My experience (not in New Mexico) is that modular homes are very well built, but carry a stigma and will not appreciate like a stick built house. It seems unfair, but that's how it is.

They can be well built and I think the wave of the future is going to be homes built as modular units because that type of construction lends itself to closer tolerances and cost savings. There are also different perceptions of what the term modular means depending on what area of the country you happen to live in. I've seen some factory built homes a casual viewer would not even realise is factory built. Then again I have seen units much like a double wide mobile home be called a modular.

stigma, absolutely...And i have yet to see a modular that wasn't obviously a modular...cost savings is true...But resale value still is better in stick-built

I googled "Falcon Ridge" + "modular" and found your exact post as well as some variations on a lot of other forums dating from August until now.

From BobBob on forums.biggerpockets.com:
I am moving out to the Albuquerque area in a few months and I am looking to buy a house when I get out there. After doing some research online I found some information about a company called Falcon Ridge Development that builds what they call modular homes. They say that they are factory built homes, but that they rival any site-built home for aesthetics, and are superior in terms of quality, value and time to construct.

I am not familiar with this style of home. Is it as nice as they say or is investing in something like this a bad idea? Thanks for any help you can provide.

From MarkRoe on RolClub MoneymakingForum:
I am moving out to New Mexico soon and will finally be able to invest in a house (I currently live in NYC so can't afford it). While doing a bit of research online I came across a company called Falcon Ridge that makes modular homes on permanent foundations. They claim that the houses are just as good as site built houses as far as looks, but hold together better over time and are a bit cheaper.

Anyone know anything about these kinds of houses? Is this something I should look into a bit more or avoid? Thanks

In a few weeks, I'm expecting to see:
Well since no one seems to know much about this, I figured I would give an update for what I found in case anyone cares. I went out to the area last week to scout out some real estate before I moved out to the area. I did check out one of these houses and I have to admit that I thought they were really nice. In fact I couldn't even tell the difference between the modular house and the stick built homes I looked at. I am now considering one of these more seriously. - from MarkRoe

"I googled "Falcon Ridge" + "modular" and found your exact post as well as some variations on a lot of other forums dating from August until now."

Ditto, to this shameless advertising.

Some modular homes are very nice and do not appear different from a 'regular house'. I looked at several like this when house shopping. Permanent foundations and great landscaping fixes them right up. A couple had everything I wanted in spades- the homes size and layout was exactly what I wanted, the amount and location of the land was excellent, and the price was very reasonable.

But the back of my mind kept saying "But I want a real house."

Yes.... stigma.

True modular houses are EXACTLY the same as a site built home. The ONLY advantage is TIME. The do not appreciate at a lower rate than site built homes. That is a big misconception. My modular is appreciating exactly like a site built home. Because it IS the same as a site built home.

Modular homes are equal in every way. 2x6 walls 16 on center, Low E windows, A multitude of styles, etc.
They ARE a "real" house! They are not meant to be moved once they are set on the foundation. They do not have a metal frame as manufactured homes do. They have 2x10 floor joists and full basements.

There are modular companies that can and will build to your designs. No matter what.

I see some say they can spot a modular home. No you can't.
There's a modular colonial that went up a year or so ago in the area. It fits in just like the homes areound it that were built in 1807, Hip roof, slate roofing shingles, Curved staircase in the foyer, portico, etc. It looks like it's been there since 1807.

There's a community here in VT that is just allowing modulars. The link below is to the manufacturer's site. Tell me you can spot these as modulars.

Here is a link that might be useful: Westchester Modular homes

for every home chris refers to in his link, there are 100's that are not nearly as nice...That said, i will concede from the PICTURES, i wouldn't know that those homes are "modular"...(but isn't that the intention of the site? to promote the homes?

I think there are many misperceptions about the current modular/prefab market. The link shows more of the modern/contemporary spin on prefab housing. I think Calliope is correct in that prefab will grow, particulary as technology and efficiencies grow.

I admit that I prefer contemporary houses, so the Dwell stuff is very intriguing to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dwell prefab

I think many folks confuse "manufactured" with "modular"...two entirely different things.

A manufactured home is the new name for a mobile home...aka trailer....which can be placed on a permanent foundation...as many are...which is what I think

The problem is that too many people confuse modular with manufactured (mobile) such as perhaps cearbhaill may have looked at. Some are very, very nice...but they do not compare to a modular or site built homeÂ.and, they can indeed be moved to a different location Âin their entiretyÂnot the case with modular.

A well made modular can be superior to site built...as the framing et al is not subject to the harshness of the elements while being built...site built and modulars are subject to local building code..manufactured...not.

As with all homes there are various levels of quality...however there are many modularÂs that are superior to site builtÂ..and vice versa.

The most important thing is to not confuse a modular with a manufactured (mobile) home, regardless of its permanent foundation..as they are not one and the same.

Here is a link that might be useful: How Modular & Manufactured Homes Differ

Qdog, there are all kinds of price points. From low end that is really nothing more than two boxes placed on a foundation up to the sky's the limit. And 25 years ago the ranch was really the only model being built. Yeah, some became bi levels and some became capes. But they were all the same basic ranch design. And they all were exactly the same as a site built home of the same design. One thing though, Modulars MUST have a foundation. They cannot be placed on piers and have skirting attached. Those are manufactured homes, not modulars.

Now I had my "big" house. I had that when I lived in Joisey. I now have a ranch style home that has a raised roof extension that becomes a covered front porch. Real handy for firewood here in VT. I think they called it a "split roof" ranch. It's on two acres in the woods on a dirt road. It's perfect for my wife and me.

The house I was referring to that fit in to the surrounding 1800's homes was a spec house by a modular builder. The local real estate company listed it at $925,000. It sold within a week.

Modulars are very popular up here. I guess with such a short building season (It can snow as early as Columbus Day and as late as Mother's Day.)the house needs to be buttoned up fast. And once the units are craned together in one day it's buttoned up and weatherproof the next. Modulars have absolutely no stigma attached other than in the eyes of the uninformed.

Oh, well, they're calling for a little snow tonight and tomorrow. I just cleaned my driveway a couple days ago and here comes another 10 to 12 inches. No big deal. This "major storm" is turning out to be a bust. I thought it was really gonna snow like last Feb when we got 31 inches.

I have no "dog in this fight" and am currently building a stick built home. While we were looking I did talk to several modular builders and actually it will be high on my list if we ever build again. We spoke with Connor homes from VT I believe.

In the latest issue of "New Old House" the editor Russell Versaci has a excellent editorial about modulars. I think they are going to become very popular and eventually the stigma will be gone.

Here is a link that might be useful: Connor Homes

Uh, why are people still posting to this thread as if the original question was legitimate? As jy md showed two days ago, this was nothing more than a spam advertisement for the modular home builder.

Because it started a discussion.

"The problem is that too many people confuse modular with manufactured (mobile) such as perhaps cearbhaill may have looked at. Some are very, very nice...but they do not compare to a modular or site built homeÂ.and, they can indeed be moved to a different location Âin their entiretyÂnot the case with modular."

Don't mean to be cranky, but I do know the difference between a modular home and a manufactured home. The homes I were referring to were modular.

Not "cutting edge" modular perhaps but certainly not manufactured.