Alibaba’s Latest Venture: Affordable, Customizable, Prefabricated Houses for Everyone
Have you ever tried ordering a new house online? Alibaba lets you and millions of Americans do that for as low as $1,000!
Contrary to popular belief, they can be as durable as regular homes. Even better, you could prepare prefabricated houses by yourself!
You may browse the Chinese eCommerce platform for available options. However, you should learn more about prefabricated homes or “prefab homes” before you do.
What are the types of Alibaba prefabricated homes?
Photo Credit: www.alibaba.com
Alibaba offers various types of prefab houses to suit everyone’s needs. Unlike traditional shelters, factories produce them as separate room segments.
Trucks and cranes carry them to your empty lot and assemble them on-site. That is a type of prefab called a manufactured home.
Note that you must follow guidelines from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when installing a manufactured house.
You may also purchase a kit home. It is simpler than a manufactured one, and you can build a kit house yourself. However, they tend to have simpler amenities than manufactured houses.
You might like: Is Modular Housing Right For You?
Lastly, you can get a modular home from Alibaba if you want a more personalized house. Companies will often allow customers to customize the floor plan.
In other words, you can position the rooms of a modular house however you like. Unlike kit and manufactured houses, these prefabs have an immovable foundation.
The pros and cons of Alibaba prefabricated homes
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One of the biggest benefits of ordering an Alibaba prefab is convenience. One search opens thousands of options so that you can find one that suits you.
Another advantage it has over conventional houses is faster construction. Unlike traditional housing, you can assemble it yourself.
Believe it or not, these properties come with instruction manuals! More importantly, Alibaba offers them for as low as $1,000.
Remember that prefabricated housing also has flaws. For example, you must own the plot where you will install your new home.
You must secure permits and perform soil testing to ensure your house is secure. Moreover, you might struggle to arrange utilities.
If the land is uneven, you must have it leveled. Also, you must lay a foundation for sewer strikes, electrical connections, and water supply.
Finally, the costs of these preparations may quickly accumulate. If you have an existing home, you may need to put in a 20% down payment and complete your mortgage payments.
The prefabricated house construction contract may require installment payments while building the property.
That means you must ensure you can afford the prefab before buying and installing it.
Fortunately, Alibaba has numerous options to fit your needs, and you can apply for a home loan for a prefab.
