Manufacturers bankruptcies

[Honey]

I have a question. My parents are moving to be closer to us in West Virginia. They were all set to buy a Fleetwood double wide, but, recently found out that the company is in bankruptcy. They do not want to buy a home from a company in that situation. We looked up Redman and found that it is also close to bankruptcy. Are there manufacturers that are solid that my parents can buy from confidently? Help!

[David Oxhandler]

It is a difficult time for all manufacturers. This is not unique to manufactured housing. We have all been following the changes going on in the auto industry, watching our banks and witnessing a scary level of unemployment due to a pulling back in all sectors.

The warranty should be a significant consideration when deciding on which brand of new home to purchase. Your concern is justified. Read End Of The Line For Some Manufactured Housing Big Names, an excellent article that addresses this very question by consumer advocate John Grissim.

You should also investigate the regulations for MH Builders in your state. Many states require builders pay a bonding company that guarantees the warranties will be honored. While this offers some protection and comfort the bond may very well not be large enough to cover all outstanding problems in the event of a bankruptcy.

The state of our economy is such that there is no guarantee how any particular builder will stand up to the storm. When You Purchase a new mobile home, your manufactured home warranty is generally valid for only one year from the date of purchase. Talk to your dealer about manufactured home extended warranty programs. These can extend coverage for additional years and give you the added protection of a third party warranty contact.

To learn more about Extended Home Warranty Programs visit http://manufacturedhomewarranty.com/

[Honey]

Thank you for your reply. Do you have any suggestions of a mobile home that would stand the test of time in West Virginia and is not in bankruptcy? Thank you!

[David Oxhandler]

For the latest info purchase The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes  It provides at-a-glance listings with key information home shoppers need to make an informed decision.  All the U.S. builders are fully evaluated. More than three hundred  brands and series described.  John Grissim, the author is making continuing updates which are available over the web to anyone who has purchased the guide.

[rbonnie]

There are several quality manufacturers in your area. Clayton Homes comes to mind as well as Dutch Housing, a Champion company. Cavalier Homes also ships to West Virginia. There are several good choices in your state, and West Virginia has a very strong dealer licensing bureau with a recovery fund if a manufacturer or dealer goes out of business and your home needs work.

[trmimo]

Dutch Housing is no longer a seperate division of Champion. Redman builds the Dutch houses in it's Topeka, IN factory. It does appear likely that Champion will file bankruptcy at some point. Clayton would be the soundest manufacturer financially speaking.

[Honey]

Thank you SO much to everyone who is responding! I appreciate any and all information. I am passing it along to my parents so we can make a wise decision. Thank you!!

[Honey]

Does anyone know the financial stability and quality of Eagle manufactured homes?
Thank you!

[mannymanbo]

If you mean Eagle River, they are fine. Actually they are one of the stronger manufacturers in the mid atlantic region.