Modular Versus Stick-built

[Michigan CG]

I am waiting. Perception versus reality!

Perception IS reality........in the market.

 

[Michigan CG]

The only stick built home is #3 (partial hip roof)......................I would dare say, except #1, most would not be able to identify these construction types from a street view. Number 1 is also the only one listed as a modular on the tax records. I doubt any Realtor would list these as modular if they were to be marketed.

I was guessing #3 and #6 were definitely not modular but because of the topic of the thread I was not sure about the rest.

#1, an obvious boring box and the market here would not care if it was modular or stick-built.....still boring box.
#2, Cap COD styles are very often modular but the extended roof over the porch had me doubting modular.
#3, Obviously not modular.
#4, Take the front porch off and it would appear more like a modular but in my market no one would care. They would pay the same for this as stick-built.
#5, Again the porch is a good addition. My market wouldn't care mod or stick-built.
#6, The tall pillars make it look not like manufactured.

The box-looking houses, modular or not, always sell for less in my market. We have a lot of cape COD modulars here and no one cares as long as the quality is there.

 

[Phil McDonald]

I bet you would put Mercedes Benz decals on your hyundai and call it custom.....any form of manufactured is NOT the same as a custom stick built....period. I adjust for quality unless it's an older house. Market participants do not treat the two the same. 99% of manufactured housing uses the cheapest materials possible and it shows.....

What can you cite as your evidence of inferior quality. These homes are built in a couple controlled environment to specific standards. Site built homes ate built in an uncontrolled environment to specific and varying standards.

Is there any evidence or support for your conclusion or is it just based on the stigma? Cite an authoritative source for your conclusion.

 

[Phil McDonald]

I bet you would put Mercedes Benz decals on your hyundai and call it custom.....any form of manufactured is NOT the same as a custom stick built....period. I adjust for quality unless it's an older house. Market participants do not treat the two the same. 99% of manufactured housing uses the cheapest materials possible and it shows.....

What can you cite as your evidence of inferior quality. These homes are built in a controlled environment to specific standards. Site built homes are built in an uncontrolled environment to specific and varying standards.

Is there any evidence or support for your conclusion or is it just based on the stigma? Cite an authoritative source for your conclusion.

 

[Michigan CG]

What can you cite as your evidence of inferior quality. These homes are built in a couple controlled environment to specific standards. Site built homes ate built in an uncontrolled environment to specific and varying standards.

Is there any evidence or support for your conclusion or is it just based on the stigma? Cite an authoritative source for your conclusion.

I think he thinks this is a thread about MANUFACTURED homes and not MODULAR homes............at least I hope so.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

"Modular" is a catch-all term that includes everything from a glorified mobile home to panelized construction. The bulk of the latter will not be distinguishable from stick built either by examination outside, inside, nor beneath.

 

[Dale Floyd]

Interesting discussion, for the most part.

In the large swath of rural Tennessee my firm covers, there’s no significant difference between modular and stick built if we are talking about equal design, materials, and finish. Just as in stick construction, not all modular homes are the same, nor deserve to be compared to something superior in design or quality just because they are new or have the same GLA.

We’ve seen some modulars that puts many higher end conventionals to shame and the market has proven them over time. And we’ve seen modulars that look and feel an awful lot like a manufactured home in design and layout. So, my professional insertion to this round table about value differences is - It depends.....

On a connected thought, we are seeing quite a surge in some areas with hybrid manufactured and modular homes which are causing some heartburn due to the lack of sales. (New homes with modular tags, but which are actually part manufactured and part modular in construction). It will be interesting to see how the market deals with them after they begin to eventually turn from new purchasers to the resale world.