Manufactured VS modular?

[LeeAnne]

We were told that the MH that we were looking at (PH Gotham) could be upgraded to a modular.

What would be the pros and cons of this?

Would this change the stability of the home? The value long term? The insurability?

[Scott]

Depending on the builder, there could be a significant difference in a mod versus a HUD code(manufactured) home. Some builders have to do so many upgrades to them that it could be quite expensive. With PH for instance, it usually will run about 6-10,000 dollars to upgrade to a modular, while with Karsten for example it will only be a couple of thousand dollars additional because of the difference of their HUD coded homes. Both of these examples would depend whether it is an on frame or off frame modular. The biggest pro of a modular would be of course the long term value and resale. A modular is considered real property (like site built) and thus would carry a greater appraised value. You could do a land/home with a HUD code home and it would be similar, but not the same. A lot of lenders have become hesitant to lend on the HUD coded homes due to the substantial increase in foreclosures since the land/home law went into effect in 2002. Luckily for everyone, consumers, retailers, and manufactureres, this law is no longer. As far as the stability of the home, it wouldn't really change because the materials used are essentially the same depending on the builder, they are just built to a different code. The main difference is going to be the electrical wiring and depending on the builder, the stud sizes and spacing.

[jgn]

Stability MH vs Modular would be about the same. The cost of a modular will be higher than with a MH but the appreciation would be that of a site built and in many areas gets around the zoneing laws against MH. PH is introducing a modular home line that will run $10-20 per foot more than a MH and is placed on a slab similar to a site built.