What Should I Research Before Buying a Modular Home?

You’re interested in buying a modular home — that’s great! Modular homes — offsite-built homes that are set on a permanent foundation — have so many benefits, like their durability, quality, customizability, and speed-to-build.

As you consider buying a modular home, the first step is doing online research. Similar to the process of buying a car, doing initial research can help you understand the options and features available to you. That’ll help you get ready to tour homes when you visit an independent local retailer, who will help you with the actual process of buying the home.

But what exactly should you be Google-ing? We’ve provided an overview of the most important things to research as you begin your modular home journey.

Modular Home Research Step #1: Home Type and Size

First thing’s first: when you do your initial online research for a modular home, you’ll want to read up on the type and size of home you want.

There are three main categories of modular homes:

• Ranch (single-story) modular homes 

• Cape Cod modular homes (single- or one-and-a-half-story homes with steep, side-gabled roofs that often have an unfinished bonus area upstairs)

• Two-story modular homes

Depending on your particular needs, one of these may appeal to you over the others. If you have young children or you’re looking to age-in-place, a ranch may be the best fit for you. If you want maximum space for a playroom, a craft room, or a workout room, a two-story may work best. If you favor Cape Cods’ unique exterior design and want a bonus area for storage, then this style is the one for you.

You’ll also want to look into the size of home you want. As you research, consider the following items: 

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Laundry/utility room or home office

• Walk-in pantry or walk-in closets

• Extra areas for storage 

• Overall desired square footage

Each type and size of home will have different implications for your budget range and the amount of land you’ll need, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Modular Home Research Step #2: Home Add-Ons

Once you have an idea of the type and size of modular home you’re looking for, the next step is reading about different add-on options our retailers and builders can provide. The major types of add-ons for modular homes are:

• A second story

• A garage or carport 

• A side addition, such as an in-law suite

Keep in mind that the best time to do any add-ons is during the initial building process, rather than down the road after you’ve been in your home a few years. Completing add-ons up-front can streamline the overall process, which can save you both money and time. We recommend you look into these add-ons during the initial research phase and factor them into your budget.

During the homebuying process, you’ll also need to choose between either a crawlspace foundation or a basement foundation, so it can be helpful to research these, as well.

Modular Home Research Step #3: Home Features

There are so many different features and personalization options when you buy a modular home – that’s one of the things that makes them so great! But it can be a little overwhelming to sort through all your choices. Identify the features that are most important to you, such as:

• Interior finishes like flooring, cabinetry, kitchen backsplash, and shower tile

• Exterior finishes like windows, doors, trim, and roof color 

• Appliance packages, such as stainless steel Whirlpool® kitchen appliances

• Energy efficient capabilities, such as an ENERGY STAR® Certified home

• Other features like an electric fireplace, an entertainment center, a freestanding bathtub, a walk-in shower, or a porch

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Modular Home Research Step #4: Budget Range

Now it’s time to estimate your budget range. When it comes to budgeting for a modular home purchase, there are a few different pieces to keep in mind: the modular home, the land (if you don’t already own property), delivery services, and setting and finishing services.

It’s okay if you don’t know exactly how much to budget for each of these pieces at this point. Your local retailer will be able to provide a breakdown of the different options and how they factor into your budget. At this stage, it’s helpful to have a general range for what your overall budget is. Use our estimated monthly payment calculator to break down how much you can budget per month.

We also recommend looking at different homes on modular builder sites to get a sense of how much your ideal modular home costs. The following tools can help you find modular homes with the square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and specific features you’re looking for: 

• Find a Home Tool on ChampionHomes.com

• Find a Home Tool on SkylineHomes.com

Explore Beautiful Modular Homes from Champion Homes

Once you’ve researched these aspects of modular homes, you’ll be in great shape to visit an independent retailer and kick off the home buying process. 

As you research modular homes, we’d love to be a part of your journey! To check out modular homes from Champion, you can find the best Champion home for you, or contact a Champion retailer in your area.