2004 Indies/Signature

[Angie]

I am considering buying a 2004 model Indies/Signature home. I love the floor plan and the price. It has Lifetime Warranty on the vinyl siding, solid oak cabinets, 3/4" tongue-and-groove plywood floors, etc., etc. Does anyone know anything about or have any experience with Indies Houses? How about WorldWide Mobile Homes in Lumberton, Texas (the dealer I am considering buying from)? I would appreciate any help and advice in this endeavor of mine.!!

[Angie]

Also, this home has all Moen faucets, 2x8" floor joists on 16" centers, 2x4 or 2x6 exterior walls (your choice), 8 foot ceilings, large bedrooms, large rooms period, all GE appliances, huge walk-in pantry, all bedrooms have walk-in closets....this home is a 28x80. Price?....$57,000. I know you get what you pay for....but this seems like a good quality home for a very good price....advice....please? Mr. Murray????????

[rmurray]

Lots of goodies for that price...seems a little too good to be true actually...but..business is tough and there are a few deals out there...

Indies is a small independently owned company with plants in LA and AL...They are an old company and build very few homes...It will be hard to find many with these homes to get info from..

A few years ago...the dealer is worked for had Indies...they were a good middle line home with prices in the range you mentioned....but back then..they did not have standard all the features you mention...Things might have changed though..

Be sure you get all promises in writing...maybe take the time to visit the plant...A small investment in money and time to be sure you are going to be happy...Ask the dealer for references of recent Indies customers...If all is still good...go for it..

[Angie]

Mr. Murray,

Thank you for answering so quickly! I did a check with the BBB in Alabama on Indies Houses and there have been some complaints in the last three years, however, apparently all have been resolved to the consumer's satisfaction except one. That seems to be pretty good. I also checked with the BBB on Worldwide Mobile Homes in Lumberton, TX and they are a member of the BBB. They have had NO complaints in the three year period. They seem to have been pretty honest so far in what we have discussed with them. I have also been to see Solitaire Homes in Lufkin, TX. They seem to be pretty good also. What do you know of Solitaire? I know they are alot higher in price. What exactly is Smart Panel? That is what is used on the exterior of their homes. We were told that if it needed to be replaced, we could buy it at Lowe's. But someone told me that all it really is is OSB. I don't understand alot of this stuff. Also, where exactly in Louisiana is the plant for Indies/Signature? I would like to visit a plant to check them out.

[TV]

Angie, take Mr. Murray's advice in getting everything in writing. I was about to buy a home from World Wide Homes in Lumberton, Texas and right before closing the salesman raised the price. So I took my buisness elsewhere.

[mac]

Smart Panel is Louisiana-Pacific's brand of OSB. It is commonly available. It does need proper installation and maintenance, but they swear it's a lot better than the old Inner-Seal they used to sell. You can get it at Lowe's. I'd frankly repaint in a year, but I may be picky. See if they'll give you extra paint; I got a whole bunch, so, naturally, applied it nice and thick.

[Angie]

Thank you TV for the info re: Worldwide. I will definitely get everything in writing. do you mind my asking what brand home you were looking at? was it a "good deal" also? in the beginning, i mean...

Thank you also Mac for answering. I've heard that OSB will, like, fall apart. Which would be a better choice for the money? The Smart Panel (I don't know warranty info) or a lifetime warranty on vinyl siding?

I'm so glad that this board is here. My sister-in-law (who is also looking for a manufactured home) found it first and told me about it. She is set on Solitaire. I also found an Advantage Home for sale that i really loved!!!! It can be so confusing, but with all the information i have read on this site, hopefully I can make an educated decision.

[mac]

Actually I like the Hardi-Plank. I think OSB would be fine (I believe LP has learned) if you keep it painted. Vinyl is common around here (NW Oregon) but you're stuck with one color. I would have accepted OSB, just making sure the proper caulking and painting was done. I had the old Inner-Seal on my prior house. Even though I qualified for a settlement, it would have still been OK, as I had primed and painted thoroughly. There wasn't much in the settlement fund. This was on a site-built house, by the way. It was a huge issue in our area; thousands of homes were re-sided.

[Angie]

I live in Southeast Texas and anyone who has ever lived around here knows....humidity, humidity, HUMIDITY!!!! I've also noticed those Formosa termites have made it into our area....so I'm concerned about wood. The older "stick-built" home we're in now has really bad termite damage. The county we're in now is Wind Zone 1 (Jefferson), but we have land in Hardin Co., which is Wind Zone 2. I've seen the Hardi-Panel on a beautiful Advantage Home and personally, I think the Hardi-Panel looks better than Smart Panel AND Vinyl Siding. Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions......

[rmurray]

Currently the best I can tell is that Indies is now a single plant factory..located in Hamilton, AL....

They have a very limited web site at..

http://www.indieshouse.net/

No termites can be in Hardie Board...You might want to wonder around their web site and find info on the product..

http://www.jameshardie.com/map/default.php