FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a manufactured home?
These are homes built entirely in the factory under a federal building code administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Manufactured homes may be single or multi section and are transported to the site on a permanent chassis and installed.  

What is a modular home?
These factory built homes are built to state, local or regional codes where the home will be located. Modules are transported to the site and installed.

What is a mobile home?
This is the term used for factory-built homes built prior to June 15, 1976.

How many people live in manufactured homes in the United States?
Over 22 million people live full time in over 10 million manufactured homes.

What is the satisfaction rate?
In a recent Owens Corning study, conducted by the National Family Opinion, it was concluded that 93% of manufactured home owners are satisfied with their housing choice.

Do manufactured homes pass any sort of inspection or are they held to any standard?
Unlike site built homes, all manufactured homes are built to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) code, with each home going through a rigorous inspection process before being certified and sold. The code regulates home design, construction, strength, durability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. It also sets standards for heating, plumbing, air-conditioning, thermal and electrical systems. Inspectors actually monitor construction of homes as they are built in the factories.

Where can I place a manufactured home?
There are two basic options: (1) You can place your home on land you own or intend to buy. If you choose this option, be sure to check local zoning laws, restrictive covenants, and installation regulations. (2) You can place your manufactured home on a leased home site in a manufactured housing community. In either case, Plattsburgh Housing Outlet housing consultant?s can offer assistance.

Where can I place a modular home?
A modular home is intended to be placed on private property. Since Modular and site-built homes are constructed to the same building code required by your state, county and specific locality they are not restricted by building or zoning regulations.

What interior options, features and extras are available?
The many options you can select include: custom cabinetry, wall coverings, appliance packages, floor coverings, sky lights, wood/gas burning fire places, glamour baths with whirlpool and more.  

What exterior options, features, and extras are available?
We can help you design a deck, porch, or foundation treatment to fit your home. We also have garage and storage shed packages available.

Are manufactured homes more vulnerable to fire than a site built home?
Manufactured homes are no more prone to fire than homes built on site. In fact, a national fire safety study conducted by the Foremost Insurance Company found that a manufactured home is half as likely to experience a fire: 17 homes per 1,000 for site-built homes, while only 8 homes per 1,000 for manufactured homes.

Does manufactured housing lower property values in a community?
All recent studies on this subject have come to the conclusion that manufactured homes, either in communities or on individual lots, have no impact on the property values of site-built homes that are adjacent to or in close proximity to them. A joint study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University concluded that they could find no statistically significant evidence that manufactured housing had any impact on adjacent site-built homes.

Are manufactured homes energy efficient?
Yes. You'll actually spend less on utilities. On average, you'll spend 25 percent less on your utilities than with a site-built home. Manufacturers offer homeowners a variety of energy-saving options, including better insulation to lower heating and cooling costs, energy-efficient windows, and the choice of home-energy fuel.

What Do Modular Homes Look Like?
Modular homes look like any other home. Today's building technology has allowed modular manufacturers to build most any style of home from a simple ranch to a highly customized contemporary. And, it doesn't stop with houses. Modular producers are busy building banks, schools, office buildings, motels and hotels. Chances are you've been in many modular structures and probably never realized it.

Are Modular Homes Difficult To Finance or Insure?
There is no distinction between modular and site built homes as far as appraisal or financing. Banks and lending institutions treat both types of construction the same. Likewise, there is no difference in insuring the modular property.