Factory-Built Homes: What Every Real Estate Professional Should Know
Modular and manufactured are not interchangeable, and the difference matters to buyers. The phrase factory-built home sounds simple. In real estate, it can create confusion very quickly. A buyer may hear modular, manufactured, mobile, prefab, or factory-built and assume those words describe the same thing. They do not. For Realtors, that distinction matters because the label can affect financing, appraisal, zoning, insurance, inspections, foundation requirements, and how the property should be explained to a buyer. The easiest way to think about it is this: factory-built tells you where much of the construction happens. It does not tell you what legal category the home belongs to. The building code, chassis, foundation, inspection system, and installation method tell you much more. Start With the Question Buyers Actually Need Answered The first distinction an agent should understand is the difference between modular and manufactured homes . Manufactured homes built after June 15, 1976 ...