Avalon Building Systems Blog

If you are interested in building a new home, 2014 is the time to start the process. Modular construction is on the rise as consumers realize the advantages and benefits over traditionally built homes. As home prices and interest rates continue to rise, and home supply decreases, new home construction has become more appealing to many. Custom designed modular homes are the better option for many new home buyers.

Purchases of new homes exceeded projections in November, holding near a five-year high and showing the housing recovery was gaining momentum even as mortgage rates climbed.

Home purchases are strengthening as builders respond to pent-up demand unleashed by employment gains and record-high stock prices. Applications for building permits held near a five-year high in October, signaling a pickup in new-home construction will be maintained through the start of 2014.

The supply of homes dropped to 4.3 months, the lowest since June, from 4.5 months in October. There were 167,000 new houses on the market at the end of November, down from 179,000 the prior month.

Many homebuilders see the rise in interest rates as a short-term “pause” for buyer demand that won’t crimp an acceleration in the housing recovery next year.

If you are interested in modular construction for your new home next year, contact Avalon Building Systems.

Bloomberg.com

In the last couple days the FED has made some decisions that will hopefully hold off on inflation. However, those same decisions will most likely raise interest rates right through the spring. While interest rates are lower now than they were at the beginning of the 21st century, they are going up and show no signs of stopping.

If you were considering building a new home in the spring, you may want to reconsider. Start building now and consider modular construction. With a modular home, the construction process is faster, and the budget is set. November actually saw the highest rate of new home construction in years. That is because the economy is picking up. It is also most likely because home prices are high and interest rates are rising. No one wants to pay ‘too much’ for a home they don’t love or that they need to renovate.

Construction loans for modular construction are the same as those for traditionally built homes. The difference is in the length of the loan. Because modular homes are built faster than traditionally built homes, you realize the entire amount of the loan faster. However, modular construction also lessens the time that your are paying for two homes- the one you are living in and the one you are building.

The modular homes industry is gaining in popularity and the demand for new homes is high. Homebuyers are looking for alternatives to rising new home prices and interest rates. Modular homes are the alternative.

The public is becoming more educated in modular construction and more people understand the structural, construction and cost benefits of modular homes. Modular homes are high quality, attractive, and custom designed homes at an affordable cost and in a fraction of the usual time.

For more information on modular construction as an alternative, contact Avalon Building Systems.

A big part of the resurrection of the real estate market is a result of investors buying property to rent out for income. As far as investments, traditionally buying real estate has been a good idea. If you are interested in real estate as an investment, consider modular multi-family home or modular apartment construction.

Recently in the news, there was a story about an architect, construction company and modular homes manufacturer who are together using modular construction to build an apartment complex in just 13 days.

Modular construction consists of building the apartment in a climate-controlled factory and transporting them to the construction site. The modules are stacked, using a crane. After modules are stacked and secured, the on-site crew works to add the final touches.

Because they are built in a controlled environment, and are subject to regular QA checks, modular construction yields better-quality homes and commercial buildings that are greener, more cost-effective and more time sensitive.

Modular multi-family homes and apartments are fully inspected, in compliance with state and local building codes for commercial apartments. Inspectors monitor the module construction and the building site.

Many in the construction industry believe that modular construction will be a significant piece of the future of construction. There are plenty of advantages, but arguably the most important are construction time reduction and superior building quality. A common misperception is that modular homes are cheaply-made. But, in actuality, modular apartment buildings are made with quality materials, including walls that reduce sound disturbance.

According to the Modular Building Institute, all modular buildings have to abide by the same building codes and standards as site-built structures.

For more information on building modular apartments, contact Avalon Building Systems.

WFMY

Modular homes are constructed indoors in a factory environment which means no delays or materials damage as a result of weather. Additionally, because the construction process is essentially, weather-proof, you home is safe from the elements while it is still in the ‘under-construction’ phase. This means, no weather induced damage to your home before it is complete.

Once the modules that make up your new home arrive at the building site, they are set on the foundation in one day and your home is about 80% complete. Final assembly, including attaching the modules and siding the home, can be completed in about 3 days.  Most of the work has already been completed; the home just needs to be secured.

Being able to work fast, indoors, as opposed to building the home from the ground up, during tough winter weather means that that your new modular home will become weather tight and in move-in condition in just a very short time frame, in fact, in some cases, your custom modular home could be ready in a month.

Winter time is the off season for home construction; this means there could be an even faster construction time. Modular homes often allow you to buy a larger home with more amenities. Because of the modular construction process, you can now be living in that home in less time.  Depending on the design and style of your home, a modular home can sometimes cost  an average of 30% less than a stick built homes.

Modular construction allows you to build a new home even in the winter when all other new home construction has stopped. With the slow construction season approaching in Massachusetts, now might be the perfect time to build a new home.

For more information on building a modular home, contact Avalon Building Systems.

It is official, the holidays season is here. You are certainly out holiday gift shopping, but are you also new home shopping? If so, consider modular construction. Unlike the holiday season, modular home construction can be stress-free. That’s right, it is possible to build a new home without all the stress that is usually involved in new home construction.

Why is it so much less-stressful to build a new modular home? Because modular home construction takes less time, can certainly cost less, and is 80-90% complete when it is delivered. Built in a factory setting, modular homes are not subject to traditional weather and labor delays of traditionally built homes nor are building materials subject to weather damage like on-site home construction. This means there will be no cost overruns. Essentially, when you get your ‘price’ for your modular home, there will be no changes, no hidden fees.

At this time of year, regardless of what is going on in life, we should all be focused on blessings and our family!  The business of Avalon Building Systems is building custom modular homes. It is what we do. So let us help you relax this holiday season by answering all of your modular home questions, showing you our floor plans, helping you to see the advantages and benefits of modular construction.

During the holidays, new home shopping does not take a back seat just because it is an inconvenient time.  At Avalon Building Systems we never stop, if you have questions, we are here to help.

We hope the holiday season finds you comfortable and surrounded by family.  To everyone in the New England area, we would like to offer you our most sincere best wishes and thanks.  We work hard to earn your continued trust and we brings you the new home of your dreams.

Did you know that in Massachusetts our population is aging at three times the national average? That means there are plenty of empty-nesters that are looking to downsize. If you are a baby boomer who is looking to move out of the large home and relocate into a home that is more manageable, don’t settle for the overpriced homes that are on the market right now. Build a new modular home.

Many considerations go into the decision to downsize your home. The most common reason for downsizing is because the children have moved out on their own. You may want to stay close your community, or maybe you want to relocate to the Cape. Regardless, building a modular home is a great choice for baby boomers. There are hundreds of styles of modular home floor plans for you to choose from.  Additionally, you can have your own plans drawn up and have a modular home built, faster and more efficiently.

Building a modular home is cost effective and efficient and downsizing your home can save you tax dollars. You will certainly pay less for  the new home you will get with modular construction than a similar existing home. And no repairs, no remodeling, and no settling for what’s on the market.

A ranch style modular home offers you style and comfort in a smaller size home. If it is the waterfront that draws you, the vacation style modular home provide an open floor plan that is conducive to relaxing.  And there are vacation floor plans to meet all of your needs.

Feel free to contact Avalon Building Systems about any of our modular homes.

Everyone knows that the biggest consideration in buying a home is location, location, location. Do you have the perfect town in mind? Perhaps a town like Weston, Sharon, or Norwell? The town with the best schools, and the greatest open spaces? It would be great if you could find a home to buy that does not entail massive renovations or needed expansion. Maybe you already live in that perfect location, and you don’t want to uproot your family but you need more room, a home office, a master bath. How about building a new home?

Building a new home can sound like a daunting task, but it does not have to be when you choose modular construction. In fact, modular construction can cost far less than moving and renovating. It is certainly less expensive than building a new home through traditional construction, in time if not in dollars.

Every honest real estate agent will tell you that location is the most important factor in considering where to buy – or build. If you already live in that location, or have the perfect location in mind, then modular construction is the right choice.

Not only can you have a completely custom modular home, a modular home is more efficient, is built faster and will not go over budget. When you buy a new home, closing costs and other fees can add up into the tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, there is the added stress of trying to sell your home, for the price you want, in this market.

Building a new modular home where you existing home sits is a perfect solution. You already own the land, you already have a great location, you already know the neighbors, your kids are already enrolled in the schools.

After the design process is complete, a new modular home can be built in 2 months and modular construction is fully customizable. Most important, there are no hidden fees, no labor or materials delays. You will know the schedule and the budget as soon as you begin the project.

If you live in a town like Weston, Sharon or Norwell and you want to build a modular home in order to take advantage of your perfect location. Contact Avalon Building Systems.

Too many homeowners who want to build a new home think they can’t start their home construction project in the winter. But this is not the case. Some think the ground is too cold or the foundation cannot  be poured during cold Massachusetts weather.  Not true. Modular homes are built indoors away from inclement weather so there are no weather delays when you build modular. Additionally, with modular construction the materials used to build your home are not left out in the rain and snow, giving you a higher quality home in the end.

There are additives for concrete that are specifically designed for cold weather use. Avalon Building Systems can pour foundations and basement floors for your modular home all winter long.  We will also use ‘curing blankets’ which are spread over the concrete foundation which gives the concrete an extra level of protection from the cold while it sets.

Modular homes only takes a couple weeks to build in our factory. We will prepare your building site by protecting it from the frost while the modules are being constructed. If you are planning on- or interested in- building a new modular home this winter, before we begin we will protect the ground from a hard freeze easily and inexpensively. This is done by spreading wood chips, hay, straw, or any other mulch product on the ground to insulate it from the cold.

If you are interested in a new modular home right now, don’t wait. Avalon Building Systems can start you construction project today. Don’t wait for the spring thaw to start your new home, contact us.

We live in the Northeast and we are not accustomed to worrying about hurricanes. We usually hear of hurricane and tornado damage in the South and Central parts of the country. But Hurricane Sandy and the tornado that ripped through Springfield, MA taught us otherwise. If you are interested in building a new home, building a home that can weather natural disasters is now top-of-mind.

Hurricane Sandy cost New Yorkers nearly $33 billion in damage and that damage happened in many communities. Still, one year and a couple months later, homeowners are still trying to rebuild. In Breezy Point all of the 2,387 homes suffered some sort of damage, including 350 homes that were demolished and must be rebuilt from scratch.

Traditional contractors and modular home companies are busy in Breezy Point Co-op, which consists of a roughly 500-acre area. In fact, one modular home company is getting ready to begin 40 additional homes in the area.

Modular homes are constructed in sections in a company warehouse and trucked to the location and assembled. This can speed up construction time because building goes forward regardless of weather or other conditions.  Additionally, using modular homes manufacturing companies speeds up the process, no more delays in starting construction because of labor shortages, materials shortages, or other delays. Also there are savings because the company buys materials, like sheetrock and windows, in bulk and customers can choose from a set selection of options and floor plans. Modular homes can be custom designed as well, or you can pick a modular floor plan and have it modified to fit your needs.

Modular homes can be built on stilts on waterfront properties or on traditional foundations. At Avalon Building Systems, our modular homes are rated for hurricane force winds up to 120 miles per hour. In fact, modular homes are subject to strict quality assurance inspections throughout the entire construction process making them stand up better than traditional construction to both time and weather. Worth mentioning, during Hurricane Sandy no homes built with modular construction methods were demolished.

For more information on modular construction in New York, Massachusetts or anywhere on the East Coast, contact Avalon Building Systems.

Excerpts - LoHUd

Today everyone is concerned with their carbon footprint and going green. Home construction is no different. Home remodeling and new home construction are going green as well. Modular construction is considered green construction. If you are interested in building a new home with green construction methods, read on.

Modular construction includes green initiatives from the structural insulated panels, to the windows, to the home appliances, and the energy efficiency of the finished home. Modular homes use less energy and create less waste during construction. But they are also built to use less energy once built.

Structural insulated panes are used for the walls, ceilings and floors. This allows less heat in your home in the summer and less heat out of your home in the winter. This means that you use your Energy Star HVAC system less, cutting heating and cooling costs.

By creating less waste through the modular construction process, the construction process itself is more environmentally friendly. Weather and labor can result in materials waste, these are not factors in modular construction.

At Avalon Building Systems, our modular homes are built to meet “Energy Star Standards” and HERS requirements. There are many aspects of “building green”, and we can help you design in such a way that you can maximize your LEED points throughout the site design, building design, and construction decisions.

Green modular homes are typically more affordable for home buyers. For more information, contact Avalon Building Systems.