Fortune Home owners, please respond...

[Jim Ross]

Hi Folks

We currently own a '92 Redman 16x80 ( 1173 sq ft ) single. As most know who have owned a single wide, these never gain any equity. Combine this to the central air dying and knowing the furnace, windows and siding will need replacing soon, we are thinking of purchasing a Fortune Home 28x64 ( 1605 sq ft ) model #2864-07. Price is right I think ( $45,500 including AC and settup ), plus the foundation. Since we already own the land and have the well and septic installed ( 5 years ago ), that keeps the payments nice and low. I just worry about build quality. When we bought the Redman, we were told they were the leading manufacturing in the industry. Of course the new salesman is telling us that the Fortune Home is one of the top leaders ( he said that " Hart Homes " was the top ).

What do you current owners of Fortune Homes think?

[annaz]

Sorry, I don't know about those homes because it's out of my area, but I do know that Redman is a low line home in my area. In my opinion, you get what you pay for. What you're looking for is quality. Alot of homes say they're #1 and they are "in their price range". Go see a top of the line home and a lower end home and do some comparisons. Start a spreadsheet...you'd be surprised. You may be able to afford a high-end home for less because it already comes with things you want, rather than upgrading. Cabinets inside and out, walls, texturing, leveling, light fixtures, exterior moulding and siding, doors, hinges, sink types, 2x4 walls as opposed to 2x6, base floor thickness and type, SIZES of things. The lower end homes usually has wierd sizes of doorways, faucet spread, etc. Some is cosmetic, but that's usually where the price difference comes. But you may want to call an appraiser, somebody who knows about manuf homes. Appraisers can usually tell you which homes appraise better in your area. It's usually the higher end home. We've always sold ours at a profit. And sold it! If you're buying something that doesn't give you any equity, you may want to rethink what you're buying. You're better off with a high-end home and a smaller one if the price is an issue. Get the basics as far as construction, top of the line. Cosmetics can always be changed.

[Jim Ross]

We are now looking at a MHE ( Manufactured Housing Enterprises ) Inc. home.
The only draw back is the walls are the thinner 3/8"? decorator board. All the cabinets are solid oak wood doors and fronts. Capeting is a 25 oz, all windows are single hung double pane. Real residential steel doors and storms front and back. You mention 2x4 walls as opposed to 2x6 walls...why? It would seem that 2x6 exterior walls would have more strenth and more insulation possibilities.
We dont have a choice on downsizing the sq ft in order to save on cost. We want/need 1600 sq ft, and do not want to spend $70K+ to get it.

[annaz]

I meant that most people opt for 2x4 walls not knowing (or caring) about 2x6. 2x6 is way better for strength and insulation.

In my opinion the walls aren't that big of deal. You may have more noise between rooms. The carpeting again is cosmetic, so it's really your preference and useage. You always have to buy for what you can afford first. Anything cosmetic that you don't like, don't spend a lot of money on anything you're thinking of replacing later. What's great about manuf homes is that cosmetic stuff is easily replaceable. The sturdiness of the construction can't be replaced. Spend the most money on your construction of the home. This is dual pane windows, steel doors for exterior....storm doors are a preference, insulation, structure including good solid floors. These things will pay off. If the home comes w/oak fronted cabinets that's great, but again, those are cosmetic. If you think you'll never replace the cabinets, get the oak ones. Otherwise, don't spend the extra money on them if you have a choice...they're only oak FRONTED.

We've got 2x6 ext walls, 2x8 flooring.. 50-22-19 insulation, dual panes and every upgrade you can think of and it was $87000+ for $2400+ sq ft. We spend less money on heating and cooling in this house than we did in a 1200sq ft crappy site-built home. My dh is not handy. For example, some will buy the papered walls either a) because they like it, b) because that's what they can afford, or c) because dh is handy and can rip it down and tape and texture them.

Again, It's all whats important to you and what you need/fit into your budget.
To me, it's a well built home that will give you some equity in the future and one that you can best afford for the price. Some people would rather spend $28,000 on a 32 x 70 home that if push came to shove, would fall over in the next storm, plus loose money. If you don't want equity, rent. I think you can get a really nice 1600 sq ft home without spending $70,000. Just have to do your homework.

[Eugene]

STOP! MHE is the worst east of the mississippi!!!!!!
Fortune is pretty bad as well! Not near as bad as MHE.
Fortune doesn't do warrenty work, they look for excuses to avoid service. MHE should be closed down, very unsafe!

[mel]

I spent 2 yrs looking at all the homes I could find in indiana and kentucky, especially elkhart indiana where many of them are made. Fortune is a lesser quality than redman. the top of redmans line of homes 4 yrs ago was their cape cod which was comparable to most of the other cape cods manufactured. there are many manufacturers of homes out there and many dealers will sell direct from the factory, so dont limit yourself just to your immediate area to buy a home, get out and look over a wide area to find the home that fits what you want. One piece of advice I can give from the experiences of myself and two friends who have bought manu. homes. When you have decided on the home you want, do not under any circumstances let the dealer talk you into signing a contract until,"You take it (the contract to an attorney) for his advice. Unless you can understand legal jargon. One friend nearly lost his property when he tried to get the dealer to put an acceptable foundation under the home that had been inspected by the county where he lived and deemed not acceptable for a permit, thus if he accepted the home he could not get insurance on it. He spent 2 yrs. trying and they finally moved the home off the property and took ownership of his property through legal maneuvering. The other friends home is still sitting in a corn field, still in 3 pieces, after nearly a year of them putting off. Both of them would tell you to talk to an attorney and get his advice on their contract. I am not an attorney but I have dealt in real estate over the yrs. my advice would be the same with one thing added," Have a certain amount of money say one third or one fourth with held from payment until the home is inspected and ready for occupancy" ... When it is done, Then and only then"pay the final payment" Just this one thing here will save you a lot of headaches. M

[MB]

I'm not sure of your experience with MHE since you just ripped the manufacturer without any facts. We have lived in a MHE sectional HUD home for 10 years. It's solid, durable, we have requested no service from the manufacturer. We have yet to replace any item. We love our home and wonder where your opinion comes from Mr. Eugene.