Lots of Questions

[Vickie]

We are looking to purchase a mobile home soon. Have been looking for 3 months. Considering a triple wide by Southern Homes. After reading this forum, now I don't know where to begin. We live in East Tennessee and have looked at Fleetwood, Oakwood, Horton, Champion, Clayton, Patriot and Southern Homes. Anyone with any information to help would be greatly appreciated. We are first time home buyers with 2 small children and can't afford to make a mistake.

[rmurray]

1).....Check out the dealer you are looking at to the best of your ability...Ask for references of those that have had their homes for at least 6 months...Maybe even run an ad in a local news paper or shopper...asking owners for their opinions...Just remember..this method will draw the worst horror stories and some unrealistic customers....but it works,...

2)..Be careful not to over buy for your budget...My guess is that you might be looking at the 3000 sq foot triple...Remember you clean by the square foot, heat-cool by the cubic foot and pay taxes buy the square foot...If you are looking at the smaller triples...check out the 32x80's..They are a much better buy per square foot..

3)...All the brands you mention are middle to low range homes...Horton and Southern Energy do have some top of the line...But there are others..Norris comes to mind..Be sure to compare quality features and basic construction and be sure that you decide what your quality needs are...

4)..Most first time buyers get caught up in the purchase of the home it self..When financing can be just as important in the way of cost...Make sure you have the very lowest cost financing available...The savings in interest between the various lenders can be easily in the tens of THOUSANDS of dollars..

5)..lastly...be sure your location is a good location for resale...I am sure you are not think about resale now...but you should be...You most likely are not buying your last home..You will have to be able to sell this home on the lot that it is on..sometime in the future...Do not put it on family land or land that you do not own...Make sure it is in a desirable location for others..so that when you sell it will go fine and you will take advantage of strong apprciation..

Good Luck