Barndominium or double wide/garage?

JR-WNC

JR-WNC

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I have some land I can build on and I was wondering if any of you guys have done either or both of these scenarios?

My wife and I got married last year in November, she has (around 2-3 acres) good flat spot, on hill top. Will need to be excavated more to make either home. I'm on the barndo side, she's on the double wide side. (No garage)

I know the barndominium will cost more in advance, but the longevity of it I believe will outlast a doublewide/modular home. Have any of you guys went through this recently? Any of you built a barndominium/ big garage in WNC? If so who did you use? Or should I buy a modular and get a medium garage (20'x20' ish or 15' x15') built on the side?

I'm very torn and don't honestly know what to do with today's situation. Both have good (750+ credit) I have good full-time job, she has part time for medical reasons.


Any knowledge or information will he very helpful and appreciated! Thankyou in advance for any responses.
 
For years, I dreamed of building a 3 car garage + shop with an apartment above for our daughter. We have plenty of space in our woods and I even had the money back when construction was much cheaper Pre-Covid. Would’a should’a. 😢
 
We're going to have to get a loan for sure. I just got my toyota paid off so I can start putting that $700 monthly payment back into savings. This will be both of ours 1st home/home loan. I'm not expecting to build/make decisions until this fall or next year so I can build up a down payment for this project. With between 2-3 acres first time home buyer/builder loan. I'm just wondering which way to go in yours guys knowledgeable opinions.
 
As long as you have an approved (experienced, vetted, reputable, etc.) builder. And since you own the land already, it can/will be used as collateral.

PM me if you’d like. My wife has helped some members here in the past. 👍🏻
 
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Lucky63 said:
These? If so, no.
buildmax.com

Barndominium Plans - Farmhouse Floor Plans & Designs - BuildMax

Search barndominium floor plans, Shophouse floor plans or create your own custom barndominium plan in as little as 10 days.
buildmax.com buildmax.com
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Yes, those were the plans/company we were looking at to build. Dang, I was thinking some lender out there would approve this, not to knock you or your company any. Do you think a loan for one of these with 10% down is out of the question?
 
heavydoc said:
Barndominum, you'll get tired of the wife way before the barn!
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I doubt that, she want one too, just more realistic I guess. Lol Plus she's my best friend, we can do anything together (minus skinning animals) doesn't mind helping work meat up, just doesn't want to see them in fur. Lol
 
You may find a lender/bank/credit union that does. Honestly, your best bet is to ask the manufacturer. Surely someone lends for these 🤷🏼

I know it is not offered by Fannie or Freddie

www.barndominiumlife.com

Does Fannie Mae Allow Barndominiums?

An in-depth guide answering the question "does Fannie Mae allow barndominiums?" with alternatives to them as a lender and much more.
www.barndominiumlife.com www.barndominiumlife.com
 
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Lucky63 said:
PM me if you’d like. My wife has helped some members here in the past
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Will do, probably not be immediately but definitely will keep you and your misses in mind. Thankyou for your input and possible help in the future brother!
 
Barndominium or any post frame building is going to be more energy efficient. The actual insulated space is several inches thicker that a double wide or stick built house. Typically they have 6” thick walls.
 
Burt Gummer said:
Barndominium or any post frame building is going to be more energy efficient. The actual insulated space is several inches thicker that a double wide or stick built house. Typically they have 6” thick walls.
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I've been researching it for awhile and that's honestly my first choice, but the main thing is just getting a loan for the barndominium. I've read and researched most banks don't like giving these types loans because thier too personalized and the re-sell value is bad if you default on loan.
 
Design the barndominium with an architect so it's a stick built custom home not a steel framed structure. You'll find a lender for that surely.
I work for a custom home builder in the myrtle beach area. I'm actually doing a home based on a barndominium plan for myself on 10 acres I just bought. It's no problem for a lender. It's just a house.
 
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Garyv350 said:
Design the barndominium with an architect so it's a stick built custom home not a steel framed structure. You'll find a lender for that surely.
I work for a custom home builder in the myrtle beach area. I'm actually doing a home based on a barndominium plan for myself on 10 acres I just bought. It's no problem for a lender. It's just a house.
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That's exactly what we are wanting to do, do you have any recommendations for builder/architects? Why do lenders have a problem with steel framed structures? I'd figure they would go for those over stick built. Longer lasting, less susceptible to rot/insects, fire resistant.
 
They are a lot more common in rural areas and the Midwest. There have to be lenders that will deal with them.

Actually, why would a lender care? They are generally stronger and more durable than stick built.
 
My vote is barndominium. Your two main issues are; finding a lender and the cost. Not sure why but many local lenders will not touch them in our area. Next is cost, they have become more popular in the past few years and the cost have went up a lot! So the value they once represented is no longer there for the average Joe.
 
Average Joe said:
So the value they once represented is no longer there for the average Joe.
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I see whaylt you did there 👆. 🤣

Yes I agree, that's why I'm thinking about double wide and garage. Idk why lenders in this area won't touch them either, have to do what Garyv350 suggested and get a stick built one if the money is close to what a double and garage will be. If not then oh well, today's economy makes it very hard for someone who is starting out and trying to build/make a life for themselves.
 
JimP42 said:
They are a lot more common in rural areas and the Midwest. There have to be lenders that will deal with them.

Actually, why would a lender care? They are generally stronger and more durable than stick built.
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I agree, but lenders around here don't want to touch them much. Maybe I could make a "business" and tell them that's my base of operation. Just live out of it? Might get a loan/lawsuit that way. 🤣🤣
 
JR-WNC said:
I agree, but lenders around here don't want to touch them much. Maybe I could make a "business" and tell them that's my base of operation. Just live out of it? Might get a loan/lawsuit that way. 🤣🤣
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Maybe check into a credit union and see if you can join one that would give you a loan.
 
Reach out to Morton Buildings, I’m sure they have financing options. They didn’t get to be that big of a company by not offering financing
 
depending on your skill set. You could do a construction loan for the build, do some interior work yourself to lower the costs. Then the loan should/would change over to a mortgage if its a Construction to Permanent loan.

I wanted to do it in 2018, but with 2 kids under 5. It wasnt a fit for us. Wish we would have done it and suffered during the build..
 
Burt Gummer said:
Reach out to Morton Buildings, I’m sure they have financing options. They didn’t get to be that big of a company by not offering financing
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This right here.

Back in '07 I built one. Mine was 100x50. Inside I partitioned 30x50 on one end. And had a 50x70 shop.

Morton and Piedmont Advantage credit union worked together to finance it. They actually financed 115% to add in the septic. I paid for the well, power, and driveway out of pocket.

For me, I would never stick build or buy manufactured again.
 
JR-WNC said:
That's exactly what we are wanting to do, do you have any recommendations for builder/architects? Why do lenders have a problem with steel framed structures? I'd figure they would go for those over stick built. Longer lasting, less susceptible to rot/insects, fire resistant.
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I honestly couldn't recommend someone for that area unfortunately. But if I can help you in any way feel.free to PM me.
 
JR-WNC said:
Yes, those were the plans/company we were looking at to build. Dang, I was thinking some lender out there would approve this, not to knock you or your company any. Do you think a loan for one of these with 10% down is out of the question?
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AG South will finance barndos.

We have 46 acres in Wilkes. We used them for the land purchase and will be using them for the construction if we go barndo. We are kicking around barndo vs. stick built/modular.

Home Loans | Mortgages for Rural Houses | AgSouth Farm Credit

844-980-5574
www.agsouthfc.com www.agsouthfc.com

Screenshot_20240225-155955.png

They treat it like a traditional stick built home.
 
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RR said:
AG South will finance barndos.

We have 46 acres in Wilkes. We used them for the land purchase and will be using them for the construction if we go barndo. We are kicking around barndo vs. stick built/modular.



They treat it like a traditional stick built home.
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Thankyou for the link and info.
 
LeeMajors said:
This right here.

Back in '07 I built one. Mine was 100x50. Inside I partitioned 30x50 on one end. And had a 50x70 shop.

Morton and Piedmont Advantage credit union worked together to finance it. They actually financed 115% to add in the septic. I paid for the well, power, and driveway out of pocket.

For me, I would never stick build or buy manufactured again.
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Ok, thankyou. I've not heard of either one of them but I will check them out. I'm also trying to get my dad to meet me so I can get on with state employee credit union. Idk if they give the type of loan I'll need, but I'm tired of dealing with champion credit union.
 
Does the hill top site location have any views? That would be a valuable asset if it does, and would change my personal opinion on it.
 
NKD said:
Does the hill top site location have any views? That would be a valuable asset if it does, and would change my personal opinion on it.
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It does have good views, multiple trees/thorn thickets between the neighboring properties/house(s) we love it! I'm sure you would too!
 
DC Bigdaddy said:
I wouldn't call that a barndominiom. That's just a house with a typical garage.
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Me too, but talking try to banks. Thier have Ben many good and great references mentioned in the post. I haven't had time yet to go through them but I'm still hopeful.
 
JR-WNC said:
It does have good views, multiple trees/thorn thickets between the neighboring properties/house(s) we love it! I'm sure you would too!
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I would recommend finding and paying someone to design an affordable and simple house that respects the site, the family, and the budget.

You'll want to control exactly which rooms get views, ETC. Hopefully all of them. You should be able to enjoy a nice piece of property from inside your home as well. This is the number one missed opportunity I see in residential design.
People find some unrelated design and plop it somewhere. They don't respect the property. Only the budget. Which is never larger and always smaller, heh!

Just my opinion man. And, YES, I assure you I would love it for sure. Building my own house is a long time dream.
 
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