The Manufactured Housing Forums

I am looking to purchase a MH and plan on setting it in a community. This will be a retirement home and I just don't want all the headaches that go with purchasing and setting one on private land. We will be locating the home in Iowa, so, nice cold, snowy winters. I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for good manufacturers of homes for our region? I am primarily interested in good, solid construction and energy efficiency as this will probably be the last home we own. I don't want a cold, drafty home or one that starts falling apart in a few years. We have run across one dealer who seems to be very reputable....good "word of mouth" from others, so far and nothing much derogatory. They have given me brochures on floorplans and the brochures are from Highland Manufacturing Company in Worthington, Minnesota. Does anyone know much about this company? Are they known for quality built homes? I have been quite impressed with the dealer. The floorplan we have been looking at is a triple. It is 28 x 58 for the main part and the third section is 14 x 40 approx. with this section split into a 27'+ family room and an approx. 12' sunporch. We haven't set down with the dealer and worked up hard figures yet, but a rough estimate the dealer did for us, with the options we are looking for was around $75-78K....that includes a/c, transportation, set up and ready to move into. This seems to run somewhat less than other homes we have done some rough pricing on, so I have been a little concerned about the quality of the home to begin with or maybe this dealer just does "good" for customers. I don't know which.

Anyway, would like some input on Highland Manufacturing Co. and recommendations for other companies to look at for a home to be placed in Iowa. Was looking at Hart Homes at one time, but that particular dealer has since left Hart because of "internal changes at Hart that we do not feel are in the best interst of our customers". This particular dealer is now pushing Dutch Housing, Inc., and the models I've seen ARE impressive. Thoughts and recommedations, PLEASE.

That seems awfully cheap for a three section home. I would do your homework if I were you because usually homes in that price range are going to be of lesser quality. Remember one thing when shopping for any type of home whether it be stick build or manufactured: You get what you pay for.

Gee, I never heard of that company.

There are some good resources right on this website on what to look for when purchasing a home.

One of the top 25 manufacturers, Wick, says they have a manufacturing facility in Iowa City. Go to www.wickmarshfield.com to check them out, and visit their plant. They do a lot of customizing, also.

Have you gone to view any used homes that are for sale? Talk to current owners, and find out who they do or don't recommend.

Good luck. Have fun.

Look into Wick housing. I own a Wick Artcraft and I am real happy with it. Its 28x60 and I have It on an acre of my own land. There have been some minor problems but I have had exceptional service from wick. They also have the rollohome and marsfield homes. One of the best in the industry I believe. they provide housing in the upper midwest.


Joe

Get Randy Eaton's books (availabel on this site). They will tell you what to look for in a quality home. After reading the book go back to the dealer and ask questions and make sure you get answers. The books are well worth the investment.
Happy hunting.

You have gotten some sound advice so far. Wick is very good. So is Hart. Dutch is good, but not near as nice as Wick and Hart.
I also know Highland, they are like Dutch, a decent company, not real high end or quality but better than most manufacturers.