Modular homes

Started by FrankN • 4 replies • 3675 views

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FrankN (Texas)
Posts: 15

Posted:

Ours is a rural HOA, our restrictions preclude mobile or manufactured homes and also require that construction must be preformed on site. We have received a request from a prospective property owner to construct a modular home. The BOD is hesitant to approve a modular home as even though it’s not technically a mobile home it has the appearance of one.
Since we are a rural community it is extremely important that we not allow mobile homes, this would devastate our property values.

Does anyone have any experience with modular homes or in the construction or there appearance, do they look like mobile homes?

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Frank,

Your documents clearly prohibit modular or manufactured homes, stateing that homes must be built on site. The Board should not be hesitant to deny this application, referring to the documents as the reason for the denial.

These homes can look very close, if not exactly the same as a on site/ stick built home but unless your restrictions are changed to allow for them, then this application should be denied. Sorry but CC&Rs have priority over the consideration for allowing this by the Board.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

I think it's hard to answer your question because there are really so many different options that fall into the "modular home" category.

We have two homes in our neighborhood that are modular homes. Both are 2 story, one is brick the other is all vinyl. Both have full basements and attached garages.

Unless you watched them brought in on the flatbeds and placed on the lot (which is where they are "finished," by the way), I would bet huge money that anyone driving through the subdivision would be able to tell me which two are the modular homes.

You definitely need more information and need to do more research. I would request that the homeowner provide you with a picture of the finished model as well as any floor plans.

By the way, here are a few examples of "modular" homes. As you can see, you would definitely need to review what the owner actually intends to build.

RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067

Posted:

Frank, if your Declaration of CC&Rs, or whatever you call your primary governing document, states "construction must be preformed on site" then a modular home does not qualify. However, I think a modular home is usually defined as different than a mobile (manufactured) home.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Sorry, but I have to disagree with those who say a modular home does not fit the definition of being constructed on site. In many instances only the shell of the modular home is brought in. All the finishing work, including the roof and siding is performed on site which could mean that, in a way, it "is" constructed on site. I think the board needs to take a look at the plans before making a determination. This is a case of one size does not fit all. I think you would be hard pressed to say that any of the homes Michelle provided a picture of could be classified as mobile homes! This may be a case of where the CCRs require an interpretation or an amendment.

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