2 story modulars in texas-like Nationwide

[suze]

Are there any manufacturers of two story manufactured houses in Texas? I saw an episode of Double Agents a few weeks ago that showed a family buying a house pretty much like we have wanted to build on our farm (country style, big front porch). We have been working with builders in our area that want between $80-100 sqft for a custom home. So, we thought we would look at MH. We have seen a Palm Harbor model that we really like (65A4), but my husband would really like to have a 2 story house. Please let me know who might be in our area. We own property south of Waxahachie, Texas.

Thanks,

Suze

[rmurray]

Palm Harbor ownes Discovery Custom Homes..at www.DiscoveryCustomHomes.com these are off frame modulars that are priced far less than the price ranges you mentioned...I know they have at least 1 2 story in the line now..the Cinci Cape..which is avaiable with a full 60 foot front porch...

There may well be more 2 story models available in the future...Good Luck

[Tandra]

Murray, I am interested in this line of homes at Palm Harbour. I did visit one of the locations here in Houston, Texas but I was not impressed with the salesman. He was more interested in financing than in actually showing me the homes. I understand that salesman like to get some type of ball park figure in their heads so that they will know what they are working with. He did not want to show me anything when I told him that I was not quite ready for him to pull my credit. He didn't show me any plans or offer any assistance. He simply handed me the keys and told me to look at any house that I wanted to see on the lot. I felt this was totally unprofessional and therefore, I had kinda written Palm Harbour off my list of prospects. I had read on this board about others who have had similar experiences at Palm Harbour and was beginning to think that this is the way they operate. Is there a particular location here in Houston in which I could actually receive true customer service as well as possibly see a floor plan. Also, you indicated that these homes are not quite $80-$100 per square feet; could you possibly tell me approximately how much they are going for? Thanks for any assistance.

[suze]

Thanks Mr. Murray. We've seen the Cinci, Buckeye and Wilmington. They are very nice. There are things I like about all of them, but they don't quite meet our needs. While house like on the outside, they had more of a "mobile home" feel inside, no hallways, rooms were kind of small, and two didn't have breakfast areas. The Americana we just saw (65A4) was beautiful, and I think what we liked the best about it was it was more "house" like inside. The outside is still a little too much "mobile home", but the porch is fantastic. I'd probably like the Cinci better with a large gable in front, or a middle larger dormer. I don't care for the small dormers.

Thanks again. We'll keep checking their site and see if anything new comes up.

[rmurray]

If you get the Cinci with the upstairs finished you will have 2900 sq feet...this is not small by any standards....

I am confused by your description of the dormers...they are already 9 to 10 feet tall..and about 6 feet wide...larger than most site builts have...maybe they look a little small since the home is so high off the ground..the top of the rood is about 26 or 27 feet high..

The other models are about 1800 square feet...as large as or larger than the vast majority of all site built homes in the US that most of us can afoord...Both come in larger versions up to 2240 sq feet with 4 bedrooms...Both of these have large built in porches not included in the sq. footage quoted..

The Discovery Custom Home is designed to offer a high quality off frame modular that is affordable for the average working family...

The Cinci at about $60 per sq foot with the upstairs complete is a value indeed..Somewhere from $50,000 to $100,000 less than your custom site built quote...

Actually your reaction to quality modular homes is very similar to others I have dealt with directly...The highest quality Palm Harbor manufactured homes have many similarities and are priced at about $45 to $50 per foot....We do not have a the Americana model..but we do have a 2400 sq foot full triple section similar called the Hacienda..when equipped nicely these are very impressive homes indeed..these home knock the socks off anything builders can build...even at $80 per foot...Our best customers are folks in the building trade and contractors..they appreciate quality when they see it..If you really want big...take a look at the Gotham..3100 sq feet or so..

Ask about exterior enhancements to the American that might be available..such as a garage...maybe innovative decking..entry steps..for an extra few thousand..maybe a little more..there probably are some good enhancements available and the prices will still be lower than the others...Good Luck

[rmurray]

There are 6 Houston area locations of Palm Harbor Homes....Each has many salespersons...I am sorry you ran into such an ill prepared person...Go buy one of the stores and ask for the General Manager..explain your dissatifaction with your first visit to a PH location and ask for his/her help..He will probably ask one of his sales pros to help you...but he/she will pay close attention..

Since building codes for modular homes are different in every state..final pricing is very local..but in most cases the Discovery Custom line will be priced from $60 per foot to about $75 per foot...all depends on the upgrades and the site preporation of your site...While there do like the other poster and check out the other high quality Palm Harbor manufactured homes as well...You will be surprised that a manufactured home can be that nice...and the prices will be under $50/ foot..

[suze]

I thought I'd clarify my comment on the dormers. I tend to not like homes with 3 dormers on them, you just see so many of them out there. When homes have 3 dormers, I like the middle dormer to be wider than the outer two. Just a personal preference, but I like them better that way. We went back to take a second look at the Discovery Homes. I don't know when we'll make a decision, but my husband really likes the Cinci model. I like the exterior looks of the Wilmington the best. My first choice would still be the Americana though. Besides the dormers, my main concern with the Cinci is the lack of hallway access to the third bedroom. It is only accessible through the second bedroom off the living area or through the kitchen. The third bedroom is where my almost 3 year old would be sleeping. Other than that, I really like the house. We would want to add a porch to the front. Have you sold the house with a front porch? Any thing other than straight across the expanse of the front? I like the portico elevation on the website, but the gable is much smaller than what I'd like. What other possible modifications could be made to it? Would it be very expensive to add the drywall in the upstairs? My husband wants to do this himself, and doesn't want any type of bathroom up there, so this would be another reason for my hesitation on this floor plan.

Thanks for your assistance.

Suze

[rmurray]

You will have to talk to your local dealer about the cost of finishing the upstairs..

There is no reason you cannot get the Cinci with the 2 dormers and the builder (dealer) can customize an entry porch to meet your desires...there is no reason you are limited to those looks on the web site.....This is really the advantage of the modular..customization on site....

[Linda T]

Maybe you should venture to the Bryan-College Station area about 100 miles from Houston. You'll not receive that kind of treatment at the Bryan Palm Harbor. Customers are everything and without them they would be nothing!!!!!

Good luck. If you want to call first, 979-775-7558, Brad is the GM and all the Sales staff are excellent.

Give me a call 979-823-5511 if I may be of further assistance.

Linda T

[Linda T]

Are you aware you can custom design your Palm Harbor home? Some things can't be changed, but many can. THey are out to satisfy the customer.

Linda T