Which home is best?

[Karen]

I am trying to find good information on which manufactured home to buy. So far I am leaning towards a Marlette or Fuqua home. Does anyone have any information on either of this homes?

[B. B. Rich]

That's a tough question to answer and one I used to be asked all the time when I was in the car business, but at least you have a starting point. And, I hope for your sake that you are planning to install the home on your own land, or several years down the road you will be in for a financial awakening.
Doing some research myself, it seems that Marlette is the mother company for other names depending on you region. In Texas, they are Clayton Homes... one that I looked into several years ago. I was not impressed by any of their floor plans and researched them no further.
Fuqua homes are not available in my area, but they look good!! If you can, insist on a visit to the factory that would be building your home and look for any "short cuts" they may be taking to save costs. I see that they use "rockwool" ceiling insulation. This is among the best for deadening sound as well as insulating. If sound infiltration is important to you, insist that they also use it in your walls as well . 2"x 6"'s throughout. I insisted on this for my own home. Many of "them" tried to talk me out of it, but I wouldn't budge. If you are in the mid west, insist on a 4/12 roof pitch to better handle the snow.
Most of all, build your home from the walls in, based on what you can afford. Make sure the basic structure is built and insulated well. Upgrading, fireplaces and built-ins are luxuries and can happen any time. Once built, the outer structure is much harder to improve upon.
First of all Karen, and you may already know this, in my experience these dealers will promise you the world until they THINK they have you. Then it's, "Oh? I called the factory and they can't do this, or won't do that." BEWARE!! And be prepared to walk out of the negotiations in the middle to get your point across. If your credit is good and your money is green, never fear, they WILL call you back, believe me. They want your business. Be TOUGH on them.
I hope my experiences and advice here will help you.

[troy]

Clayton is the parent, Marlette is the subsidiary.
Either of these homes would be a good choice. Check out the reatailer, ask for references and check them. Do the same for the installer. The retailer is the one that will really determine how hapy you are with your purchase. Your dealings will be with them, and they will be arranging or doing your onsite construction work. A good retailer and installer can make your experience a good one. A bad retailer or installer can turn the best built home into a nightmare.

[David Oxhandler]

Click over to the MH Book Store and get the details about "How To Buy A Manufactured-Mobile Home And Save Thousands Of Dollars" it is available in our book store in both hardbound and e-book editions The author recently combined both of his best selling books, " How To Buy A Manufactured Home And Save Thousands" with his, "Manufactured Home Comparison Guide" into one book. It seemed many readers where interested in both subjects. Now consumers can learn how to save thousands when purchasing a manufactured home along with Randy Eaton's comparison guide, which rates over 50 of the most popular builders in the United States.

[Anne]

Amen, Troy. My advice: do your homework! Ask questions! We had friends with a Skyline Lexington series that we liked. Then we spent a year and a half going to every dealer in the area and looked at dozens of homes. We walked out if we couldn't customize the home. We went back to the Skyline. We could move cabinets, move doors, no problem! Look carefully at everything. Look at the quality of workmanship. Don't be blinded by "bling". That fancy fake brass chandelier won't make up for trim work that doesn't match up correctly at the corners.

Then ask more questions. Who is responsible for site preparation; who will install utilities; etc. Definitely get the 2x6 walls and definitely upgrade to the thermal windows; upgrade the carpet and pad, upgrade the appliances. You could always do that later, but will you? Ditch the vinyl skirting and put in decorative concrete block. You won't be sorry. We have 2x6 walls with the block foundation and the propane company said we use half the propane of other people. We know of people who put in a MH only to find out their sewer was emptying under the house because the dealer "didn't do that" or another one that left them with a bunch of PVC, wrong size mind you, and said they were on their own. Other friends had to hire a carpet layer to finish the carpet over the marriage wall; had to hire a plumber and and an electrician to hook up everything. Their dealer "didn't do that". Our dealer, bless his soul, did everything for us. Handed us the keys and we moved in.

[Anne]

Karen: Once you settle on your home, whatever brand you decide on, get a copy of your floorplan from your dealer before you make all the decisions about where you want phone jacks, TV jacks, etc. And you should be able to make those decisions. Don't let them tell you where they will be! The type of TV cable is different for satellite TV than regular cable TV. Let your dealer know which one you will need.

I found furniture templates on line, printed them and cut them out. Then I enlarged the floor plan to match the scale and "arranged" the furniture. You will then have a pretty good idea of where everything will go and can have the jacks installed at the factory. Have all the rooms wired and braced for ceiling fans. Then you can go and buy those at a home improvement store and install them yourself.

Figure out where you will need outdoor electrical receps and outdoor faucets. Continuing my post from above, we have friends that have no outdoor receps or faucets. Apparently that manufacturer thinks you won't have a lawn to water or need to plug in anything outside!

[rmurray]

Great advice...your friends should have listened....Glad you like your home soooooo much...Enjoy..

[Nick]

You would be much better off by purchasing a home that was constructed in your state purchased from the retailer in your state.

Just in case you have problems.

[Glynda]

Check out Deer Valley. www.deervallyhb.com This is our first experience with mobile home purchase. Research, research, research is the key. Mr. Eaton's book was extremely helpful. Be more concerned with what is behind your walls and under your carpet. The structure of your home is what is key, not the appliances or fancy moldings around the cabinets. After many months of reseach, shopping dealers and using common sense. We choose Deer Valley. Couldn't ask for more professionalism, the sales rep actually called me from inside my house prior to it shipping and he described all my details/upgrades, etc. just to make me feel secure that the house that was leaving was the house I ordered.

Also, be patient. I have found that the process of buying land, mobile homes, FHA inspections, county inspections, set up, delivery, etc. took just as much time as it would have if we build a slab home. Don't be in a hurry, this is how mistakes are made. Make friends with your county inspectors and definately get the FHA inspection involved. OUrs knows us by first name, as does the Administration at Deer Valley and the folks at Countrywide. People respond better if they "know" who you are. Ask questions, get firm understanding and good luck.

[Glynda]

Check out Deer Valley. www.deervallyhb.com This is our first experience with mobile home purchase. Research, research, research is the key. Mr. Eaton's book was extremely helpful. Be more concerned with what is behind your walls and under your carpet. The structure of your home is what is key, not the appliances or fancy moldings around the cabinets. After many months of reseach, shopping dealers and using common sense. We choose Deer Valley. Couldn't ask for more professionalism, the sales rep actually called me from inside my house prior to it shipping and he described all my details/upgrades, etc. just to make me feel secure that the house that was leaving was the house I ordered.

Also, be patient. I have found that the process of buying land, mobile homes, FHA inspections, county inspections, set up, delivery, etc. took just as much time as it would have if we build a slab home. Don't be in a hurry, this is how mistakes are made. Make friends with your county inspectors and definately get the FHA inspection involved. OUrs knows us by first name, as does the Administration at Deer Valley and the folks at Countrywide. People respond better if they "know" who you are. Ask questions, get firm understanding and good luck.