Modular Homes VA Blog

How to Choose the Right Modular Home Builder

Modular home construction is gaining in popularity for a host of reasons. The number one reason is simple. Modular home construction is a value-based buying decision. The number one question arising from smart home buying consumers who have figured this out is, “Where do we begin”? The answer to that question is begin with the builder in your area that is proven, can demonstrate their products, has references, and has won awards. Tidewater Custom Modular homes can deliver on all of that.

Whether you have decided upon new modular home construction or are investigating options, you owe it to yourself to sit down with a modular home professional and get educated on the overall home buying process. Whether you ultimately choose us as your builder, as your neighbors we feel an obligation to invest in our community and educate any and all of you regarding the lengthy list of considerations that each of you need to make. Of course, we’re confident that custom modular home construction will emerge as the runaway winner when the list of considerations unquestionably favors custom modular home technology over the traditional stick-built home construction option.

At Tidewater Custom Modular Homes, we invest in you first! We feel we owe this to all of you, our friends and neighbors. Not all real estate agents and home builders will be honest with you. We stake our reputation on full disclosure and our ability to factually defend our entire consult to you. Start with a quick tour through the long list of custom modular home floor plans and then Contact Us. It will be our privilege to serve you!

Build Your Dream Home - Stress Free

If you have ever custom built a new home, chances are it was one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Chances are, also, that it was not a custom modular home that you built. Let us state something severe very simple facts regarding custom modular home construction versus traditional stick-built home construction: Modular homes are more precisely built, stronger, efficient, and more economical than their stick-built counterparts.

Rather than enter a most stressful period of your life by building a home, may we suggest that you can enter one of the more fun and rewarding periods of your life when trusting Tidewater’s most celebrated custom modular home building team! We’ll guide you through the entire process starting with helping you translate what is in your mind into a customizable floor plan. Yes, we have countless floor plans to review and choose from, but we want everyone to know that they are merely starting points. We take great pride and professional reward in translating your dreams into actionable buildable works. We’ll help you create the home you want, with the floor plan you dream about, and achievable on a budget that you never thought possible. The only surprise you will get when you build a modular home with Tidewater Custom Modular Home is how fast, simple, affordable, and enjoyable the entire process turned out to be.

We’ve built lasting relationships earned via every measure of customer satisfaction. Contact us today.

How to Prioritize Your New Modular Home Construction Budget

We are so proud to have, over the years, built and delivered custom modular homes to the fine people of Smithfield and across the greater Tidewater Virginia area. Over the course of our award-winning custom home building history, we have compiled a list of the most common regrets that new homeowners have about what they should have done within their custom design.

Now, we are skilled, prepared, and ready to build your custom modular home to your exact specification, however, some of our proudest moments come when our customers proclaim, “Wow, we never thought of that”! That is what you can and should expect from your home builder.

The things listed below are just some of the things that we will discuss with you. Many are things that our client’s failed to attain from other builders who failed to deliver these things. Anyway, just a few things to consider and seek in your next home:

• Build floor joists at 12-in. on center versus the traditional 16-in. The stability of the floor and feeling of structural rigidity are a simple thing and overlooked by most people. The additional cost is fairly small, but well worth it!
• Nine-foot ceiling heights. The feeling of expansiveness is great and the additional cost is value based.
• Comfort height commodes. Size does matter and a few inches in height contributes to your comfort greatly, hence the term comfort height.
• Upgraded door hardware and solid core doors. Again hollow core doors work just as well, but can't compare in imparting a feeling of quality.
• Using a quiet floor system and gluing the wood flooring in place wherever possible.
• Staggered 42-in. kitchen cabinetry.
• Utilize 18-in. floor tile if the space allows. Again, it is a small thing, and more difficult to install, but it's something you see up close each and every day. So prioritize quality here.
• Upgrade the windows as nothing cheapens a house as skimping with cheap windows.
• 2-in. x 6-in. exterior framing. The energy savings created by the increased insulation cavity will pay for itself in no time.
• Ample high hat recessed lighting. Again, the showcase type effect is great and additional cost is minimal at construction.
• Energy Star, Green or LEEDS Certification... The energy savings are utterly amazing.

Again, these are just a few tips on where to prioritize your new home budget. When it comes for you to build your customized dream home, contact us here at Tidewater Custom Modular Homes.

The Green and Portable Nature of Modular Home Construction

Modular homes are gaining in popularity because of their various benefits. Cost efficient, time efficient, energy efficient and arguably more durable than traditional construction.

Modular houses are those houses that are built off site. Modules are constructed and assembled in factories and are transported to the site to be assembled on the foundation. Kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms are fully assembled, complete with arrangements for electrical wiring and plumbing then transported.

Modular homes are an environment-friendly way of life. Modular homes are constructed with as much as 90% lesser waste than traditional onsite construction. This is because of the efficiency of factory construction. There is no compromise in the quality of construction or in the design of homes. Those who build a modular home can choose from 100’s of interior designs or they can custom design a floor plan.

Another feature that makes modular homes environment friendly is its recyclable and reusable nature. Modules that together form a house can be dismantled to be transported elsewhere, which is something a traditionally constructed home can never offer. You can literally relocate your house if you move.

Modular homes are highly energy efficient and cost-effective. Modular homes are also much stronger than stick built homes. The parts that together constitute a house are constructed such that they survive the rigors of shipping and transportation.

Contact Tidewater Custom Modular Homes for more information.

Greener Ideal

VA Loans for Modular Home Construction

Hello again from your friends and neighbors here at Tidewater Custom Modular Homes. We find it interesting that people call and inquire about Veterans Administration home funding for our products and services. Since it is a recurring question, we thought we address the issue in today’s blog post.

Yes, indeed the VA does offer loans on custom modular homes for all eligible veterans. But not all vets are guaranteed a loan. If you are a vet and having trouble or questions regarding locating a lender for your modular home construction, just give us a call. We can help.

Modular home construction is home-built largely in a factory and then moved in pieces by truck to the building site. There the modules are assembled and permanently placed on a foundation. Modular homes are financed by a real estate loan just in the same manner as all home construction projects are. More residential lenders are willing to lend on real estate that has a modular home than they are other forms of factory-built housing.

At Tidewater Custom Modular Homes we want to thank our veterans and we always offer Military Appreciation Modular Home Discounts and Promotions. Any past or present member of the United States Military gets a $1,000 credit towards options or upgrades as a thank you for serving our country. Present your military ID when you order your new Modular Home.

For more information on modular construction and our military discounts, contact Tidewater Custom Modular Homes.

About New Construction Loans for Modular Home Builds

The questions phoned into us on a regular bases are welcomed and an enjoyable aspect of our business. We must admit, however, some of the calls are “head scratchers”. It’s difficult to understand the mystery that, for many, continue to surround the modular home construction experience. So, you might understand why we are mystified about the occasional question: “Can I get a new construction loan for a modular home”? Well of course, the answer is a resounding “Yes”! But let’s discuss new construction loans for a minute.

Home construction loans have different requirements and different set of rules than other types of consumer loans. New home construction loans are used interchangeably for both old-school stick built construction and new modular home construction projects. We take great pride in helping every single avenue of building out your dream modular home. That includes sharing our vast knowledge of the home consumer loan industry.

A new construction home loan requires the lender to provide the money to build your new home. Firstly, your mortgage provider requires a detailed accounting of the estimated costs to build the modular home; including how much you are going to spend and what it will look like when it is complete. After these initial questions are answered you begin the credit check and annual earnings process.

There are a few different construction loans out there but the most popular one is a “construction to permanent” loan. Instead of first applying for a construction loan and following that up with a typical home loan, a construction to permanent loan is a two-in-one loan which, in most cases, only requires you to pay closing costs once. This loan is a combination of construction loans and permanent financing and can help you save money and time.

Keep in mind that with new construction loans it is very difficult to lock-in a permanent or fixed mortgage rate. This is because, with traditional construction, you usually won't be closing the loan for six months to one year depending on the build time. With modular construction, because the build time is so much shorter, you can more often get a fixed-rate or the fixed rate you close with after construction will be very close to the variable rate you had when you took out the loan.

Of course, you will be required to pay monthly interest on the construction loan amount during the modular construction process, but the amount you owe each month will depend on the amount you have used to date. If you are approved for a construction loan of $100,000 but you have only drawn $50,000 then your interest payment will be based on $50,000.

Sometimes lenders like to interview or see the license of the contractors who will be building your new home, so often it is beneficial to speak with the bank where the contractor has a relationship.

Custom Luxurious Interior Modular Home Construction Designs

Luxurious custom modular home interior design is one of the most professionally rewarding accomplishments made right here at Tidewater Custom Modular Homes. The smiles and happy tears that we witness at new home delivery closings is a feeling every business owner should be so lucky to witness. The more you learn about our unique custom modular home building experience, the more you can genuinely look forward to the process.

Modular floor plans vary in style and size. Therefore, it is not true that modular homes look alike. They can be planned according to your preferences, making them distinctly yours. Wishes and dreams do come true. Now you can conveniently construct your luxurious dream home – one that's best built just for you.

Custom-built modular homes have no design limitations as your imagination is your limit. This is good news. Any architectural details you desire can be added directly to the doors, windows, and walls of your luxurious home. You can choose cabinet styles and wood species for your favorite furniture to match your luxurious interior designs. Home additions and modifications can also be done for crawl spaces and basements. This way you can maximize your living space at such an inexpensive expense.

Modular homes in Newport News VA, for example, can be completely customized to fit even the tightest lots. They offer hundreds of personalized features that are wallet-friendly. Through custom-built modular homes, you can customize your dream home in the way you wanted and feel at home in just a few weeks after construction.

Tidewater Custom Modular Homes are permanent structures. Thus they are considered real property. In fact, they can be appraised in the same way their on-site built counterparts do. Home loans and home insurance are the same as on-site built houses. So there is nothing to worry about.

Modular home FAQ's

Calendar year 2021 greetings to you all from the award-winning Tidewater Custom Modular Homes serving all of the greater Tidewater Virginia area. We thought we’d start the calendar year off by answering recurring FAQ’s about the modular home construction experience. We do this out on our ”why buy a modular home webpage”, but thought it would help many of you by posting them here in our blog. So first, the process:

• You choose your home and options
• A contract is signed contingent on financing and a small deposit
• Plan revisions are made and new engineered floor plans are drawn
• You close on your Construction-Permanent loan
• Your basement or crawl space foundation is built
• We release your home for production
• We set your new home
• Finish work of your new home is completed

How complete is the home when it is set?

Depending on the floor plan and style, between 75-85% complete.

How long does it take to finish the home after it is set?

About 4-6 weeks.

Will you build my garage and/or porches?

Yes. However, this may be at an additional cost.

What is the difference between a Modular home and a Mobile Home?

Mobile Homes - built to a lax code with generally substandard building products (when compared to modular or site-built homes). Built on a steel frame to hold it together, most have wheels.

Modular Homes - built generally to the toughest codes required in the state, built out of the same type building materials and name brands you would find in site-built homes. There are no steel frames underneath, only approved floor system. There are no wheels of their own, they are transported and then lifted off the transporter and set with a crane.

How much do modular homes cost?

As with stick built construction the cost of a modular home in Newport News will vary depending on what you put in the home and the style of home you choose. Modular homes prices compare favorably with an equivalent site-built home.

Can modular floor plans be customized?

Yes. There are standard floor plans of course; however, floor plans of each style home can be customized, as well as the amenities inside the home.

For direct consult regarding your dreams for modular home ownership, contact Tidewater Custom Modular Homes.

Your New Modular Home: Value Delivered Faster Than You Thought Possible

Calendar year 2020 has arrived and we are ready for the new challenges that lay ahead. We witnessed the surge in home buying and selling across the greater Hampton Roads area last year and expect 2020 to be no different.

We see an increase in buyers being keenly interested in speed of buildout. Consumer focus on speed of home building is common, but over the course of 2020, speed of buildout seemed to rise to unprecedented levels of importance. That of course is good for Tidewater Custom Modular Homes as we celebrate our ability to produce final products much faster than any stick-built builder can while simultaneously demonstrating our ability to deliver upon projected completion dates.

So enough about speed of construction. Let’s talk styling options. There are many different home styles and floor plans to consider when you are building your new modular home. You have the option of a standard floor plan or you can have your house customized to your heart’s content. Almost every home we build addresses our customer’s desire for custom kitchens. We custom design islands, columns, transoms, lighting, and an endless array of other amenities. Custom fireplaces are virtually universal choices for our customers.

Let’s walk outside. Custom porches prove to be one of the most celebrated aspects of custom modular home personalization. Take a look at some of the amazing custom porches that await you!

It all starts with a consult with a team member here at Tidewater Custom Modular Homes. We take great reward in demonstrating our wide array of floor plans and designs.

Warm Holiday Greetings To You All

Warm Holiday greetings to you all. We write this note to you with joyous confidence that 2021 will bring happier, healthy, and more profitable days to us all! That wish is certainly a cause for optimistic celebration this Holiday season.

Our Holiday gift to you is the gift of small business in your community. To be able to buy locally is a true gift to your neighborhood as well as to your family and friends. We hope that everyone reading this takes a measured effort to buy local to the fullest extent possible, not only during this Holiday season but going forward as well.

Buying local is one of the best gifts you can give to your neighbors and your community. Visit a local restaurant, salon, store, or shop for better relationships and better customer service; but more so you can shake the owner’s hand and wish them the best in 2021 and beyond. That will be a gift for you both. Help make this a joyous holiday for everyone: Give the gift of your business to a local business.

We wish you and your entire family happiness, health, and warmth this Holiday season. Our warmest regards to you all.