Mr Murray's Opinion

[Mrs X]

Well, I'm becoming alarmed now after reading that Cavalier has closed down several plants - and we already knew about Oakwood, and there are rumors (or so I thought) that Fleetwood is in trouble. I hate to think of all the people out of work as a result of these closings. Are we headed into a full-scale depression?

But my question is - Clayton IS in good shape, isn't it? I know I read that on this website some time ago, and I assume that it's still the case. Mr. Murray, wasn't it you who said that Clayton was very stable? Besides that, they make a good house, as I recall.

I'd be a little hesitant to buy a Fleetwood or any of several others right now. It's particularly scary to me that Cavalier just closed down with no notice. What's to say that's not going to happen with these other M-H companies?

[rmurray]

Cavalier is not our of business...relax...
Oakwood is in banruptcy...for the most part they did not have the best value product in the market and were very loose in financing...This is catching up with them now...
Cavalier has no finance to drag it down...They do build an excellent value and still have good customer service (I think)..
Fleetwood was in horrible shape some months ago...but they have turned around..mostly becuase of the RV business...But the are making money and not in current risk of going out...Of course...this can change almost any time..

Even Clayton is warnign investors that they might not do very well this quarter...

The manufactured home business is in a near depression right now...This should bode well for you...If is definately a buyers market...Most every dealer is wanting to lower inventory...Dealers are closing down nationwide..means their inventory is being sold at distressed prices......

Warranty service is much over stated...the average home has less then $ 750 inh total warranty service in the first year...You should not let the current economy stop you...If you are afraid of the plant going out of business...buy a 2/10 warranty and get extended structure warranty, appliance warranty and coverage if the manufacturer does file bankruptcy...Good value even without this added comfort..

There are also many strong smaller regional manufacturers in the business...You see Horton and Jacobson mentioned here often..both family owned...both profitable even now..