Every modular home I have been in have these larger than average gaps underneath all of the doors. I assume this gaps serves some purpose, but I cannot imagine what.
Many of the homes have smaller than normal return air ductwork. They are able to get around this because these homes are not built to regular "stick" built specifications; more so under mobile home specs, which are sub par in comparison. The reason there is a bigger gap is so that more air can flow under the doors, resulting in a more efficient heating/cooling system. Believe it or not, this actually makes up for the inadequacy of the smaller ductwork system.
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Roof Trims
30.January, 2009
“What a Roof!” Ever heard that comment from a person standing next to the fireplace inside your house? I haven’t, but it sure will feel nice when some one does. The roof remodeling is normally the last thing in a person’s mind when he thinks of an upgrade in the house. There could be a million more things which could be added in the interiors to get the exclamatory squeal of appreciation, like maybe a new regal door, or a chandelier, or maybe a new fireplace to warm everyone around. Well, if you avoid the roof upgrade from your list of trendy remodeling steps within your house, you do it at your own peril.
There exist numerous options in the architectural domain today which make roof remodeling a viable and exciting option. The roof trims on their part offer another plethora of options for people to choose from and use.
Roof trims are available in a multitude of forms and options like the bargeboard and the over hangings are available in a variety of materials and shapes. The barge board also called vergeboards because they hang from the projecting end of a roof. Bargeboards are often elaborately carved and ornamented. Homes in the Carpenter Gothic style have highly ornamented bargeboards. Other common terms to describe bargeboards and vergeboards include: fly rafters, gable rafters, gableboards and barge rafters. The advantages of using roof trims are as follows:-
⢠Looks elegant and sophisticated
⢠Provide the roof more durability
⢠Are modular in construction and thus a single trim being broken can easily be replaced.
⢠Gives an easy flow to water along channels in the roof.
⢠Available in a variety of material and shapes suiting a varied kind of construction.
⢠Economical
⢠Durable in case made of metal and PVC.
⢠Lesser in weight rather than using cement.
⢠Longer life.
With these advantages a roof trim is an essential thing in any roofing project and must be taken into consideration while planning a construction.
Manufactured Homes - Behind the Scenes (Pt.1)
29.January, 2009
Watch Mobile Homes & Manufactured Homes being built in a factory. For more information on new manufactured homes factory direct, contact Factory Expo Home Centers. http://www.azchampion.com
Duration : 0:9:14
Is there any government grants for first time home buyers on modular homes?
I want to know if any government grant or program is availlable for me when buying a new modular home or maybe a stick built home. I prefer the grants that are not required to be paid back. Basically what are the options for me?
I live in SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
You are looking for the government to grant you money to buy a house that won't be paid back?
Education yes. You might find a local organization who works with the disadvantaged and those in poverty to help find affordable homes and financing; check the local yellow pages under housing. Outright grant? No.
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What upgrading options are available for modular homes?
27.January, 2009
I have noticed some prices of modular homes. I was curious as to what basic packages usually include when it comes to appliances, flooring, etc. Is all of this extra? Do any come with all kitchen appliances, but then you can upgrade to better quality appliances??? Also…is it extra to customize carpet color add washer dryer? We are trying to keep it basic, but is it better to get all options included or to buy appliances? Just want an idea of how much more it cost to have all included added onto the base price?
We have a 2005 built modular home and we were able to choose our carpeting and linoleum colors/patterns, cabinet pattern/wood color and countertop colors from different swatches the manufacturer had. I think most other manufacturers are like that. This wasn't considered an upgrade, so all prices were the same for whatever we chose, it was just our decision.
We did upgrade to a solid foundation and sheetrocked walls so that got more expensive on us. As for the appliances, we chose to purchase the house with the dishwasher, stove and fridge included and had a choice of white or black (we did black). Stainless would've been quite a bit more. I did, however, upgrade to a glass cooktop stove…a great thing…still looks brand new over a year later.
Just in case…if you're looking at Horton Homes (based out of GA) RUN THE OTHER DIRECTION. We had all kinds of problems with our local manufacturer and that particular branch has now went out of business. Just play it smart…we were first-timers and really naive about things and really could've gotten more for our money if we'd have thought it out more.
Good luck!
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Westchester Modular Homes Tour
26.January, 2009
Shows the quality construction, custom design options and beauty of a Westchester Modular Home
Duration : 0:9:54
What is your EXPERIENCE with modular homes?
25.January, 2009
I have done so much research on modular homes and would like to hear from someone who actually lives in one. I'd like to hear the good with the bad since we will probably buy one. My email is viewpoint123@yahoo.com. Many of the homebuilders right off the bat are very negative about modular homes. I've learned modular homes are quite common in Europe and even some prison buildings are shipped over there. I know if modular homes catch on in the US it would hurt the homebuilders, so I don't really want to hear from homebuilders. There's seems to be too much resentment from site builders in the other responses I've seen on the topic of modular homes. The employees of modular home builders have health insurance & benefits, & vacation pay. Sitebuilt builders tire out their workers and they have no incentives. Material gets wet. They don't use expensive computerized jigs like the factories. Modular homes are built to the same code as stick built so why all the negativity?
Based on the answers you have received so far, there is a LOT of confusion about definitions of modular, manufactured, double-wides, etc. Your answerers are confusing double-wide mobile homes and modular stick-built, wood frame homes that are built in a factory. The only thing the two types have in common is that they are built in a factory. I believe that the asker is referring to factory-built, wood-frame, stick-built construction, not double-wide mobile homes. The latter are built to a different building code - called HUD code. The former is built to the standard of local building codes, which is a higher standard than HUD code homes. This may be one of the reasons that HUD code homes may be zoned out of neighborhoods and is one reason they are frequently located in less-than-desirable areas.
It is also possible to find subdivisions that attempt to keep ANY factory-built homes out, including the stick-built, wood frame type. Again, many developers are also contractors and they want the building business for themselves.
You may have already figured out that I live in a factory-built, wood-frame, stick-built home. We live in a mostly rural area with small acreages and rural subdivisions and the homes are quite popular. Ours happens to be in a golf course development in a suburban location. Our local modular builder markets factory-built, wood-frame, stick-built homes from 4 different manufacturers representing several price ranges. At the top price range are Stratford Homes, manufactured in Stratford, WI. These homes permit more customization and they can pretty much build whatever an architect can draw. They require more on-site finishing work as they are not shipped with installed carpet, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, etc. The tab on one local Stratford home with all the bells & whistles is around $600,000. Another manufacturer is All American Homes. This is a more moderately-priced line although our local dealer's current model is an over-the-top 5000+ sq. ft. Cape, All American with a $550,000 price tag. Then there are lower-priced, modest houses such as from Lancaster Homes in Lancaster, WI. These permit fewer layout changes from their standard plans and are generally smaller and more modestly priced. But they all have several things in common: they are stick-built, wood-frame houses built in a factory, shipped to the home site, and set on a foundation with a crane on a crawl space or a basement.
Please do not confuse these homes with those that are set on cement slabs and lined up in "parks" in South Texas or Florida.
Factory-built, wood-frame, stick-built houses appraise the same as a site-built home. There is no way you can tell that it is factory-built unless you either watched it the day it was set, or looked for the label that is fastened to the cabinet under the kitchen sink!
An advantage for lenders is that the client can go to the lender with an exact cost for the modules. There will be no overages or uncertainty on the modular portion.
Another advantage: there is more material (wood, basically) in a factory-built, wood-frame, stick-built home because it must withstand a trip down the highway from factory to building site.
Finally, I'll add that we love our home and will never build a house any other way. I wouldn't be surprised if these homes catch on in a big way in certain areas as they have where I live.
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Raw Video: Fires Rip Through Mobile Home Park
23.January, 2009
Firefighters in southern California are battling raging wildfires that have forced thousands to flee, from residents in multi-million dollar homes to mobile home parks. (Nov. 15)
Duration : 0:0:59
How to Finance and Build Your Dream Home
23.January, 2009
If you have always dreamed of building and living in the home
you’ve helped design, it’s time to seriously consider putting
your dream into action. In today’s mortgage market, a specially
designed loan for just such a homeowner, the construction to
perm loan, includes the construction loan to build the house,
and the permanent loan to purchase the home. Mortgage lenders
used to offer this as a two part process, first financing the
construction loan and building the house, then obtaining another
mortgage to purchase the home. There were two closings, and two
sets of closing costs with this type of loan. The
construction-to-permanent loan allows for one application
process, one closing, and one set of closing costs and is
simpler, cost-effective, and less stressful for the applicant.
Some construction to perm loans allow custom building of a home
with an adjustable low payment during the construction process.
For those who may have purchased a piece of land, or intend to
buy a piece of land then build on it, this informational article
will show you how to finance the custom built home before it’s
built. When choosing a lender and a builder, take the time to
find viable partners in your custom building project who share
your vision for your dream.
Lots for Building Custom Homes It is often best to select a
finished lot. This means the lot is equipped with water and
sewage systems, electricity, and road access. The lot should
also be recognized as a single piece of land and have a boundary
designation recorded with the county or city.
Finance Your Custom Built Home with a Mortgage Broker Breakwater
Mortgage, in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg Virginia, is a
Mortgage Broker. Mortgage Brokers have a wider variety of loan
programs for consumers to select from. Visit a mortgage broker
for the most competitive deals on a construction to perm loan.
The lender will want to investigate if the land is appropriate
for building by reviewing the land survey and building plans
first. They will also check to see if the contractor is on the
approved list of builders. If not, the selected builder will
have to submit an application to become one.
Select the Builder of Choice for Your Custom Built Home Many of
the larger name builders are already approved for many lenders.
Ask the lender if your builder is approved. If not, most private
builders and architects can easily apply through lenders. Each
lender has different criteria for builders. If the homeowner is
not satisfied with the builder they have selected, many loan
programs allow them to fire the builder and begin with another
approved builder. This gives the homebuyer power over their own
destiny during the custom building and construction process.
Consumer Highlights for Construction to Perm Loans Construction
to Perm Mortgages are written for primary and secondary homes.
They are not allowed for investment property. Construction to
Perm mortgages are not written for modular, pre-fabricated, or
manufactured homes, either. One unit is allowed per mortgage.
The construction term of the loan is from six months to 12
months, with exceptions up to 18 months on some products. Ask
your mortgage loan officer about subordinate financing. There
are also creative financing options available for homebuyers who
want to put the minimum down and pay a low interest only payment
while the house is being custom built.
Lender Requirements for Construction to Perm Financing Lenders
require standard credit documentation and high credit scores for
construction to perm financing. Lenders also request: 1. Final
plans and specifications (needed to obtain appraisal) 2.
Purchase contract for lot (or settlement statement if already
purchased) 3. Property profile (a description of materials for
custom building). 4. Line item cost breakdown from the builder
5. The builder’s construction contract 6. A copy of the
builder’s license 7. The builder’s statement or application
(showing the company as approved or applying to be approved to
build a home). In addition to these documents, it is essential
that the homeowner obtain the necessary permits to build in the
community.
Benefits of Construction to Perm Financing Construction to Perm
loans are a single close loan, and the consumer obtains
financing before construction. This gives the homeowner cash to
pay the builder and complete the construction. Construction to
Perm is a fully amortized loan. Nothing changes in the term -
it’s one mortgage. One of the greatest advantages to the
homebuyer with this type of home financing is some lenders allow
interest only payments while the home is under construction.
This gives the homebuyer a low payment option in the beginning
while living somewhere else. Once the home is occupied, the
mortgage payments are changed to principal and interest payments.
Financial Suitability for Custom Built Homes High credit scores
are important to lenders for construction to perm mortgages.
Liquid assets are also carefully scrutinized. For homebuyers
interested in construction to perm financing, the lender will
look for adequate savings to pay for the mortgage during the
construction period of the loan.
Down Payment Expect a 3-10% down payment to be required,
depending upon the loan amount for the construction to perm
financing. Smaller pieces of land or smaller loan amounts will
require a lower down payment.
From the vantage point of the loan officer, construction to
perm loans are a win-win situation. The homebuyer is purchasing
a loan they feel comfortable with. They have a reasonable
payment during construction, and business with the lender is
concluded at the time the loan is made. This type of loan allows
the person building their custom dream home to take control over
their biggest asset during the most critical phase:
construction. With financing in place, the borrower can make
sure the final product is exactly what they want it to be.
What is the difference between modular and manufactured homes?
23.January, 2009
What are some websites also? We live in Washington State, so hopefully websites in that area. I've looked for modular home websites, and i only get websites from the eastern states.
A "Manufactured" home is a mobile home. They are actually trailers. If they are double wides then they are split in half long ways then put back together. The axels are usually taken off once you set the home. Modular homes are built in factories also but they are not trailers, they are just delivered in pieces. Once modular houses are put together they look like any other house. New mobile homes are very nice inside and you don't feel like your in a "trailer at all.
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