mr. murray, help!

[Jennifer]

We live in northwest Florida, about 20 miles from Pensacola. Are you familiar with any dealers in this area? I am looking at Horton and Homes of Merit. I am not sure if we should buy a manufactured home or modular. Is it worth the extra money to build a modular? You have been very helpful with all of your info. and I appreciate you doing this for people. Thanks again!

[rmurray]

If you buy a very high quality manufactured home...some of which you have mentioned...I have yet to be convinced that modular is worth any money more...This is assuming you live in an area that you can put either home...

There might be some finance reason for some to have to buy modular...but your area has lots of comparibles so mortgages should be very available for your home..

If I were in your area..and I wanted a very good home...I would be looking at the Bay Manor Homes of Merit from Lake City..The Horton product is also very well built...Pricing is similar...but option prices differ..options at Horton cost much more and heavily equiped models can run more than the HOM..

I am sure there are some good dealers in your area...but you should not be afraid to shop a little ways off...You might want to check out M&M Homes in Panama City...He is a decades old dealer with Home of Merit product...his son is a sales rep for Homes Of Merit....Ask for Mr. Martin...

Mr. Martin's son in law owns a dealership in Moultrie, GA...They are one of Homes of Merits strongest dealers..we have had some private conversations with them about Horton and they might well handle both...You can find them at

www.HomesofMerit.com ..They were smart enough to get the best Homes of Merit internet address before Homes of Merit even had a web site...Makes sense to deal with smart people..If you check them out...Ask for Dave..He is a frequent contributor to this site....

Good Luck

[Jennifer]

Thank you so much for all of the info. We are so unsure about who to go with on the homes. I will try the people in Panama City that you mentioned. Do you know anything about Sil's Homes, also in Panama City or Sanders in Pensacola? Sanders deals in Horton and they told me that they would have to add about $10,000 on top of our loan for our trade. They have both told me what monthly payments would be and they are about the same amount. Sil's does Homes of Merit. The only thing that worries me about dealing with someone farther away is the moving cost of my trade. Thanks again!! Jennifer

[rmurray]

I am not too familiar with Sander's..except that they have been there for a long time..and have survived the tempest in the industry..that is a good sign..

Sil's is a very long time dealer in PC...but I think they handle the HOM from Bartow, Fl...and M&M Homes handle the HOM from Lake City, Fl.,,,It is possible that I have them backwords...most important for you is that you consider the Lake city product...170 miles closer for service..Remember that HOM builds all sorts of products...not all the same..not all the best..

I would not be afraid about the distance they have to deal with when the trade is considered...Often they will sell it to another dealer in the area...Just get your quotes...compare payments...do not obsess with any one figure except the final payment..which is the money you pay..