The Manufactured Housing Forums

Hi,

I was looking for some input into a either buying a modualr home or manufactured home. We are going to use the home primarily as a second home with the possibility of retiring there in the later years. The land is in the Pocon's area of Pennsylvania. I want to place the home on a poured cement foundation with a basement.

I already own the land outright that I am looking to place the home on. I have looked into New Era modular homes, Muncy modular homes and Colony manufactured homes.

My questions are these:

1. Which of these type of home (manufactured or modular) has the better re-sale value?

2. Whcih of these type homes seem to hold up better in the long run, manufactured or modular?

3. Since I am putting this home onto a basement foundation, what features or upgardes should I be concerned with buying?

Thanks in advance for all your input and assistance.

1. Which of these type of home (manufactured or modular) has the better re-sale value?

When attached to real estate and resold as a package...both homes will do equally well as a percentage of the original purchase price...Appreciation..depreciation..is location dependent...if the neighborhood does well these will too..if the area does poorly..these will too..

2. 2. Which of these type homes seem to hold up better in the long run, manufactured or modular?

Quality ranges vary greatly from model to model in both manufactured and modular homes...the term modular does not necessarily mean better..just built to a different code and inspected by different inspectors...like manufactured homes and stick built homes ...they come in a wide range of quality standards...Both manufactured and modular homes would be expected to have a good usable life of about 60 years...Of course..like any product they will require maintenance over time..

3. Since I am putting this home onto a basement foundation, what features or upgrades should I be concerned with buying?

Just be sure the home is built for a basement...it is more likely to find modular homes with accommodations for an inside stairwell...but some manufactured homes offer this as well...Good Luck

Just to give another insight to your questions.

1. Which of these type of home (manufactured or modular) has the better re-sale value?

In my opinion, the modular will have the better re-sale value for the simple fact that these homes are built to look like an actual site-built home, unlike the manufactured home and most people would rather live in a house than in a "trailer" when you think of re-sale value.

2. Which of these type homes seem to hold up better in the long run, manufactured or modular?

In my opinion, that all depends on the homeowner itself. If you take care of something it is going to last, and if you don't take care of it well it will not last. But most modulars are built with 25% more wood than a maufactured home and the exterior and interior walls are not only nailed, but they are screwed and glued as well.

3. Since I am putting this home onto a basement foundation, what features or upgrades should I be concerned with buying?

In my opinion, the modular, once again you can find the floor plan to best suit your needs, and living in a state where basements are common they will probably have plans with basements included.