Modular Homes - Does anyone have any opinions (Clemson, Lancaster: credit, buying)

[sheilaramos]

....My husband and I have been looking into purchasing a MODULAR / PRE-FABRICATED HOME.... from a dealer in rock hill south carolina (clayton homes).

Has anyone had any experiences with the purchasing of a modular home and/or experiences with the dealers good or bad that they could share or things we should watch for.

What about quality of the homes? Do they stand up to normal wear and tear?

I have heard some horror stories with regard to them being set up and put together and was wondering about anyone else's experiences.

[salatheel]

I am wondering the same.

[Joe the Photog]

I would think you're probably safe with a modular home from a reputable dealer such as Clayton. But there'll always be lemons, I would guess.


Joe H.

[anonymous]

Not too long ago I stayed in a modular home up in Clemson. It was huge, 2 stories, 5 bedrooms, brand new. At first glance, it looked unbelievably nice, especially for college students. The girls that lived there called it the "Lego House". The walls were thin, the balconies wobbled. I think you could've gotten a running start and run right through the kitchen wall into the front yard. While we were there (2 days), the rails on two different balconies snapped off. The girls laughed it off, "Well, that figures!". Essentially, it felt exactly like a mobile home, it just looked like a really nice house.

I'm not saying that all modular homes are this way (I don't know), but the few experiences I've had with modular homes have all been negative. I agree with Mr. Modular, it is a big decision. And I wouldn't want to be in a modular home with a hurricane on the way.

[htlong]

i feel that modular homes have improved over the last ten years, they are built in a factory where each home has inspectors present rather than driving from site to site. they are squared up to spec. which can be overlooked in stick homes. you have good builders of modular homes as well as bad builders. in my honest opinion clayton builds one of the best , they use stonger boards Ie 2x6 instead of 2x4 etc. i dont sell build or live in a modular home but i try to keep up do to retirement is creeping up on me and i would like to get lakefront property and place a "trailer" on the property, what i want is far from a trailer but the stigma is there!

[atucker]

I live in a double-wide modular home. I don't think it counts as a trailer since it is ona brick foundation. I personally would not go with Clayton. They like to run your credit without your full knowledge and authorization and then make it hard for you to go with another dealer (this happened to me). I love my home and its location, but my main complaint is that the walls are thin and it is a little ahrd to cool in the summer since we have little shade in our yard.

Just be careful with the dealer you go with. They are going to try to give you the minimum so they make more profit from the deal. When I made my deal, they forgot to put my fireplace in. I complained and they gave me an entertainment center, coffee table, and end-tables. Not a fireplace, but in the long run that worked out better anyway ;-)

[SheriffMarge]

Want to say thanks to Mr. T. White for your post... some time ago, I was introduced to a website for something called a "wee house". It's also prefab/modular and I wonder whether you have any thoughts on how they compare to the modular homes you sell in Lancaster?

I've never seen one, but their website is pretty interesting

removed

I'm still about 15 years from retirement but feel that a modular home will be a good alternative to finding something affordable on a piece of property that I actually like.

Best to all,
Margie

[Opie2639]

Think long and hard before buying from Clayton Homes.My wife and I bought a "Freedom" model double wide from the dealer in crestview Florida.Our problems started from the first day when they were setting the home up and still is on-going.We have had the dealer and the manufacturer in Waycross Gacome and attempt to fix the problems.Some of the problems are the walls in the home are not straight or square.Doors will not stay open on the bedrooms or bathrooms.Cracks in the ceiling just inside the master bedroom door.Ther is more to tell and if interested please contact me.It looks like when I signed on the dotted line that I gave up my rights.Do not sign that you accept the home til you take a 4 ft level and tape measure and go through the house measuring ceiling and floor in every room

[Marks]

Originally Posted by Opie2639

Think long and hard before buying from Clayton Homes.My wife and I bought a "Freedom" model double wide from the dealer in crestview Florida.Our problems started from the first day when they were setting the home up and still is on-going.We have had the dealer and the manufacturer in Waycross Gacome and attempt to fix the problems.Some of the problems are the walls in the home are not straight or square.Doors will not stay open on the bedrooms or bathrooms.Cracks in the ceiling just inside the master bedroom door.Ther is more to tell and if interested please contact me.It looks like when I signed on the dotted line that I gave up my rights.Do not sign that you accept the home til you take a 4 ft level and tape measure and go through the house measuring ceiling and floor in every room

Good advice, Opie! We plan to buy land and I will build my own home. I've done it several times you can save a ton of money. For some of these cookie cutter goofy looking homes that they are asking $300-450,000 I can build it for about $150,000 for a 2000 sq. ft. home. I'm not a contractor but I have been owner/builder.

I would be willing to help anyone build there home. It's not that diffacult, and in SC the permits and fee are very reasonable.

Thanks

Mark

[TootsieWootsie]

In Texas, home of many tornados and hurricanes, modular homes and double wides are always getting ripped up. Check the homework on the net about this, and you will see.
A friend of mine bought a modular home. It looked okay, but I felt that if he had his grandkids over--and I was asleep in the bedroom--the sound would shoot right thru the walls. Too thin for me.
In fact, my girlfriend sold these things for 9 years and lived in one herself. Me, I wouldn't buy one of those death traps for nothing.
Which is why God invented chocolate AND vanilla, folks.
Just my humble opinion.