Is one home better than the other?

[becky]

I went to look at Palm Harbor when I was in Orlando. And I wasn't impressed. The salesman sort of blew me off with my questions and their homes seemed more expensive then I had imagined. Their models all seemed a little cheesy. The gentleman told me that I wouldn't be able to buy a home, get some land, and have everything set up for under $100,000. That seemed rediculous to me because for that I could buy a nice townhouse or a home already built. I felt like he was blowing me off because of my age (I'm only 21) and didn't think I would be able to afford it. And I have since tried to e-mail them with some more questions but have recieved no reply. So today I went to a local dealer, and even though I want to move to Florida, he was very helpful and answered some questions that we had. It was a Champion dealer. Here said that it may be possible for me to buy one of their homes and have it delivered to Orlando. Any one have any idea what that may cost me? Anyway, I guess my question is, what manufacturers are better than the other? And, since Palm Harbor seemed more expensive to me, are they all around the same price??

Also, does anyone know anything about termites being a problem with these homes in Florida?

Thanks!

[rmurray]

A couple statements..

1)..Pricing..you mentioned about $100K for a good home..land and improvements..The price has a lot to do with local land prices and the cost of improvements..Your "local" dealer would have little idea of these costs in Orlando..Orlando being one of the highest cost of living areas in the state of Florida...If your "local" dealer is from outside of the state..he probably has no idea of the special hurricane requirements of Florida housing..

2)..Manufactured homes vs townhouses...It is not uncommon for manufactured homes on private land to cost about the same as townhouses...BUT..what a difference in life style..In a townhouse your neighbor is 6 inches away...hope you get along...

3)..Do not allow yourself to condemn a whole 25,000 employee company because 1 salesperson was useless...he/she probably will not be there long..there are other Palm Harbor sales persons at this location..ask for one..

4)..Pricing...manufactured homes come in all sorts of quality ranges with vastly different lists of included features..Palm Harbor is among the best in Florida..there are others that are cheaper with less features and less construction quality..

At 21..you are not buying your retirement home yet...It is easy to think you want the cheapest thing in the market..because it is temporary...but..all the more important to buy a good home..resale should be your biggest concern..Value is related to many things..price is only one..energy use...maintenence...and resale value all come into play..often making the cheapest home the LEAST valuable (or most expensive)..

Visit the book store section of this site..buy Randy Eaton's book..it is a small investment in information when spending as much as you will..Good Luck

[becky]

I appologize for sounding as though I was putting the company down. I certainly didn't mean to come off that way. I have heard through many people that Palm Harbor are one of the best and, from what I see, they have the highest resale value...I have many decisions to be made...