never buy a doublewide unless it is new. sell it after 5-7 years because they fall apart. ALSO if you need to replace doors (int & ext) or windows, you have to buy them from a specialty door&window company. they are odd sizes-you can't just go to Lowe's and buy a new door! Good Luck.

Pam, what you need to focus your efforts on is finding a reputable dealer. The dealer matters far more than the home manufacturer.

You are probably right Cathy. It seems that all of the manufactured homes I have researched seem very similar in structure and amenities especially if they all build to hud specs.. How does one begin to find a dealer they can trust. Maybe its to risky to deal in manufactured and I should just consider stick built.

Yes, Pam, the homes will all be similar. The worst horror stories on this forum seem to be issues related to improper setup. If you choose to go with a manufactured home the dealer arranges all this. If you go modular, the general contractor you hire does all that and is the most important thing. I wish I could guide you to a really good dealer. I truly just lucked onto one. Check with the local BBB, Google various dealerships, ask about dealerships at a park that does not sell homes (if you can find one). Buying a brand new home already installed on a lot in a park works well for a lot of people. Buying a used home already in a park is less expensive but often a better option, especially if you are able to do upgrades yourself.

You can have a manufactured home built to any specification you want. You're not stuck with HUD minimums. You can have 8 ft ceilings, normal windows and doors, 2x6 exterior walls, etc. There's a double wide at the local dealer that has a full cape style roof and log siding. Once it's set on a permanent foundation nobody is going to drive by and see a double wide manufactured home. They're going to see a 28 x 48 log home.

It just comes down to how much you want to pay for the home. The less you want to pay, the less you get.

I have a 2006 DW; and it's probably one of the cheaper models. Fortunately for me there's a parts dealer in town. But on top of that I've had the cardboard wrapped window trim replaced with real wood; vinyl flooring; installed better storm windows, the kind that go on real houses, etc. You could and should Google and remember the advice here is a source from owners. I have excellent insulation; electric bill is about $30 a month but I keep the heat down and put on an extra sweater, cook with a microwave, and never use a dryer. I would definitely recommend having the skirting insulated, whatever mobile home you buy if you don't get a cellar.

Don't confuse manufactured homes with modular homes. There absolutely are differences.

Randall Eaton's consumer review book was the smartest money I ever spent when we were ready to retire to another state. I knew zip about the difference between the two types of homes and even less about the building contractors in the area we were moving to.

We have been in our R-anell modular since 2003 and we have no complaints. We purchased it, based on reviews in Eaton's book. I custom designed the home and most people don't know it came in on wheels.

Now that we have lived here 12 years, we know there are only one or two contractors capable of giving us equal or better value received in a comparable stick built house; we would have paid thru the nose for it, too.

http://www.mobilehome.net/reaton/index1.htm

The differences between manufactured and modular has been discussed many times here.

I'm sure it has and will be discussed many more times, just like any other subject of interest that gets harangued.

You either intentionally or accidentally chose to ignore the rest of my post which was the crux. The consumer book, it is a wise investment ---- even for those who know everything:)

No need to be insulting.

Your post started out by saying there are differences between manufactured and modular housing. That's what my reply was about.

Then you go on to shill a book, and that always raises red flags with me.

I've been my modular since 2002 and I am very happy with it. With the short building season here in Vermont modulars are quite common.

And, conversely, I have been very happy in my manufactured home since we bought it in 2011. There is no modular/manufactured choice to be made when the goal is living in a MH park rather than on a lot you purchase!