Best of Worst

[Pat]

I know it is a bad idea to base a home purchase on a floor plan but we have a reason for doing so. Because we have a number of dogs we want to be able to bring our dogs in the utility room and give them baths, either with a bathroom in the utility room or connected thereto. Sounds simple but after viewing literally thousands of floor plans we have found only 2 - almost identical - with a suitable floor plan. One is a Made Rite and one is a Fleetwood. I have been told that neither are quality homes. Could construction upgrades (if available) make one or both of these good homes to live in? Also, who makes Made Rite and where? Thanks for your help!

[Mac]

Don't know how big a place you are looking at, but we had the same dilemma. Our house has a second door in the utility room so it makes a sort of "dog airlock." We wanted to put a tub/shower in there, but it is right on the marriage line and next to the electrical load center, so the manufacturer (Karsten) hesitated. Soon, we'll do this ourselves. Fleetwood can be OK at the higher ends, it seems to me, at least here in the Pacific Northwest (home of wet dogs!)

[Pat]

We are in N. Fl/GA and there are gobs of Fleetwood dealers in the area. We haven't started the dealer to dealer visits yet and are just hoping one of them carries the home we like. It is a Carriage Manor variation and is 28 x 80 or thereabouts. We saw a Made Rite first - in the flesh so to speak. Found the Fleetwood on the web and don't know if that model is available around here. The Made Rite dealer is very nice. Said $62,000 got us "everything". We aren't buying at this minute so didn't pursue the details. Thought we'd do a little more research and question asking first. Thanks for any help!!

[Mac]

Our Karsten started at $70K, triple wide, 42X50, 9' ceilings in the center section, very nice cabinetry, Hardi-Plank siding, nice vinyl windows. Karsten are West Coast/Southwest only (Oregon, California, New Mexico).
Have fun shopping!