Pros and Cons of Modular Home Living
Modular home plans can have a great upside but also a downside. These types of modular homes are mostly built on site but first, the modular home plans are set before and the house is started on an assembly line, loaded onto a truck and then finished on the building site. Here are some the advantages of modular homes as well as the disadvantages.
Advantages
- They are affordable
Modular homes typically, are much more reasonably priced that a regular home. It takes a shorter amount of time to build them because inside a factory, there is no worry about weather or climate. These things can’t offer delays in construction. Also, the inspectors remain on site to make sure that the process is sped along as necessary. The shorter amount of time that it takes to get supplies and build a house, the less expensive it is going to be. - You can finance one
If you cannot afford to buy a modular home outright, there is still the option to finance it. Modular home manufacturers themselves will often offer financing. However, you still want to make sure that the interest rates and fees are reasonable for signing the contract. While mobile homes tend to lose value over time, a modular home actually appreciates in value just like a traditional home does. This makes it a lot easier to finance. - They are energy efficient
Energy efficiency is getting to be more and more important as more studies are completed and people gain further understanding. One of the best things about a modular home is that they are energy efficient. Modular home plans are made with high quality windows and insulation so that people can save on utility bills monthly. It’s easier to make sure that the measures taken really are offering a better energy efficiency level when you inside a factory. This makes the home value more if you want to resell it as well as saving you money and being good for the environment.
Disadvantages
- You have to own the land
In order to be able to construct modular home plans, you need to own the land around it. A regular house is usually purchased by the home builder however, a modular home is usually sold as just the home. This means that if you want to be able to finance and negotiate price, you’ll need to find land or a lot that you like and pre-buy it before building. Keep in mind that you if you are going to build in a neighborhood, you’ll need to make sure that modular buildings are allowed. - You have to pay up front
In order to ensure that the modular home is going to be yours, you have to pay the builder in full before construction is finished. You can make payments as the work is going on but it has to all be done once the home is done otherwise it could be sold out from under you. There is no making payments while living in the home allowed. You’ll need to use your own money or get a construction loan from a modular home dealer. If you get a construction loan then once the home is finished, the dealer can pay your loan off and then create a mortgage on the property for you. - They are usually smaller places.
Modular homes tend to be smaller than traditional homes because they have to be transported from the factory to the site. This could be a pro or a con for you, depending on the type of living you are trying to do. If you are planning on trying to have a large family, owning a modular home might not be the best if you don’t want to be cramped. However, if you’re on the other side of having children and have recently become empty nesters, downsizing may be just what you need right now.
As with purchasing any home, make sure that you do all of your research before deciding if you are going to buy a modular home. They are definitely some great things about living in one but there are also areas that you may want to consider. You don’t want to end up moving in and then realize later that it was a bad decision.
