Cavco Durango Biltmore

[Mike]

My wife and I have pretty much completed most of the finance hurtles now in buying a new home. This one is a Cavco/Durango Biltmore at 2655 sq/ft. We will be paying a premium price for a home that is supposed to be basically a site built home on a steel chassis, and by the specs in the brocheur, will definitely be that and more. We have yet to see pics but the artists rendition on the cover and the floorplan, and of course the enthusiasm of the salesman and store manager. We had looked at Schult, Cavco Litchfield, Durango, and by knowing what those were made to and looked like, decided to buy, sight unseen. My salesman told us that they (Durango I took it) have yet to sell this "new level in manufactured housing" in AZ, but have sold these units for up to 300K in CA. Has anyone seen or heard of this model? I'd sure like to hear from you. Thanks....

[David Oxhandler]

Don’t buy a home "sight unseen". You really don’t want to experiment with a purchase of this magnitude. If you do could be opening yourself to misunderstanding and disappointment.

Your dealer should be able to arrange a trip to the factory where you can see a variety of plans, options, colors available, and where you can see for yourself how the homes are constructed.

[Angry man]

LOL

"site built home on a steel chassis"

There is no such thing. This is dealer BS, and you're about to swallow it hook, line and sinker.

If you want a site-built home, then buy one. If you go into a manufactured home with site-built expectations, you'll be disappointed.

I'm not knocking manufactured homes - I live in one. But as an informed consumer, you have to understand the tradeoffs you're making by going manufactured.

If you believe this BS from the dealer, then you're not informed. The sales pitch is not information - it's persuasion.

Be responsible and get the facts before you buy. Or live with your regrets for years to come...

[MIke]

Thanks for the replys fellas. I appreciate your concern that I may be making an uninformed/inexperienced decesion. I've been looking at manufactured homes now for six months and getting as much info as I can on the net and elsewhere, comparing price for value and talking to local realtors too. I'm pretty confident that I'm getting a nice home that will last and even appreciate in value over time, at least in the market and area I'm in here. That and the way we are setting the home on the property. The term "site built on a steel chassis" was my wording, not that of the dealer. I thought that described very good the way this house is made. We have a freind who works for a title company and she has assured us that this dealer is very streight up and no surprises as far as she has seen and dealt with. This house is a step up futher than the Cavco Durango model we looked at on the lot, and that house was impressive with all the upgrades that the house we're buying has as standard. So, I don't think I'm making an uninformed decision in deciding on this house....I was just hoping someone out there has heard of the Biltmore line of Cavco housing. If interested, I could run down the features of the house in another posting. Just one of the standard features I was attracted to was that it has 16" eaves with 2x8 rough sawn facia! I've never seen that on any of the homes I looked at. Anyway, thanks again for the VERY GOOD advice to get informed....At the least, I will still be able to sell for profit, at best...this will be the home we've dreamed of....Thanks

[Tammi]

Mike,

Is there anyway you can refer me to floorplans and photos of the home you are actually getting? Also the Bilmore series? We are in the early stages of looking for a manufactured home. It is scary for me because I truly love my current home which is beautiful. The problem is that it is a track home and we are looking for horse property. We decided that the only way we could afford to have the entire property horse improved with a barn and fencing is to built a manufactured home instead of a stick built. We want to choose the right home. We are having trouble finding what we want. We like Silvercrest but not the price and we are looking for something larger (at least 2600sf).

[AZRealtor]

I agree with you on the "site built on a steel chassis" comment. Many people who might not be as familiar with new manufactured homes will scoff at the comment,but it sounds like you've already decided...and done quite a bit of investigating before making your decision, that's what's important. The biggest mistake I've seen some people make is cutting corners on their site development in order to afford more home. Make sure you put every bit as much detail into your lot preparation as you did the home. What will it sit on? Will it be ground set? What about heating & cooling?
As with any other home, location, location,location are key. As a Realtor with direct expertise in the manufactured housing industry, I congratulate you on your decision. I trust that you'll recognize a great return on your investment in the future while enjoying a beautiful new home in the present. Feel free to get more Real Estate and Manufactured home news on my websites:
www.silverridgehomesinc.com and www.paysonazphil.com