New to MH and Buying in 4 months

[Kay]

Hello All

My husband and I are new to the MH world and in need of much help. Because we live in Southern CA and the raising prices we need information NOW.

When we 1st decided that the best way to go was a MH I came straight to the net to get as much information on the subject and I am very happy to have found this site. I have been reading post on this web site and the main thing I am getting is do your homework.

This is what we have done so far:
-talked to someone we know that has a MH
- found out which dealership is a member with the California MH Institute
- dealership record with the BBB
-talked to a dealership
-read and printed Consumers Union’s Tips on Mobile Homes

What else should we do?

We are also planning on buying land and The Complete Buyer’s Guide to MH and Land by John Grissim

What else should we be doing?

We would like to be in the house by September that give us 4 months to buy land, find a dealership, and the best floor plan. Is this possible?

Also a friend of mine said that her father-in-law, who is a dealer, could get us the MH for a better price then a dealership (I think because he wouldn’t charge us a big markup like a dealership would have to). Should we go for this? Does anyone foresee a problem if we go with someone who does not have a storefront? She also said that her father-in -law likes Golding West is that a good company?

Any information good or bad we would love.

Thanks

[Bob]

I have a copies of “The Complete Buyer’s Guide to MH and Land” by John Grissim and “Buying a Manufactured Home” by Kevin Burnside. Both are good resources that provide information which can save you thousands. But I wouldn’t think of buying a manufactured home without first reading “How To Buy A Manufactured Home & Save Thousands Of Dollars” by Randy Eaton and watching the videos, “Site Preparation & Home Installation 5 Part Video Series,” with George Porter.

[rmurray]

You are on the way to a good outcome...but you need to move quickly...4 months is not very long...If you had already made all the decisions and started the finance process today...if could easily be 3 months until a complete home is ready to move into..

I would stick to a legitimate dealer...They will know everything necessary to help you into the home...They might have a slightly higher overhead...but they have much larger volume and receive volume rebates from the factory which will overcome the added costs they have...Most quality manufactures will not sell 1 home to an individual dealer..which will limit your choices to the desperate factories...which is p[rob ably not the product you will want to have..

Good Luck...stop back here often and ask questions...there is only 1 dumb question..the one that does not get asked..

[Tanya]

Bob,
The video series for site preparation...I'm not sure why this is so important? We're currently pursuing a deal with Palm Harbor, and letting them arrange those details...if we ever get to that stage...I don't think I'd be comfortable trying to do any of those things myself. Are you saying the videos are good so that you can observe what they're doing and make sure they're doing a good job?
Testimonial: Randy Eatons' book is terriffic! It will answer a lot of your questions!!

[Bob]

[Are you saying the videos are good so that you can observe what they're doing and make sure they're doing a good job?]

Yes. Although the videos would not be necessary if you have a good setup crew, I think they would give you a little piece of mind knowing what the process looks like when done right.

[Kay]

Thank you all for your comments.

I talked to a dealership today and the man said that we should add $70,000 after we have decided on a house for delivey, setup and so on. Is this true????
We are buying land and live in Southern California.

Thanks for your time.

[jgn]

That all depends on what you are having done. If it is unimproved land you have the site prep, septic, power brought to house, driveway, footers/runners, skirting, garage, deck, landscape. All of these things are what will need to be done but how much the cost will be depends on how you go about it.
The delivery and setup should be part of the price of the home, everything else is added to it but I would shop around for everything else. Unless the dealer is also a contractor he will sub everything else out and add a profit for him on top of it. I would have a dealer sub the footers/runners and possibly the perimeter pour but everything else I would contract out. Of course you are in a place that I can't relate to cost wise but do shop around and don't hurry because this is a long term decision where mistakes are very costly.

[martha]

One of the things that we ruled golden west out for us is the fact that they use longitudinal joist ing in the floor. I think they may be the only ones still doing it that way here in CA. Which is too bad because we LOVED their pantrys!!

[jgn]

The is nothing wrong with a longitudinal floor if it is supported correctly.

[martha]

Then why, if it is cheaper to do, are they the only ones still doing it? I do not mean to sound like I am making an attack but I really want to know. We still haven't decided on a home yet but will be doing it in the next 30 days (or so) probably.