by Laura Sullivanlyndall

Created on: December 16, 2010   Last Updated: December 22, 2010

Many people often confuse a modular home with a mobile home and visa versa. Most believe they are the same thing. The fact is that they are not. When looking to buy a home in which you are considering the options of a mobile home or modular home, knowing the difference is very important. In the long run, which one you buy could make a difference when purchasing home owners insurance and how well the home stands up in a storm. Mobile homes and modular homes often look alike in the sense they usually have vinyl or wood siding. However, there are a couple of differences between them you need to look for.

The first difference between a mobile home and a modular home is mobility. A mobile home is a trailer. It is on wheels and has a tow hitch in which it can be hooked up to a truck, tractor, or other piece of heavy equipment and be moved. A mobile home can be moved short or long distances. Mobile homes are pre fabricated in a factory and then moved to the home site. Mobile homes come in only two sizes single wide(18 x 90)ft or a double wide (24 x 90) ft. The size doesn’t matter so much. However, the fact that mobile homes can be moved often makes if hard to find mortgage financing because a home owner can move the mobile home to another piece of property where it can’t be reposed in case of a defaulted mortgage. Most mobile homes are just pulled up to the homesite, wheels removed and hurricane straps are installed and then the utilities are hooked up. Ninety percent of the time there is no foundation laid.

Another problem with mobile homes is the fact that they are pre fabricated in a factory. Factory made mobile homes don’t always conform to local building requirements. In states with high risk of tornadoes or hurricanes, finding insurance can often be difficult to obtain. Mortgage companies require insurance and can refuse financing if insurance can’t be obtained. Mobile homes are usually built at lower standards than modular homes.

Modular homes, on the other hand are the better choice of the two. Modular homes are built in a factory also. However, they are built in sections and must conform to all local and state building codes. Once a modular home is built the sections are transported to the home site where the sections are put together by local contractors. Before a modular home is put together a foundation is laid, usually a concrete slab.Throughout the process of putting the sections of the modular home together and hooking up the electric, local building inspectors make sure a modular home meets all requirements. Modular homes are usually made sturdier with better framing and are put together better. The building quality and permanent fixture of a modular home versus a mobile home makes it easier to get insurance and financing. In addition, a modular home has a better chance of fairing a storm better than a mobile home.

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