Four Seasons homes

[Wanda]

I have priced a Four seasons 2004 Summerbrooke 32 x 80, 4BR/3BTH/RTRT and FR in a community in Michigan (retailer was onsite) and was comfortable with it ($90k) with all the bells and whistles my family needed and WANTED.
The retailer (Medallion) is offering me a few incentives/rebates, however dealers are offering the same, but the price of the home advertised with the dealer(which is the same floor plan) is significantly less. I want to get the most home for my money and one that will last the life of our growing children, 3 preteens and one younger one.
My first question is, should I price this home with a dealer as well?
My second question is do you have any information on Four Seasons (their quality of work, durable of their homes, etc.), or is there anyone out therre currently residing in a Four SEasons home that can give me their input?
Also, Champion has the same floor plan that was available with four seasons, could you give me some comparisons, as to the quality, durability, price,etc.?

[Mac]

If it's not on owned land, buy one that is, or put it on owned land. That is an extremely important choice to make, if you ever hope for appreciation and a conventional mortgage.

[Wanda]

Thanks for your reply, we're actually pricing both options (community vs. land/home pkg).
I would really like to place this on my own land, but was unsure of the costs involved, I've priced land in the cities I'm willing to live in and have found some that accomodates my price range, I'm not sure how to calculate all the other costs involved (ie, sewer, elec, gas preparations, foundation, etc.).
If you know of any dealers in MIchigan that specialize in home/land packages in the city I would appreciate the information (most that offer this option are for rural areas).

Wanda

[jgn]

The only way to buy any home is if you own the land. If you put it in a park several things will happen. You will pay higher interest on the home, Your rent will always go up, If you ever decide to sell the home you will have a tough time selling it and you will loose a lot of money. The difference in interest will, in most cases, pay for the land so look around, find some realestate and than buy the home to put it on.

[rmurray]

If the zoning will allow the home..any dealer within 150 miles should be able to help you...He can arrange financing of the whole package...

Becuase interest rates are lower...the house part of the payment will be $300/mo lower...if the park rent is $350...you could buy this home and $80,000 in land and improvemnts and have a lower payment than the house in the park....

Check with the local building office about zoning...find a lot to put this home on..

[Mac]

Palm Harbor Homes builds under two brand names, Palm Harbor and Masterpiece. Under those brand names we build different series such as Keystone, Riverbend, Windsor, Excel, Signature and others. Many manufacturers use series numbers... 2000, 2500, 9000. We think series "names" are easier to remember for the customer (and for our sales consultants). Though each series may vary by floor plan or decor, they're all built with Palm Harbor Quality throughout. You still get the same "Customer Choice" features and benefits with every home. You still get "Gold Key Care" for complete peace-of-mind with every home. DuraBeauty, while standard on some series, may be optional on others.

You might have to move up a series to get Hardi-Plank.