Question

[Duane]

I live in central Florida and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on Horton Manufactured Homes..Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated..

[rmurray]

Fairly plain in decor and mostly unimaginative in floorplan...BUT..none others have better construction...

[Duane]

Thanks rmurray. I've been reading these posts for quite awhile now and I value your opinion greatly...How do they compare with PH and HOM in your opinion?
Anybody out there own a Horton home? What are your opinions?
Thanks...

[rmurray]

Homes of Merit builds a full range of homes..all with different construction specs...the top of the line HOM are similar in basic construction to the Horton..but some of the price leader models are not..

Horton is a single location manufacturer and builds almost all homes with good basic specs...beware of one thing..Horton does use press-board (NovoDeck) floors standard...be sure to upgrade to OSB..

PH build an especially good home in the Florida plants...but again each PH plant build slightly different models with different specs...check the specs of the model you like and compare..

The biggest difference is warranty..Horton still only offers a 1 year warranty..while most HOM and all PH homes have a 5 year buyer protection program...1 year full warranty..limited but good coverage for 4 more years...

You probably cannot go wrong with any of these three homes...Just remember that it is easier for HOM or PH to service warranty just because they are closer by....Horton service is good...but 400 mile service trips are much harder to make than less than 100 miles..

Good Luck

[Duane]

Thanks for all the info rmurray...After reading these posts for so long I feel you are an expert with a lot of experience under your belt...
I might be going in to a community where you buy your own lot but they only allow Horton or Skyline homes which makes it sort of difficult.
Whats your thoughts on Skyline compared to Horton? I've been to PH and HOM dealers and also the PH factory and they seem so well built.

[rmurray]

I guess they will not just sell you the lot...I doubt they would be able to put deed restrictions to brand names..I assume they only sell completed packages..

You are close to the Skyline plants...I have not seen a recent model from these plants...There is another poster on this board..Eugene who describes his Skyline from Ocala with features that seem to be pretty good..Go by and do a plant visit..

Like I said..All Hortons are well built..If you can it might be worth the trip to Eatonton, GA for comparison..The Horton complex is very impressive..Plus..you can get a better idea of all that Horton has to offer...They do offer large amounts of options..Many of which might not be in the models you have seen..

You are on the right track....educating yourself is the best defense against huge mistakes...If the subdivision is in a great area..you like what you see...pick one and go for it..

[Duane]

Thanks for the great advise Mr. Murray. I just got news today from my realtor that the community now allows PH and HOM homes. Guess it is good in a way but also leaves a lot more choices and more confusion...YIKES!!!!