grissom buyers guide

[suebow]

I bought the Grissom guide to buying a manufactured home with the homes listed according to builders with their 1-10 code..................1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest .....................

No where in your book can I find the building code or number for Southern Energy Homes....................

Do you have a rating for them?

If so please send me the rating. Thank you

Sue

[rmurray]

SE is part of the Clayton family of homes...same as Franklin, Marlette, Golden West and other homes in the high end of the market...Their ratings might give as clue to that of SE now that Clayton ownes them..

[BILLY]

As a very happy owner of a 2006 32 x 80 Southern Energy, the current ratings in the Grisson guide might not be dead on accurate as SE HOMES only became part of Clayton last June (2006). I believe the 2006 Grissom Guide rated Southern Energy at # 6 in the ratings game. Pretty good for a smaller company compared to Clayton, Champion,Cavalier,Skyline... I spend a VERY long time and many many many miles of visiting as many manufacturer and dealer lots in search of the builder who could satisfy my many wants and needs. Yes, I am probably a bit biased as to liking my home, but even the warranty service I would rate as superior. I had my final warranty visit this week and the service rep took care of all of my big and little problems..(big problem was created by the delivery/setup up crew, not a problem from the factory. He even found an unknown to me A/C duct leak and fixed that pronto. Honestly,as the owner of a Southern Energy Home I know I made the best buy for myself and my soon to be wife. And you'll be happily surprised at just what SE Homes will do for you in the modifying and custom building a new home. The key to that part will be finding a really good salesman. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Clayton allows Southern Energy/SEHOMES to keep up the great work they did for me. And once again ... Thanx TARA (Service Coordinator@SEHOMES)

[John Grissim]

Hi, Sue,

I'm the author of the Grissim Guides. Your question is a bit confusing since you say you purchased my Buyer's Guide, not the Ratings Guide, yet your copy lists the builders with their rating numbers (which only the Ratings Guide contains). So, I'm assuming you have my Ratings Guide. The full Southern Energy listing is on page 46 (as indicated on the builder index, pg. 12). The current edition of the Ratings Guide (for 2007) decribes SE's acquisition (along with Giles Industries) by Clayton Homes, Inc. in 2006. SE receives a less than average construction rating, based upon the specifications and features of one of their most popular models. But if you order upgrade specs you can easily improve the rating of the home you purchase. You can use the book's construction table to nail down precisely the features and options needed to do that. As Billy (above) writes, with a reputable dealer in the picture, you're on your way to a home you can really be happy about. Good luck!
John Grissim

[suebow]

thank you so much.............bought both your books, they have been a big help and do remember reading now since you mentioned it about Clayton buying out SE, but could not find it under SE when I kept looking..............

I worry about the long move from Georgia to Florida, middle of Florida and worry about the damage to the home in that move...........

Still looking but your books have been a great help to us.

Thank you so much.
Sue

[suebow]

Thank you for your information, it's good to know.

[BILLY]

My Southern Energy traveled quite well from the factory up in the NW Alabama area down to Dothan (SE) Alabama and then was delivered to my property North of Bonifay Florida, which is well over 400 miles..none of which is Interstate Highway. Had a few drywall cracks, all were over doorways totalng 5 or 6 cracks. Have found out that Southern Energy glues 1/8" luan plywood to the back of all drywall for support and to help keep drywall cracks to a minimun. Seems to work. Even my huge "Full Rock" corner fireplace came through without cracks. If you can, try arranging a trip to the factory. Sure wish I had had the time. Still hope to go there soon. Mine is based on the SE-012 "Franklin" model, but modified to my wants and specs.

[suebow]

That is good to know. thank you.................we will be moving to the area outside of Gainesville, Fl and it just seems a long way from the Ala. plant. We are retired now (newbies) and have so much to worry about and making sure this home lasts us what lifetime we have and not have to be "repairing" it right off or all the time................guess we just worry a lot. We as most people want the best for the money.............

Thank you again for your reassurance.

[rmurray]

In your area you have one of the best plants and dealers in the US>>..Home of Merit from Lake City which can be had at C&G Homes in Lake City..You are right..it is VERY hard for even a well meaning plant to service a home that far away...You said Gainesville area...I have relatives in Fort White..I lived in Lake City for 17 years....17 years ago..Eugene Royals was one of my service and set guys..He now owns Royal's Homes in Lake City...He would be another high quality dealers in your area..You are fortunate to have so much to choose from close by..It would make little sense to buy from a plant over 600 miles away when you have many of the very best in the country within 100 to 150 miles...You are doing things right..The process will go well for you...Good Luck with your new home..

[suebow]

Oh my gosh, how wonderful that you are able to give us names of dealers. Our experience has been like dealing with used car salesmen and thanks to John's book, we have encountered every one of his "warnings" more often than I care to think about. It has certainly left a scare in us that is there anyone out there that is honest and aboveboard?

We have been looking for a year and going back to several places and finding that the people you were dealing with are now gone. Not only are they gone, there is now a "new price". It has been a scary time for us. I am so leery now that hopefully with your good advice I can check out these dealers.

I feel like I want to kick a tire when I go in to dealers most of the time and they are so busy trying to find out how much money you have or how much they are going to take from you that it's upsetting. If I could take some of those gold chains they seem to all have bought from the same outlet, and melt them down, we could have a nice down payment.

Also even if you tell them you are dealing with a cash deal only and you have your own land, they want to do the "money" thing with how much do you have? I tell you this has been quite an experience and it's not over yet unfortunately.

Thank you so much all of you for your input. I now feel like I have someone to help guide us.
Sue