Building a modular home is a big decision, but we’re so glad we did it! We love our new home and the process was much easier than we thought it would be. It’s been a year since we finished building our modular home, and we couldn’t be happier! We’ve had some great experiences and learned a lot in the process.  – The Schwinghammers

If you’re considering building a modular home, here are a few things to keep in mind. The first thing to know is that modular homes are built in factories, which means they’re built to exacting standards and are built to last. Having a new home is very exciting, and you will want everything to be finished as quickly as possible. However, there are some things that are best to wait until the one year mark to complete. 

Wait until one year after building:

• Do not paint your walls. It is best to wait one year since the house settles and new cracks will appear. Excelsior Homes does a one time overall fix of any cracks that appear within the first year, so it is recommended to wait until after that time, just in case any minor repairs are needed. 
• Review your warranty. A short-term warranty comes with most new builds to help cover any faults in workmanship or materials. Be sure to do a complete check all the way around the home to inspect for any damages. Fixing any small leaks or cracks with caulking can cut your heating and cooling costs and increase the energy efficiency of your home. To save time for our customers, we now have our own repair technician who can come out and look at any warranty related service items. 
• Wait to plant your grass. It is a good idea to wait until the ground settles around the foundation of the home in case back fill in needed to be added. Watch to make certain that the landscape is sloped away from the home so that water runoff will not flow back into the house.
• Clean your gutters. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year to remove the build-up of debris and leaves that get caught in them to prevent damage to the roof. 

Before one year:

• Contact your Plumbing and Heating technicians to do a walk-through inspection. Some of the heating and cooling items in your home will need cleaning and servicing every couple of months. It is best they give you a checklist of their maintenance recommendations such as when filters need to be changed.
• Regulate the humidity. It is recommended to keep the humidity level between 30-50 percent to prevent mold from growing and to keep your home more comfortable. Purchasing a humidity gauge for each level of the home is an easy way to keep an eye on it throughout the year. An air conditioner and/or a dehumidifier can regulate the humidity in the summers and a humidifier and/or air exchangers can help in the winter months to keep frost off the windows or gaps from forming in the floors. 
• Check that intake and exhaust vents are clear. If vents are blocked or damaged they can allow carbon monoxide back into the house. Best practice is to replace batteries in smoke and CO detectors every six months.
• Read owners manuals. It is important to understand how to keep your appliances working properly and if any special requirements are needed for cleaning or maintenance. This goes for appliances, flooring/carpets, countertops and windows as well. 
• Change your furnace filter. We recommend changing your furnace filter monthly after a new build for at least the first couple of months to remove any construction particles that are remaining in the air.  

“If you’re thinking of building a modular home, we highly recommend it! It’s been an amazing experience for us and we love our new home.”

Have you considered building a modular or manufactured home? What tips do you have for others who are thinking of doing the same? Share your thoughts and experiences with us. We would love to hear from you. 

CONGRATULATIONS!

Excelsior Homes has been awarded the May Business of the Month from the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. 

Your top choice for quality and style

What ideas do you have that you’d love to discuss with us to incorporate into your new home?

We offer a wide range of customizable modular and manufactured homes. Call 1.800.547.4990 or send us a message at [email protected] to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable sales team.
 

It’s officially springtime, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. That means it’s time for a good old-fashioned home cleaning! This year, why not try some new tips to make the process a little bit easier? 

Spring Cleaning Tips

The best way to start spring cleaning is to have a plan ahead of time. Use our handy checklist to go room by room and avoid getting overwhelmed by tackling too much at one time. Get your cleaning supplies ready ahead of time and pick one room to start and check off this list as you go. You will have your home spick and span in no time!

Room by Room Cleaning Checklist: 

KITCHEN

• Fridge/Freezer- Discard expired food and deep clean
• Oven- Clean inside and behind
• Drawers/Cabinets- Organize and clean
• Discard old spices
• Mop floor

BEDROOMS

• Wash bedding and replace pillows
• Organize closets- Donate anything you haven’t worn in the past year

LAUNDRY ROOM

• Clean behind Washer/Dryer
• Clean lint plate thoroughly

BATHROOMS

• Clean Toilet, Shower, Sink
• Mop Floor
• Wash Shower Curtain or Replace
• Organize Medicine Cabinets and Closets

GENERAL

• Ceiling fans- Dust and clean
• Windows- Clean inside and outside. Dust and clean blinds or window treatments
• Wash walls and touch up any paint needed
• Rugs- Vacuum and shampoo
• Carpets- Vacuum and shampoo
• Change air filters
• Vacuum out sofa/chairs
• Discard and organize old medications

OUTDOORS

• Wash doors and doormats
• Wash windows in garage
• Clean outdoor furniture
• Power wash deck
• Clean the gutters
• Fertilize plants
• Additional Tips

Don’t forget to spruce things up for the new season with some new throw pillows, or fresh decorations for your front door. Happy Spring!

Have you found the perfect location for your lake home or cabin? We can work with you to create the perfect space to accommodate just about any size lot. From as small as a one bedroom/one bath cabin to as large as a beautiful 8 piece modular home, we can help you get whatever living space you are dreaming about.

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Tips before building a cabin or lake home

Prepare Financing

Make sure that your financing will cover both the land and the build of your lake home or cabin if you don’t already own the property. This should be one of your very first steps. Knowing what sort of loan you qualify for ahead of time will help make your selection and process move forward more seamlessly. 

Find Good Property

Do your research. Make sure the land is suitable for building and will allow for proper septic and drainage. It is important that the property doesn’t have any major obstacles that would interfere with building.

Know the Laws

Be aware of the county requirements to build on the property. There may be required setbacks and or restrictions that vary depending on if the property is considered lake property, government-controlled or wetlands. 

Plan Ahead

Spend the time planning ahead for all possible intentions of the home. Design the home to take full advantage of waterfront or beautiful views from the most important rooms that suit your needs. 

Expect Hiccups

Don’t ever assume that the builder can read your mind. It is important to communicate as much as you can. Delays happen, weather can interfere and building any size of home can become stressful. Remember to always plan for extra time, expect the unexpected and that kindness can go a very long way. 

We are here to help you

Building a new lake home or cabin should be exciting. We are going to help you every step of the way to make the build go as smoothly as possible so that you can enjoy the lake home or cabin you have been dreaming of. 

Contact us today to get started! 

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Looking for a Smaller Lake Home or Cabin Solution?

The Stratford Homes Cedarburg may be the perfect small home for you! It is an impressive one bedroom, one bathroom modular home that is 936 square feet and features log pine siding. Although it is small in size, it makes up for it in custom features. 

Note: The 8 piece / multi-level modular homes delivery area is limited to location and per availability only. 

When building your dream home, the best way to stay within your budget while building with solid and quality construction is to purchase a modular or manufactured home.  Because our professionals build custom homes in a climate controlled factory, our homes are not affected by weather and assembly delays the way a stick built home would be. They also are more affordable due to the quantity of materials and labor that factory building can provide. The finished products are cleaner and inspected to state standards so less likely to have flaws or weather damage.  The housing market is showing that now is the best time to buy a modular or manufactured home since home prices have been on the rise while the inventory of houses available has been steadily decreasing. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home price of new houses sold in February 2022 in the United States was $400,600.  The average sales price was $511,000.  

Design your home, your way. 

At Excelsior Homes you are able to design your own manufactured or modular house plan. You do not need to be limited to our models. So we can make your dream home a reality, and in less time than a traditionally built home. We have a variety of options and plans available for you, but we encourage you to bring us your ideas, drawings, plans from another company. Although we cannot build every single plan that a site-builder may be able to build, we can come close. We have numerous options to choose from that can accommodate your wants and needs. Bring us anything you have and we’ll let you know what we can do with it.

Advantages of Manufactured or Modular Homes

There are many advantages that our homes can offer since they are built in a climate controlled factory:

• Design flexibility allows for hundreds of options
• Speed of construction and reduced building time
• Better quality construction
• Building plans are reviewed and approved before the construction begins
• Built to the same building codes used by conventional site-builders
• Energy efficient homes 
• Superior strength
• Environmentally friendly
• Skilled subcontractors
• Manufactured homes hold value

 
View Our Floor Plans
 

Your top choice for quality and style

What ideas do you have and what have you seen other homeowners do that you’d love to discuss with us to incorporate into your new home?

We offer a wide range of customizable modular and manufactured homes. Call 1.800.547.4990 or send us a message at [email protected] to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable sales team.

We are excited to announce that we have two Move-In-Ready homes available!

Hurry! These won’t last long!

These homes are open for viewing and are both move-in-ready! One is located in Glencoe and one is located in Clarks Grove, MN. Contact us now at 320-587-4990 to set up a tour of these homes.  

GLENCOE 

1190 Sq. Ft. – 3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms

Move-in ready home available at Glen Knoll Park in Glencoe. This new Lifestyle series home is an affordable option that provides a fresh look to fit your lifestyle. It is built with integrity and customer satisfaction in mind. This 1190 square foot home offers three spacious bedrooms along with two bathrooms. If you are looking for an affordable singlewide manufactured home, you should definitely check out this great opportunity. 

Learn more about Clayton Built Lifestyle 207 Homes

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CLARKS GROVE

1034 Sq. Ft. – 3 Bedrooms / 1 Bathrooms

Move-in ready home available at Hillcrest Community in Clarks Grove, MN. If you are seeking a modern singlewide the Clayton Lifestyle 208 may fit your housing needs.  This series is crafted with craft appeal and modern lifestyle.  Already equipped with an abundance of standard features making the buying process simple – no changes needed!  Pendent and can lighting, ship lap accent wall, and duracraft cabinets are all features that complete the modern look.  Not only does this home give you the comfy cozy feel on the inside it is attractive on the outside too.  Not a tiny home, but a comfortable living space with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom – what more do you need?  

Learn more about Clayton Built Lifestyle 208 Homes