The Manufactured Housing Forums

I stumbled on this board and have found it very helpful, but also discouraging. My dh & I are planning on moving our family to the country next summer and were considering MH but now I am not sure if this would be a good option. I have read here about problems with the homes themselves, problems with the dealers, problems with getting the homes set up, etc. We wanted to put a DW or modular on a basement but then I read elsewhere that it would be very expensive (nearly as much as the home??). So, is it just that those with problems are seeking the help here on this site or are most MH owners unhappy? I had been looking at Patriot & Fuqua...though we have not really started looking because we have a year to go and are not exactly sure what road we are going to take. Any advice would be appreciated. Is anyone here HAPPY with their MH?

Thanks!
Denise

You're only getting part of the picture from these postings. Yes, you can experience many frustrating problems when getting a manufactured home. You also can have problems with a stick home built as well. The two manufacturers that you've mentioned seem to be some of the better manufacturers, so don't be discouraged. There are many others. You just have to do your homework on each of the manufacturers, and research the dealers for the particular manufacturer you plan to deal with. There are many quality grades among the manufacturers out there, and service quality varies from dealer to dealer. If you haven't already, you need to get a copy of Randy Eaton's book that compares quality levels of some of the most popular manufacturers out there right now. This can be obtained on the mfdhousing.com website. Generally, I've noticed that most of the problems out there seem to stem from improper set up from the dealer more than anything else. Check around with your local BBB once you decided on a make, and see if there have been any complaints listed against the dealer. At the very least, ask the dealer for references from their previous customers. We've done this with a local retailer, and they had no problems complying. Also, arrange for a factory tour. There is nothing like seeing what goes in to a home in person. As for the higher cost for putting a basement under the home, there isn't much I can tell you there. The more options or upgrades, it will add up. Once you add the cost of land and other items, it can get to the point where it's not as reasonable anymore. But from what I've seen, it's still more reasonable than a stick built home. In our area, though the costs add up with everything to the point of the price of a stick built home...it's generally a 30+ year old home in need of upgrades and improvements. With a manufactured home, you a new home with a warranty, something that needs no major repairs in the beginning, and they fetch interest rates just like a stick built home. There are horrer stories out there. From what I've seen, there is a few manufacturers that puts a dark shadow on the others. Those are the postings you're seeing more than anything else. From experience, you'll get more postings when it comes from a complaint about a home than compliments anyday. It's the nature of the beast. Just do your homework, and you'll do fine. We've been looking ourselves for over a year to get the best house for the money. We're having more problems with finding reasonable priced workable land to place the home on. Here (WV), there is so much stigma tied to manufactured homes that many have put restrictions on their properties. We don't even live near a city, and live in a rural area about 30 miles out! Best of luck to you. I'm sure you'll make the right decision, and get what you're looking for.

Internetitis is rampent with anything. There are hundreds of thousands of MH sold and lived in, on sites like this you hear from maybe a few hundred. The majority of people that post on a board have a complaint. Most people don't bother with a site to post "I have a Honda lawnmower and its great" but when they have a problem the post. MH housing is like anything, there are good there are bad and there will be problems from time to time. The key is to find a manufacturer and a dealer that will take care of the problems when they arise and that takes research. The same manufacturer builds the same brand in many plants sometimes in locations in different parts of the country and these home may be totally different in quality so you really need to do you research not only on the mfr but on the plant. If you have a house built you would look at some of the houses under construction by the builder, do the same with a MH, visit the plants, ask a lot of questions. The two homes you mentioned seem to have a good reputation but visit existing homes and ask the owners. Pick your home and your dealer with equal care because both of them are equally important.

Do your research on any company you are considering. There are pro's and con's to any purchase and you will find those who are happy and those who are not. You need to research the dealer, manufacturer, warranty claims with the company, etc before you buy. Make sure you understand your warranty and who is responsible for what.

Actually the problems are far fewer than they might seem on a board like these...The point of the board is that those that are the happiest are those who do their homework before buying the home...You are well on the way...

Research the dealer before you buy...BBB is online and some help..Most states consumer complaint department has public info online as well....Ask the dealer for references...

All of the above should be done on any manufactured home purchase...BUT...should be done on any home purchase...If you started an internet search of stick builders you will find hundreds of site beating them up as well..The point is education to avoid problems..

The cost of a basement would vary by your location..but it would not be any more expensive than a basement on a stick home in your area..Ask dealers in your area about the costs...Remember you are doubling the useable square footage and if the basement costs 1/2 of the cost of the home per foot..you could easily be talking $30,000...

Get Randy's book here in the bookstore...and go for it..

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Since you are speaking from experience, we will certainly take it into consideration as we make our decision!