From company’s website, “Based in Dallas, Texas, Palm Harbor Homes is one of the nation's largest marketers of factory-built homes. The company's vertically integrated operations set it apart from others in the industry. Palm Harbor Homes builds, sells, finances and insures the best manufactured homes available today. Palm Harbor's focus is the high-end, customized niche of the HUD-code manufactured home market. Four out of five homes produced in its 18 manufacturing facilities across the country are customized with owner-selected features. Palm Harbor sells its homes through 115 company-owned superstores and more than 350 independent retailers. Palm Harbor, also owns Nationwide Homes and Discover Custom Homes, which are subsidiary company’s that builds high-quality modular homes. Together, these companies represent the vertical integration plan established by Palm Harbor's founder, Lee Posey.”
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.”
Advantages of Modular Home Construction The manufactured 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.
Modular Construction Facts Advocates of modular homes have long maintained that the building system produces homes that are much stronger than conventional site built structures. For example, the modular sections are well built to withstand the stresses of highway travel, containing up to 30 percent more building materials than a comparable site built home.
Maine Factory Built Home If you’ are planning on placing your home on a basement you will need to order your manufactured home basement ready” or “foundation ready”. Basements can be complicated, talk with the engineers at the manufacturer and work closely with them. A general contractor who has had experience installing basements under manufactured homes is a must. Your sales center should have names of qualified contractors in your area. Every basement is different and will usually require an engineer drawing.
