Doublewide. How bad are they?

Docsknotinn · Aug 19, 2003

I am in the same position and intending to build a camp in the next three-five years. I have already looked at modular homes. I am a little confused as to what the difference is between a double wide and a modular. The Modulars we looked at were about 2,000 sq' and in the mid 60's with log sideing, jacuzi, fireplace etc. Another option on many of theese that was not mentioned is sheet rock walls. Very nice ! A 1000 sq' custom built stick with a 2.5 car attached garage in our area is approx 150k. I agree with Bird completely. I owned a few in past years and the new trend is to set them on concrete piers the size of big coffee cans. At the very least get a concrete slab. Useing either method here you will not qualify for a home mortage and you pay a higher interest rate. By haveing it set on blocks you will get a much better interest rate if financeing is needed as it will then be classified as non- mobile. If you have do it your self skills you might look at www dot PanelConCepts dot com. Theese are very cost effective and very cool. A nice cabin but they will not truelly offer the year round liveability that a modular will. Dave

Slippy · Aug 20, 2003

What about mice, snakes, squirels, ants, etc.? The big reason I have not really looked at modular or double wide is because of the cracks and little holes where these varmits will get in. If I build a stick frame I intend to use construction adhesive and seal up all that I can during construction to keep these pesty things out. I put a camper on my property and within a few weeks it was so full of mice I could not stay in it. Now also got wasps, etc. Are the modular of double wides made tight enough to keep this stuff out?

PhilNH5 · Aug 20, 2003

( I am a little confused as to what the difference is between a double wide and a modular. )

A mobile home or double wide is built on a steel I-beam frame and has the wheels attached to that frame which are used to transport it to the site.

A modular is stick built except in a factory not on-site. The modular I lived in was all wood framed as are the ones I recently looked at. The modular home is constructed in sections or boxes that are placed on a flat bed and transported to the site. Once it is assembled it is for all intents and purposes a permanent dwelling. Whereas you could concievably move the double wide around by mounting the wheels back to the frame.

In my mobile home I paid a higher interest rate as noted above. And I was issued a title from the Dept of Motor Vehicles .

In my modular house I paid the prevailing interest rate and there was an actual mortgage and deed. 

Also the modular should appreciate while the mobile tends to depreciate.

Phil

Bird · Aug 20, 2003

( Are the modular of double wides made tight enough to keep this stuff out? )

As with most features, this varies considerably with the brand of manufactured house; some are pretty darned tight and others are not. And you can use basically the same methods you'd use in a site built house to keep the critters out. But the fact is that I've never seen any kind of house that could keep all the mice and ants out if they're in the area and determined to get in. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Aug 20, 2003

( In my mobile home I paid a higher interest rate as noted above. And I was issued a title from the Dept of Motor Vehicles .

In my modular house I paid the prevailing interest rate and there was an actual mortgage and deed.

Also the modular should appreciate while the mobile tends to depreciate. )

All good points, and correct, Phil. There are actually cases in which the manufactured houses appreciate in value if properly built and set up, but they do normally depreciate.

And I encountered something new just last month when I bought our current single wide. One insurance company refused to insure it unless it was anchored down on a concrete slab, and in this mobile home park, none of them are.

Docsknotinn · Aug 20, 2003

Theese are all good points and all accurate I'm sure. There is a great difference in the laws from state to state so its imperative you understand the rules where you live. Here the appreciation factor is very unlikely. Also even though a Modular has the axles removed on placement MOST finance companys here consider them mobile or " moveable" unless they are set on blocks. In mi the units are titled the year they are made. I have heard that other states only do this when they are sold. So in theory you could have a 3 year old demo titled as new in some states. Just food for thought. Either way, Based on my experience I say Block is first choice and a slab is the only other viable option. The slab will be more up front but you WILL pay more later with piers getting it re-leveled, and thats no fun ! I dont know about the holes stuff, I have never had that experience. A lot of theese now are VERY high quality and in this day and age may be one of the last True Bargains, at least that's my opinion. They certainly will make a nice camp as they are generally maintenance free, vinyl sideing sofets etc. I also REALLY like the new modular garages they have now. Its very nice to think that one day you have a opening in the woods and next week end you can go back and POOF ! Deer camp is done /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Very nice. Dave

fivestring · Aug 20, 2003

"Useing either method here you will not qualify for a home mortage and you pay a higher interest rate. "

A modular is treated the same as a stick built when it comes to financing. Modulars around here have to be built on permanent foundations; that makes them a permanent home.
Mobile homes are not.
There is a world of difference in the ways each are made. Modulars will outlast any mobile home on the market. That has been proven over and over. Mobile homes are inherently weaker all around because they have to be made to travel on a wheeled-chasis. There has to be flex built in or the things would destroy themselves going down roads.
One thing the poster can do with a modular is add on, just like any stick-built home. These are pre-built in a factory, dis-assembled and carried to the site and re-built.

Docsknotinn · Aug 20, 2003

Haveing owned a couple I'm totally confused /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Modulars are built on frames as well and rolled down the road. Unless they are on blocks in my state they will not qualify for a home mtg. It might be different there. I doubt anything is a given across the entire reading scope of the members here. Dave

Bird · Aug 20, 2003

Gary, in many cases you're right, but I supposed there are exceptions to everything.

( Modulars will outlast any mobile home on the market. )

May be; I don't have any real evidence either way, but I do know of some mobile homes that have been in place for at least 38 years (of my personal knowledge; I've been told they were there long before that) and still look just as good as the site build homes around them.

( One thing the poster can do with a modular is add on, just like any stick-built home )

Just as you can do with a mobile home. Naturally I've seen some very sloppy "add ons", but I also know of some that are not. In fact, friends of ours just sold their farm (most of our friends are getting old like us /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) and they've been in a large double-wide with front and rear porches added on, a two car attached garage and crafts shop on one end, . . . and most of the people who came to look at it had no idea it was a "mobile home" instead of site built until they were told.

NoTrespassing · Aug 20, 2003

Quick reply cause I'm busy watchin the pond go in. I love ours. It's a 1993, 28 x 48 and we bought it $23K. It was paid for the first year. The walls are 2x6 and this thing is well insulated let me tell you. I use under 600 gal. propane/yr. to heat it. If the sun is shining on a cold winter day the furnace hardly runs at all, and I'm talking below 20 degrees F.

I didn't put it on a foundation yet, it's got plywood skirtings with textured paint. It looks like a concrete foundation. Without the foundation we pay absolutely NO tax on it.
The only downside I've found is that its hard to finance a used one and the insurance is higher than a house if you have it parked out in the country without a foundation.

Kevin