Modular home building?

[Catherine Lacey]

I'm currently under contract to buy what I thought was an excellent ski house. Beautiful views, rentable space, large. But the inspection unveiled problems worth hundreds of thousands. So unless the sellers come down dramatically in price, I'm backing out. 

Another option I've been looking into - since most other homes available there tend to be way beyond my price range  - is buying land and building. Its relatively affordable and the price per square foot quotes I'm receiving  would allow me to secure something in my price range. But my brother is trying to convince me to order a modular home. The options have a lot of variety and look beautiful in the pictures. Not the ivory-colored boxes I'd imagined at all, in fact, highly customizable. Supposedly modular can save significantly over custom home builders.

Does anyone out there have thoughts on this? My goal would be to build a duplex (one for me and the other to rent out for income). There are duplex lots available. Just not sure if there are major red flags associated with modular or if it is a bonafide good deal in many cases. Thanks in advance!