Buying a new manufactured home

[mikevv]

We are buying a new manufactured home, never have done this before. Any buying tips/pointers.
The home is to be put on a deeded lot and used as our home away from home. We are looking at 20 ft by 60 ft, 2 bed with 2 bath.
Thanks

[leeelmer]

two ways to do it.
CMHC loan, terrible as you are paying thousands to the CMHC to insure the bank.
Mortgage using deeded land as the backing.
You find what you want, pay them, it shows up and gets blocked and leveled, unless you are going with piles, then a bit different.
Only give them the deposit, and don't pay the final amount until house shows up and everything is proper including delivery of skirting.
They don't give a care in the world about you once they have the full payment. So don't give them that until its perfect.
Cost are quite high right now, but you can get what you want.
If you don't need a mortgage and are paying cash, I would highly recommend you buy a newer used one. They are epicly cheaper.
My 20x80 that I bought new in 2007 now costs $156,000 for it.
I have it for sale for $100,000 that includes the first $5000 to have it moved.
But each to his own, some people want new, and then they get exactly what they want.
The price you get quoted from the home manufacture, includes moving it on, and blocking and leveling.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by mikevv

We are buying a new manufactured home, never have done this before. Any buying tips/pointers.
The home is to be put on a deeded lot and used as our home away from home. We are looking at 20 ft by 60 ft, 2 bed with 2 bath.
Thanks

What manufacturer are you going with?

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by sns2

What manufacturer are you going with?

THIS is the most important question.

Once you have an ideo of who, research the hell out of them. Look for complaints, suits, BBB ratings, problems all as the search words.

Nothing worse than finding out after the fact the builder is skeezy.

[Windsweptcoast]

I am planning on doing this also in northern BC in a couple years.

[CMichaud]

Hopefully not a hijack but I really am not to informed on these less the stigma associated from the old days!

I see the prices of these are pretty high relative to what I remember them being.

Any tips re older vs newer ones?

Is the construction different?

How about resale vs conventional homes and pros/cons etc?

Do newer ones last longer than the older ones?

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by CMichaud

Hopefully not a hijack but I really am not to informed on these less the stigma associated from the old days!

I see the prices of these are pretty high relative to what I remember them being.

Any tips re older vs newer ones?

Is the construction different?

How about resale vs conventional homes and pros/cons etc?

Do newer ones last longer than the older ones?

We were called out to a house fire last week. It was an older home. It took us 20 minutes to get there, 15 miles plus gear up. The house is standing. One room, where the fire started is destroyed. All the rest are there.

If this was a new house that is OSB and glue everywhere it would more than likely be on the ground.

Yes, there is something to be said for older houses, IF they are built correctly. You can always find an old wreck that is a polished turd as well, make sure you do your homework.

[JDK71]

Put it on piles blocking is just a waste do it right the first time and it will last

[Dona]

Older Mod 1985 and older have little value and are very difficult to finance.
Lots of negative stigma with Buyers!

[NCC]

Pay the extra $1000 -1500 to go with 3/4" plywood instead of OSB for floor sheathing.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by NCC

Pay the extra $1000 -1500 to go with 3/4" plywood instead of OSB for floor sheathing.

Most houses have OSB floor sheathing without problems. it's a high quality product. Roof would be a different story, OSB degrades way faster when exposed to water in the event of a leak.

Grizz

[bucksnbears]

Good Lord, if you are gonna wait a couple years, get a Stick Built house built!

Any, (and I've seen MANY) are made cheaply.
Most people don't recognize the quality but some of us do.

And skirting is where most future problems start.

[mikevv]

Thanks for all the help and hints.
The manufacturer is Shelter Home Systems. Built in Estavan Sask