discovery homes - (repost)

[lacey]

hi
discovery homes seem to be part of palm harbor. i'm not sure how or what the details are....they look to be mfg homes, but possibly are modular. anyone heard of or know anything about these homes (www.discoverycustomhomes.com).

thank you,
lacey

[rmurray]

From my limited understanding...

This is a new series of home..modular home..being offered by Palm Harbor..

These homes were talked about in the last investment quarterly conference call...

PH is targeting a different market with these homes...Conventional construction look...About $65-80 per square foot..(that would be about $100,000 for the smallest..the Lantana 1527 sq ft home...with a FULL 15x16 livingroom..no den..no dining..but it does come with a porch).These homes are very new to the market...maybe so new none or very few have actually been sold...These homes will be built in various areas of the country...

I notice like the Palm Harbor main web site..there are no construction basics listed...That might mean...like the Palm Harbor itself..they will be built to different specs depending on the plant they are built in..

I also notice that the floor plans are limited now..and they are relatively small for manufactured homes...Most current buyers want much larger homes than these...Notice also..the garages shown are not part of the standard package..they are a locally added item..

If the price range I am mentioning is correct (this comes directly from the mouth of the company's Chairman)....you will want to study the construction very carefully..

Why not buy one...and report back for others to learn from you???...You can be one of the first..

[lacey]

i saw the "buckeye" at a mfg home show last month. salesman gave the price as 114,000.00. i have no idea as to what construction standards are, what that price includes or any other details. the house was crammed packed with lookers and impossible to get to a sales person at that time. i understand there is a lot near dallas with the models there and i may go look this week.

thank you mr murray, for your input.

[sonia]

Hey there--

Thanks for all the information you folks are sharing re Discovery Homes. I live in Athens, Ohio, and apparently the company is trying to establish a presence in this area. I have been talking to a very slick salesman over the telephone.....he makes me nervous. Too too friendly and too quick to pat away all my questions. Talks to me like I am an idiot. If for no other reason, I will probably stop thinking about going with Discovery because of this guy. Has anyone else had this experience? He couldn't even provide me with any brochures!

[Steve]

I have toured the Cinci, Buckeye, and Wilmington in North Carolina. My wife fell in love with the homes. They were still not quite ready to show when we arrived, so we got to see first hand some of the finish work. I would choose these homes over a stick built home anyday. You can get a sense of how "tight the homes are when you tour them. 9 ft ceiling are a plus. They are also willing to customize the homes (to a certain extent) to satisfy the customer.

[Steve]

Do yourself a favor and talk to another sales person. The guy I'm talking with spent well over an hour with me after I told him up front that I wouldn't buy for over a year. The homes are exceptional and are worth looking in to.

[chris benson]

I am Chris Benson withh Palm Harbor, retail division. Please call me regarding our Discovery line of off-frame modular homes. These are the nicest in the industry. My toll-free number is 800-849-3657. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chris Benson

[Denise]

Don't let skeptical uninformed people influence you regarding modulars. Someone wrote that they look a lot like manufactured homes. There is a great deal of difference in a Manufactured and a Modular. I have to wonder if they have seen them at all... they look nothing like a manufactured home and the inside of the Palm Harbor Discovery Homes looks much nicer that some of the site built homes I have toured lately.

They are built as well if not better than many "stick", "site" built homes. The exterior walls (as an example) are built with 2x6 on 16" centers. Many, if not most of the site built homes you will find are built only on 2x4 on 16"centers. My husband and I have been looking at them for weeks comparing to site built homes. We are very impressed with them, and we have looked at some homes that range from 150,000 to 213,000.

Modulars are built up to 6000 sq ft. Not only that.....move in time is average 6 to 8 weeks vs 4 to 6 months with a site built. They are built in a climate controlled setting and this means to you...protected wood that does not sit out in the rain and weather to warp. Insulation that stays dry. Please note that wet insulation that is covered with siding is a great breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

CHECK OUT THESE SITES:
http://www.nationwide-homes.com/modular.html
http://www.essential-sources.com/bracken/bbuild.htm

Modulars are a great new option... Don't miss out. AND.....
No... I don't sell them for a living... I am very seriously considering making one my home though!
Be Blessed, Denise

[Robert]

I purchased the Cinci model from the Discovery Homes line and we are happy with the home but.... We started the purchase in july 2004, home delivered and set in nov, and we finally were able to move in july of 2005. That was after numerous calls to the corporate office about shoddy workmanship from site contractors that were not addressed locally. When we originally were in discussion of the purchase we wanted to make some design changes to some windows to accommodate an after-market fireplace. We were told that their design and drafting were months behind schedule and that we would have to wait. We opted for the original design flipped, with an attached two car garage with a room above. Converted the first bedroom to a study with french doors and had the upstairs completed with one bedroom, full bath and a family room.
To make a long story short, quality product with poor follow up from local reps. It's now oct. 2005 and we are still waiting for issues to be resolved with floor support piers, leaking front porch and a/c ducting not installed.
I only hope that should you purchase one of these homes service is a reality and not an empty promise.