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Article by Jamie Jake

Fleetwood Homes is one of the most popular manufactured home building contractors in the home building industry. They are responsible for turning millions of renters into housebuyers each year. Even if you’re familiar with the Fleetwood Homes brand name, you may not comprehend totally why thousands of people rave about their designs. Naturally, to those who are past Fleetwood Homes customers the answer is abundantly clear. Fleetwood Homes offers good quality homes at very affordable prices.As you peek into Fleetwood Homes inventory and model choices, it is possible to instantaneously discover they are built with the homebuyer in mind. By being dedicated to modern designs, Fleetwood homes makes homes suitable for a myriad of customers. Their homes give open floor plans, space saving features and top quality options and updates. But, at this time there is a lot more to love than just their floor plans.In addition to their modern floor plans, Fleetwood Homes cost significantly less than traditional homes. The most incredible thing is the buyer gets the best of the cheaper prices because while the rates are low, Fleetwood Homes never jeopardises the quality of the products they utilize. Due to the tightly controlled design specifications and manufacturing process there is very little room for human error, which makes manufactured homes higher in construction quality.With mortgage loans being more difficult to obtain these days many home buyers are opting for manufactured home loans instead.So, for anybody who is in the market for a manufactured home, Fleetwood homes is definitely a manufacturer to take into account. They can make it easier to gain financing and offer you a high quality home with many upgrade and amenity options. With a lot of floor plans and models to pick from, Fleetwood Homes provides something for every single home buyer.

Article by Zeus Smith

Manufactured, or “modular”, homes are increasingly being chosen be individuals looking for an affordable custom home. These homes offer quite a few advantages over traditional homes.

What is a “modular home”?

Also known as manufactured homes, they are homes that are built in sections in factories and are assembled on-site. In the factory, they are produced in a cost-efficient assembly-line fashion and are then transported to the building site. The benefit of this construction process is that homeowners can have a highly customizable home, usually for a much more affordable price.

A Building Process That Saves Money

Modular homes are built in factories and benefit from the assembly line production process. The factories are able to purchase bulk amounts of building supplies like lumber, sheet rock, carpet, paint, etc. Due to the fact that they can buy in bulk, they end up paying much less for building supplies. The factories can also maximize their manpower and other factory resources. The cheaper manufacturing process results in savings for the homeowner.

Modern Technology and Supplies

Modular homes can be constructed using the latest developments in structural engineering and materials, so homeowners end up with homes built with high-quality materials. Due to the fact that they must be transported to property sites, they are specifically designed to be structurally strong and are subject to quality control inspections throughout the construction process.

Simplifies Home Construction

Having your own home built can be quite an undertaking, and many of the common stresses are eliminated when a homeowner chooses a modular home instead of a traditional home. Manufactured homes are much easier to price. It removes the dreaded nightmare of having a contractor demand more money before a home project can be finished due to “unexpected costs”. Modular homes are much faster to assemble as well, so the risk of having a builder quit or disappear before the house is finished is much less. Some modular home dealers also offer warranties.

Fast turnaround

Unlike traditional homes, a typical modular house can be completed in around 6 weeks. The fast turnaround time gives homeowners a chance to lock in an interest rate and be able to move into their home relatively quickly.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Modular homes typically require much less in repair and upkeep costs because they built with modern, high-quality materials that are designed to structurally sound. They do not require the types of repairs and maintenance that older homes often require.

Greater Energy Efficiency

Most modular homes are also built to meet energy efficiency standards, so homeowners get to pay lower energy and gas bills than most homeowners.

Flexible, customized design

Perhaps the greatest benefit of a modular home over a traditional home is the flexibility and customized layout that are available for affordable prices. A custom home can add a dramatic amount to building costs, but the nature of manufactured homes means that different sections can be fitted in multiple ways. Most modular home manufacturers have many different design plans available.

The question we get quite often is, “My manufactured home was constructed according to Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (CFR 3280); is it installed on a permanent foundation?”

The short answer is this: Although your home was constructed to the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (CFR 3280), that does not necessarily mean that it was installed on a permanent foundation.

The Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards pertain to the home itself (the walls, windows, heating and air conditioning, electrical, roof, etc.) and how it was constructed at the factory, but it does not pertain to the foundation; the foundation and the home superstructure are two separate animals, so to speak.

Mobile homes can be placed on non-permanent foundations, or either permanent ones. What determines if it is permanent or not is the HUD’s Permanent Foundation Guide for Manufactured Homes, dated 1996 (HUD Publication 7584, PFGMH).

All Mobile Homes receive an overall HUD certificate of approval direct from the factory; they install a little red metal tag on the outside of the home to state this fact. However, since not all manufactured homes involve an FHA or VA loan to be sold, many are not installed on a permanent foundation (according to the PFGMH), and therefore, not all manufactured homes need a foundation certification.

Many mobile home dealerships do their own financing so they don’t necessarily involve installing the home on a permanent foundation. Some dealerships install permanent foundations for all their homes they sell and some do not

Replacing simple construction methods, various modular home building techniques have evolved, which provide multitude of options for accommodation. Indulged in off-site construction, a home builder provides modular home structures, which assure numerous advantages over traditional construction. Assuring minimal consumption of wealth and power, these per-fabricated structures are available in various sizes and other specifications. A home builder favors the modern home construction methods as these provides him or her with the ability to function in remote and rural locations.

Considering the environmental conditions and cultural influences, a home builder provides a diverse collection of architectural styles. Representing a seamless array of home structures ranging from castles to mud thatches and mansions to shanties, a home builder considers all vital aspects of home construction.

By making use of strong building structures, he or she lays emphasis on the building strength of these prefabricated homes. Utilizing advanced techniques and material, he or she offers an array of flooring plans, sizes and styles, which makes the home easy to install without any added expenditure.

These builders take complete responsibility for efficient home installation, site preparation and timely delivery plans. Offering ideal solutions to first-time home buyers, modular home structures are designed in tandem with the specifications and layout requirements as briefed by them. A home builder implements all specifications provided by clients with utmost efficiency, offering the desired home structures within the minimum time frame.

Overcoming the construction drawbacks of traditional home structures, a new manufactured home is built inside a factory.

Controlled temperature and climatic conditions are maintained in this facility, which keeps these modular structures protected from moisture and rain water. Assuring high strength and durability, these new manufactured homes are fabricated using non-removable steel chassis. Moreover, it is ensured that this type of prefab homes are developed in compliance with federal building codes,such as HUD. From the factory site, assembled panels and sections are transported to the construction site, where these components are fixed. Contractors use advanced techniques and varied handling machines to fix these panels and sections on the permanent foundation.

Local activities such as, plumbing and electric hook up, carried out while installing manufactured homes are stringently monitored by the building inspectors. Offering numerous benefits over site built or conventional homes, new manufactured homes are economical and durable. Assuring negligible material wastage and other site disturbances, these are constructed as well as installed in an environment-friendly manner.

Over the last few years manufactured homes have developed into a beautiful places to live. These homes, when placed on a city lot, can often not be determined from a standard built home. They fit in beautifully with a landscape, have excellent designs, and in general are a welcome addition to a neighborhood. These homes need protection with Manufactured Home Insurance, the same as insurance for a standard house.

People sometimes become confused in identifying various homes. A site-built home is constructed on a building site, while a modular home is built in sections at a factory and transported to a site by truck. A manufactured home, on the other hand is constructed at the factory and is built on a steel chassis, with wheels. It is then pulled to a building site or mobile home park. Once the home is in place the wheels are removed, however it is possible to move it at a later time.

The insurance on these homes is very similar to what one would have on any other home. You can obtain personal property protection (for the loss or damage to personal property), family liability protection (against any judgments), guest medical protection, home and structure protection, plus living expenses for temporary housing if required because of damage to the home.

A manufactured home, as defined by Mobile Home Insurance companies is a single family house, constructed in a factory, and built to the required federal code. The insurance for this type of residence it is virtually the same as for a regular house. When purchasing insurance for manufactured homes part of the cost will depend on where you live, as well as the construction of the home and its condition.

The term for example ‘replacement cost’ means that your policy will cover the cost of replacing whatever has been damaged, depending on your policies limits. When insuring your manufactured home, you need to insure against damage to the home, property theft, and your liability for any injuries that occur there. There are insurance pricing factors that you cannot control. Such things as flooding or high crime rates, known to exist in the area, will result in higher premiums.

One of the things that will affect your insurance cost is what is its exposure to risk. The fact that these homes are lighter than those built on a site, they can be damaged by storms and severe weather. This is especially true in hurricane areas. Other possibilities are frozen pipes, because of poor insulation, as well as danger of fire. This is especially true in a mobile home park when where the units are located very close to each other.

There are also a number of options regarding actual or replacement costs if the home is 10 years old or less. In some cases, a full reimbursement of lost items is available. There are also a number of discounts available with different insurance companies, which can save you some money. If you are looking for Manufactured Home Insurance, it will pay you to shop around, as there are some excellent options available.

Tax time; two words that instill a certain amount of dread in most people. 1040′s, W-2′s, 1099′s become a part of the lexicon of all Americans as they begin the process of gathering their tax documents, receipts, and filling out those all to confusing tax forms. Fortunately for those who have a manufactured home loan there are certain beneficial deductions that should be taken advantage of.

The tax deduction most people are familiar with is the interest paid on their primary residences mortgage. Of course this is only valid if the balance on the mortgage is less then one million dollars, something most people don’t need to worry about.

To claim this deduction use Schedule A, which is the form for itemizing all your deductions. You can claim all the interest paid on your mortgage from the previous year. You can only claim the interest paid on your primary residence, so keep this in mind if you own other real estate such as rental properties.

Another deduction that most people may not know about is pre-payment penalty deduction.

If you paid off your manufactured home mortgage early and had a pre-payment clause in your contract you can deduct those fees on schedule A.

Real estate or property taxes paid to local governments are also able to be deducted. You can find this information in one of two places. If you pay your taxes through an escrow account set up by your mortgage company they will provide you with that information. If you pay your own property taxes your local taxing authority will provide an assessment notice with the amount.

Any points you may have paid during a refinance are also deductible. Points are used to pay down the interest rate on a mortgage and are written off proportionally over the life term of the loan.

If your term is for 30 years you get to deduct 1/30th of the points each year that you have the loan. If you refinance your current loan that you paid points on you get to write off all the points of the first loan in their entirety for that tax year.

Points are also fully deductible on a mortgage taken out for a primary residence in which the amount of the down payment is at least equal to the amount you were charged for the points. In this case it is best to consult a tax professional to make sure you meet the necessary requirements.

If you take out an equity loan on your manufactured home you may also deduct any interest paid on that loan as well. There is an exception in this case though; if your mortgage plus the home equity loan  is more then the value of your home there are limits to how much you may be able to deduct.

Take advantage of every deduction you can this tax season. There are many tax benefits to having a manufactured home loan so keep some of your hard earned money in your wallet and out of the governments’ hands.

The answer lies in how they are constructed. Many people are choosing manufactured homes over conventionally stick built houses for the simple fact that they are finding that they can get comparable square footage and amenities for a lower price. Looking at how they are constructed gives us a good idea as to why this is generally true.

The construction techniques used to build a manufactured home are much the same as a home built on-site with one major exception; they are built in a factory in controlled conditions.

Homes built in the controlled environment of a factory have many advantages. First the weather has no impact on the scheduled completion time because all building processes take place inside, ensuring that the manufacturer can stick to their building schedule without interruption. The manufacturer also does not have to worry about building supplies being damaged, either from the weather or vandalism, because all the needed supplies are stored out of the elements in fenced in areas that are secured each night.

Another area where factory home builders save money is on building supplies. Each home is ordered in advance and put on the schedule to build. This gives the manufacturer the ability to order the necessary materials in bulk for the homes he has on order. Ordering in bulk allows the home manufacturer to get them at a good discount and pass the savings on to the home buyer.

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In the controlled factory environment the manufacturer can also keep material waste at a minimum. Knowing exactly how much material is needed for each module allows for accurate material estimates. Many factories also employ computer controlled cutting machines that provide accurately cut materials for a precise fit.

Once the materials are cut they are assembled in assembly line fashion. This not only allows for quicker building times but also helps control labor costs. All electrical, plumbing and HVAC are installed in predetermined locations in the modules as they move down the assembly line. There is no need to plan and coordinate subcontractors on a job site; all necessary work is done before the modules leave the factory further saving time and money.

Factory built homes also conform to all applicable building codes for the city, county, or state they are being delivered to. They will need to pass inspection once set on the foundation but this shouldn’t be a problem for well built homes from reputable dealers.

Once on site the modules can be put together in short order. The foundation needs to be completed and all inspections passed along with all the necessary attachments for the modules, including any outside plumbing and electrical work, before hand.

Once the modules are delivered the home is lowered into place and fastened to the foundation. Upper floor modules will be lifted with a crane and set in place atop the lower floor modules. Once the modules are in place and connected the final electric and plumbing connections are made, hooking the home to the grid. The whole process, from delivery to final inspection and certificate of occupancy can be done in as little as 2 weeks, but in most cases it will take a little longer.

Manufactured homes cost less for the simple reason that they are cheaper to build then an on-site stick built home. Even with the cost of delivery modular homes are designed to save the homebuyer money while giving them everything they would find in a conventionally built home.

Article by Andrew Bicknell

The answer lies in how they are constructed. Many people are choosing manufactured homes over conventionally stick built houses for the simple fact that they are finding that they can get comparable square footage and amenities for a lower price. Looking at how they are constructed gives us a good idea as to why this is generally true.

The construction techniques used to build a manufactured home are much the same as a home built on-site with one major exception; they are built in a factory in controlled conditions.

Homes built in the controlled environment of a factory have many advantages. First the weather has no impact on the scheduled completion time because all building processes take place inside, ensuring that the manufacturer can stick to their building schedule without interruption. The manufacturer also does not have to worry about building supplies being damaged, either from the weather or vandalism, because all the needed supplies are stored out of the elements in fenced in areas that are secured each night.

Another area where factory home builders save money is on building supplies. Each home is ordered in advance and put on the schedule to build. This gives the manufacturer the ability to order the necessary materials in bulk for the homes he has on order. Ordering in bulk allows the home manufacturer to get them at a good discount and pass the savings on to the home buyer.

In the controlled factory environment the manufacturer can also keep material waste at a minimum. Knowing exactly how much material is needed for each module allows for accurate material estimates. Many factories also employ computer controlled cutting machines that provide accurately cut materials for a precise fit.

Once the materials are cut they are assembled in assembly line fashion. This not only allows for quicker building times but also helps control labor costs. All electrical, plumbing and HVAC are installed in predetermined locations in the modules as they move down the assembly line. There is no need to plan and coordinate subcontractors on a job site; all necessary work is done before the modules leave the factory further saving time and money.

Factory built homes also conform to all applicable building codes for the city, county, or state they are being delivered to. They will need to pass inspection once set on the foundation but this shouldn’t be a problem for well built homes from reputable dealers.

Once on site the modules can be put together in short order. The foundation needs to be completed and all inspections passed along with all the necessary attachments for the modules, including any outside plumbing and electrical work, before hand.

Once the modules are delivered the home is lowered into place and fastened to the foundation. Upper floor modules will be lifted with a crane and set in place atop the lower floor modules. Once the modules are in place and connected the final electric and plumbing connections are made, hooking the home to the grid. The whole process, from delivery to final inspection and certificate of occupancy can be done in as little as 2 weeks, but in most cases it will take a little longer.

Manufactured homes cost less for the simple reason that they are cheaper to build then an on-site stick built home. Even with the cost of delivery modular homes are designed to save the home buyer money while giving them everything they would find in a conventionally built home.

Article by Bo Von Brockdorff

A manufactured home generally costs less than a home that is site-built (also called “stick-built”). Amenities, style and local area construction costs will contribute to the overall price.

One factor to consider is the total cost of a manufactured home (including site preparation and other construction costs) to those of a site-built home. If you look into it thoroughly, you will soon see that there can be huge savings involved.

The current labor costs and the prices of the associated materials, which are different in each area, will set the actual construction costs. It’s impossible to state construction cost averages that would be valid all over the country. They vary from region to region. On the other hand, when you look into the situation yourself, as to your own locality, weighing all aspects of prefabricated houses and houses constructed on-site, you will get a much better idea of the bottom line.

If you know people in the home construction industry, they can be valuable sources of information. When comparing the two types of construction methods, keep these things in mind:

If you are deciding between the two methods of construction, one important aspect to consider is that the cost of site work is about the same for both. Keep in mind that any type of construction will need a water source, a sewage system, a power source linked to the site, finish grading of dirt, and landscaping. Thus, the costs for these features are about the same for either type of construction.

At the very beginning of the project the initial cost savings are realized. A manufactured home does not require architectural design services, as all of the engineering is done “in house”. The materials, both type and quantity, are the same, but a manufactured home, which is built in a factory, has many advantages. Local building authorities need not review detailed construction prints since the house plans for a manufactured home are approved by the federal government during the permit application and review process. This also cuts the time it takes for permits to be approved by the building department.

Today’s manufactured home builders buy their materials in bulk, taking advantage of volume discount pricing. These savings are then passed on to the consumer.

In the factory environment, pieces such as studs, joisting and siding are available in pre-cut lengths and widths, decreasing the waste. Much waste is incurred during on-site construction, and the cost of removing scrap-building materials should not be overlooked.

Transporting equipment and laborers to a site-built construction project on a daily basis can get very expensive. With a factory environment, all tools and equipment for construction stay in place, and the workers travel to the fixed location daily. This method keeps factory labor line costs lower than on-site construction labor due to no start-of-the-day set up, no end-of-the-day clean up, and the permanent building location.

Since the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) building code applies to all manufactured homes, they generally do not fall under the jurisdiction of local building authorities. Therefore, fewer interruptions, all of which come with a cost, arise during construction because of local building inspections, and any necessary corrections arising from them.

The time it takes for on-site construction of the home is vastly reduced, because the major home sections are joined together over a foundation, with utilities already connected, and inside flooring and interior drywall completed. As with everything else, less labor hours lowers construction costs.

Since there is a shorter time for construction on manufactured homes, there is also a shorter construction loan period. Because of the shorter period, you will spend less money on interest payments, and you may be able to lock in a permanent interest rate sooner.

If you know someone in residential construction, ask them how much a home costs per square foot, including all necessary permits and amenities. That will give you a point of comparison when inquiring about manufactured homes. You’ll definitely notice the possible savings.

Floor plans is another name for the foundation of manufactured homes, which are referred to in this manner because of the pre-assembling done at the factory site. The different parts of the manufactured homes are built in the factory, and are then transported and installed as foundation by using a crane. The completion of the project is marked by comprehensive wiring and plumbing done by the hired staff. Only a few days is needed for the actual building of the manufactured homes, after the foundation or the floor plan has been laid down. The design cannot be changed at a later date, as the floor plan is already determined at the earliest stage of construction.

There are essentially two types of floor plans for manufactured homes , namely the blueprint for rapid modular homes and American Geodesic dome plan.

The former are low-cost houses built by home builders, which make use of structural insulated panels. Home builders can complete this floor plan in a matter of three days based upon the help from a three-member squad. Around 2,000 sq. ft. of panel assembly is possible in this floor plan without the need of mounting a dry wall next to the interior panels. The vertical and horizontal chases that run inside the panels are used as a background for electrical wiring. Structural insulated panels provide the added advantage of usage of less amount of energy.

Home builders also use the structural insulated panels for the purpose of creating a resilient construction plate.

The walls and aluminum in the roofs are substantiated by the combination of foamed core in between the two cement panels. Roofs, ceilings and walls are constructed by home builders by using the specially manufactured panels. Thus, the client need not spend a fortune on wood for constructing homes, and even gain from a number of other environmental benefits, such as saving energy.

The floor plan known as American Geodesic makes use of interior wallboard, polystyrene insulation and steel plates. Builders usually keep many designs which cater to this floor plan. Moreover, it is easier to customize and make changes while using the American Geodesic plan. In a long run, this floor plan proves to be more economical than a stick-built home. Installation of this plan does not need the added expenditure incurred in adding gutters, insulation, shingles, tar paper, plywood and roof trusses. The sheathing, external finish and the complete structural framework can be completed by concreting the sides and linking the steel mesh.