a lot of information about the location you want to place your home, and if not, they can quickly verify the information.
You can also check the ‘data plate’ to identify the zone that your home is located. A data plate is a paper with essential information such as a U.S. map, wind zones, roof load, and snow load of the home. In addition, the data plate can enable you to identify the standard that your home was built upon.
Weatherproof Plan
It’s impossible to avoid harsh weather conditions. However, you can have a plan in place before such a condition arises.
Prevention is the only sure approach to remain safe, in case of harsh weather.
Here are some tips on developing a weatherproof plan:
- Understand your zones and weather patterns
- This involves understanding wind zones I, II, and III
- Know the weather patterns, such as cold, dry, wet, and hot
- Make your home as secure/permanent as possible
- Use framed foundations where possible
- Manage proper home installation
- Where possible, use board windows
- Always keep outside furniture secure
- Turn a room in your house into a safety bunker
- Identify a tight space
- No glass or windows
- The basement area is preferred; the room should be small, even a hallway can work if you don’t have a basement
- Have in place an evacuation plan in case of an emergency
- Always have another shelter option for emergency purposes
- Research the location’s evacuation regulations and plans
- Always stay informed
- Always follow the local weather reports
- Keep a radio ready in case of an emergency
Like with site-built homes, having a secure installation and proper foundation can play a huge part in the stability and longevity of your manufactured home. It’s also important that you consider the service of a reputable company to add or install your home to ensure the work is done effectively and of the highest quality.
Conclusion
If you’re still wondering whether manufactured homes are built for safety, we’re here to confirm that everything depends on how and when the home is built, rather than the type of home in question. However, to build quality mobile homes, you should take note of wind zones.
We can not stress enough, like with site-built homes, laying a perfect and stable foundation will go a long way in ensuring the stability and longevity of your home. Always try to seek the services of qualified and professional building companies.
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4 years ago
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Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Is a Manufactured Home a Trailer?
You might be wondering, is a manufactured home a trailer? Manufactured homes have come a long way to what they are today. For a long time, the term was referred to as ‘mobile home.’ Manufactured homes are built under controlled conditions by employing top-quality finishings and products. They are sometimes referred to as modular homes.
Trailer parks and mobile homes were once stigmatized to the less fortunate and lower class, in society. For this reason, they weren’t considered good enough for investment during that time. However, the stigma is no longer there. In fact, manufactured and modular homes have undergone a unique transformation and evolution to become the industry leader in several rural and urban housing markets. In Michigan, for instance, modern modular home communities have replaced trailer parks.
Modular homes offer luxurious amenities that are better than, or equal to, conventional site-built homes. The average cost of a modular home is almost 20% less than that of a site-built home.
Manufactured homes are unique and different from traditional homes or homes in trailer parks. To understand how modular homes are unique, let’s look at their path towards the transformation and what makes them great.
Is a Manufactured Home a Trailer?
To know whether there are differences or similarities between the two, let’s focus on the history of manufactured homes, or modular homes, and how they have managed to dominate the industry.
History of Manufactured Homes
Once the American highway system and automobile industry took shape, several adventurous people decided to explore mobile housing. At the time, a mobile home was highly used for recreational purposes and was in very high demand. There was a need to develop mobile units that were light to pull and compact.
To make the homes cost-effective, manufacturers started developing these homes and trailers using assembly line techniques in factories. The homes were mass-produced, with the focus being the economy rather than quality.
When the depression happened, many people resorted to using their mobile home as their permanent dwellings. However, there was a challenge since many cities prohibited these trailers within them. This forced people to set their trailers outside their city’s limits, on vacant properties. This later flourished into ‘trailer parks’ having common service amenities including communal washing, water, sewer, and other exciting facilities.
The production of mobile homes increased in response to the critical need for housing, post World War II. The homes also evolved to larger units that could still be moved from one location to another. The size of the homes grew from eight feet to 10, 12, and 14 feet wide. The unit needed heavier trucks to move them, which needed special permits. However, the trend shifted from multiple movements to scenarios where people moved from a factory to a permanent home site.
The need for easily moved and economic housing was shifting to a need for easy to situate and readily available housing in urban and rural locations. With that said, low pricing was still a consideration for these houses. By the 1960s, there were many homes in trailer parks throughout the United States, but the stigma of low economic class and poor quality remained in place.
At the time, the quality of a mobile home was still low compared to site-built homes. Site-built homes were superior in structural integrity, ventilation, heating, safety features, and energy efficiency, mainly due to insulation. Mobile homes were also known for being drafty, cold, destroyed in hurricanes, and catching fire rather easily.
Financial institutions also limited lending to owners of these homes since they recognized the retention of value and risks associated with them. A mobile home was, therefore, ‘personal property.’ They belonged to an individual and could be easily transported from place to place. Personal property at the time was considered high risk and financed at a higher rate than real property.
Factories experienced the challenge of producing transportable, economical housing that was quality-controlled, energy-efficient, and safe. It also became challenging for regulatory authorities, as they saw more mobile homes in their jurisdiction that didn’t comply with zoning or building codes. On top of all of this, insurance companies were not willing to protect a mobile home.
There was a need for homes built in a factory. The market was growing rapidly and it demanded better quality homes that were more energy efficient, safer and had luxurious features.
Change of the Manufactured Home Industry
Both the Federal government and modular home industry responded. In 1976, The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulated manufactured and modular homes in factories to bring them in line with mechanical, energy efficiency, structural and safety codes; the same standards held to stick built homes.
The HUD code employed a unique approach to enforce building standards. While most state and local building codes employed a ‘prescriptive’ base to regulations and rules, the HUD code employed a ‘performance’ based standard. This meant that the manufactured home industry had the freedom to select their building and construction materials that met certain minimum performance standards.
This approach allowed the modular home industry to be free to experiment and innovate with faster, lower-priced, and better methods and materials. This, in the process, transferred savings to consumers. The homebuyers could capitalize on savings and spend the extra cash on essential systems and luxurious items. Basically, the manufactured housing industry benefited a lot from the HUD regulations.
The HUD Code also established a new name for factory built homes. HUD discouraged and abandoned the term ‘mobile home’ and settled for ‘manufactured homes’ to prevent institutional discrimination. The new name proved to be more meaningful, current, and acceptable in an industry that had private businesses and governments committed to improving it.
The name was changed to the technical foundation that restricted and defined its placement and movement. The attached trailer and wheels of the old mobile home were done away with in this case. Modular homes were now stabilized on a metal chassis. This was fixed with the house from assembly, through construction, to the point it was established at its final location. This could be on a permanent foundation or a paid manufactured home park community.
HUD also established that every manufactured housing unit built in the US must be inspected by an accredited third party source and fixed with a silver and red label to certify that the unit is approved for current and proper standards. As a result, the reputation of modular homes was boosted, and the terms trailer and mobile home were set aside.
Modern Manufactured Homes
Modern manufactured homes don’t resemble a mobile home or trailer in any way. Modular homes are presented in tremendous layouts, sizes, amenities, and facades, including the luxuries you can find in stick built or site-built homes. Most manufactured home builders include full customization.
Buyers end up saving a lot of money from purchasing a modular home. The homes resemble their expensive rivals not only from the outside, but also the inside.
Manufactured Homes Now Offer Luxury
Homes manufactured in factories are developed with every appointment and custom design that you could think of. Outside, the home will appear with architectural shingles and high-pitched roofs. They also have brick or stone accents, wrap-around porches, gables, shutters, and attached garages. If you walk inside, you’ll come across gleaming floors that have high-quality laminate and engineered wood. There are also stone counters, stainless steel appliances, and cabinetry.
The homes have a quiet and draft-free ambiance that uses furnaces, hot water tanks, energy star appliances, and air conditioners. You can also find solar panels and reliable wiring. Although these luxuries come at a cost, it’s far more affordable compared to site-built homes.
Conclusion
Consumer choice and customization keep improving and changing in manufactured homes. Furthermore, the stigma and value have changed drastically from the old trailer park structures to the luxurious and new modern homes.
If you’re looking for a reliable home, make sure that you carry out enough research.
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4 years ago
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Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Manufactured Homes vs. Stick-Built: Which is Better?
The battle between modular vs. manufactured homes vs. stick-built homes tends to be a hot topic, and has no signs of stopping anytime soon in the real estate world.
If you are a home builder, some of the common questions you must get often include explaining to your clients the difference between stick-built homes, manufactured homes, and a modular home.
This is an important question, especially for potential owners seeking the best option that carries a higher resale value and is within their budget.
With that said, there are so many false perceptions in the real estate industry concerning the difference between these three forms of housing.
In this article, we will explore the differences and similarities between manufactured homes and stick-built homes. We will also partly touch on modular homes and what makes them stand out.
Manufactured Homes vs. Stick-Built
We will start with describing each of the types of homes that are available to you:
Stick-Built Homes
Stick-built homes are some of the most common homes available in the world today.
The term “stick-built” is used for home constructions that are managed, with nails and lumber, right on the site. The term came from construction workers assembling homes board by board, or ‘stick by stick,’ right from the foundation to the top.
The construction starts with just a frame, and moves onward until everything is done for you to move-in.
Traditional stick-built homes are constructed with traditional home building techniques. This is what you could picture when you imagine your home developed.
Manufactured Homes
Of course there are stick-built homes, but you may also come across manufactured homes while searching for a new place.
Manufactured homes are built off-site in factories and then put on top of a metal chassis, having wheels. When building or buying a home, you should understand why a manufactured home is the best alternative to stick-built homes.
Manufactured homes are built to comply with the ‘National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards,’ a building standard enforced and administered by the ‘United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’ (HUD Code). The HUD Code stands above all local building codes, when it comes to manufactured homes.
Manufactured homes are not considered real estate properties. Rather, they are personal properties, the same way a boat or car would be titled.
When compared to other types of homes, such as modular homes, manufactured homes are more affordable, but will most likely also resale for lower than you originally paid for them.
They can be used as vacation homes, and they can be moved in the future.
Modular Homes
Just like a stick-built home, modular homes are considered real estate properties, and are never moved from their home site, once set.
The method of fabricating modular homes was started in the 20th century and became popular in the United States after World War II. This resulted in soldiers coming back home and being in need of affordable housing for their families.
The modular construction process involves developing three-dimensional sections in a controlled environment, and then transporting the sections to a certain site location where they are then assembled and combined.
Modular homes are built onto permanent foundations depending on the homeowner’s specifications.
When it comes to modular homes, a homeowner is presented with a chance to select certain modules that they wish to have for their homes, including, but not limited to, bedroom layouts and a particular bathroom type.
It’s quite fascinating how a modular home is developed. They are supposed to meet similar local building codes like that of a stick-built house.
When you receive the house sections, a modular home will have flooring, insulation, plumbing, windows, doors, and wiring already in place. The contractors that build the modular homes on-site have so little work to do to finish the assembly of the house.
Advantages of a Modular Home
A modular home will come with several benefits, which include, but are not limited to, the following.
- A modular home has reduced construction costs
- Keeps the strength of on-site construction in place
- Avoids any on-site home construction time delays due to weather
- Modular homes promote a controlled construction environment
Differences between Stick-Built Homes and Manufactured Homes
The main differences between modular vs. manufactured home vs. stick-built home arises when it comes to the home’s site location, pricing, guidelines, materials used, resale value and time needed to develop. Let’s explore these differences for each:
Stick-Built Home
A stick-built home is the most popular form of housing available in the United States. These homes are 100% built on-site, where it’s intended to be kept forever .
With stick-built homes, everything is developed according to regional, state, and local codes and guidelines.
Materials are delivered to the construction site either all at once or in loads, then, typically, third-party vendors and different subcontractors do the building. All of the construction will happen at the site, not in a factory or facility.
Although stick-built homes have many options for customization, they may take longer to construct due to inspection delays, re-work due to a failed inspection, high moisture in lumber, weather delays, and coordination issues, just to name a few examples.
A stick-built home normally costs more when compared to a modular home or manufactured home, but they also tend to have a high resale value.
Manufactured Home
With the manufactured home, everything is developed and assembled in the industry. They are also referred to as ‘Mobile Home’. The homes are developed depending on the HUD guidelines rather than building codes defined in certain locations. HUD guidelines normally ensure that all the areas of the developed home meet the strictly set guidelines.
One main difference between manufactured homes and other types of housing is that they are transported using a vehicle after they are completely assembled, except for double-wide mobile homes, which are brought to the site in two pieces and then assembled together.
Once they get to the desired site location, wheels are removed, and the home is left in place. They are attached to a steel chassis, which acts as the home’s supporting floor.
Manufactured homes take less time to build compared to site-built homes, and they are also more affordable compared to other options.
There are only certain communities where you will be able to set up mobile homes, and they also have a lower resale value, due to them depreciating over time, compared to modular homes or stick-built homes.
Similarities Between Stick-Built Homes and Manufactured Homes
Although a manufactured home has many differences from a stick-built home and modular home, they also share some things in common.
First, stick-built, modular, and manufactured homes are all constructed with the same types of materials. In most cases, you might even seek the services of a common contractor when fixing something.
Both the stick-built home and manufactured home are customizable. You can come up with the design you want and make the relevant adjustments.
Both the stick-built homes and manufactured homes must meet a set of regulations and codes during development.
Contrary to popular belief, both site-built homes and mobile homes are energy-efficient. Also, in case there is a problem, you can repair and maintain them in pretty much the same way.
Irrespective to the type of home you choose, stick-built and manufactured homes can both make the wonderful home you’re seeking for you and your family.
Why Manufactured Homes are the Best Option for You
If you find yourself in between the options of choosing a manufactured home, modular home, or stick-built home, you shouldn’t even think twice about going for a manufactured home.
Let us explain to you in-depth why you should choose a manufactured home over stick-built and modular homes.
Value
When we say “value,” we mean both the worth of the home and the potential resale value over time.
Almost every house owner understands that manufactured homes cost less when compared to stick-built homes and modular homes. Money is saved due to the efficiency involved in the construction process, not due to less craftsmanship or quality of the product.
When these homes are developed in a factory, there are no delays due to waiting on permits or bad weather. The building process is streamlined to eliminate waste, which, in turn, saves money and is environment-friendly.
Features
The first question you should be asking yourself is which feature or amenities you would love to see in your home?
Are you into a state-of-the-art kitchen, master bathrooms, lots of square feet and storage space, an open floor plan, or more? Do you think only a stick-built home gives you access to all of the above?
Modern day mobile homes are incredible. If you’re looking for such features, then it’s time you go for a manufactured home, without even thinking twice.
Efficient
Apart from the building process being highly efficient, manufactured homes also have an efficient atmosphere for you to cook, cool, heat, and do laundry compared to stick-built and modular homes.
You can even go for a home that is energy-efficient certified, thus making everything economical, more comfortable, and eco-friendly.
Financing
There is no argument that financing is one of the top things you should consider when choosing between stick-built homes, modular homes and manufactured homes. Modular and stick-built homes allow people to take out a traditional mortgage.
With that said, unless you own the land that your manufactured home sits on, you will most likely not be able to get a traditional mortgage to finance the house.
With that said, there are various alternatives that you can explore in order to finance the purchase of a mobile home:
- FHA Loans
- Fannie Mae Loans
- Freddie Mac Loans
- VA Loans
- Chattel Mortgage Loans
- Personal Loans
Conclusion
Although it is up to you, the house owner, to decide which option is best for you, between a manufactured home, stick-built home, and modular home, we highly recommend that you go for a manufactured home.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t go for a stick-built home if you wish. A manufactured home costs less compared to stick-built or modular homes, has a highly efficient building process, and comes with quality customizable features.
Ultimately, nothing should keep you from developing the home of your choice.
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4 years ago
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Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on What’s the Difference Between Modular and Manufactured Homes?
There are more modular and manufactured homes in the industry today than there has ever been.
These homes are designed and built in a factory, then they are assembled on-site, rather than developed from scratch. The homes are also more affordable, when compared to site-built homes.
With that said, there are key differences between a modular home and a manufactured housing unit. It would, therefore, help to understand the differences between the two style homes before making a purchasing decision.
In this article, we’ll cover the differences between manufactured and modular homes.
Difference Between Modular and Manufactured Homes
Before we explore the differences between these two homes, let’s first look at what they involve:
What are Modular Homes?
Modular homes are also referred to as prefabricated or factory-built houses. As the name implies, these homes are designed and developed in a factory, instead of the traditional house construction method.
The homes are designed and manufactured cheaper and quicker compared to site-built homes. After being built in a factory, the manufacturer takes the homes in different sections and assembles them on the site.
These homes are becoming more popular since they are less expensive, while maintaining the same curb appeal as site-built homes.
What are Manufactured Homes?
You might find some people referring to these homes as mobile homes, however the modern day manufactured home is vastly different from the trailer homes that were built in the 1970s.
Manufactured homes came into effect after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) building codes were adopted in 1976.
The goal here was to erase the negative reputation that mobile homes carried before this period. There was also the need to rebrand this part of the real estate industry with a fitting name.
Since that time, mobile homes have improved in the quality of their construction process, building materials, and safety. In any housing crisis, these homes offer an affordable option for many American families.
Costs of Modular vs. Manufactured Homes
The cost of a modular home is calculated per square foot, but it’s upon the sellers to choose how they label their home prices. Some prices only involve the base cost per square foot, without including the taxes and construction costs.
Most modular homes usually cost about $200 per square foot, on average. However, the actual cost of the home will depend on the specific model.
Modular homes could be as expensive as site-built homes, at times, but rarely lower than manufactured homes.
Manufactured homes, on the other hand, are among the most affordable housing options you can ever find on the market. The rent of these homes are typically lower than many apartments for rent.
The actual price, however, depends not only on the year, make and model of the home, but also vastly on the size, and whether it’s a triple-wide, double-wide, or single-wide unit.
An example is the average price of a new double-wide unit, which goes for between $75,000 to $90,000. However, there are older, or secondhand, models that could cost less than $10,000.
Value Over Time
Most home buyers prefer buying a home that will hold a higher value over time. In this sense, modular homes are closely related to site-built homes. They have the same lifespan, same styles and fall in the same real estate market as stick-built homes.
Modular homes are known to appreciate over time. This is because they are considered real property, because they are fixed to their foundation and never moved.
Manufactured homes, however, are viewed as personal property. This means that they will depreciate, more often, over time, just like a car would. Manufactured homes normally depreciate at an average rate of 3% per year.
Difference in Financing
A modular home is considered a real estate property and, therefore, qualifies for traditional financing. However, their loans work differently.
The bank will give you a two-stage loan. During the first stage, you’ll pay off the interest until your home is complete. This is also referred to as a construction loan.
The second stage involves the loan becoming a traditional mortgage. This type of loan is otherwise known as a construction-to-permanent loan.
With that said, things aren’t quite as smooth when it comes to manufactured homes. These homes, as we said before, are considered personal property, so they don’t qualify for traditional financing options.
If you want to qualify for a traditional loan with a manufactured home, your home must be immobile by being fixed permanently to your property. The mobile home should also be certified as a real estate property, meaning you must own the land it sits on, and meet the HUD safety standards.
If you don’t comply with the HUD standard requirements for mobile homes, you may not qualify for personal property financing, like chattel, VA, and FHA-backed loans.
Difference in Safety
Safety is among the most common concerns for those willing to invest in modular and manufactured homes. Since these homes are designed and built off-site, homebuyers sometimes distrust the safety associated with them.
However, there is no need for concern or fear. There are no major differences between the safety of homes built off-site and those built on-site.
Nowadays, as stated before, all manufactured homes are produced as per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) safety building codes. These building codes ensure that the safety of a manufactured home is the same as that of a site-built home.
All manufactured homes are developed in a controlled environment, and later taken to the home site. You’ll notice a red certification label from HUD fixed on every home’s exterior, certifying that it complies with the HUD Code.
Modular homes are developed as per the state and local safety regulations that they are delivered to. Sometimes the regulations are similar to HUD Code standards, since some states implement federal code.
Each governing authority or state, therefore, has its safety certification attached to each modular home.
On top of all of this, both modular and manufactured homes are inspected, after installation, at their respective sites to ensure total safety for the home occupants.
Final Verdict
As we have seen above, manufactured homes are more affordable compared to most other home types, and the homes are also easy to transport. However, these homes are less durable, and typically smaller, than other home types.
On the other hand, modular homes have similar characteristics to site-built homes, and it’s easier to acquire traditional financing options on these homes. They are also considered more durable and quicker to build.
With all of this being said, the home you select should depend on your personal needs and requirements. We hope that you get the best home deal on the market.
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4 years ago
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Justin Becker ·
Comments Off on Manufactured Home Dealers in Michigan: Top 10
If you are looking for an affordable new home or modular home options, then manufactured homes are your top option.
Not only are these houses more cost-effective than traditional stick-builts, but you can also get similar styles and sizes. They are also extremely eco-friendly because they require less construction waste.
Manufactured Home Dealers in Michigan
If you are looking for these types of houses, like modular homes, in Michigan, you are in luck!
We have compiled the top 10 manufactured home dealers in Michigan.
We based this on floor plans, amenities, and any additional perks you should be aware of:
● Michigan Mobile Home Connection
● Sun Communities, Inc.
● Pine Grove Homes
● Michigan Home Zone
● Northwoods Modular Homes Cass City
● North County Homes Corporation
● Legendary Homes, Inc.
● Little Valley Homes
● Tyrone Woods Manufactured Home Community
● Cedar Springs Mobile Estates
#10. Michigan Mobile Home Connection
Located in Grand Rapids, our number 10 pick is Michigan Mobile Home Connection. The company specializes in both modular homes and mobile homes, as well as pre-owned ones.
They offer construction, move, and set up services for each unit that is bought. Moreover, the company also has a licensed realtor on location, so they can assist with selling your house as well.
This modular home company has several styles to choose from, and each include four different styles, with various floor plans.
#9. Sun Communities, Inc.
This modular and manufactured homes company has multiple manufactured housing communities, and offers services across Michigan.
The company has been in operation since 1975 and buys, operates, and develops mobile and RV communities.
At Sun Communities, you can choose to buy a house or lease one, and there are many different options, including one, two, and three bedroom units.
Since the company does offer modular and manufactured home communities, there are many different amenities to note. For instance, there are playgrounds, fitness centers, as well as swimming pools.
Amenities do change based on the community in question. This modular home company also offers communities that are just for seniors, starting at 55 and older.
#8. Pine Grove Homes
Considered the oldest manufactured homes or housing dealership in Michigan, Pine Grove offers both houses and a construction package.
The unit lot models come in many different varieties and styles, including traditional one and two bedroom floor plans, but can go up to three bedrooms, with additional spaces.
Pine Grove Homes offer oak cabinetry, whirlpool kitchen appliances, energy-efficient furnaces and windows, and other modern features in their house packages for construction. However, it is noted that not all listed construction line items are included with each project, as it depends on materials and the individual build.
While this modular home company certainly has a great deal of longevity, these houses can lack some of the luxury amenities and inclusions that other manufacturing dealerships may have.
#7. Michigan Home Zone
Located in Southeast Michigan, right in Ypsilanti, close to Ann Arbor, Michigan Home Zone has a new home or manufactured homes for your perusal. They come in either a single or sectional style, and are built in-factory and then placed in a community or on private land.
This company has a streamlined process that includes deciding where the house can go, whether it’s in a community or on private land, and then working with the construction consultant to consider what construction options are best for the build-in question. It is for this reason that they also have an on-site design center.
#6. Northwood Modular Homes Cass City
Northwood Modular has one of the widest varieties of manufactured, mobile home and modular homes on this list.
It has traditional one and two bedroom floor plans, and even offers large four bedroom units too, with 3 or 3.5 bathrooms. The company also highlights a new home of the month, which showcases one of their top selling designs.
This manufactured homes company is available by appointment only, and the company has a rigorous process by which they work with their customers.
If you are looking for a dedicated construction team, this is a great option, but this can also be limited to new owners or those that want to move-in quickly.
#5. North County Homes Corporation
Considered one of Michigan’s oldest and largest mobile home and modular home builders, North County specializes in General Housing Corporation (GHC) and Ritz-Craft Corporation houses.
While this manufactured homes company offers complete build outs and set up, they also offer shells. This refers to having a house with finished exterior walls, windows, doors, roof, and subflooring, but is missing plumbing, electrical, siding, drywall, fixtures, cabinets, and flooring.
While the company offers several different floor plans for modular and manufactured homes, because they are a dealership, they do have rotating stock. Thus, it is best to keep in mind that what is available now may not be available later.
#4. Legendary Homes, Inc.
This company offers what it calls “top of the line” modular and manufactured homes.
Floor plans come in various styles, such as ranch, cape cod, two-story, and multi-box. Each style is completely customizable, and the buyer can choose several interior options, such as tubs, showers, vanity tops, carpeting, trim, appliances, and flooring. External choices include decks, walkouts, porches, and more.
This company offers a new home for you in several Michigan counties, but the company services Ohio and Indiana as well.
If you want a luxury new home with a wide variety of options, then Legendary is a good choice; however, keep in mind that their multiple pricing options can be confusing, and can increase the cost overall.
#3. Little Valley Homes
With a tagline like “Your Housing People,” you can understand why Little Valley has been in business for over 50 years.
This company offers both modular homes and manufactured homes in many different scopes and styles, and in many customizable options.
Each house also has external and internal features included in the price. For instance, exterior offerings include vinyl lap siding, energy-efficiency walls, shingled roofs, and vinyl siding. Internal features include living room carpet, vinyl flooring in the kitchen and bath, and choice of cabinet colors.
If you are looking to have a house with its own community, Little Valley has over six different options. This company also offers Little Valley Communities for young families, but also retirees of 55 years and older.
#2. Tyrone Woods Manufactured Home Community
Our second pick is the Tyrone Woods Manufactured Home Community. Located in Livingston County, Michigan, Tyrone Woods offers country living at an affordable price. Here, you will find new homes for rent and new homes for sale.
Available rental units come in 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, but some come with even 4 bedrooms. All of the units come with central heating and fireplaces, allowing you to have a great deal of comfort, no matter what the season.
Manufactured housing by this company is certainly affordable, if you are looking to buy one. Houses are within the $30,000 to $50,000 range and come with all of the modern conveniences you might want.
It is also worth noting that they have a great deal of green space, and the company has surrounding community offerings.
#1. Cedar Springs Mobile Estates
If you are looking to rent, you can choose between a single and double-wide. Not only are they built with oak kitchens, fireplaces, expansive bedroom suites, driveways, and have ample storage space, but they also have their own front yard.
On top of all of this, Cedar Springs Mobile Estates is a quiet community with basketball courts and planned social events.
If you are looking to purchase, then you will get access to the same luxury style amenities, with the benefit of affordable ownership. It is truly a win/win.
Interested in dealing with only the best manufactured home dealers in Michigan? Contact us today and schedule an appointment.
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