Problems with MH homes

[kaye alexandra]

After talking to several retirees who have recently purchased MH homes in a certain community in New York they find the homes have problems, such as doors not fitting properly, trim not finished, wrong things installed or not installed at all, etc., etc. Is the the norm for MH homes? In a community, it is our understanding there is one year to get these things done. If I find a problem with a home, can I work with the manufacturer instead of the dealer concerning these problems, if I should have some when my home comes in? There is alot of frustration out there with these homes from what I have heard. Your thoughts and comments appreciated. Kaye

[rmurray]

All folks expectations are different...
As a long time dealer..I can tell you over 1/2 of all of our homes delivered have...1 or no service calls or requests..

3/8 will have a few over the first year

and
1/8 will have many...
Dealers are responsible for the set up of the home..the manufacturer has no responsibility for this..

For manufactured home factory problems...Each home come with a homeowners manual...In it there will be a toll free telephone number to the manufacturers service department...Most manuals also have the phone number of the President or other senior member of management..

Then ALL homeowners manuals have the phone number and address of your states enforcement authorities..

All of the above is more than you will ever find on a new stick built house..

The best way to get service done is in a civil manor...remember the folks you talk to are only people trying to do a job...They have much to do...and believe me acid tongues go to the bottom of the list..

Actually you should do all service in writing...Some dealers even have service orders online..with email confirmations of all your written problems...

Now...if the park is the dealer...and they do not care...I doubt they care about other things in the park...I wonder if this would be a good place to live???

[Kaye Alexandra]

I disagree on some of your comments. The park is nice because the owner(s) a group of businessmen who have made the park itself very lovely, and they own some of these parks in other places. The trouble is the dealers (who are also the park managers) and the maintenance crew. They blame each other for everything. Some folks have contacted the owners, but once the park managers find this out, you can just forget about ever getting decent service or attitude again. There have been some folks who contacted HUD and have now received satisfaction. If there is something wrong with the home, the managers/dealers say not to contact the manufacture. Go through maintenance, they will look at the problem and get a part order if needed. You can wait for 6-months to see the part or repair, then often the part or repair is not right. I can say that I have a problem. Have the home on order and once delivered, I know I cannot just walk away from this deal without a lawsuit, right? Papers were signed, but only a small deposit made until the home is set up.

[Richard]

I'll second that. But remember that HUD will tell you that if the problem is not a hazard or if it will not cause injury, well, there is NO LAW that will make the dealer or manufacturer make the repairs. Unlike stick-built homes where you have a final walk through before going to closing, most financing is completed prior to the MH being set up. I have a letter from one of the HUD agencies which did instruct Skyline to make a full investigation of my problems. The letter (cover letter to me) went on to tell me that "there is no law" to make the manufacturer do what is right.....UNLESS the problem is dangerous to the occupant.....

[Babs]

I live in NY and thank the good lord i have had few problems with my Colony home and the few problems i had were immediatly taken care of by my dealers crew.The only thing that we had to call the manufacturer on was the carpet in the Master bed and bath were two different shades of blue,they came up from PA and put all new carpet in and even gave my son the carpet that they took out.

[rmurray]

You can cancel this home with little or no repurcussions..You might lose your deposit...each state has different rules on this...

But be assured...You can talk to the factory direct for service...There is no rule that you have to talk to the dealer at all about factory service..

Obviously the sales department see warranty service as a profit center..and want you to go through them because they get paid to do this service..In many situations this is by far more timely service than the factory can give...but if this place is a problem the other system of contacting the plant is avaiable to you..

Candidly..it sounds like you are having a case of buyers remorse...This is not uncommon when major purchases are made...Remorseful folks will look for reasons to justify their feelings...In your case ...you seem to be worried about things that have not yet happened...

Sit back...think about why you wanted to buy this home in the first place...remember unhappy customers will be much more vocal...if the park is well cared for..management cannot be as bad as you think..talk to the sales manager and express your reservation to him/her as you have here...They probably cannot speak of individual residents problems because of the privacy act...but they can talk about warranty service in general...their attitudes about contacting the plant...maybe they can recommend that you talk to others in the park for a more rounded view of the operation....Then decide...

A few more points...ownership wants to hear about problems with management..especially if lots of residents have the same problem..

[kaye alexandra]

I can tell you that when I call the factory they call the dealer. It seems strange that I cannot get info on my home or have a concern without the factory referring me back to the dealer. The dealer really does not know it all. I have found this out very well. I have no remorse in buying a MFH, I just think the dealer does not tell you everything and the factory should be more willing to work with the customer when the customer does not feel the dealer has all the answers. There are dealers that don't even share all the options with you. Often you can buy a home and find out that there were upgrades or other options you could have had. Either the dealer does not want to bother with all the extra info the could share or they just don't know all the info.