Fleetwood?

[Marie]

My dh and I are considering looking at a property with a 2000 Fleetwood on it. I don't know anything about the house, other than the realtor says it has oak cabinets and some nice features. I am wondering if we should even bother as I have heard nothing but negative things about Fleetwood homes. I checked the BBB and our local Fleetwood dealer has a good record, 1 complaint in three years.
Obviously, I will need to find out more about this house but is there such thing as a "good" Fleetwood?

Thanks!

[Marie]

n/t

[jgn]

Fleetwood does have a checkered past but most of the problems are dealer/manufacturer support problems that you are past. It would be best to have a home inspector look at the home and try to find one that is familier with MH. Some things to check out are subfloor for moisture problems, plumbing, roof at marriage line and footings. If the home has been placed for three or four years most of the problems will show and a good inspector will find them.
Fleetwood would be my last choice if it were new because of their reputation with taking care of problems but you are past that issue. Checking with the BBB is a good thing to do but the information provided is of little use because most people do not report problems to them.

[Marie]

Thank you for your advice! I appreciate it.

[Linda Fleming]

I have sold Fleetwood Homes for 8 years this May. I don't think Fleetwood has a checkered past. Up until last year I sold a minimum of one million dollars worth of manufactured homes per year. I soldFleetwood, Clayton, and Silvercreek. And I have seen a lot of repos built by other manufacturers.

If there is a problem with the house it can be due to many reason. The set-up of the home, the original buyer not reporting repairs that are under warranty, the retail center ignoring buyer's request to notify Fleetwood.

I have nothing to gain by writing this memo to you. There is always talk as to who builds the best and who builds the worst. Quite honestly, a lot of dealers bring in houses as cheap as they can so they can make more profit. However, the good news is that all houses have to be built to HUD guidelines and have to be at least a Wind Zone I which means withstanding 100 MPH straight winds, Thermal Zone I which means R14 in roof, R11 in floor and side walls and roof load of 20 PSI.

It is probable that the insulation is more than R14. Thermal Zone means R21 at a minimum.

To make you feel better, contact an FHA inspector in your area. They will check out everything. Also make sure that Septic works, etc if applicable.

Hope this helps.

[Linda Fleming]

By the way, 1 complaint in three years is outstanding!!

[Marie]

Linda,

Thanks for the feedback. As with anything, I'm sure there are the good and the bad with Fleetwood. Having heard so much negative, though, made me nervous. Like you said, an inspection by a qualified person is the way to go.

Thanks again!