What is the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home?
A friend was recently using the term "manufactured home" during a conversation and I soon realized that he was actually talking about a "modular home". Although a modular home IS manufactured, the federally recognized use of the term applies specifically to mobile or trailer homes.
"Manufactured homes" can be made to look similar to a modular home, but they are built at the factory (in whole) on a non-removable steel chassis according to Federal HUD guidelines called the HUD Code. They are designed to be able to be relocated. Although the terms "manufactured" and "mobile" are often used interchangeably, the term "manufactured home" is technically the term applied to factory homes built after 1980 according to the HUD Code. If you want to see manufactured homes just go to your local trailer park. In New Jersey, since they can be relocated (are mobile), they are titled and licensed by the state's department of motor vehicles. Real Estate agents are allowed to represent buyers and sellers of manufactured or mobile homes, but it's not like buying or selling a house; and the closing can consist of standing in line at the motor vehicles to transfer title. Unless the mobile home owner also owns the ground, you usually have to obtain special mobile home insurance.
Additional manufactured home information:
Manufactured Housing Insitute: FAQs, How To Buy A Manufacture Home (pdf) (Online Version)
Consumer's Union Manufactured Home Warranty Tips
APA: Manufactured Housing Statues - 2000 (pdf)
HUD: Review of Manufactured Housing Installation Standards and Instructions (pdf)
"Modular homes", like "manufactured homes", are built at the factory, but in sections and then transferred by truck to the building site and assembled there. They are subject to all local, county and state building codes just like a regular "sticks" or on-site built home. Most claim, that since they are required to be rugged enough to handle transportation, they are built to stronger specifications than non-modular homes. There is no difference from on-site built homes in how they are bought and sold. (The NAR has a Field Guide to Modular Homes.)
Click here for HUD's "Community Guide To Factory Built Housing"(PDF) for more details, comparisons and usage guidelines.
Update: See also, Manufactured and Mobile Homes In New Jersey - Buying, Owning and Selling
Visit my web site for real estate services and support: http://www.lawrenceyerkes.com/
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Thanks Larry, I am actually showing some manufactored homes (trailers) for the fist time in my career. I think we have more of these in Florida than anywhere else in the country. Mostly over 55 communities. I will be checking out these links. More good info as usual.
Is that a picture I see in your post? I like it:)
Some friends of mine have a large modular home in Pt Pleasant NJ and to my surprise it is actually quite nice and seems to be very well built.
Thanks for the links. Great resource to share.
I'm way late for this one but it just popped up on my radar so here goes anyway.
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