When many people think of manufactured homes, they immediately think of mobile homes or trailer parks. In truth, manufactured homes are now almost as varied as the people who live in them. Modern pre manufactured homes can have basements or more than one story, much like traditionally built homes. Because a factory does most of the work, they are more economical and environmentally friendly than a house built on site.

Manufactured home floor plans are spacious and efficient. Heating and cooling efficiency are top priority. While the benefits are clear, the terminology of manufactured homes basics can be a little confusing. Here are the basic types of prefabricated homes:

1. Mobile homes are factory built houses built before 1976, when HUD code because standard.

2. A manufactured home is a factory built house that meets or exceeds the HUD code, but may not meet local building codes and may have restrictions on where you can place it.

3. A modular home is a factory built house that meets or exceeds the state and local building codes of the permanent home site.

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Search local listings for used manufactured homes for sale

Used manufactured homes are often great deals, especially if they are in need of a little loving care. As with buying any home, always utilize the services of a certified home inspector and be realistic about what problems you can fix or live with.

I recommend: Local realtors and their websites are useful tools to help you find efficient prefab homes. MHVillage has a home search that makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for in any state. Also, check out the listings on the Manufactured Housing Global Network.

Find new manufactured homes

There are many manufactured homes dealers and manufacturers to choose from. A local dealer is a possible option, but it pays to explore all options before deciding where to buy your new home.

I recommend: A great example of a quality dealer for the Midwest is RedBud Homes. Factory Expo Homes is a manufacturer selling direct. No matter where you turn for your new home, it is worth checking the company's reputation with the better business bureau.

Live in luxury custom manufactured homes

Today's custom manufactured home can include everything from appliances to furniture. While the options are dizzying, the cost may be lower than you think.

I recommend: One of my favorite modern prefab is the HOM, which includes uniquely designed furniture and lighting. Nationwide Homes offers easy customization options worth checking out.

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• •  In terms of insurance and financing, new manufactured homes are the same as any other home. Unfortunately, this may not be true of used ones, particularly if the home is not on a permanent foundation. The only way to know for sure is to check with your lender and insurance agent.

First known as static caravans, manufactured homes are prefabricated homes that are factory-built and then transported by tractor-trailers to readied sites. Manufactured homes dealers typically offer sizes such as single-wide, double-wide and even triple-wide, ranging from as little as 18 feet to more than 50 feet in width. Mobile and manufactured homes are much cheaper per square foot than homes built on site, and offer the capability of a quick move via public roads.

Manufactured homes dealers must adhere to HUD -- or Housing and Urban Development -- codes, but also consider the following:

1. Buying directly from the manufacturer for solid guarantees

2. Searching via listings of manufactured homes dealers

3. Used manufactured homes offered for big savings

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Browse manufactured homes for sale directly from top manufacturers

When looking for manufactured homes for sale, make sure your manufactured homes floor plans adhere to state and local building codes. A reputable manufacturer hires local building inspectors, as do site-built home builders, to ensure work is properly done to meet safety requirements and to increase the home's value. As with many new purchases, mobile home manufacturers almost always guarantee quality and workmanship for a limited time -- something you may not get when you buy from a third-party dealer.

I recommend: Among the most popular manufactured homes are Palm Harbor Homes, Factory Expo Homes and mobile homes made by Champion.

Request manufactured homes prices and info with one click

You can find manufactured homes prices from a variety of manufactures online through manufacturer listing sites. You can also find information about lots and communities for mobile homes.

I recommend: Manufactured Home Source can help you find both a manufactured homes and openings in lots or communities. MH-Quote offers the ability to search for manufactured homes by state and builder.

Shop for used manufactured homes if you can live without a guarantee

Of course new manufactured homes offer guarantees that used manufactured homes do not. Used manufactured homes are often listed as 'for sale by owner' which means the home is sold 'as is.' But, price difference in new and used mobile homes is remarkable -- sometimes as much as 50%. And just because your looking to buy used doesn't mean you can't protect your purchase with expertise from building inspectors and HUD officials.

I recommend: Browse mobile homes for sale in more than 55 communities at MHFSBO. Check the "mfd/mobile home" box at trusted Realtor.com for their listings.

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• •  Mobile homes built before 1976 were often manufactured with aluminium wiring. The expansion of aluminium wire during the heating and cooling processes can make it more susceptible to wire breakage and degradation than other metals. Find a company that specializes in electrical inspections if you suspect your potential purchase is wired with aluminium.

The latest manufactured homes news and trends are all about more exciting options. Manufactured homes for sale today are no longer the mobile homes of yesterday. Fireplaces, stainless steel appliances, glamour kitchens and baths can all be yours. Look for a level of customization you may not have thought possible.

With prefabricated homes, manufactured home dealers do up to 90% of the work before the home ever reaches the building site. A truck delivers the finished or near-finished home to the permanent site. Building codes as well as consumer demands ensure high standards and quality control. Here are just a few of the trends in pre manufactured homes:

1. Architects utilize unique shapes and designs that diverge from the one-size-fits-all approach.

2. Many of the newest manufactured homes display bright and vibrant use of color.

3. The trend towards more energy efficient manufactured homes just keeps growing.

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Check out manufactured homes for sale with modern flair

Don't like the look of ordinary prefab homes? Looking for something that will stand out? Think modern prefabs.

I recommend: Fabprefab is a web resource with news and listings for currently available modernist prefab homes and those in development. The top ten prefab list by Inhabitat is also a great place to look at the newest designs and options.

Explore your options in manufactured log homes

If your dream home is a log cabin, you should explore your options in manufactured log cabins. While many people see log cabins as vacation homes, a well built manufactured log cabin can provide year round comfort.

I recommend: Spirit Cabins offers many options and services as well as a "fly and buy" program that allows you to tour its homes and have travel expenses paid. Take the virtual tour and review informative pages at Classic Log Cabins.

Think outside the box when researching new manufactured homes

Not all dream homes come in rectangles. Geodesic domes are extraordinarily beautiful and energy efficient. Companies construct geodesic domes from kits, usually in panels, and sell them to consumers. A well built dome home is low maintenance and has extraordinary resistance to damage.

I recommend: Visit the FAQ at Natural Spaces Domes to learn more about the advantages and costs involved in building and maintaining a dome home. American Ingenuity Domes has a great FAQ about the strength of its domes. One of the best resources to find a manufacturer of geodesic home kits is EcoBusinessLinks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While it's easy to set your sights on brand new manufactured homes, you can find used manufactured homes at great prices. As with any home, always utilize the services of a home inspector and be realistic about what you can reasonably fix or live with.

A manufactured home is any home that is predominately made in a factory. These homes must be suitable for year round living and meet HUD standards. Whether you are a consumer or a seller of manufactured homes, you will need to be familiar with some important key terms to evaluate the available products and make the best choice.

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Mobile home

The term mobile home, though commonly applied to all manufactured homes, technically applies to any manufactured home built before June, 1976. These homes weren't subject to any standards or codes. The implementation of the Federal Manufactured Home Construction Safety Standards initiated a change from mobile homes to manufactured homes, regulating building and production standards.

I recommend: The Grissim Guides offers a complete definition of mobile homes.

Crawl space foundation

A crawl space foundation for a manufactured home is similar to the crawl space foundation found in many site built homes. The main difference is that the chassis of the mobile home must be supported within the crawl space foundation. The crawl space for a manufactured home is generally not a habitable space.

I recommend: On the Level provides information about various types of foundations and other information concerning manufactured homes.

Site plans

A site plan is a detailed drawing of the plot of land on which a home will sit. In the case of a manufactured home, the access to utilities and tie down locations must be included on the site plan.

I recommend: The City of Minneapolis offers information on site plans and the elements that should be included in them.

Testing

Before a manufactured home is delivered, it must be tested. During the testing process, inspectors look at the craftsmanship of the home, including the way flooring was laid, electrical work, plumbing work and framing.

I recommend: The Mobile Home Doctor offers information about the entire manufactured home building process, including testing.

Disaster-resistant pier system

A disaster resistant pier system is a permanent foundation for a manufactured home. It consists of steel piers, a chassis made of steel beams and a foundation or base pad. Disaster-resistant pier systems are most commonly found in earthquake-prone areas, as well as flood zones and the Gulf coast region. However, anyone can opt to have this system used for the foundation of a manufactured home.

I recommend: You can find information on disaster resistant pier systems on the ToolBase Services website.

Vapor barrier

A vapor barrier is a material that minimizes the amount of water and/or other liquids or vapors that can move from one area to another. Vapor barriers are most commonly used in crawl spaces, walls and roofs of manufactured homes.

I recommend: The US Department of Energy website provides information on vapor barriers, including the possible applications.