I think the modular homes come in bigger pieces LOL.
Did you look at the Viceroy Homes web site? It may clear things up.
I was surprised to see how many languages they cover in their site. I didn’t know they sold all over the world though I did know about the Japanese order.
They are one of the biggest and oldest firms of the kind. They are located in the Ontario so they are not that far from the Northeastern US for shipping purposes. They can make any style and design of house you like. You can save some money. And with the Canadian dollar so low, you should save even more.
I do not have any connection with the company myself.
In the interests of brevity, let me summarize my situation and feelings as follows: City=bad, small town=good. I’m seriously considering going REI full time, making a pile, and moving out.
To that end, in my planning for living hopefully less expensively in an outlying area, I’m considering different housing option. One of them is modular homes, which are different than manufactured (mobile) homes. These are built in sections in a factory, shipped to a site, and put together on the site. Once installed, they don’t move again.
My question is this: I’ve been having a hard time finding good info on this approach, and was wondering if any Creonliners would be able to point me in a good direction. Thus far, I’ve gotten conflicting and biased information as to the cost, long term viability, durability, etc. of these types of homes. For instance, do these go down in value like mobile homes, or up, like a traditional stick-built? Are they financeable? Is financeable a word? Are they of any better or worse quality than a traditional home? How about insulation factors? I’m considering a mountainous climate. Any feedback, info, thoughts appreciated.
You have received alot of good comments here. Just to throw in my 2 cents, I purchase for investment a modular two to three years ago and have done a refi and watched the value go up 12% since then. It has been treated like site built houses.
If you purchase one, even though structuraly modulars are similar to site built, you want to look close at the system of the house (plumbing, heat/air, electrical). Just to make sure the manufacture is not cutting corners.
I visited the Silvercrest factory in Corona, Calif last weekend and was very impressed with their construction methods, and their willingness to please the buyer with any modifications/upgrades the buyer wants.
An investor out here in Calif. (according to the newspaper)bought one for $100,000, upgraded it to the tune of $100,000 (added a garage) put it on a lot that she bought for $460,000, and is going to list it for $900,000. The going rate in that particular area is in the $950,000 range.
They use 2x6’s for framing, and can add additional upgrades for “snow support” on the roof.
I am considering doing the same thing in more moderately priced neighborhoods, but they currently have a 6 month backlog of orders in ther Corona plant.
Posted by David Krulac on March 07, 2003 at 10:20:25:
modular is built to BOCA standards, doublewides to FHA?HUD standrards
modulars are built on wood frames and transported on steel flat bed trailers. double wides are built on steel frames with wheels and axles, which often stay with the dw.
modulars can be 2 story, cape cod, l shaped etc.
modulars can be custome designed to your specs.
We had several new modulars set on lots for sale. One of the mods was a 5 box L shaped ranch, that was sold for $240,000, well above average for the area.
The other was a 3 box, the third box being the steeper pitched roof. The builder installed a full basement, a seperate site built family room, and a 3 car garage. It was listed for $270,000.
Re: slightly OT - Modular Homes - Posted by Joe C. (AR)
Posted by Joe C. (AR) on March 07, 2003 at 24:09:14:
I put up a modular home in 1979 in CT. My info may be out of date but I don’t think much has changed (except prices). My modular 28x58. The main difference at the time between a modular and a double-wide mh was the standards code that the home was built to conform to (BOCA for the modular and HUD for the dw). The double wide is made to remain on the steel frame on which it is constructed. The modular is transporterd on a steel frame but removed from the frame when placed on the foundation. My experience was that the modular home would be “custom” built to conform to any local code on request. Plans were available from the manufacturer for the local building inspector to approve before construction. At the time I saved about 25% cost by going modular instead of stick built and probably in the 30% time range. It qualified for a conventional construction loan and conventional mortgage. My original investment including land, site work and foundation was about 40k. That home was sold by the 4th owner about 2 years ago for $160k.
Joe C. (AR)
Most modular or sectional homes are fine. They are constructed in a factory in sections and then carted to the site. These are not doublewides. They are similar to stick built houses. In fact they are stick built. The difference is that they are not built on the site, but at the factory.
The value of modulars should appreciate along with other similar properties in the area. In my area up north they have 2 x 6 inch construction and are well insulated. They are financable just like any other house as long as they are permanently attached to a foundation. And the rates are the same. Again these are not doublewides which are under constructed and often with cheaper materials. Because of this the cost per square foot will be much less with the doublewide than with the modular. We have a lot of modulars up here.
That’s very helpful to know Phil, especially since it’s your neck of the woods (NH) that I’m considering. The fact that there are lots of them up there is encouraging. Do you know anything about the costs of the homes? I’ve read conflicting sources of information, some that say modular homes are cheaper, others that say that they are about the same when everything is said and done. Do you happen to know if there is an appreciable difference in the building cost of modular vs. site-built homes in the area?
You could also consider a prefab house. The better ones are excellent value and high in quality. Viceroy Homes (in my home town of Port Hope Ontario) filled an order for 300 homes for Japan a few years ago and they were very pleased.
I haven’t priced the modulars for some time now. In the past, back in the 80’s, the modulars were running a bit ( not substantial ), less than similar site built homes.
The nice thing about modulars is the speed of construction.
I guess I’m confused. I thought a pre-fab house and a modular house were the same thing. Can you clarify what the difference is for me? I thought that both were built in sections in a factory, then assembled on site. Ditto for “panelized” homes, but perhaps not.