In 1995, Eliot Fabri, head of new Era Building Systems (building mainly modular homes) started Castle Homes of Pennsylvania along with 18 Northwest retailers and began building only HUD-code manufactured homes. They have since added an entry level modular home line and offer many floor plans which are easily converted for either manufactured or modular codes. Castle Homes was acquired by Champion Enterprises Inc. in 2005 along with the rest of New Era Building systems in a $41 million purchase. Now renamed the New Era Group, Castle continues to be run by Eliot Fabri and his management team. Taken from the website, “Castle Housing of Pennsylvania has enjoyed unparalleled success since their opening in 1995. Our homes are of the very highest quality and loaded with standard features more commonly found in competitors products as high priced optional items.”
Modular Home Book Resources Popular Buying Guides for Modular Homebuyers
When trying to select a modular home the first place to start is at the factory level. Knowing which factories deliver to your area is the first step in understanding your options. The second and most important step is determining how the factories compare to each other in the areas of: Quality Construction, Design/Style, Appraised Value and Price.
The manufactured housing industry has made some serious improvements in recent years regarding quality construction and residential appeal. With modern day technology and assembly line techniques, the industry is overcoming the misconception that manufactured homes are poorly built and don’t measure up to stick-built homes.
Knowing your financing options is the first step to securing a good deal. We have spoken with hundreds of modular home lenders and Mr. Eaton the author has gone through the process himself. Learn from his insight and you can avoid some common mistakes people make when financing their home.
On average 80% of homebuyers pay too much for their modular home. Not surprising with all the choices one must make from negotiating with your builder to purchasing property and site-improvements. This resource will reveal important negotiating secrets and dealer profit margins that will give you an edge when negotiating with your builder.
Most modular home builders have display models for potential home buyers to walk through. These models are professionally decorated to impress buyers with elaborate decorations, elegant furniture and dazzling floorplans. Aesthetics are important but would you purchase a modular home based on looks and compromise structural integrity? Don’t be fooled by appearances and miss what really matters; “Quality Construction.”
Factory Built Homes The modular housing idea is not new. Sears Roebuck offered a prefabricated modern home in their spring 1908 general catalog, which was shipped by train. Sears sold around 100000 of these homes from 1908 to 1939. The use of production line techniques really kicked into high gear after World War II and made a sizable contribution to reducing the housing shortage at that time.
Systems Built Construction Manufacturers are located to make the most efficient use of transportation, materials and labor. Therefore, the houses can be built better and more efficiently and more economically. Also, there is less waste and none of the theft, vandalism and weather damage common with stick-built construction. After delivery to the site, all factory-built housing can be assembled, closed in and occupied in a matter of days or weeks.
Missouri Factory Built Home A manufactured home is built entirely in the factory under a federal building code administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD and is classified as a Manufactured Home. These homes are constructed to meet the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, which has been in effect since June 15, 1976. The Federal standards regulate, manufactured housing design, construction, strength, durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality. The HUD Code also sets performance standards for the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal and electrical systems.
