I had a relatively large modular recently built in Branford, CT in what most would regard as a high income area. My experience was disastrous even though the company is reputable and advertises on T.V. Now you can say it was the factory in PA that was the fault where many of these modulars are built but I had a state inspector who looked closely at my modular and he concluded from looking at many others that quality in general for modulars is not as good as stick built. They build these houses in 4, 5 days and slap sheet rock on to commercial or even green lumber. You then get the cracking that occurs when the lumber dries out which takes several seasons. It can be severe as in my case and this does not occur with stick built houses. There are so many factors you are not in control because the houses are built in PA. For instance the bridging is precut and can be in my case not flush or even level with the joists. So I developed bouncy floors where my hardwood floors are creaking terribly. Bolts holding the main central beam in the attic are crooked and the nailing is atrocious throughout. I am in a large lawsuit but you really have little ground to stand on with these companies because you pay up front the whole amount which should not be allowed. Then you have a setting crew which may know what they are doing but can make mistakes. I have a four inch inverted corner upstairs. My marriage wall was never insulated. Furthermore you are stuck with the modular company even a well established one using the cheapest crew they can find to button up the house because they will cut corners to make an even larger profit. My roof was badly done both in PA and in CT and had to be completely replaced. The roof has humps where the units were joined. My porch as a dip where one or more trusses were put upside down. My sheet rock is a mess, I have knocking in my walls, squeaking floors, siding falling off, leaky gutters, and a cement porch pad that has shrinkage cracks. It has been a living hell and I would never go modular. Yes they may be strong to withstand the journey up but I see particular board where I would have chosen plywood and the cheapness really bothers me considering the price which was on par with the stick built houses. There are many hidden costs these companies don't tell you about. Now my modular is up to code but you can be up to code and have bad workmanship and that is where the warranties fall out and where suing becomes major money. And lastly to even get another company to come in to fix what is wrong is a saga in itself. For every 10 companies, I try to get quotes on 9 drop out because they don't want to fix another's mistakes but they are the same in telling me they are familiar with the downsides of going modular. Don't do it period.

I am an agent in darien Ct where the average sale price is creeping up on $2million. Most homes continue to be stick built but only beacause modular carries a negative conotation.We have a home on the market for over $2million which is modular if you wish to see it.Id say there are about a dozen or so in town.They can be customized beautifully and dont deserve to be "dissed"


Karen Brewer
William Pitt Sothebys International Realty
Darien Ct
203-554-0951
kmbrewer2@aol.com

I kind of agree. Here in our County if you can prove the "existence" of a mobile home prior to a certain date you can replace it with another "like kind" structure. These means modulars. I had this happen on a property in the country where a client replaced an old double wide mobile with a gorgeous modular replete with high end kitchen and custom features throughout. The zoning allowed two residences and the primary house was pretty spectacular after they re-habbed it.
However, it STILL is a modular! And no one is more fickle sometimes than the high-end marketplace. Disclosing the home was not built on site could be a sticky issue and one I feel should be disclosed. This would in my opinion discount the value of said modular. Now if it was a guest unit or "granny" this might not have the impact of say a primary residence.
We have a whole subdivision of modular's which was built back in the early 80's here in Santa Rosa, California and when you drive through there you KNOW they are modular! I think the application would work very well in the country. My wife and I have toyed with some of the smaller units for a second home on some land we are eyeing up north.

Hi owner,

Actually, these homes have been built to withstand the twisting and turning that comes with hauling them from the "factory" to the home site.

We have a couple of high end homes that are modular going up on the shore here in Connecticut.
and they look great.

Best Regards,

George Antonopoulos
Coldwell Banker
800.759.6936
Madison, Connecticut

Hello Owner:

I was quite faciniated by this article in San Francisco Chronicle a few months back.

After reading that article I can see that module homes can definitely be something to be desired, even in a hihg income are; I guess you will just have to work through the normal reaction that comes with it. .

Sylvia


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/05/…

Melissa has a good point about the advances in modular home design.
Dwell Magazine has showcased some very high end modulars:

http://www.dwell.com/daily/magazine

Hi Home Seller in 07021.

Today's modular homes are not the modular homes of the past. There are in fact, many benefits of going the modular route as opposed to your traditional stick built homes, not only the cost savings factor. One of the main benefits are the fact that the homes are built in an indoor factory and not subjected to the external weather ailments that may cause delays and a long list of other problems that outdoor builders endure.

Some things to consider, homes in the neighborhood should remain in keeping with a similair style and size. Putting the largest 4 BR colonial on a street with ranches won't help your resale value. Other factors to consider include site access to the lot, will they be able to get your new home down the street? I would say as long as the homes in the neighborhood are not truly unique in style, a modular home is a great affordable way to increase your purchasing power.

If there is a local factory in your area, many will offer free tours, to see a sample advertisement for Westchester Modular Homes in New York, you can check out the following link
http://www.myahaccess.com/westchestermodular.html

Good Luck!
Melissa Peet

Hi, that' a very good question. One of my quite accomplished agents just decided to abandon his practice on very expensive SF Peninsula and to specialize in selling modular home on behalf of a company in Utah. His market is in several states and I have seen some clients looking for lots for modular homes as far West as in the East Bay area. However, I have not seen yet anyone putting them on the expensive lots of the Peninsula.