Frequently Asked Questions
A Manufactured Home is a residential home built to the HUD Code, which is a preemptive building code that supersedes all other building codes.
Yes! Since 1982, it has been mandated by state law that all cities and counties have to allow Manufactured Homes in any lot zoned for residential use.
No! Since the Manufactured Home has already been inspected and approved through all stages of construction by HUD Inspectors, the permit process is much quicker and less expensive than on a site-built home.
This is one of the great myths of the site built industry. Today's Manufactured Homes are built to much stricter guidelines for safety and the United States Fire Marshall has determined that today's Manufactured Home with it's drywall construction and fire retardant materials used throughout, hardwired smoke alarms and safety egress windows is safer than most site-built homes. Additionally since 2008 all manufactured homes are built compliant with special fire-retardant features for areas that are in the Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI) Zones. Manufactured Homes are designed to withstand much greater lateral forces than site-built homes and all of our foundations are built to seismic zone 2 specifications. In addition, it is a state law that all new Manufactured Homes not on a permanent foundation must be equipped with a state-approved tie-down system.
The Department of HUD recently issued a report that stated that the life expectancy of a Manufactured Home is approximately 58 years. However, with proper maintenance, a Manufactured Home will last indefinitely.
Manufactured Homes will save you 20% to 50% over a comparable site-built home.
Try having your next car built in your driveway and see how it compares at quality and price to a factory-built new car. This is where Manufactured Homes have a tremendous advantage over site-built homes.
Manufactured homes appreciate at an even greater rate than most site-built homes. This is due to the fact that the Manufactured Home is 20% to 50% less expensive to start with yet will resale for about the same price as a comparable site-built house in the same area.
No. Sales tax only applies to accessory structures when the Manufactured Home is not placed on a permanent foundation.
Yes. The amount of property tax you pay is directly related to the amount you pay for your new Manufactured Home, currently approximately 1% of the purchase price less your homeowner's exemption. Your property tax is also tax-deductible.
Yes
All the same types of financing that are available for site-built construction are available for Manufactured Homes. This includes FHA, VA, FmFA, Conventional, Jumbo loans, and many more.
Simply contact any one of our Manufactured Home Specialists, and we will promptly send you a free information packet with all the details you need. We look forward to hearing from you!
Yes! Currently American Dream Homes is one of only a few manufactured housing retailers approved to offer from zero to 3% down payment depending on income from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition American Dream Homes is approved for low down payment programs through FHA programs through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
There is a brand new program available beginning in 2019 for California. For select manufacturers and select retailers, there is a program called MH Advantage (Manufactured Housing Advantage) that gives you all the advantages of both.
You get the advantage of modular home financing with the convenience and ease of manufactured housing streamlined building and construction permits and approvals and far lesser costs than modular construction. American Dream Homes and our manufacturers are approved for this program.
Yes! American Dream Homes has loan programs available through the Veteran's Administration (VA). In addition, American Dream Homes, as a long time member of the California Manufactured Housing Institute (CMHI), we can get over qualifying Veterans $4,000 of down payment assistance.