Norris Homes

[MoonShadow127]

Hello all,

After looking at a ton of homes, I think I have finally decided on Norris as the company I'm going to go with to build my first home. We looked at a ton of other companies, but Norris has the best floor plan for us, best sales team, and the easiest way to purchase the home. (no construction loans!) The house we'll be getting will be optioned as an on-frame mod with 2x6" exterior walls, 6/12 roof, fully drywalled. I'm REALLY excited about getting it!

So.. for my question.. if I do searches in the forums, I see a LOT of negative remarks about Norris Homes. I've also noticed that most of the comments seem to be from a couple years ago, and I wondered if they have gotten better as a company? Were they not owned by Clayton before? I've looked at model homes in 3 different areas, and all of the homes seem to be excellently built, but it's hard to tell what they'll look like in a few years. So any feedback will be much appreciated before I sign on the dotted line!

[rmurray]

You might be right...most of the negatives are pre-Clayton ownership...Many are about dealer issues as well...

Now a question for you....why a FAKE mod...an on frame mod is a manufactured home as far as insurance, lending and appraisals are concerned..meaning you pay more interest, insurance and have a MUCH lower resale price than a real off frame mod...Most construction to perm mortgages are quite simple..You should consult with a quality mortgage consultant before you move forward..Remember 1% interest is TENS of Thousands of dollars over time..A traditional home mortgage will be MUCH less expensive than the manufactured home loan you are considering...I you are shopping a Clayton owned store, the salesperson will resist your efforts to get the best deal in finance. Mostly because he gets a bonus for keeping you to Clayton's Vanderbilt Mortgage..You might want to search these boards for info on Vanderbilt...Good Luck..

[trmimo]

Norris has been owned by Clayton for decades.

[MoonShadow127]

To be quite honest, I've been told by a ton of people that there was ZERO difference in insurance, appraisals, and whatever else between an on-frame and off-frame mod, so long as it's built to state codes. And past that, my motivation has been that 1) The off-frame option plus the cost of a crane adds about $10k, and 2) I have a gorgeous wooded lot, and would have to clear more for space for the crane and such. My goal is to clear as absolutely little as I have to, and I already have to clear quite a lot for the drain field and house site.

Again, this is what people have told me, and admittedly a lot of those people have been dealers from all different brands of homes.

[rmurray]

Get your info from those with nothing to gain...Call ANY mortgage company or broker and ask about the different programs and their prices...Savings in interest will be at LEAST 1/2% for those who do both..BUT many mortgage lenders no longer do manufactured homes..Also they consider a modular with a frame as nothing more than a manufactured home..Then call ANY appraiser and ask about appraisal procedures of both in your area...In mine the LAW requires appraisers to appraise on frame mods as manufactured home..Usually tens of thousands lower than the same home as an off frame mod...You probably have no intention to sell this home but this alone could make it worth tens of thousands less on resale..Also it keeps you from doing a refi mortgage in the future which could also cost you tens of thousands in the future. Mortgage companies will NOT do cash-out refi's on manufactured homes (mods w/frame are classified as such), closing out good financial options for the future..

I am convinced if your are only 10K away from a REAL modular...I would suggest you rethink...A good clearing company will appreciate your feelings about your land..You would be surprised what a quality crane operator can do...I would get the one who you would use and get advice about clearing..They all respect nice country locations..The dealers have been discouraging you only because they get THEIR money faster with the on frame model..Also they would far rather sell out of stock than order.

[MoonShadow127]

rmurray, thanks for the info and I will look into the long term effects of the on-frame mod option. My stepdad is a mortgage broker, so I'll talk to him about it.

However I do think that the dealers in my area are significantly less devious than your posts indicate. Mostly because the housing market has completely tanked in my area, and I think they are just enthusiastic that ANYONE is going to buy a home from them, no matter how long it takes. None of them even mentioned their own financing until I asked about it, and none of the dealers have the plan/options I want on their lot, so they'll have to order it no matter what.

But dealer/financials aside, does anyone else have any feedback on Norris quality itself? Surely some of the people on this forum have a Norris home, and I'd really like to hear how happy/unhappy you are.