The Manufactured Housing Forums

We are looking to possibly buy a Palm Harbor. It is the 2003 dealership model. So, technically, it should be USED, right? It turns a year old Feb. 1st. It is the model 60D9(the Brightmore). We already put a deposit down on it, but it is still refundable. I was wondering if anyone has any comments on Palm Harbor homes period. (the good, the bad). Also, I don't know if anyone has found a website to look up blue book values, and if so, could you email me with it. We have come to a price of:
$50,000 for the home
$4,000 to move the home from their dealership (including trim out)
$1,200 for an ac unit (sold separately from the home)
plus tax.
comes to total of around $56,000. Just wondering if anyone knew if that was a good price, if the dealership models are built better? or just any information on Palm Harbor homes at all.
We're also planning on probablly moving the home to a manufactured home community, is this a really bad idea? We plan to stay in it for the long haul, but, if for some reason we had to sell it, I know the home actually depreciates in value if it doesn't have it's own land with it, right? We just figured it would be the easiest thing to do right now, (for $ circumstances), just to rent a lot that is already set up. And if we REALLY wanted to move it to our own land down the line, we could.

Around the Pacific Northwest, prices usually include move and setup. From what I have seen of model homes, they have been the same as what is delivered. I have no idea about the size/trim level of the house you are considering, so can't advise there...
As to moving it to a community, note the $4000 you are spending to move it once; you will spend that again, and more if the land needs prep (power, well, septic, etc.)
You will pay a much higher interest rate if you buy this and put it in a park; this is due to the far higher default rate for these types of loans - because they are separate from the land, so almost everyone is quickly upside down (owes more than they recover).
There are places in California where the home might actually appreciate, but most places, the value will go down - Instantly, by the cost of moving it.

If you are going to move it to a MH park you are better off renting an apartment because you can leave when you want to and it won't cost you near as much money, that is almost everywhere except California which is a whole different planet

Thanks for all the input, we are still looking, and appreciate all the suggestions. We'd really like to buy a piece of land, jusntdon't know if it's in our budget right now. But, we don't want to rent anymore either. We are renting an apartment right now. Still looking, maybe there is some miracle piece of property out there that isn't too much $$.
Thanks,
Skarlett

Actually your budget is much better off if you get the home and land...

Interest rates for homes placed into parks are very high right now..With good credit..large downs..about 10% is what is charged...

That means a $60,000 home with about $6000 down would have payments af about $550....PLUS...the lot rent..let us say $300/mo..Total $850..

This same home...with only $3000 down and about 6% interest would allow for about $30,000 in property...AND..still have lower payments than the home in the park..

You figures could vary a little...but...but almost always home/land payments are lower than those in the park..