My parents bought a new (custom, not off the lot) double wide manufactured home, approx 2400sqft, in 2003.
There were not any horror stories related to the financing, except one. They own 50 acres, that had taken them 20 years to pay off. To prevent my parents from having to pay a large down payment, Oakwood's financing company, Vanderbelt Mortgage wanted some land as colladeral. That was okay with my parents.
At first they wanted quit a number of acres, but my Dad (thank goodness) would only agree to giving one acre up. He was pretty smart when doing this. He had to mark with stakes for the surveying. He made it where the land that was to be included with the home was very narrow, only leaving about 20 feet in the front and back yard, and placed it far enough away from the road so the land is very narrow and long (if it were ever to get repo'ed)
Anyway, that is not really the problem. The problem is, my parents selected many upgrades, expecting this to be their last home. My Dad's health at the time was starting to decline, and my mother with numerous health issues.
Okay, this is the problem. They selected 6" thick exterior walls, they got that.in fact the appearance of the home was great. Actually it was beautiful. Oakwood did screw up on the color of the carpet, it should have been darker, but that was not a big deal. The french doors in the rear of the house (those doors with only one that opens) was not to be installed until after the home was delivered and set up.
Well the crew that came to do that brought the wrong size doors. They were to tall. The interior height of the exterior walls is only 7 ft. So the doors are not the standard height. Finally after they got the right doors to install another problem developed. The french doors leaked every time it rained. After a number of warranty calls my Mom made, they finally said, well you will you will just have to build a roof over the deck to keep the water from leaking in.
After that the other problems started. The "cherry wood" finish on the cabinets started to literally wipe off. Exposing MDF. Has anyone every gotten MDF wet and watched what happen to it, not pretty.
The other problems is the master bath was freezing in the winter time and hot in the summer. Their solution wast to pack insulation under the bases of her vanity.
Well after my Mom made some additonal attempts to get some things repaired, she was informed that Oakwood went out of business in Texas and the remainder of her warranty was useless.
In Nov 05 my Dad was killed in a farming accident on our property, actually the tractor that killed him ran into the house. Surprisingly only causing about 2000.00 in damage. That was all siding and skirt damage, and it knocked it off level.
However, the structure problems haunt us. There is hole in the floor infront of the back door. I finally painted the kitchen cabinets because they looked so awful. The vinal flooring is curing up around the cabinets. The subfloor is particle board which was not to be used. I was supposed to be old fashioned plywood is what the salesman told him. Just 2 weekends ago, we had to have the breaker box rewired because there were wires actually melting together and caused a horrible burning plastic smell and caused the wall to become extemely hot. That is how we discovered it.
I am now living with my Mom. I will be inheriting this money pit. Oh, I didnt tell you, the cost of this thing was in the 80,000.00. Payments are around mid 700.00sih and with their optional insurance brings it the 900.00 margin.
I would love to be able to trade this thing in for an Oak Creek or Palm Harbor home, since the land is tied up with the loan I have no idea if this can be done. I just don't know if I can keep this money pit going for 27 more years!
Ronnie
Cumby, Texas
U.S.A.
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