Solitaire Homes

[Steve]

We have searched the town over and decided on Solitaire Homes. We really like them but have concerns about the service. We have read in this column about the service in the Albq/Farmington NM area and were curious if you could give us some specific examples of service problems you have encountered. We are looking to buy soon. Thanks, Steve

[Terry]

Steve, Hello, I am an owner of Solitaire home and I purchased mine from Albuquerque, New Mexico which owns the lots in Farmington, and Los Lunas, New Mexico . I had tried to call them numerous times about the cracks under the window seals and around the front and rear doors. When my home was ordered and arrived it sat on the lot for a number of weeks and they even stored their display furniture into my home and they left some deep scratched in the walls. The floor in the kitchen tends to squeak. I even called me J.D. Hogstad in Oklahoma where my home is manufactured from and he told me he couldn't do anything about it, since the lots in New Mexico are independently owned and operated. I even have another friend who also bought a 28x84 double wide and he experienced the same service on his home. They wouldn't pull his home up a hill where the home was supposed to be set up, and he ended up hiring another contractor to do the work for Solitaire home. I traveled to Albuquerque on business trips and even stopped in to tell them when they are going to service my home and the service manager which is Art keeps telling me next week and next week. Poor service this company has. But the home itself is a very fine home. If I am ever in the market for another manufactured home I will buy a Karsten Home which is manufactured out of Albuquerque, NM because their homes are more heavy duty and they care about their customers after the sale. They just don't leave you behind at all. They make sure you are okay and even call you a couple of time to see how your new home is. If emergency arises like a leaking water line or fixtures they will hire a local constractor to do the work for them or if you can wait they will come out themselves and service the home. I hear great stories about this company and they have just opened their 3rd factory in Stayton, Oregon and is just doing fine. They use real 2x6 exterior wall studs and 2x4 interior studs with 1/2" sheetrock walls. Very nice home. Good luck