buyer beware?

[Janie]

My husband and I are considering purchasing a manuf. home in MI. We are totally ignorant about what to look for in a good builder. Is there anyone out there who can give us any advice on what to watch out for? We are also looking for a nice park, which seems to be hard to find that is not really too far out. We are wanting to be in the Farmington/Livonia/Dearborn area. We are also looking for a doublewide. 3 bedrooms. Thank you.

[Rick]

The most knowledgable sales person I have found in your area, is Nancy Jenkins. She works at Little Valley Homes in Carleton. Her # is 734-586-1200. There are 2 Nancys there, so make sure to ask for Nancy JENKINS. She will take the time to find out what you are looking for in a home and a community.

[Jon]

Janie:
I cannot provide any guidance with regard to a manufactured home community in your area, but your concern about buying a quality manufactured home is one often repeated in retail establishments.
One of the basic problems is folks carry varying concepts or definitions of quality. Although since 1976 all manufactured homes must be built to federal construction codes, different home manufacturers focus on different issues of quality and different buyers seek different levels of quality. There is a response in this forum to a similar concern about quality under "Reputable Manufacturer" back on July 9, 2001. It may prove helpful.
Rick's suggestion that you contact a salesperson may work very well, especially if he/she is forthright, caring and has objective information and is willing to share it. At first blush such a suggestion may seem too idealistic yet there truly have been and very possibly still are salespeople that do this, though they tend to be few and far between. Of course, the flip-side of that coin is that you already know a salesperson is hired to sell their products and homes---not somebody else's. Unlike "Miracle On 34th Street," personal experience likely tells you most salespeople will not send you to a competitor due to less expense and/or better quality. Consequently that realization may cause a healthy dose of doubt about the motives behind the recommendations you receive. Is the salesperson steering you towards their product just to make a sale or because he/she really does have the better home?.
As with the purchase of anything, the first best thing you can do for yourself is to determine how much you can afford or are willing spend. Once you know this you should visit several retailers; obtain construction specifications; inspect models, if possible; ask all the questions that address your concerns; take notes; make feature-by-feature and dollar-for-dollar comparisons;, then select the home that offers the highest degree of quality you seek for the money you have budgeted.
The process I'm suggesting is not a shortcut. It will take time. But then again, nobody will have the same degree of concern for quality or for your home investment as you do.
Good luck.

[Bob]

For great help in your area...Check out this web site...Tim is a very proud manufactured homeowner in MI...The photo is of his 3rd home... http://www.angelfire.com/mi/TimsManufacturedHome/

Email him with questions about the specific homes in the area...He used to answer all...

Good Luck

[Richard Wilde]

Please find a mfr. who will build your home using plywood as a sub-floor material . . Particle board ( standard ) is a major problem . . When moisture gets to the particle board it will swell and even crumble. . I learned the hard way.

[Curt in Mich.]

I can understand your concerns about quality. My wife and I are about to make a purchase as well. We have decided on a Crystal Valley home. I think we have been through and inspected about every manufacturer out there and we have found Crystal Valley to be the best as far as construction. They are more pricey than others, but if you see all that you are getting, it seems to be worth it. Do yourself a favor and go into one before you make a final decision.