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Buying your first home is exciting, but it's easy to begin in the wrong place. Before choosing a home, start by determining a comfortable total monthly housing payment and overall project budget. Remember that your project may include more than the price of the home itself.

Finding land you love is only the beginning. A $40,000 parcel that requires extensive grading, a long driveway, difficult utility connections or an expensive septic system could ultimately cost more than a $60,000 parcel that's ready for development.

Financing a manufactured or modular home isn't necessarily the same as obtaining a mortgage on an existing house.

Manufactured Homes: Built strictly to a federal code known as the HUD Code (administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). This code regulates strength, durability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency specifically for factory-built housing. Modular Homes: Built to the exact same state, local, or regional building codes as a traditional site-built home (such as the International Residential Code, or IRC). The home must meet the specific rules of t

If you're building a modular home—or completing a land/home project involving substantial site development—you may need construction financing. Unlike a traditional mortgage used to purchase a completed home, a construction loan generally provides funds as the project progresses.

It's natural to focus on mortgage rates. Even a relatively small change in the interest rate can affect your monthly payment and how much home you can comfortably afford.

The home, land, financing and site work aren't separate decisions. They're parts of one project.

Today's manufactured homes are not built according to whatever standards a manufacturer chooses. Manufactured homes constructed in the United States are required to comply with the federal HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, commonly called the HUD Code.

One of the major advantages of factory construction is the environment in which the home is built.

Energy efficiency affects more than your utility bill. It also influences how comfortable your home feels throughout Michigan's changing seasons.

A new home comes with something an existing home often doesn't: manufacturer and product warranties.

One of the most enjoyable parts of purchasing a new factory-built home is choosing a home that reflects the way you want to live.