Is my home installed properly??

[Candice]

I recently purchased a manufactured home. The house is completed but I am not comfortable with closing. I walked through the house and I can see lots of problems. I took pictures of everything that I could see that was wrong and I have a list that is a mile long. I called the company where I purchased the house and I was told that they will fix the problems and they wanted the list that I wrote. I am not happy with this at all. I am worried that there will be more problems down the road. This house was poorly built and the builders left the house in a mess and told me that they will charge me if they cleaned up. I am in the process of trying to talk to my attorney to see what can be done about this. My question is if I decide to close on this house after they fix these problems, will the house be worth what I'm paying? It's almost like the house will be patched up and there could be serious problems underneath the house that I can not see. Do you have any suggestions on what can be done?

[r murray]

I never heard of a dealer charging extra to clean up the mess..You sure someone was not making a joke??

All newly built major products have a few problems when they come in...You should talk to your dealer and give him a list of the things that you see as problems...Then when moved in...try to keep a list handy for the first few weeks...Make sure the dealer and the manufacturer have the list...

If you are worried about the set up...read your manual and check it yourself...or contract with a professional home inspector..Your building inspector is supposed to be sure that the home is set to the manufacturer's requirements..

Relax and give them a chance..It does not seem like you have gotten off on the right foot....If there are major problems that have not been handled...call your states manufactured home agency..

[Candice]

Yes they were serious about charging for the cleanup. I discussed all my issues with my attorney and she gave me some good advice. I really felt like I was being discriminated against because of some of the statements that were made to me. I wont be closing on this house until everything is done and im not paying them to clean their mess.

I found more than a few problems. Some things that I saw seemed to be major and the entire setup was crappy to me. I do not feel comfortable with this home I am about to purchase.

Thanks for the advice, and I am going to find out about getting an inspector to check out the setup. That would make me feel safer with this purchase.

At this point I cannot relax. I went shopping for a home in feb 2000. the house i picked out is a 2001 heritage fleetwood. i signed the contract in may 2001. i did not renew my lease at my apt. and im paying $35 a month extra. i just dont know what their problem is. i am very frustrated at this point.

[rmurray]

A lot of oddities here...I have had situations that have taken 6 months to resolve...but 11...I cannot imagine what could take this long except some issues with the deed to the property...

You seem to be on the right track...Make sure you listen to your attorney and try not to be unreasonable..Make all of your communications in writing and keep copies...Good Luck

[Candice]

My interest rate expires Friday. I still do not feel comfortable with this home. I walked through with the manager of the company and he said that these things can be fixed but he would not put it in writing when it will be completed. He said it would be 2 to 3 weeks before the work can be done. I explained that I will not be satisfied until I see the work after it was completed but he still could not give me a time frame in writing. He said that is not a part of their policy b/c the manufacture will be the ones responsible for fixing the work and he can not set a schedule for them. I feel as if I was tricked. They tried to rush me to close and I was excited about buying a house so I locked my interest rate for 15 days and scheduled my closing date. I am about ready to tell them to come take their house off of my lot and start all over again b/c the seller was very rude to me and I dont want to give them my business with the type of service that I received.

I would close on Friday but I want to see this work after it is done and there is no way possible that it is going to happen. I have heard people say that Manufactures promise that they will fix these problems and sometimes they never get fixed. I think that I would be headed down that road if I decide to close on this house. Is this typical for people to have this many problems when purchasing a manufactured home? I am totally dissatisfied.

[Candice]

HELP!!!

[rmurray]

Candice...do not know what to tell you....The dealer is right that he cannot promise a factory schedule...

Talk to you lender...your rate may not increase..or if it does it might go up 1/4%...Much more than that would not be too good...Call the plant and have a discussion with the service manager...Maybe he/she can be of some help..

Good Luck

[Larry]

I wish I could help but we seem to be in the same boat. My new home was delivered with what appears to be human feces in the master bedroom. This was in February - it's still there right now and very ripe. Until today the back door was so misaligned that it didn't close, and was literally blowing open and closed in the wind. Inside and out paint and glue is spattered/smeared over almost every window panel/frame/lighting fixture. (Also on the wallpaper, trim, etc. of each and every room.) Window frames are literally falling off. Nails hanging out of walls. Warped and misshapened wall panels. The salesman even had me putting little lime green sticky circles on each item of repair/damage. After only two walls and over 200 stickers - I told him to stick it...

From the sales lot and factory rep both I've been repeatedly told that I had to accept delivery in this condition and complete a move-in checklist. My instructions on this list have repeatedly been since February been that I have to individually list each and every scratch, nail mark and drop of paint or "we will not be responsible". I've also been told this week that I have "unrealistic expectations". I've been told that this house is ready for move in. Let's not mention the rolls of carpet scrap, two bags of fast food trash, muddy footprints all over the carpet, or general filth... At least you know that you are not alone.

[Mark]

Larry,

Who built your home?

Mark