Modular Homes - Common Questions and Answers:

Find answers to commonly asked questions and learn about the different types of factory built homes, the manufacturers who produce them, the dealers and builders who sell them, how to evaluate their offerings, and how to pay for your new home. 

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What is a modular home? What is the difference between manufactured homes and a modular homes?

Modular homes are homes that are built in two or more sections in a controlled factory setting that are then transported and assembled at the building site. Modular homes are built to either local or state building codes as opposed to manufactured homes (sometimes still erroneously referred to as mobile homes) which are also built in a factory but are governed by a federal building code.

Modular homes can be completely customized to meet the home-buyers needs and tastes as well as to meet local building and zoning codes and to better withstand local issues such as hurricanes, earthquakes or snowload. Modern modular homes are built with the highest quality materials and construction. The benefits of building homes in a factory are similar to the benefits of building automobiles in a factory and can include:

• High degree of quality control
• Lack of exposure to the elements during construction
• Better control of inventory of materials including protection from theft and the effect of rain and snow
• Volume purchasing discount as well as more efficient use of materials
• Shorter time to move-in

The greater efficiency of building homes in a factory environment, rather than on-site, means that you, the home-buyer, can move into the home of your dreams at a significant savings and with a higher level of quality than you would if you were to choose a site-built home rather than a modular home.

Since they are built to local building codes, modular homes are treated the same as site-built homes with respect to zoning, financing, appraisal, and value appreciation.