Why Modular Homes in Ohio & West Virginia Can Be as Affordable as a Manufactured Home

December 9, 2025/Blog Post

Why Homes Built Offsite Using Modular Construction Can Be as Affordable as a Manufactured Home (And a Better Long-Term Investment!)

If you’re comparing options for a new home in Ohio or West Virginia, you’ve probably looked at both state code off-site built homes and HUD Code manufactured homes (doublewides). At first glance, a manufactured home (doublewide) may appear less expensive—but the real story becomes clear when you look beyond the sticker price.

The question many buyers ask is this:

“Can a state code off-site built home be as affordable as a manufactured home (doublewide)?”

In many cases—yes, it absolutely can. And for most homebuyers in Ohio and West Virginia, the financing advantages, energy efficiency, lower insurance costs, and higher long-term value make a home built offsite using modular construction the far better choice.

State Code vs. HUD Code: What Buyers Need to Know

Homes built to the state code follow the same residential construction standards as traditional site-built homes. HUD Code manufactured homes (doublewides) follow a different, federally regulated building standard.

This difference impacts financing, appraisal value, insurance, monthly costs, and long-term equity.

Why State Code Off-Site Built Homes Often Cost Less Over Time

Higher appraisals, giving you better financing options
30-year traditional mortgages (versus shorter terms for many manufactured homes)
Lower interest rates
Lower insurance premiums
Lower heating & cooling bills thanks to residential HVAC systems and better insulation
Homes appreciate in value, instead of depreciating
Ability to refinance later for a lower payment

These aren’t small advantages. When you calculate the monthly payment—not just the purchase price—these differences can make a modular home as affordable, or sometimes more affordable, than a manufactured home (doublewide).

This is especially true in Ohio and West Virginia, where appraisals and land/home packages often favor homes built to the state code.

How Appraisals Impact Affordability

When an off-site built home is constructed to the state code, appraisers treat it the same as a traditional site-built home. That means:

They use comparable sales of local site-built homes, not manufactured homes
The home’s value typically comes in substantially higher than a manufactured home (doublewide)
Banks generally lend 80% of the appraised value, making financing easier and requiring less money down—sometimes no money down

Manufactured homes (doublewides), however, are often appraised using a different form and are compared only to other HUD-coded homes. This results in lower appraisals, which means buyers often need more money out of pocket upfront.

Financing: A Major Advantage for Off-Site Built Homes

Banks see state code off-site built homes as true residential construction—not a separate class of housing—so they offer:

Standard 30-year mortgages
Competitive mortgage rates
Traditional underwriting
The ability to refinance in the future

Manufactured homes (doublewides) often qualify only for personal property loans or hybrid loans with shorter terms and higher rates.

Over 30 years, the difference in interest rates alone can make a state code off-site built home less expensive per month than a manufactured home (doublewide).

Energy Efficiency: A Hidden Cost That Matters

Our homes come standard with:

Heavier insulation packages
Residential ductwork with cold air returns
A traditional HVAC system installed on site
Correctly sized ductwork to match the efficiency of the heating and cooling system

Manufactured homes (doublewides) built to HUD Code typically use:

A forced-air furnace with a high-speed blower
Smaller ductwork that restricts efficiency
No return air ducts

Even the most efficient furnace won’t perform properly when paired with undersized ductwork. In the Midwest climate—especially in rural Ohio and West Virginia—those differences translate into real money saved every month on utilities.

Other Advantages of State Code Off-Site Built Homes

Homebuyers also appreciate that our homes are:

Stronger than both HUD Code and many traditional site-built homes
Built with residential-grade materials for easier future upgrades
Highly customizable, with flexible floor plan options
Constructed in climate-controlled factories for consistent quality
Higher in resale value than manufactured homes (doublewides)
Eligible for traditional refinancing if interest rates drop

The phrase “pay now or pay later” is absolutely true when comparing a manufactured home (doublewide) to a state code home. The lower upfront price of a HUD Code manufactured home often results in higher long-term costs—and lower long-term value.

The Bottom Line for Ohio & West Virginia Buyers

When you factor in:

Financing
Appraisal differences
Energy costs
Insurance
Long-term value

A state code off-site built home is often a smarter financial choice than a manufactured home (doublewide). For many families in Ohio and West Virginia, it’s the best combination of affordability, customization, and long-term investment.

Visit a D&W Homes Model Center and See the Difference

When people tour our homes, they immediately notice the difference: the structure, the insulation, the quiet, the craftsmanship, and the long-term quality.

Stop by, walk through the homes, and explore your options.

Seeing is believing—and it’s the easiest way to understand why a home built using modular construction can truly be as affordable as a manufactured home (doublewide) while offering so much more value for your future.

Are modular homes really as affordable as manufactured homes (doublewides)?

In many cases, yes. While the upfront price of a manufactured home (doublewide) may look lower, modular homes built to the state code often cost less over time. They qualify for 30-year mortgages, have lower insurance premiums, offer better energy efficiency, and typically appraise higher—resulting in smaller down payments and better long-term affordability.

Why do modular homes appraise higher than manufactured homes (doublewides)?

Modular homes are built to the state code, the same standard as traditional site-built homes. Because of this, appraisers compare them to local residential real estate—not other manufactured homes. Manufactured homes (doublewides) are appraised on a separate form using HUD-coded comps, which often results in lower valuations.

What financing options are available for modular homes?

Modular homes qualify for traditional 30-year fixed mortgages with competitive interest rates. Banks treat them just like on-site built homes. Manufactured homes (doublewides), however, often require shorter-term loans or personal property financing, which usually comes with higher interest rates.

Do modular homes cost less to heat and cool?

Yes. Modular homes include heavier insulation, residential ductwork with cold air returns, and HVAC systems installed onsite so they can be properly sized for each home. Manufactured homes (doublewides) typically use smaller ductwork and rely on a forced-air furnace system, which can limit energy efficiency—especially in Ohio and West Virginia’s seasonal climates.

Are modular homes built stronger than manufactured homes (doublewides)?

Yes. Modular homes are engineered to meet or exceed state code requirements and are often stronger than many site-built homes. They use residential-grade materials and benefit from precise factory construction. Manufactured homes (doublewides) follow the HUD Code, which has different structural requirements.

Will a modular home hold its value better than a manufactured home (doublewide)?

Absolutely. Modular homes appreciate similarly to traditional homes because they become permanent real estate and are appraised as such. Manufactured homes (doublewides) tend to depreciate over time, especially when financed or insured as personal property.

Can modular homes be customized?

Yes. Modular homes allow extensive customization—layout changes, expanded living areas, upgraded kitchens and baths, added bedrooms, or even converting a ranch into a Cape Cod or two-story. Manufactured homes (doublewides) typically offer limited flexibility beyond the established floor plan.

8. Do modular homes qualify for refinancing?

Yes. Because modular homes use traditional mortgage financing, homeowners can refinance later to take advantage of lower interest rates. Manufactured homes (doublewides) often cannot be refinanced easily unless they meet specific criteria, including being permanently affixed and titled as real property.

Are modular homes better for long-term living?

For most families in Ohio and West Virginia, yes. Modular homes offer stronger construction, better energy performance, traditional mortgages, and higher resale value—all of which make them a solid long-term investment compared to manufactured homes (doublewides).

Where can I tour modular homes in person?

You can visit a D&W Homes model center to walk through fully finished modular homes and see the construction quality firsthand. Most customers say they “can’t believe the difference” once they tour a model home in person.