I have decided on...

[Chad]

As some of you know, i was stuck on a Cavco and Redman home,but i just got back from seeing a different type of home and have decided to get....

A Karsten Home!!!!

I figured that im buying a house then why not go for the best and the best here in arizona is the karsten. Im getting a 3BR, 2Bath, 1830 sq ft

standard:
2x6 exterior walls w/R19
2x4 interior wall studs
2x6 floor joist on 16" centers
rolled steel i-beem crossmembers
foundation ready with 30% more steel
3:12 roof pitch
R14 floors


upgrades:
coffered ceilings w/lights LR
30 yr architechural shingles-oakridge
solar tubes
200 amp service
wired for ceiling fans
R38 ceilings
tile backsplash throughout kit/bath
moen faucets throughout
40 gal gas water heater direct vent
$5000 ac/heater combo thingy on the outside(said to provide quiter sounds and better ventilation)


everything including tax,etc is $100,000

way over my budget but thats what loans are for....what does everyone think??

did i miss anything important on upgrades??

[LJ]

Congratulations. I think you will be happy with a Karsten Home. The only things I can think of are a 4:12 pitch and plywood floors, but I don't think that the latter is an option anymore. Good Luck and enjoy. BTW, which Karsten dealer did you finally go to?

[mac]

Ask about 2x8 floor joists, would make a stiffer floor. (also pitch and floors as above). I have a Karsten from Oregon; we're very happy with it after two years.

[Chad]

LJ, i went to the one on Star Commerce Way in Tucson Arizona. i spent the whole day there and felt really comfortable. you think the price is fair?? it is $20,000 more than the cavco home i was going to buy but i think the karsten is more luxurious and better built!!

[Chad]

guys, they have a 6:12 roof pitch option for $3660, what is that all about?
difference between a 3:12, 4:12, 6:12??



also what i found interesting is that the karsten model is the same size as the cavco but wieghs 20,000 pounds more than the cavco?? he told me the karsten has more steel to it which makes it better. really??

[Annaz]

Chad...we were just there...did you talk to Pete or Bob??? We as well prefer it to the Cavco. The added steel weight is mostly from the cross beams going all the way out to the end of the home and a little from the better built cabinets and other odds and ends. These are like REAL cabinets. I think I know which one you liked. We liked it as well. Plus...the options are unlimited...and they give you a price sheet for all the options. That is awesome!!!!!

They also recommended an appraiser..who as a matter of fact, just left our home this evening. He's in Green Valley. Ask about him if you need an appraiser. He knowledgable. He just spent about $160,000 on his triplewide Karsten from the same dealer, so he should be good for an appraisal if need be.

Good choice.

[JohnnyJ]

The roof pitch is no big deal to understand. The 3:12, 4:12, 5:12, 6:12, are all
ratios. The pitch is given in relation to inches of rise to inches of run. You can
also say feet of rise to feet of run, as the proportions are the same.

Example: A roof with a 3:12 pitch has 3 inches of rise for every 12 inches of
run. A 3:12 is not a very steep roof, and not the kind usually found
on a stick built home. A 5:12 or 6:12 pitch looks more like a stick
built roof. Stick builts with 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10:12 are not uncommon.
Manufactured homes with 5:12, and 6:12 are coming on as the
hinged roof has become more refined.

The builder has to use more material to produce a steeper roof, thus the
difference in price.

Karsten is one of the best builders in my opinion, so go for it.

good luck

[Chad]

annaz
i talked to both actually,what time did you go at??
yeah i really liked the options sheet!!
i looked at the ones out front,but i decided to get a custom made home
are you buying a home from bob/peter??

[rmurray]

Sounds good to me...GO FOR IT before the interest rates go up...

[Annaz]

Chad...we talked to both too, last Saturday around noon, but mostly Bob. We had to talk to the appraiser they gave us, be cause we have 25 acres that we need a good appraisal on and we'll get a Karsten if we don't have to go modular. Karsten doesn't do modular (ubc). That's what the appraiser is checking for us and he owns a Karsten. We'll build our own, but it's probably between the huge triple (no tag) or the one similar w/o the living room and porch. But part of me would rather have a smaller house with EVERY option!!! I have a fear of ordering something I've never seen. What looks good on paper, doesn't necessarily work in person. (We have lots of issues.)