May-Modular/Manufactured Homes- Did You Know?
May 3, 2010
Did you know?
We can help with the whole construction package, such as assisting with the building permit, designing the home, organizing and scheduling of sub-contractors and even assisting with the financing.
Reach for the Stars with an Energy Star Modular or Manufactured Home
May 1, 2010
REACH FOR THE STARS WITH AN ENERGY STAR MODULAR OR MANUFACTURED HOME
By Dustin Falling- Life Style Homes of Litchfield, Inc.
Energy efficiently is always an important focus when shopping for a home. Energy efficiency of course saves you money every month and with our current economy everyone could stand to save some extra money.
Our modular/manufactured home companies now offer an “Energy Star Package”. This package includes energy efficient items such as:
+ Increased insulation in the roof and sidewall
+ Energy star rated lights fixtures/bulbs
+ Energy star Pella windows
+ Addition sealant in all penetration areas
+ Programmable thermostats
The nice thing about these packages is they pay for themselves in a very short time and continue saving you money. The ultimate gift that keeps on giving. Make sure you look for these items when shopping for a new home.
Is the Financing Crisis Truly a Crisis in the Minnesota New Home Construction Market?
April 11, 2010
Is the Financing Crisis Truly a Crisis in the Minnesota New Home Construction Market?
We all know how difficult this past year has been for many business sectors, but believe it or not the mortgage loans for modular homes were fairly accessible. In my dealings with new modular home customers this past year the approval portion of the loan was not difficult, but the appraisal portion got tricky at times.
For those who are not familiar with the appraisal process, in a nutshell it goes like this. When you are requesting a loan from the bank they need to know the new home project you are proposing fits in with the value of other similar homes in your area. The appraiser achieves this by finding comparables (similar homes) in that particular area. With the down market, homes are selling for less and thus bringing down the amount of current value on a new constructed home. This is where I have seen the main mortgage loan problems occur.
One way to combat this problem would be to own your land free and clear and/or have a large down payment. Even though the market is down currently it will eventually stabilize and values will rise.
Basically, I am saying don’t let this down market affect your decision on doing a new home project, because the most important thing is to not compromise. You are spending a large amount of money on a new home and you should make it the way you want.
April-Modular/Manufactured Homes- Did You Know?
April 3, 2010
Did you know?
Our Modular/Manufactured Homes are built in a controlled environment safe from the wind and rain. Next time you drive by a construction site on a rainy day, think about all that water seeping into the floors and walls. It takes a long time for that water to dry up – if it ever does.
Our Homes are built in an enclosed environment and the elements will never reach the inside of your home. In fact your home won’t even know what a rainy day is until the room is on and the windows are sealed.
The Minnesota Modular Home Tax Credit Deadline
April 1, 2010
The Minnesota Modular Home Tax Credit Deadline is Near!
By Dustin Falling-Life Style Homes of Litchfield
For those of y
ou still looking to take advantage of the home tax credit the deadline is quickly approaching. Below is a quick recap of this tax credit.
For a first-time home buyer, who has 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 selling or demolishing your home, 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 modular home by April, 30, 2010. If you have a signed contract by this date you must have the home project closed by July 1, 2010.
Welcome Spring- Getting Your Modular Home Ready for the Minnesota Spring
March 15, 2010
Welcome Spring- Getting Your Modular Home Ready for the Minnesota Spring
Winter can be hard on your home and landscaping, so here are some quick tips to make sure your home and landscaping are in top shape this spring.
1. Check your window screen for damage- you don’t want unwanted insects
finding their way in.
2. Clean your furnace, dryer, air exchanger and other filters- this will allow your
home to work efficiently.
3. Check the sealants around roof vents- weather and time can wear away on the sealants.
4. Check shingles & gutters for snow or ice damage- some times excessive snow and ice can cause a lot of havoc.
5. Check the landscaping around your home- frost heaving can move dirt around
and create areas that could cause water to flow towards your foundation.
Harsh winter weather can affect both newly built and older homes. This short check list will help you enjoy your spring relaxing in the sun instead of working on your home.
March- Did you know?
March 1, 2010
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?
February 28, 2010
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 15, 2010
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
February 5, 2010
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.
Houselog Home- Grove City, MN
“After three months visiting manufactured home dealerships and visiting with owners, we decided the homes by Life Style Homes fit our needs. We liked the versatility of home plans and the type of construction offered. It took us another month to decide on the exact style and features we wanted. Since we have moved in, [...]
