What are the main pros and cons with manufactured housing (not mobile homes, but prefab homes)?

Answer 1

pros: they are made indoors, ready when you want it.
cons: if you've seen one, you've seen them all.

Answer 2

The biggest pro is that they are made indoors, free of the weather and because it is made on an assembly line you actually end up with 90degree corners.

I don't think there are any cons as long as you do the following:

1st: Deal with a reputable (BBB associated) dealer!
2nd: KNOW YOUR LOCAL ZONING LAWS. (utilities, sewers, septics, foundations [pylons, slabs, basements] or if you can put one in that city at all.)
3rd: Make sure you have every last detail in the contract. Right down to the color of something. The contract is your only legal recourse.

Personal Note: Best re-sale value is if you put it on top of a basement foundation! Some cities will even consider it real property if it is on a basement. Most states do not consider manufactured homes real property so you have to take out like a car loan...the PRO here is that it is easier to qualify for.

Answer 3

Though you’ll probably find "mobile homes" listed in your yellow pages, "manufactured housing" is the name preferred by the industry and Congress. To its credit, the industry has come a long way from the stereotypical "mobile home," but consumers still commonly use the term “mobile home.”

If you’re thinking about buying a mobile home, Consumers Union can help you pick the right one at the right price. This report includes money-saving tips, as well as valuable advice, on which features to look for – and which to avoid – when purchasing a home.

Answer 4

You have to buy property to put it on, where the city and county where you want to put it say is zoned for it. You have to pay to move it there, and you have to put in a slab or foundation to put it on. Most of those costs are not listed in the price of a premanufactured home, so you need to ask if there are other costs not listed, as well. Still, if you go look at them, they have gone way up in quality in the last 20 years, and are certainly worth considering. My personal favorites are made by Freedom Homes, but there are lots of manufactures out there.

Answer 5

I hear that there are way more pros than cons. And the other girl was wrong, THEY DO NOT ALL LOOK THE SAME.

Answer 6

They are difficult to finance without very good credit and some money down. This makes them difficult for you, as a buyer, to get into one and will make it difficult for you down the road if you chose to sell it. Your potential buyers will have a hard time getting financing, as well.

I wouldn't do it.