Share your Horror and Hero Stories here! Rate your manufacturer

[Ben]

I am just now starting to do research into the MH market. My wife and I will be purchasing in about 9 months, and I would like to know exactly what to do when that time comes. Tomorrow I'll be visiting a dealership to check out some Silvercrest homes and some others on the lot.

Here's what I'd like to see. Post any personal experiences you've had with your home. Tell us what you like, and don't like about your home. What manufacturer did you go with, and why! What options did you choose that you wish you didn't - what didn't you choose that you wish you did.

I have purchased the d/l version of Randy's book (still waiting 2 days later for the link to download it but I know it'll come after the weekend) so much of this may be included in there already.

My wife and I will be looking to get a 3 bed 2 bath with a retreat/den or a 4 bed 2 bath home. I would like around 1750+ sq feet. I have property and will be using propane and septic. The property is located in San Diego's East County area.

Thanks for your stories and experiences in advance!

[Madeline]

Great idea! I'd be interested in the good, the bad, and the ugly too! And don't forget to mention the dealer involved, who according to Randy Eaton, can make your purchase a dream or a nightmare.

[Ben]

I just downloaded the books that I got from Randy. They are giving me some great information and helping me know what to look for!

I would still love to hear your stories

Thanks!

[L Jane]

Ben, I can vouch for the book!!! I ordered the snail mail version and have read through it several times. Believe me, now when I talk to a dealer they are rather surprised at some of the questions I ask. We've pretty much decided on the brand we will get. Though we like several things about Champion we are unable to find a lot model of the floorplan we are very interested in. Upon calling some dealerships, there are no lot models to be had nationwide. Too bad since every dealer we have spoken to says that floorplan is getting a lot of inquiries! Unless we can do a walk-through to get the "feel" of a particular floorplan, we will not consider it. In any case, we always seem to be going back to the locally-built Horton Homes brand. They will work with you to do the changes you want within reason. They have only one plant and that is in Eatonton, Georgia so I rather doubt you would be interested in those. There are several very well-built homes but as pointed out so many times, buyer beware. Good luck in your search! L Jane

[Threnody]

I'll have some stories...............................hopefully by next month. Everything's being held up by the septic tank permit issue. We're getting a Homestead powerhouse.

Our lot has been cleared though. Man we've got a lot of yard, and me with a black thumb!

[Madeline]

What's the problem with the septic tank permit? You realize, I guess, that this is issued by the county health department and is out of the control of the dealer. Remember - when you're dealing with bureaucrats, you're in for a lot of frustration.

Keep us posted.

[Threnody]

We were told at the county DHEC office: "Put these signs in your yard...... an inspector will be by and it'll be about two weeks." Gotta love bueracracy!

[r murray]

South Carolina power companies are very slow too...Take this time to make your arrangements with them..Some of them take 3 to 4 weeks if they have to install a pole and transformer..

Good Luck

[Christophe]

Hi,
I'm also living in San Diego area. I have visited the Silvercerst factory in Corona and recommend you to do the same. The manufacture home are of pretty good quality and their Manor series is quite luxuous but rather expensive. The new Manor 15 is very impressive... 3000 sq ft and gorgeous...for 160,000 $, some options not included. At a more reasonable price there are two interesting floorplan for a 4 bedroom/2 bathroom (It's what I'm looking for), the Westwood WC6 and W54 for about 76,000 $ and 67,000 $ respectively. I got these prices from a retailer in San Marcos but don't consider them as absolutely correct. Beside the high price the only problem I saw is that they have a few "cheap" standart feature like a 30 gallon water heater even in the manor series while many competitor offer the 40 gallon as standart. Also their online service is very slow. I contacted them by e-mail with some questions about their model and got only a generic answer. A week later I got another e-mail asking if the previous one answered my questions... I asked the same questions again and told them to contact me back...it was 10 days ago and still wasn't contacted back. Since I'm not in hurry to buy, it's OK but it seems that they don't take online inqueries seriously.
I'm curious to know how is going your search.
Good luck,
Christophe

[Ben]

I'm going Monday to look at different models. Two of my friends are in recent model manufactured homes. One is in the Silvercrest Westwood 67, and another is in a Hallmark - he doesn't remember the model.

Both homes are nice, the Silvercrest is smaller than our needs are (and his now, he and his wife just had twins on Monday.) The Hallmark is perfect, but we may go for that Silvercrest WC6 that you mentioned Christophe. I love the layout, and it meets our needs perfectly.

I just wish that I could find a list of standard features for that model. I found a list of standard features for the Hallmark, and am VERY impressed.

I'll let you all know on Monday what I've found.