What to look for in a quality manufactured home

[Jerry Garcia]

We are just starting to look at the possibility of purchasing a double-wide or modular to place on land we have upstate New York. The home will be used only in the summers as we live in Florida during the winter. We want a home that will hold up to the harsh winters of the upper NY mountains, and be in good shape when we return in the spring.

The great price savings and instant construction of manufactured housing has attracted us but we are concerned about the quality of what we decide on. It seems that most of the homes we have seen all look like they are built about the same. Each dealer we visit claims his is the highest quality and the ones sold across the street are junk. Is price the only factor? Is price any factory in quality? One seller told use we would be paying for fancy trim and windows, not better construction.

What can we look for when we shop? Are there companies that build to a standard that is higher than the federal code?

What about extended warranty programs? Do they cover the buyer or protect the seller. Could we do better by purchasing a used home if we buy an extended warranty?

We hope to make a decision in the next few weeks, but just feel overwhelmed. Any push in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Jerry and Debbie

[rmurray]

You have started the process to get the best home for your money by coming here..These forums are a wealth of information...be sure to use the search function to find others who have asked similar questions and gotten good good answers...
While here you should consider a visit to the bookstore and buy and buy one of the fine buying guides offered here..

It is obvious that you need to check out dealers carefully..There are a few who have had big problems in your area..Elliot Spitzer launched a large investigation of one in your area..First tip...Any salesperson who tells you any thing negative about the competitive product should not be talked to again..The guy that says they are all the same and price is only features is VERY wrong..There is a large range of basic quality homes available...Some HUD homes are VERY basic..From there there are many differences between products..Of course quality homes are higher priced...THEY are NOT all alike...The buyers manuals in the bookstore will enlighten you...

Use all the resources here and come back often...Ask any question you like..Good Luck..

[admin]

Here are a few places you can click thru that will help you in your housing decisions.If your considering A modular home. Do some independent research. Read the    Modular Home Buyers Guide   You can get it in print or E Book versions
The Grissim Buyers Guide to Manufactured Homes and Land - E-Book Edition  is a no-nonsense, highly readable guide explains just how the manufactured home industry operates, exposes its secrets, and teaches you how to find a dealer worthy of your trust, how to make the right home selection, how to accurately determine the fair price of a home. Exhaustively researched, with extensive input from both industry insiders and consumer advocates, this guide contains much information that retailers, even the good guys, don't want you to know.
The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes Provides at-a-glance listings with key information home shoppers need to make an informed decision. This is the essential buyer’s resource, listing every builder in the U.S., their histories, products, price ranges, construction ratings, need-to-know information and much more. This guide will serve you well as a stand-alone reference for up-to-date information on the companies and the products they build. Plus!, an annotated construction rating chart with 56 criteria you can use to evaluate any home — before you buy. The Ratings’s Guide includes evaluations for All 79 U.S. builders including:
Company background/history
States where sold
Retail price range before tax (price includes transportation & set-up)
Construction rating on a 1-to-10 scale (with 10 being the highest quality)
What distinguishes brand from its competition
Availability of in-house financing and in-house insurance
Warranty structure and length ... AND MUCH MORE
GET MORE DETAILS
"How To Buy A Manufactured-Mobile Home And Save Thousands Of Dollars" is another good place to start and 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.

[leighmarker]

dont just check on the mfg of the home you need to be aware and also make your choice with the installer-if they mess up doesnt matter how well your house is made-----check refrences-if they are apprehensive or cant supply them find someone else-quaility doesnt mind bragging-

I remember my husband was impressed with our mh because of the wall (there were studs alot closer to gether than he expected-I hope I am remembered that correctly).

We should of paid more attention to the trim they used (its cheap crap and has to all be replaced)
I wish we had regualer drywall-we have installed new carpet (they wanted an ungodly amount of money to put install when we explained we didnt like the rental cheap grade viynl and carpet that was here.
I would also look at the fixtures-we have replaced our all of our sinks and facets-check under the sinks to see how its plumbed in ours was thrown together and you couldnt even put a shelf in there-there was more than enough room but the water pipes were put right in the middle not towards the front or the back smak in the middle-
make sure you have a choice of hydrants being installed on the exterior-we didnt realize or even think about that til it was delivered-oops!

[admin]

Finding a quality home is just the first step. Home buyers MUST take responsibility for their home installation. If you want to enjoy your home for years to come the site prep and installation must be handled properly. Even if you're not planning on doing the work yourself, it is critical that home buyers understand the entire process. The most effective way to learn about the step by step process involved in properly installing a manufactured home is a great five-part video series with George Porter, the industry's most respected installation specialist. Mr. Porter leads you through a two hour viewing experience that will prepare you for the numerous operations and complexities involved in the installation of the modern manufactured home. If your reading this and you are about to purchase a manufactured home Don't assume that the retailer or the installer are watching out for your best interests. take this crash study course now Click Here for More Details This will give you an edge when choosing sub-contractors and help you make sure the site preparation and installation is done right and to your expectation.

[Ryan]

I've looked at a Waterford Model 4513B - 3 bedrooms - 2 baths - 1,350 square feet. This is ideal for my space. I'm not in a hurry and reading both of these books will give me a good insight. There are homes here in the range of $150.000+ that if the buyers had been more informed about the materials in the home and the set-up it would have saved a lot of grief.

A few example: A home was not leveled correctly and the water from the garden tub drained away from the drain and when questioned for the reason, the reply was for that is a benefit for older person. Another example where the two beams that connects under the two sections there is 30ft space that has no pillars under this. This is a lady who had lost her husband of 50 years and had thought this would be ideal comfortable living condition without hassles when purchasing a new home. She had assumed that her money was still in escrow until all repairs were satisfied. The bottom line in small print when she had signed off that the set up was complete this also released the money in escrow. The effort of going to court will be over-whelming and costly to make them correct their work.

California is working on State Codes for Mobile homes but in the mean time as consumers we need to be informed before purchasing. Thank you and your whole staff for all your valuable information. Ryane

[Nick]

Try to purchase a home that was built close to you. NY has many retailers, many of which do a poor job. Do your homework!