a couple general questions...

[denise]

Will I save money if I don't want the drapes that usually 'come with' a MH? Also, are upgraded MH (drywall, better flooring, insulation, 2x6 walls) stucturally comparable to modular homes? Will they run the same price wise? ( I am looking at Patriot Crystal Valley vs. Heritage American). Thanks again for your help. We are still gathering info to decide if we want to buy an existing home or put up a MH or modular. I am a little nervous about the latter because of some of the problems I have read about here and other places but have not yet ruled it out.

Happy Monday,
Denise

[rmurray]

There are a few problems with every product you can buy...Used stick built homes can have many hidden flaws...of course..most do not..just like most manufactured and modular homes do not have problems...The best way to avoid problems is doing what you have been doing..research an comparison...Check out the dealer and all will be fine...

Now..to answer your question...High quality manufactured homes and modulars might be very similar..there are differences..such as the frame...Like manufactured homes..all modulars are not the same..there is a large range of quality available...and you would want to compare similar features between them and manufactured homes...

I just delivered an off frame modular....it really confuses me..maybe someone selling modular homes regularly can answer...The modular had 2x8 floor joists (home was 24x76)..but NO 14 inch ibeam as the same manufacture offers on it HUD house...The modular sat on a perimeter wall and 13 center piers..all with footings and double blocks on the piers...BUT...had this home been a manufactured home with block underpinning...its 14 inch metal i-beam frame would have been sitting on 43 double blocked piers..all with poured footing...about 225 sq ft of footings...We actually used hundreds less blocks under the modular home..

What confuses me is..just how is 13 piers better than 43..????

From what I can see..a quality manufatured home can be at least as good as most modular products..and cost a few thousand less...which means if you finance you will also save thousands in interest..Do you have a place to put this savings???

Go for it..

[Dave]

Keep in mind that a modular will appraise and appreciate at a higher rate than a manufactured. Why, I don't know..

[denise]

Could it be a quality of components issue? When I compare the standard features of the Crystal Valley by Patriot line with the modular Heritage American by Patriot, I see a lot of similarities: drywall, low e windows, 30 lb roof load, 2x6 walls 16 o.c., same appliances, same size fiberglass tubs, Home Depot faucets and lights, similar doors, siding, cabinets. The Heritage American has 200 amp (not sure about CV). The CV line has standard 5/12 roof pitch which is an option on the Heritage American. Yet the HA is a "modular" and more expensive. Perhaps construction is similar but the difference is in the quality of materials??

As for appreciation, we would put our home on 10-15 acres and plan on living in it at least until our kids are grown (youngest is 3). However, should we have to move before then I do want to be able to get at least what I owe out of the property. All that is relative to the area you are in and the economy there. We sold a stick built home in an Illinois town where the major factory is moving out at a loss of $14000 in a two year timespan. The market went from seller's to buyer's and the economic outlook tanked. So there are never any guarantees.

I just want a comfortable, well built home that won't give me excessive headaches (not the occasional problem, that is expected). And pretty is good too.

Thanks for all the advice. This forum is wonderful!

[rmurray]

WHAT....stick homes do not always go up in price...Of course I knew that...location, location, location...stick built, modular or manufactured...

Sorry you lost..

The materials you speek of probably all come from the same suppliers...Most of the price difference is in profits to the builder...Traditional manufactured home dealers do much more volumn and can take much lower per home margin...

Go for it..Good Luck