I’m a first time home buyer interested in purchasing a home that tics all my boxes however, I’m unsure if it’s a modular or manufactured home. I know it’a one or the other but how can I tell which? It’s on a permanent foundation, are no vertical seams in the walls, that I can see, and we’d own the land.
My FIL told us we shouldn’t buy it because it’s “just not the same as a stick built home” but couldn’t list any reasons. I think it’s just the stigma- which I myself am trying to get over.
We’ve got a tight budget and this house is perfect to me. Completely turnkey and very aesthetic to me exactly as is.
Is this a bad idea? What would resale look like? Any advice is helpful. Thank you!
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A 2001 manufactured home should be of pretty decent quality (depending on the manufacturer). See if you can find out who built it and research them. Two that I know of, Fleetwood and Clayton, don’t have the best of reputations, Cavco, Palm Harbor, and a couple others have a reputation of doing decent builds.
One thing with a manufactured home is you def get more bang for the buck spacewise than stick built. We are in stick built now, but our last was manufactured, built in 2006, and it was a tank. I could not believe how well insulated and soundproof it was…
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Thank you! I’ll find out.
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If it’s a modular you want something newer then 15 years. They do not hold value like a normal built house in my area. If it’s a to wide you want to check under it to make sure it’s put together right. I looked at one and the floor at the seams had a 1inch hight difference.
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Modulars are basically stick built houses. I think you are confusing the term with mobile or manufactured homes that just come in one or two sections.
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On a permanent foundation it’s probably a modular, which is as good as stick built even though Yes, there’s a stigma. Once the homes are permanently affixed to at least a crawlspace, lenders have no trouble lending on them like a stick-built & they do appreciate. You may even get down-payment assistance through your lender & state.
Check out its county tax record, that may also say whether it’s a modular or a manufactured, or show the permits that were pulled when it was placed/affixed.
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Modular homes are built to the same codes as site-built. Main difference is they’re assembled in a factory. No reason to avoid if it meets your needs and budget. Resale can be tougher in some markets due to outdated stigma. But a nice, well-maintained home is a nice home, modular or not. Get it inspected like any other house.
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Thank you 
Should I be concerned about depreciation?
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Worry less they do appreciate
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Manufactured homes are essentially mobile homes put on a foundation of some sort. Usually are easily identifiable by the vinyl walls and seams. They require special financing and inspections for loans.
Modular homes are stick built to the codes of where they are placed. They are stick built and have drywall and good insulation. Essentially they are the same as a home built directly on the foundation except they are brought in a couple pieces by truck and final assembly is at the sit of construction. My mother in law had a modular home which my wife inherited and we lived in. We did renovations and had parts down to studs. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a site built and modular by the construction. This one actually had 2x6 walls. These homes are usually treated like traditional homes for a loans and inspection purposes.
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From what I understand that used to be true. Now modular homes are rigorously inspected and the quality is much improved.
I think if it’s in your budget to purchase land and put up a modular do it.
Or do you what some people in town did
They bought land. Put a 5th wheel on it. Saved up and built a barndominium
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Thank you. Would you say that, being built in 2001, this home is higher quality? Or would that only apply to even newer homes?