Many buyers might find themselves priced out of the residential real estate market. Depending on the region, there could be bidding wars on available inventory, especially for homes with ideal locations or with a desirable layout.
The prefab market is becoming more popular as homebuyers look for ways to find the home they want and need without battling with the resale market. Sustainable prefab homes offer energy-saving designs and features that can add up to monthly savings for homeowners. What is a prefab sustainable home?
While prefab homes can include energy-efficient features and options, these homes are, by design, already more sustainable than traditional homes. These homes offer:
- Less waste during construction
- Quicker build
- Energy-efficient design
Types of Prefab Homes
Homeowners who are considering a prefab home have different options related to the construction of these homes. There are many different types of prefab homes, including:
- Manufactured homes
- Modular homes
- Tiny homes
- House kits
Manufactured Homes
A manufactured home sometimes is known colloquially as a ‘mobile home.’ However, these homes don’t have wheels and they aren’t the design of the past. According to Geico, mobile homes were factory-produced homes built before 1976 and manufactured homes were built after 1976.
Today’s manufactured homes are still built completely in a factory, but they can even include a basement. These homes are energy-efficient options as they are built tightly—air can’t creep in.
Modular Homes
A modular home is pieced together onsite. Like the manufactured home, though, those pieces are created in a factory. These homes can include different floor plans, and some are even two stories.
Tiny Homes
Tiny Homes are the newest craze. These homes might be built like a traditional home (from the ground up), but others can be built in a factory and installed onsite. Some people build their own small homes. By the nature of their diminutive design, tiny homes will use less energy than a standard home. In addition, homeowners also can opt to include energy-efficient appliances, solar panels or maybe even a green roof.
House Kits
A house kit is a prefab home that the homeowner might build a bit like a DIY project; they also could hire a pro to build it for them. Some geodesic dome homes are built from kits; the geodesic dome home design is one of the most energy efficient home layouts available.
How All Prefab Homes Might be More Sustainable
As prefab homes are typically created in a factory, they won’t produce the same amount of waste as the construction of a traditional home. In addition, prefab homes can be built more quickly. Fewer man hours can mean less energy waste related to the overall build of the home.
The design of many prefabricated homes also could be more energy efficient, too. A smaller floor plan like those of tiny homes requires less energy for heating and cooling. These homes also can be less expensive than traditional homes.
However, some prefab home builders offer LEED-certified home designs and spacious square footage. These homes can soar in price to nearly $300,000.
The company EcoCraft offers sustainable prefab homes with many unique designs and floor plans. For example, the EcoMod 1.0 model features a design that maximizes natural light, offers a fresh air vent system and features an airtight construction (for energy efficiency). Home buyers who select this design also can opt for ‘passive house’ and net zero certifications as well as other upgrades.
Why Prefab Could Be Fabulous for the Budget
When buyers are faced with a crunched real estate market, they might feel priced out. Perhaps they made many offers and lost out to higher bidders. The search could be frustrating. These buyers also might not have the budget for traditional new construction homes.
Prefab homes could be a less expensive option that also provides the space and amenities that buyers want. Buyers also should let go of any preconceived notions related to a prefab home; these newer homes are not the mobile homes of the past. While mobile homes still exist, modern prefab homes can be nearly indistinguishable from the traditional ‘stick’ home.
These prefab options also could offer energy-efficient features and save homeowners on utility costs each month. For buyers who think they have exhausted the options in their house hunt, prefab homes might be another option worth researching.
Buyers who want a sustainable prefab home that meets specific energy-efficient certifications should focus their efforts on eco-friendly or sustainable prefab companies. As the popularity of these homes continues to increase, buyers might find that their home options become more expansive, too.
However, as with any home search, buyers should know their budget and stick to it. Like traditional homes, prefab homes are available in different price points and sizes, too.
