From the website www.consumersunion.org :
Buying a manufactured home is a challenging process that more closely resembles the process of buying a car than buying a conventional home. Recently in our online publication ConsumerReports.org we published “10 ways to protect yourself from used-car sales tactics.” Recognizing the usefulness of this advice to manufactured home buyers, we recap the advice for you here.
1. Know the value of the home. Our report “What’s it worth? Murky pricing hurts consumers in the manufactured housing industry,” discusses how hard it can be for consumers to determine a fair price for manufactured homes. Nevertheless, having this information is number one way you as a consumer can protect yourself. Know the true value of your candidate home, regardless of what the seller is asking. Used homes vary widely in value based on factors such as location, age, condition, options, and foundation. Pricing guide services, such the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) Manufactured Housing pricing guide possibly at your local library, can give you a ballpark estimate. Such guides can even be used for new homes – knowing the value of a one year old home in the same model gives you an idea of today’s value. Getting an independent professional appraisal of the home in the intended location is an important last step.
2. Write down your questions. Come in with a prepared list of questions about the home and check them off when they are answered to your satisfaction. Make sure all your questions are answered. See our brochure “Tips on Mobile Homes” for a very detailed checklist of things you should know about your home.
3. Don't flash your cash. The dealership doesn't need to know anything about your finances during the negotiating process. Do not tell them how much home you can afford, or they'll try to take every penny of it.
4. Stay on the subject. Never allow a salesperson to change the direction of the conversation to matters other than home buying. Salespeople often gloss over important questions, such as home construction and price, by changing the subject.
5. Don't be rushed. Salespeople's favorite customers are those who seem to be in a hurry, since they tend to be the ones who do not inspect the home thoroughly or don't negotiate the price. Never go to a dealership acting rushed, even you need a home quickly--they'll take advantage of it. Even better, don’t get tied to a timeline by outside factors like an expiring lease – keep your housing options open while you shop. Many salespeople say they won't pressure or rush you into buying, but they usually do it anyway. If you feel the sales process is moving too fast, tell the salesperson that you'll come back at another time. If the home you're interested in is gone, remember that there are many other homes out there – by definition manufactured homes are manufactured on an assembly line.
6. Be prepared to walk away. Once you've come up with a price you feel is fair, state your offer clearly, and say nothing more. If the seller won't budge, walk away. You shouldn't pay more than what your homework has told you is the worth of the home. If you head for the door, you'll often have a deal you can live with before you reach it.
7. Be wary of costly add-ons. Porches, hot tubs, entertainment centers and other options help the dealership maximize its profits. Be sure to shop around for each item, and not allow them to get buried in the total price of the home.
8. Check the dealer and manufacturer’s history. Call the state agency that regulates manufactured housing in your state in your state and determine if the dealer and manufacturer have a history of consumer complaints. High levels of complaints are an indication that past consumers had problems with their purchase. Complaint ratios help compare different manufacturers, but not all states compile these statistics.
9. Get the home inspected.
For used homes: After you make an offer, but before you sign a contract of sale, get the home inspected by a professional familiar with manufactured housing. Don't let the dealer tell you they've inspected the home for you. Deduct any needed repairs that the mechanic finds from your offer.
For new homes: Make sure the home gets an independent inspection after installation so you can document any manufacturing or installation problems that should be covered by the warranty.
10. Come with your financing secured. Go to a bank or credit union for loan approval before you go to the dealership. When shopping for financing, be sure to look at the whole package and not just the contract interest rate. Details such as the costs of “points” (cash or prepaid) and the length of the loan can significantly affect how quickly you build equity in your home
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