As of April 2024, the average sales price of a new site-built home was $505,700, according to the Census Bureau. We understand that many people who want to purchase a home simply can’t afford this price, which is where Clayton and the off-site built housing industry come in.

When it comes to affordable homes, Clayton is a seasoned veteran. Since 1956, our mission has been to open doors to a better life by making homeownership possible for more people. Today, we are a leading single-family home builder, offering both off-site built and traditional site-built homes.

And what does this mean for you? Well, if you’re looking for an attainable home that doesn’t compromise on quality, style or energy-efficient features, you can trust we have the experience to help you find an option that fits your life and needs. Let's take a deeper look at how we do it.

Why are Off-Site Built Homes More Affordable?

Off-site built homes include manufactured, modular and CrossMod® homes. And while these types of homes have a few differences you can read about in our helpful guide, it’s what they have in common that makes them a more attainable housing option. In comparison to the price for a new site-built home we mentioned above, the Census Bureau reported the average sales price of a new manufactured home without land was $121,300 as of December 2023. That’s a pretty big difference, isn’t it?

There are a few key ways Clayton works to make our homes more affordable. First, like it says in their name, off-site built homes are built indoors. This means we can use a more standard construction process and don’t have delays because of the weather or temperature outside. And because we know exactly which home models we’re building at which facility, we can buy a lot of the materials we need in bulk, cutting down on our overall production costs. We’re also able to keep an eye on waste and recycle many of our materials.

Clayton also has our own internal supply chain management system, Clayton Supply. That means we can manufacture and source items like windows, cabinets and roof trusses, which reduces our construction time with less money spent on shipping and storage. And it all comes together so Clayton can offer home buyers more affordable options.

Of course, none of this means we’re content to just build houses the same way forever, either. Whether it’s the engineers and designers in our Home Innovation Lab or our focus on innovation in areas like automation and robotics, Clayton is always trying new things to help make our entire design and construction process more efficient. And our customers are the ones who benefit from the results: affordable, quality and efficient homes.

What are Modern Manufactured Homes Like?

So, we’ve talked about some of the ways Clayton builds more affordable homes. But we know what you might be thinking. You’re imagining a cramped, ugly house that looks like a box on the outside, aren’t you? It’s OK, we’ve heard it all. But the truth is, a lot has changed when it comes to today’s manufactured and modular homes.

Technically, that boxy mobile home you’re thinking of hasn’t been built since 1976, when the National Mobile Home Constructions and Safety Act, also known as HUD code, set standards for manufactured homes, including their:

• Design and construction
• Plumbing and electrical systems
• Fire safety
• Energy efficiency and more

And what about the other types of off-site homes? Well, modular homes are built to all of the applicable state and local building codes for the home’s location, like with a site-built home. This means some of the home’s features — like the type of foundation or some of the exterior details — depend on where you’re going to live.

CrossMod® homes combine the advantages of off-site and on-site construction, including a higher pitched roofline, permanent foundation, drywall interior, garage and covered porch. They can also appraise like site-built homes using site-built comparisons, and their financing options can have a number of advantages over loans secured for standard manufactured homes.

As you can see, off-site built homes definitely give buyers great, attainable options to choose from. But, you might ask, what good is a more affordable home if it doesn’t have the features you actually want? Well, just remember what we said earlier about not compromising on style. In Clayton’s homes, you can find:

• Spacious, open kitchens with islands and pantries
• Primary suite bathrooms with dual vanities and standalone bathtubs
• Built-in storage like mudrooms and entertainment centers
• Energy-efficient features like an ecobee Smart Thermostat® and Rheem® water heater
• Exterior feature options like wraparound porches and garages

An Attainable Choice, Designed for You.

Everyone’s dream home looks a little bit different, and at Clayton our job has always been to help you find yours, not someone else’s.

From figuring out your budget and choosing between home styles to maintenance and decor tips, we’re here to support you as you become a homeowner, and for the years to come. Check out the home buying section of our Clayton Studio blog today for everything you need to know to get started!

CrossMod® is a registered trademark of the Manufactured Housing Institute.