March- Did you know?

Did you know?

Another reason that Modular/Manufactured Housing is such a great value is that it is built in a controlled assembly line process where everyone is an expert at what they do.  Before Henry Ford developed the assembly line for the automobile only the rich could afford them and they were very unreliable.

By bringing the construction process into a controlled environment and moving the homes through different stages you bring the home to the expert builder instead of having to find expert builders and bring them out to your site.

Modular or Manufactured Homes in Minnesota- What’s the difference?

Modular or Manufactured home- what is the difference?

By: Dustin Falling- Home Designer

 What is the difference between a modular and manufactured home? is the question I get more than any other.  I will like to hit the main points that will help you make an educated decision when buying a home.  There are several differences, so I am going to pick out a couple of the big ones that I feel is the most important when differentiating between the two.

A modular home is built under the IRC (International Residential Code), which is the same code that site built homes are built under.  Manufactured homes are built under the HUD Federal Building Code.  The HUD code allows for a home to be built without requiring a frost free foundation (i.e. crawlspace or basement).

Modular homes need to be placed on a heated crawlspace or basement and the manufactured homes can be on concrete piers, heated/unheated crawlspace or heated/unheated basement.  Also the manufactured home is required by HUD to have the furnace and water heater installed on the main level, where the modular home can have all the mechanical items in the basement or crawlspace.

Modular homes have a lot more in the way of customizing. The styles include  rambler, cape cod, two story, and loft.  The manufactured homes are rambler style only. 

As mentioned already there are more differences, but the items above will simplify things and make sure you are looking at the right style of home.

February- Did You Know?

February

Did you know?

The Quality of Modular Housing is often superior to that of site built homes?  That’s right, Modular Homes are built to the state building code and many time exceeding it in many areas of construction.  Every home must meet these rigorous quality standards before they can be delivered to our dealership.  Once they are here our trained staff of professional installers check over every home to make sure it will be just right for its new owner.

Bring on the Minnesota Cold! Making Your Modular Home Even More Efficient

Bring on the Minnesota Cold! Making Your Modular Home Even More Efficient

By: Dustin Falling- Home Designer

Here is an easy check list to follow when you are trying to reduce your monthly energy bills.  You should seek professional assistance in each of these areas to assure the proper corrections have been made.

1.  Have an energy audit- can be conducted by your local electric co-op or a private party.

2.  Seal air leaks- check around windows, doors, and any other seams/joints in your home.

3.  Check mechanical systems- change furnace filters regularly and systems for proper working order.

4.  Heat efficiently- replace old systems with new efficient ones.

5.  Use a programmable thermostat- this helps heat only when you need it.

6.  Control hot water use- change to a low flow shower head and lower the temperature on your water heater.

7.  Replace light bulbs-  use CFL’s (Compact Fluorescent Lights) as they will save you a considerable amount on your  bills over time.

8.  Use outlet switches-  this is where you have a way of shutting power of to small appliances, televisions, etc. 

9.  Install timers/motion light-  these work well for frequently used lights and others that are in hard to reach areas.

10. Buy ENERGY STAR products- these products are there to save you money.

For even more information feel free to visit www.energy.mn.gov.

5 Things You Must Know When Buying a Modular or Manufactured Home

By:  Dustin Falling

Being in the business for over 10 years now I have come to realize there are 5 main areas to consider when buying a new modular or manufactured home, so let’s get right into them.

1. Find a reputable company that works with in- state manufactures- these builders know the climate/environment we live in and build to those specifications.  Manufacturers have to build to the IBC (International Building Code), but being built in Minnesota they may add other additional items to add to the efficiency and comfort.
2. Find a home design center with experience- not only with the sale of the modular or manufactured home, but with the over general contracting.  By not having to hire a private general contractor you can save thousands of dollars.  Also an inexperienced general contractor can give you major head aches if  poor sub-contractors are hired.
3. “Cheap becomes Expensive”- what I mean by this is when something is cheap it usually means cheap.  It cost money to use a quality product.  What this means for you though is a long lasting product that doesn’t require constant upkeep and eventually pre-mature replacement.  It is more cost effective to spend a little more up front when you are acquiring a home loan and not have these unexpected costs down the road (which you will most likely have to pay out of pocket).
4. Have an amount you would like to spend on your home project- this will help make your home/project search a lot easier.  When some one stops in to see me and has an approximate amount they want to spend on the project I am able to provide them with some project options immediately and exactly what they can do for options.  It saves a lot of time for everyone involved.
5. Don’t be afraid of opening up with your home design representative, the more you tell them the more they can help you.  A lot of information is the key to getting the home just the way you want it and that is the most important.

 I hope this will help with your dream home search and project.  Just remember this is a very important decision, so base them on this sound advice.

Read All About it- The Home Tax Credit Extended

By Dustin Falling on January 1, 2010

President Obama has recently signed an extension on the first time home buyers tax credit and also has added a credit for existing home owners to purchase.  This is great news for our economy.   In a nut shell here is the numbers and deadlines.

For a first time home buyer who have not owned a home in the last three years can receive  ten percent of the home sale price or $8,000, which ever is less.

Now if you are a current home owner who has owned a home for five consecutive years in the pervious eight you are eligible for tax credit of ten percent of the home sales price or $6,500, which ever is less.

You must close on your home or at least have a written binding contract to purchase a home by April, 30, 2010.  If you have the contract by this date you must have the home project closed by July 1, 2010.

 Finally, great news for all homeowners.  There are some other eligibility details  and I recommend you research it further.

Home Tax Credit Extended!

The Government has not only extended the tax credit for first time home buyers but widened it to include existing homeowners. Call us for more details.