Well, now you've decided which dealer and which manufacturer's home you are interested in buying.

Congratulations . . . very important first steps.

Now, starts the work.  You need to make many decisions about the size, rooms, upgrades and other things that you want in the home.  Notice I said want rather than need.  This is where we all start.  We start with a wish list and then move on to what we can afford.

It is important to get everything on paper and in writing from the dealer you are talking to.  Don't let anyone hand you a piece of paper with a lump sum number.  You have no idea what you are getting with that piece of paper.  Important:  IF IT ISN'T IN WRITING, YOU AREN'T GETTING IT.

Before becoming a dealer I repeated this to many of my clients who purchased home sites from me and then proceeded to dealers to buy the home.  They came back with glowing reports of what they would get in their homes.  I asked to take a look at the paperwork the dealer gave them.  The paperwork was simple: Base Price for the Home, Transportation Cost and Estimated Cost to Install.  Nothing itemized the options that the client thought he/she was getting.  And, guess what?  Once the home was in place the client did not have the crown molding, ceiling fans, upgraded cabinets, 1 piece shower/tub enclosure, and the list goes on.

IF IT ISN'T IN WRITING, YOU AREN'T GETTING IT.

"But they said I would get everything that was in the model" bemoaned one of my distraught clients.  When she returned to the dealer and tried to see the model again, it was gone - it had been sold.  No backup for her, she was simply out of luck.

Now, what I'll say seems a bit counter intuitive.  Once you've decided on the dealer and manufacturer, don't get wishy washy and start flopping about like a fish out of water.  There are numerous manufacturers, numerous dealers and a plethora (did I spell that right) of upgrades, options and choices for any home.  You will confuse yourself very quickly.  Remember, you did your research on the dealer and manufacturer early on.  But, now you want to make sure that you are getting a fair price.  Notice I don't say cheapest price -- fair price. 

A good dealer needs to make money on the sale and have some room to give you good service.  Remember, you are buying a home, not a washing machine.  Only your dealer will give you after sales service, no other dealer will service your home for you.  So, get your ITEMIZED prices from your dealer, take it home to "think about it".  Don't sign your contract on the spot.  Then, take the itemized list to other authorized dealers for that manufacturer and without giving that dealer the prices, ask the dealer to price out the same home model and options.  Get the itemized pricing from the dealer and compare.  If the prices are within 5-10% on options and withint 5% on the home, then the dealer you chose is probably doing right by you.  You can certainly take the other dealer's pricing to the dealer you selected, but don't be too heavy handed, after all, you want a good working relationship with your dealer.

More Blogs to come on buying your brand new manufactured home.