Posted by Eric - GA on December 21, 2002 at 21:01:56:
I have no expertise, per say, but I do know that mobile homes generally depreciate, similar to a car, while it is rare for a stick-built home to not appreciate.
You can order stick-built (real) houses that parts of their structure are built in a factory, and have it delivered to your site to be assembled, and finished. This is the same structure as a stick-built home, but usually higher quality construction. You do not need to do any work yourself, but instead make yourself in charge of sub-contracting tasks like roofing, sheetrocking,etc to qualified people. I know one company out here that makes them is call Eagle’s Nest Homes, and you should be able to find them on the internet. Good luck.
Posted by Richard on December 21, 2002 at 19:11:43:
My wife & I are living in a house built in the 1930’s or 40’s. It would take so much work to bring it up to speed, that I’m almost sure we are better off starting over again. It is on an acre of land in NW Washington State & we owe about 30K on it. We only plan on being here for a 2-8 years more. We are trying to do some research about whether we will get a better return on our investment by building a simple starter house or buying a modular home. I’m guessing build & my wife thinks a modular or mobile home may give us more for our money & appreciate as well. I should ad that I own my own business & would not have the time or expertise to do much, if any, of my own labor either way. Anybody out there with the answer?
Stick-built: The contractors come to your site, dig the foundation, build the house (one stick at a time.)
Modular: Most of the home is built off-site and transported in to your site, assembled, and the finish work is done. “finish work” varies by company, and by what you want them to do or leave for you to do or have done. You also have to have the foundation ready for them, although some companies may help with this.
Mobile: Commonly referred to as a trailer, is completely built off site, is on wheels, and is hauled to your site, plugged into the utilities and you’re done. (in the case of a double-wide they also attach the two halves together.) You may or may not have a foundation (because it is on wheels already) If you do put it on a foundation and have it anchored down it is considered “on a permanent foundation” which makes a big difference in who will/won’t finance it now and for resale. This type of home is registered at the DMV, like a car (because it’s on whells), and you get a title. Mobile homes generally do depriciate (like cars.)
In any type you’ll have to provide utilities, whether it be well & septice, or connections to public utilities.
It’s up to you to decide which works best for your situation and how to proceed.