MSN's 10 greatest kit homes

[StinkerBell]

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=23168683&GT1=35000

[MountainDon]

The article that follows that one is quite interesting too

http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=23218890

Will your new home still be standing in 50 years?

[poppy]

Lots of good stuff in that 50 yr. article.  Thanks Don for pointing it out.

I don't know what to think about kit homes.  My initial reaction is that they still seem to be very expensive despite the manufactured and labor savings. 

[MountainDon]

I agree on the $$$ poppy.

[StinkerBell]

I've been toying with a kit design that I have placed on my punch design. The idea is you buy/build one unit and can add other units as you go, like a L shape, maybe an H shape or a U. The initialy unit is a very simple build inside and out. I think it can be built rather cheaply. it is 16x36. I had a 12 x36 intially but the 16x36 works alot better. It has a basic shed slope roof on it. I was thinking alot about things like foundation, easy reach of plumbing and electrical.

I had some fun idea about running two 36' long steel beams with the house built on top of that. Thus the beam can sit on the groud or a concrete slab. Somehow I have invisioned some type of jack built in for a little leveling adjustments. 

This idea has been in my head for years. Sigh.....

[RainDog]

StinkerBell, thanks! I spend a lot of time looking at kit homes. Lots of good ideas incorporated in them, as well as interesting design often. Also, thanks for leading me to that site. Had no idea that MSN had such a good real estate section. Lots to read there!

Poppy, yeah. Big bucks, and the ones listed were the cheapest of the bunch, from what I've seen. Maybe one day, if the idea catches on in the mainstream, some company will mass produce something a bit more reasonable in cost.

[poppy]

RainDog

some company will mass produce something a bit more reasonable in cost.

Ever hear of doublewides? 

[RainDog]

RainDog

some company will mass produce something a bit more reasonable in cost.

Ever hear of doublewides?  

Heh.

Kit homes.