Cavalier Homes

[CL]

Is Cavalier homes a good product. We are looking at a new home 32X80 in the Bridgeport series. We are new to the mobile home industry, we have owned several "stick" built homes, this MH seems to be very nice any input?
Many Thanks

[Marc]

The best mobile home to buy is Palm Harbor. If you want something less expensive, but not as nice, then go Clayton. They are both good homes. Be careful, because all mobile home look nice when they are brand new. What would mater to me is how they hold up over the years and what kind of warranty they provide. Palm Harbor gives you a 5 year warranty and will respond within 24 hours in case of an emergency. This alone is worth it's wieght in Gold! Try and look at a web site called fleetwoodhorrorstories.com, this will help you to know what to watch out for. The best thing for you to do is have the home put on a cement foundation, that way it will be a tax write off and make it safer and last longer. It will also allow you to get regular realestate interest rates. I hope this helps some.

[CL]

Thanks for the input!
Anyone out there own a DW Cavalier? Problems? Do you like your home?
Thanks
CL

[pboatner]

Dear Marc, Greetings. I was looking at Palmharbor, Silvercrest and Hallmark. After reading the customer complaints about Hallmark, that is out. I saw the Palmharbor and loved the design. How long have you had your home, and are there any issues I should look out for. I was concerned about insulation and upgrading the to the energy packet. Did you do either or those? I was considering going with stucco instead of the pressed cement wood they offer. What did you get and how is it holding up. Any other information you think would be helpful would be much appreciated. Patricia

[Threnody]

I have a 2002 Bellcrest powerhouse (28x80). I *love* my home, except for the fact there's NO padding underneath the carpet, and it doesn't stand up well to heavy traffic. Our light bills are *far* cheaper than they were when we lived in a 1000 sqft stickbuilt.

[jgn]

Marc:
You do not need to place a home on a cement foundation to have it considered real property and a tax write off. The home has to be secured but a cement foundation is not required although a good idea if you want to pay the expense because it is normally dryer and is easier to access the underside. The "cement wood" is actually hardiplank and has an exceptional warranty, looks nice and you can paint it if you decide to change color, something you can't do with vinyl siding.
Palm Harbor builds a nice home with a lot of eye appeal, seems to have a good support system but there are several very nice homes in that price range. Horton, Fuqua, HOM, Karsten all are well built homes and in the same per foot range as PH but seem to have better construction. PH does some things well and some things not so well but overall they are built OK but pricey. For less money is Sunshine and Solitaire, both well built homes but less eye candy.

John