Ultimate Prefab Housing Resource

Last Updated: April 2024

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What is Prefab Housing?

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3 Types of Prefab Housing

Prefab housing is a general term that actually has several types of sub-classes within it. We explore the most common types of prefab housing below:

Mobile Homes

Also called “manufactured homes”, mobile homes are the oldest type of prefab housing. While they are the cheapest type of this housing, the quality tends to be lower than other types of prefab homes. They are built on chassis that can be moved from one location to another, but are typically found in “mobile home parks” which are areas that rent land for long-term parking of these homes. They are transported on special trailers and placed on blocks or a pier and beam foundation.

Traditional style mobile homes usually fall into two major types: single-wide and double-wide. Single wide are usually 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide or less and can be up to 90 feet (27 meters) long. Double-wide homes are less common, but they are wider than single-wide homes. They are usually at least 20 feet (6 meters) wide and can be up to 100 feet (30 meters) long.

Modular Homes

Modular homes are exactly as the name describes them – homes that are built and assembled in “modules”. Each room of the home is constructed in “modules” in a factory and then transported to the building site to be assembled together. Each module typically has all of the necessary construction components such as walls, doors, electrical wiring, plumbing and more – which can all be connected together. The interior finishes can be very complete, and they are meant to be put on permanent foundations (similar to a traditional single family home).

Panel Built Homes

Also called “kit homes” or “panel buildings” are a type of prefab home where the structure is assembled with whole panels (i.e. walls) that are built in a factory and then transferred to the final build site. The construction process is accomplished by laying down the floor first and then lowering each section of wall into place via crane. While this method provides cheaper transportation costs (panels are cheaper than modules to transport), it usually requires more  interior finishing work, but is still significantly faster than site-built homes with assembly as fast as 10 days.

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Mobile vs Manufactured vs Modular

While all of these prefab homes are built in factories, the main difference between mobile, manufactured, and modular homes is how they are built and where they can be placed. Mobile homes are the least expensive and can be moved, but manufactured and modular homes are built to stricter standards and must be placed on a permanent foundation.

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Mobile Home Parks

Most people are familiar with the term “mobile home park,” but many do not know how they work or what goes into running one. If you’re thinking about investing in a mobile home park or similar asset, it’s imperative that you understand the fundamentals of them.

Mobile home parks are a type of land use where manufactured homes, also known as mobile homes, are placed on leased land. The mobile homes are then connected to utilities and other services, and the park residents pay a monthly fee to the park owner to live there, in addition to access to  amenities such as a community pool, dog park, etc. You can think of it as renting the land to park and live in your mobile home.

They first became popular in the United States after World War II. At that time, there was a serious housing shortage, and many people were looking for an affordable way to live. Mobile homes were a perfect solution because they could be built quickly and were much less expensive than traditional homes.

Today, there are estimated to be over 40,000 mobile home parks in the United States, and they are still a very popular option for people looking for an affordable place to live. Mobile home parks are typically located in rural areas, although there are some urban parks as well.

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Pros and Cons of Investing in Prefab Housing

Like any other investment asset, prefabricated housing has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few pros and cons of investing in prefab housing to consider before making your decision.

1. Relatively Affordable – In most cases, a prefab home tends to be cheaper than a similarly appointed single-family home, once you account for variables like property age and location. According to a report from MHI, the Manufactured Housing Institute, the average per square foot cost for a manufactured square foot home is $49 per square foot, less than half of the same number for a single-family home, which sits at $107 per square foot.
2. Incredibly Versatile – Prefab homes offer a great deal of versatility when it comes to customization. Investors, deal sponsors, developers, and other interested parties have the ability to start with a small, basic structure and add new upgrades over time. For instance, you’ve got countless upgrades available for prefab homes, including the ability to add additional rooms, on-site garages, extended outdoor areas, or general upgrades to building materials like marble, quartz, hardwood, or flooring types when ordering the home from a manufacturer.
3. Faster Construction – Most single-family homes take somewhere around 6 months to complete construction. This number quickly goes up for larger projects, like multi-family apartment complexes and large-scale commercial industrial spaces. Prefab and modular homes are typically able to be built up to 50% faster and require up to 50% less materials than conventional or traditional construction. Conversely,  a prefab rental property can be built at a factory in as little as 2 months. The installation itself only takes a few days until it is ready to lease, shortening the time it takes from concept to shovel-ready to move-in ready- which translates into faster cash flow for investors. As an added bonus, prefab construction presents a much lower risk of theft, damage, material shortages, and cost overruns- because you’re reducing the overall time it takes to construct the project.

1. Negative Image – While the industry has made great strides in livability, safety, and other quality-of-life issues, there is still a stigma attached to prefab homes, specifically mobile and manufactured homes. In some areas, this can lead to higher vacancy rates and the general inability to find and keep tenants. Additionally, some cities have onerous zoning requirements specifically written to keep mobile and manufactured home parks out. As demand for affordable housing rises and new innovative prefab building methods emerge, commonly held negative stigmas should gradually become a thing of the past.
2. Stricter Lending – Financing prefab homes can be a complicated endeavor. Many lenders specialize in offering mortgages for the purchase of “real property,” which is defined as a home permanently built on a piece of land. The defining variable in obtaining financing for a prefab home typically lies within its type of foundation. If it is placed on top of a concrete foundation, the chances of mortgage approval go up. Conversely, if a mobile home resides on a temporary foundation, it might not meet traditional mortgage requirements, and might be better suited for a chattel mortgage.
3. Higher Depreciation – One of the biggest advantages of investing in traditional single-family homes and other types of rental properties; is appreciation. Over time, the property will typically appreciate in value, adding value on top of the regular cash flow landlords collect from rent. Depending on the quality of building materials, prefab and manufactured homes typically depreciate at a faster rate, potentially reducing the resale value of the property down the line. That does not mean prefab home properties do not appreciate, they just tend to do so at a level lower than your standard single-family property.

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Prefab Housing Property Management

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Top Prefab Housing Tools

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Prefab Real Estate Finance

Prefab Housing Investing

There are a few different ways to invest in prefab housing. You can buy a prefab home and rent it out, or buy a piece of land and put a manufactured home on it. You can also choose to invest in a manufactured home community or a portfolio of manufactured homes through REITs and crowdfunded real estate.

Direct Ownership of Manufactured Housing Investments

If you’re looking to invest in a prefab home or homes, the first step is to find a good location. Look for a site that is close to amenities, has good schools, and is in a safe neighborhood. You’ll also want to find a location with a good rental market. Remember that finding a single manufactured home with the right characteristics is much easier than finding an entire park to buy. So you might have to expand your geographic area to meet all your investment needs –  there are few, if any, manufactured park homes in places like NYC and SF.

You can find manufactured homes and parks for sale through real estate agents, online listing platforms like LoopNet, or by contacting a manufactured home dealer. When you’re ready to make an offer on a manufactured home, if you’re not paying cash, get a pre-approval letter before you start shopping so sellers know you are serious.

Once you’ve bought a manufactured home or park, you’ll need to ensure it has access to utilities, a working septic system, and any permits you need from the county. After the home is set up, you can start renting it out. You can list your manufactured home on through local real estate agents or find tenants through a property management company.

Investing in Manufactured Housing REITs or Manufactured Housing Crowdfunding Investments

If direct ownership seems like too much work- no worries! Instead, you may want to consider investing in a Manufactured Housing REIT. These REITs are a type of real estate investment trust that owns and operates manufactured housing communities.

You should know a few things before investing in a Manufactured Housing REIT. First, these REITs must have at least 75% of their assets invested in manufactured housing communities. This means that they tend to be more volatile than other REIT types.

Second, Manufactured Housing REITs often have high dividend yields. This is because they typically have lower operating expenses than other REIT types. Third, these REITs are subject to special tax rules. In fact, real estate as an asset class is among the most tax-advantaged, which means that you may be able to deduct a portion of your investment from your taxes, among other tax benefits like depreciation.

Top 5 Largest Prefab Real Estate Companies

Prefab Housing Calculators

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Prefab Housing FAQ

How Does the Resale Value of Prefab Homes Differ from Traditionally Built Homes?

The resale value of prefab homes (both land and structure) can sometimes differ from traditionally built homes due to varying perceptions of quality, durability, and location. While some markets may value the modern design and efficiency of prefab construction, others may offer lower resale prices due to misconceptions about their longevity and aesthetic integration into existing neighborhoods.

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Are Prefab Homes in Mobile Home Parks Good Investments?

Investing in prefab homes within mobile home parks can be a good investment due to their typically lower acquisition and maintenance costs compared to traditional homes. However, the investment’s success largely depends on factors such as park management, location, and local market demand, which can significantly influence occupancy rates and rental yields.

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