Research conducted over the past 30 years concludes that manufactured homes do not have a negative impact on the value of adjacent or surrounding stick-built dwellings. Not only does factory-made housing have the potential to rise in value over time, according to separate studies from the University of Michigan, Consumers Union, and East Carolina University, it can match the performance of a conventional house if properly maintained. All three concur that a manufactured home placed on privately owned land in a good neighborhood would experience the same opportunity to grow in value as a site-built house in the very same location, if purchase price and maintenance costs are among the factors that influence appreciation. The Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina even says the value of a factory-built residence that has been well-tended could grow in value “as much if not more than site-built homes.” In that state, manufactured housing has appreciated by 4 percent to 5 percent for the last 20 years or more.

From “Studies Examine Manufactured Homes’ Value” SCNow (10/12/09) Sweeney, John