MH vs stick built

[chris]

Iam curious as to the quality of a MH (double wide) vs a stick built home. I have recently retired from the military and own 10 acres and am currently exploring all options of home choices. I have looked at a few MH homes and must say that they were very nice but I have no idea as to what really goes into the construction of these homes except for what the salesman tells me. I have enjoyed reading the info in this forum and appreciate your comments. chris

[rmurray]

Manufactured Homes...and stick built homes...are all over the quality scale...The most basic are good low cost shelter that will serve for decades with careful care and maintenence....The most delux far outshine every type of housing except the very high end custom built stick homes...

Basic manufactured homes can be had for as little as $25/ft...with the most delux running as high as $40/ft...far under the cheapest stick builts in most parts of the country...With a cost advantage of $40 to $100 per square foot (most of us have to finance and this only magnifies the difference)...manufactured homes become a very attractive options for many...

It does not hurt to listen to salespersons...but it pays to get up to speed first..the internet is a great resource for information..with thousands of pages of good info..read all you can...these forums and the previous messages can be enlightening as well..

One good resourse that is fairly inexpensive is "How To Buy A Manufactured-Mobile Home And Save Thousands Of Dollars" by Randy Eaton ..A book offered here in the bookstore section...It is a great primer for the manufatured home novice and will give you the basic knowledge that is necessary to know when a saleperson is really out to be helpful...or plain bs...

In stead of flooding you with links..I will give you a few helpful sites to start your quest...

Good overview of the industry..

http://www.manufacturedhousing.org/consumer_center/

Uncle Sams official site

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/mhs/mhshome.cfm

Federal Trade Commsion Brosure

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/hous ... nuhome.htm

A very interesting new site still under construction but has lots of good archives already...

http://www.manhousingfoundation.org/

Good Luck...stop back often and ask all the questions you can think of..

[chris]

Thanks murray,
Thats a lot of helpful info, really appreciate it! this board has really helped a lot also. Will order the book as well. chris...