Palm Harbor Models

[Peggy]

Why is it that Palm Harbor, and other manufacturers, make much nicer models for the northwest and northern parts of the country? If you go to the Palm Harbor website, you'll see some great-looking houses but these models are only available in the northwest. I haven't seen anything near this nice on the lots in Georgia, Alabama or South Carolina. Why?

[rmurray]

The competition (stick builts) cost much less in the SE because of the lack of union labor...Decent stick homes can be had for about $ 65.00/ft in the SE...in the markets you mention similar stick builts cost above $ 125/ft...twice as much..

The magic of manufactured home pricing is that the labor costs are a very low percentage of the selling price...even if they pay line workers more in the NE..it affects the retail price little...

Therefore much more complex manufactured homes can be offered and remain very good buys for the housing public....even if they cost far more than those in the SE...Have you read some of the posts here...CA..set up cost $ 44K...geez...nothing like that in the SE...

There are a few factories trying to introduce these kinds of models in the SE...Check out Mascot from SC or Homes of Merit modulars at
www.homes-of-merit.com
just be ready to reach for your wallet...

[Sandy]

He's right. Here in Southern California last year we bought a 1456 sq. ft. home brand new and it cost with some upgrades $93,500 and that was just to put it into a park that we are paying $729 monthly rent! BUT...the cost of mortgage and space rent is about the same as we were paying rent on a two bedroom apartment.