Modular Vs Stick Built

[Wescott Davant]

Is there a difference between quality of good modular homes vs stick built homes? I am doing an appraisal on a modular home in an existing neighborhood. It looks like a stick built home, but the lenders are requiring a statement about modular vs stick built homes.

Any suggestions?

 

[Richard Carlsen]

I'll answer that if you answer this:

Is there a quality difference between all stick built houses?




I think what you mean is there a difference in the building codes that they are constructed to? The answer in Michigan is no. Both stick built and modular houses must be built to meet or exceed the mandated state building codes. Ergo, there is no difference in the code. Only in the quality put into the houses.

HUD Code manufactured are another thing; an entity unto themselves.

 

[CANative]

Wescott... is it modular or is it manufactured? Does it have the HUD labels (red metal tags on one end?)

 

[Ted Martin]

If it's one of those "Got ya" modulars.
The ones that you only figure out that they weren't built on the site by a quirk of fate, probably no resistance. If it's one of those modulars that looks like it was designed by a bowling alley architect then there probably is. Anyway that's the way they are in my world, your dimension may be different.

Slider

 

[Otis Key]

Originally posted by Greg Boyd@Aug 9 2004, 03:24 PM
Wescott... is it modular or is it manufactured? Does it have the HUD labels (red metal tags on one end?)

Wescott - Greg made a good point, even though he didn't answer your question. If it's a modular then in many cases they are built better than site built. However, you need to verify the difference between manufactured and modular.

I'm waiting on Richard or Jo Ann to jump in. BTW - what kind of statement does the lender want you to make? "Site built are built on the site - modulars' are built in the factory?!" You can't make a "one statement covers all" kind of thing to appease the lender. For instance, Dallas is not in New York - However, Las Vegas is not in New Mexico, or is it? It is also here! Neither is one statement about the quality of a modular verses a site built totally encompassing. You can't use a home in Tampa, FA to appraise a home in Denver CO.

Before you make any such statement I'd suggest that you find out what the LO wants and WHY! If it's coming from the UW, then ask that the UW fax, email or call you direct so that you can then get a clear understanding. Also, is this on a report you've already done? Did you use site built homes as sales to compare with a modular?

Good Luck

 

[Joker]

Of course Las Vegas is not in New Mexico. Vegas is in the US.

BTW-Where in the world is Hopland?

 

[Otis Key]

Originally posted by Doug Walker@Aug 10 2004, 10:25 AM
Of course Las Vegas is not in New Mexico. Vegas is in the US.

BTW-Where in the world is Hopland?

Darn it all - Passports - Passports please. :rofl: :rofl:

Hey DW - DB is looking for the brain back. :rainfro: :rainfro:

Hopland???????? Not in Mexico :lol: :lol: :lol: :yellowblack:

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Excuse me.....but there is a Las Vegas, New Mexico and it is prolly a good place for manfactured housing :rofl:

 

[Joker]

I stand corrected by the old guy.
I guess Doug B and I can hitch up our homes to our Dodge trucks and move there to start Doug's Desert Appraisals. It will make it easier for us to swap the brain back and forth. Fed ex is making a fortune on us!

 

[Doug in NC]

There appears to be a difference in my market. I always use at least one modular comp (plug it in as a 4th comp), even though it may be 15 miles away. That way, I can prove if there is or is not a difference; it will show up in the comp sales.

There are varying degrees of modular construction quality, and the differences seem to keep getting smaller here. I saw one sale on the MLS of a $400K+ modular sale! Hopefully, modular buyers will continue to get more bang for their buck than stick-built homes though.