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Modular vs. Mobile/Manufactured homes

Help Topic 6756

Modular

Modular Homes are factory-built and assembled on private property. They are transported to the property owner's lot and they are then craned on a weight bearing concrete foundation. The home is also dry-walled throughout. A Modular Home must conform to the required state building code to meet the standards of the state in which they are built. The modular may be built up to three stories high. Insurers and lenders treat modular homes in the same way as a site-built home.

The modular home is built to many different stick built codes such as UBC, NEC, UPC, UMC, CABO, and BOCA. Each of these codes are mandated by the individual state the home will be set in. The term modular was first used to identify the fact that this type of home was built differently than a manufactured home.

  • The Building TYPE may be reflected as a SINGLE DETACHED when listed in TREND.
  • OWNERSHIP type is Fee simple

Mobile

The mobile home (commonly referred to as a manufactured home) is built to a building standard called the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act (HUD/CODE). Manufactured homes are built with a permanent chassis to assure the initial and continued transportability of the home. All transportable sections of manufactured homes built in the U.S. after June 15,1976 must contain a red label. The label is the manufacturer's certification that the home section is built in accordance with HUD's construction and safety standards. HUD standards cover Body and Frame Requirements, Thermal Protection, Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Safety and other aspects of the home. They are published in the Code of Federal Regulations at 24 CFR 3280.

These homes are built and towed in single or multi sections. They have axles and wheels and they may be transported to a state other than the state in which they were built. They are usually situated on Lot-leased properties in a Mobile Home Park and carry a title.

  • The Building TYPE must be described as a MOBILE HOME when listed in TREND and the style may be described as a Singlewide, Doublewide or Triplewide or OTHER.
  • OWNERSHIP type is typically Lot/Lease
  • Ownership transfers as a vehicular title and NOT standard deed