Do modular homes depreciate?

[SagaLore]

I'm not talking about mobile homes, but those premanufactured houses that can be put on basement foundations. I thought that they lost value as soon as you put one up, but someone just told me otherwise. In many cases a modular home can be stronger than a stick built, and are better insulated.

Anybody have experience with those?

 

[Grey]

If it is on a property I cannot believe it would lose value.

 

[ElFenix]

as mark twain once said: invest in land cuz they ain't makin' any more of it

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
as mark twain once said: invest in land cuz they ain't makin' any more of it

that is an awesome quote

 

[Jadow]

those modulars have made great improvements the last few years. It ain't gonna depreciate.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Jadow
those modulars have made great improvements the last few years. It ain't gonna depreciate.

Hmmm...

my wife doesn't want us to build..
we don't want to get stuck in another temporary house..
people are telling us not to rent, buying is the way to go..
I want land..
I want to stay in the town I'm in but there aren't very good houses available with land..

This just might be my solution.

How much do the smaller models typically cost?

 

[So]

$Texas

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: Jadow
those modulars have made great improvements the last few years. It ain't gonna depreciate.

Hmmm...

my wife doesn't want us to build..
we don't want to get stuck in another temporary house..
people are telling us not to rent, buying is the way to go..
I want land..
I want to stay in the town I'm in but there aren't very good houses available with land..

This just might be my solution.

How much do the smaller models typically cost?

My wife did a little research a few months ago. She's telling me $50-$60/sq ft. That's for the house...not the foundation, landscaping, etc. But it is a finished, carpeted, trimmed, delivered to your foundation house.
Add $15 to $20K for a basement or less for a crawlspace or slab.

I seem to remember small models special priced at around $49k. I'm in central Iowa, btw.

link to our local manufacturer - Design Homes

 

[AnyMal]

Nice prices but their website is so.....1998

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
Nice prices but their website is so.....1998

more like 1995.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: redly1

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: Jadow those modulars have made great improvements the last few years. It ain't gonna depreciate.

Hmmm... my wife doesn't want us to build.. we don't want to get stuck in another temporary house.. people are telling us not to rent, buying is the way to go.. I want land.. I want to stay in the town I'm in but there aren't very good houses available with land.. This just might be my solution. How much do the smaller models typically cost?

My wife did a little research a few months ago. She's telling me $50-$60/sq ft. That's for the house...not the foundation, landscaping, etc. But it is a finished, carpeted, trimmed, delivered to your foundation house. Add $15 to $20K for a basement or less for a crawlspace or slab. I seem to remember small models special priced at around $49k. I'm in central Iowa, btw. link to our local manufacturer - Design Homes

from the website, prices 50k-90k

 

[ATLien247]

Why wouldn't you (or your wife) want to build?

 

[vi edit]

All Amercian Homes

Another Iowa builder. You can get into the small ranches for around $50k + foundation & land.

 

[StageLeft]

I thought I was an indecisive person, and I am, but holy fvck man just make a decision about your living situation already!

 

[alexruiz]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
I'm not talking about mobile homes, but those premanufactured houses that can be put on basement foundations. I thought that they lost value as soon as you put one up, but someone just told me otherwise. In many cases a modular home can be stronger than a stick built, and are better insulated.

Anybody have experience with those?

They are BETTER that houses built in the place..... Meet ALL the state codes and the structure is 30% more rigid. Not to mention that the factory controlled environment allows TIGHTER tolerances and better production processes.

You are correct in your assumptions, modulars are not manufactured. Modulars are done based on state codes (BOCA) while the manufactured (formerly mobile) meet only the national code (HUD)

I saw a video once about how they build them and I was impressed. The newest modulars can have ANY shape you want..... If you want to get a new house that has a higher market value than what you paid at the time you start living in it, modular is the way.


Counterpoint:
Unfortunately, for most of the ignorant people, modular means mobile.... and the mobile term doesn't even exist! They are called manufactured since the late 70's......

Advice: Make sure YOU already have the land, are close to get it or you have picked it FIRMLY. Some cities don't allow modulars, in some cases is ignorance, in other cases is protectionism.....

Awesome decision if you ask me!

Alex

 

[T2T III]

My wife did a little research a few months ago. She's telling me $50-$60/sq ft. That's for the house...not the foundation, landscaping, etc. But it is a finished, carpeted, trimmed, delivered to your foundation house.

Also, don't forget to figure in the cost for running the utilities to the house/foundation. Sewer, water, phone, electricity, etc. will have to be buried and connected to the house. This price could be $5K or so to get completed.d

 

[911paramedic]

Yes they do.

My mom did have one on her ranch after it was going to cost $200 to renovate the house, so they paid ~$100 for a manufactured one. It wasn't that bad but it did have that "flimsy" feel in some areas, but overall I would say it was pretty darn nice. (vaulted ceilings, laundry room, three bedrooms, etc)

The problem is resale is a bit rough unless there are lots of places like that in your area. If you have the only one in a all "built" neighborhood, you are going to take a bath on it.

 

[TofBnT]

A lot depends on the foundation you put it on. Putting it on a basement foundation makes it seem more "real" to a buyer, whereas a slab makes them think "mobile".

 

[kranky]

How can anyone tell that a finished house was stick-built or modular?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: kranky
How can anyone tell that a finished house was stick-built or modular?

Marriage walls are a big indicator. It's walls where the various pieces of the house are put together and if it's a poor design, or bad build can really be quite noticiable.

 

[Electric Amish]

Careful!

My parents are in one of these. All plumbing is Poly pipe. Faucets are very cheap. Windows are very cheap. Window openings are non-standard sizes.

Just beware and do some research.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I thought I was an indecisive person, and I am, but holy fvck man just make a decision about your living situation already!

 

[Bryophyte]

Anything built on a foundation won't depreciate. Well, unless housing prices are generally dropping. Thing is, any house will need upkeep to maintain it's value, so as long as it isn't allowed to run down, no problem.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Careful!

My parents are in one of these. All plumbing is Poly pipe. Faucets are very cheap. Windows are very cheap. Window openings are non-standard sizes.

Just beware and do some research.

HUD or BOCA?

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Careful!

My parents are in one of these. All plumbing is Poly pipe. Faucets are very cheap. Windows are very cheap. Window openings are non-standard sizes.

Just beware and do some research.

HUD or BOCA?

I'm not sure which.