Wagon house sales are expected to pick up if refinancing is achieved.Wagon house sales are expected to pick up if refinancing is achieved.The strong earthquakes that have occurred in recent weeks have left a balance that includes collapsed residences in the southwest region of the Island, which has brought to discussion the need to build safe structures, in the shortest time possible and that are not necessarily made of concrete, which that has given visibility to the so-called wagon houses.Although the use of steel containers to build homes has gained notoriety and relevance in countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain and Amsterdam, in Puerto Rico, the sale has not had the expected success due to the refusal of mortgage institutions to offer financing for this type of projects and the lack of insurance if the construction of the footing is not carried out by the selling company, which must comply with the established codes.Don't start with this, on the Island there are several companies that are dedicated to the design, sale and construction of this type of residences and that have insisted for years that these structures are ideal for territories susceptible to natural disasters —such as Puerto Rico— due to their durability, strength and affordability.“Banks do not provide financing for this type of residence and those interested have to resort to personal loans.This has not moved because it is an innovative housing concept that can represent a risk for institutions.In addition, the appraisers do not know how to establish the price”, commented Joseph Maqueda, director of Arvada Corporation, dedicated to the sale of prefabricated models.Maqueda emphasized to EL VOCERO that in Puerto Rico over 40% of the population lives below poverty levels, so the lack of financing for this type of residence —which starts at $15,000— prevents these families from having a home. worthy.Given this scenario, he stated that he is in communication with the Association of Banks of Puerto Rico to discuss the problem.“Added to this situation —which is already complicated— is the devastation caused by the recent earthquakes.Many have been left homeless and wagon homes may be an excellent option, but not everyone has $15,000 in their pockets right now.We hope that with this emergency, the banks become more aware”, added the businessman.For her part, Viviana Ríos, president of LUOVA Container Homes, a subsidiary of Casas Mi Anhelo, explained to this newspaper that the container does not have an ownership —as it happens with cars—, the banks do not want to assume the risk.“LUOVA has been in the container house business since 2016.For three and a half years we have been showing our model in conversations with seven institutions on the island, and despite the fact that it is an excellent option to meet housing needs, we have not received support,” stated Ríos.The businesswoman stressed that containers are booming in the Caribbean islands after the recent onslaught of atmospheric phenomena.“We have sold them outside of Puerto Rico, in St. Croix and St. Thomas and even more after the hurricanes.Over there, the authorities are using this type of housing to help the displaced,” she added.Most of the prefabricated wagon residences in Puerto Rico have an elegant, resistant and sustainable design, and have one to two bedrooms, a living room, a full kitchen and a bathroom.In addition, they comply with international and FEMA building regulations and codes.On her part, Carla Gautier, founder of Konti Design, explained to EL VOCERO the multiple benefits of buildings with steel containers.As she commented, these residences can withstand most natural events and winds of 150 to 175 miles per hour.“Many of the residences that are collapsing do not have the necessary amount of steel and are not flexible enough to withstand a seismic movement.These constructions eliminate that concrete that can break and we have the steel that is totally flexible.Yes, they move, but they are not damaged,” she Gautier commented.Likewise, the businesswoman explained that —unlike a concrete structure whose construction can last up to a year— wagon houses take two to three months.In the case of Konti Design, the prefabricated residence begins to be built once the order is executed and each unit is customizable.“For these people who were affected by the earthquakes and who were left without residences, it is a viable option.The wagon takes up to three months to build and an additional month to install.If the person already has the land, the footing is built and the wagon is installed, which —being modular— the residence can be expanded at any time”, she assured.Gautier emphasized that the basic models are affordable for the population's average salary of $20,000.Currently, they are in negotiations with Popular to be able to offer their units with financing.“The average price of a home could be over $100k, while one of our units could go for $39k,” she 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