With the changes in building codes and requirements, manufactured housing can be superior to traditionally-built housing and also safer, claims Morrow. Every manufactured home goes through at least two, if not four individual inspections before shipping. The growth of dealers in the north area seems to back up Cornell's claim that this housing alternative is just beginning to gain a foothold in the area. According to statistics, approximately 30 percent of all new house starts in Central New York last year were manufactured houses. Another critical factor in the growth of the manufactured housing market in this area may be financial, say many of the local dealers.
Banks look at manufactured homes differently now than they used to.
Manufactured housing has become the choice for young couples starting out and wanting to buy their first home. And scaling down with a modular, single or doublewide has become the perfect solution for empty nesters. A. Phillips Schneider is a free-lance writer who lives in Central Square.