Manufactured homes have been around for ages, but the modular movement has brought a new wave of options to house hunters all over the country. Modular homes come in a variety of customized floor plans and offer plenty of options. They look nearly identical to stick-built homes, but come with a cheaper price tag which holds a lot of appeal in today’s hurting economy. With gas prices soaring and interest rates skipping around the chart, modular homes are the perfect solution for many homeowners. With manufacturers catching on to this fast-paced housing trend, there are more companies than one homeowner can ever sort through. Quality is the key ingredient in building a home and these companies always deliver the high quality they advertise. Here are the top 5 modular home companies for 2008.
1. Clayton Homes
“Best Home, Best Price” is the motto you see when you drive by any Clayton Homes location. They truly live up to this standard by producing homes of superior quality for reasonable prices. Clayton’s stellar reputation was recognized by the Manufactured Housing Institute when they presented the award for “Manufacturer of the Year” to Clayton Homes in 2007. The United States Enviromental Protection Agency also recognized Clayton as the “2007 Manufacturing Partner of the Year” for its outstanding efforts to produce energy-efficient homes that support the green way of life. Clayton’s homeowners can expect to save between 200 to 400 dollars each year on utility bills because these homes meet the EPA’s strict guidelines for energy-efficiency. For more information, visit www.clayton.net
2. Ritz-Craft Corporation
With over 300 custom floor plans ranging from 1000 to 4000 square feet, Ritz-Craft Corporation is the mecca for modular home seekers. They offer a variety of styles including the ranch, cape cod, and tradition two-story homes and you can find their dealers in 30 states. Ritz-Craft is unique in their offer of a one year limited warranty and ten year structural warranty that matches their superior customer service. They have a dedicated staff that partners with Energy Star to ensure a sturdy home with energy efficient capabilites. If you are looking for a beautiful home on a budget, visit their website at www.ritz-craft.com to learn more about their fantastic floor plans.
3. Penn Lyon Homes Corporation
Penn Lyon Homes all carry the same “built smarter, built better” philosophy. They are one of the nation’s leading manufacturers, offering some lavishly designed homes along with townhouses and even commercial modular structures. They are truly dedicated to offering the newest and the best in the modular industry and their beautiful homes show their unwavering efforts to stay on top of the market. Penn Lyon pays meticulous attention to details from quality construction materials to top notch appliances. You can get a sample of their floor plans or find a local dealer at www.pennlyon.com.
4.Stratford Homes
Stratford Homes has crafted more than 8,000 modular homes to suit the latest needs and trends for American consumers. Stratford takes pride in the ability to make dreams become reality for home seekers everywhere by combining customized floor plans with highest quality building materials. They use modern AutoCad engineering and offer unique designs that stand out from the other modular home manufacturers in today’s market. Stratford Homes sets a high construction standard that other dealers are struggling to live up to and for this reason, you should definitely consider their quality-focused homes. For more information, visit www.stratfordhomes.com.
5. Westchester Modular Homes Inc.
Westchester Modular Homes boasts high quality with modular homes built with 20 percent more wood than tradition stick-built homes. They use only name brand features such as Whirlpool and Delta to assure that their homes stand with the highest integrity among the modular market. They also focus on energy efficient features and provide long-term financial savings with low-cost start up. Their options are seemingly endless with a variety of base models and thousands of customized availabilities. They welcome visitors to tour their factories and see first hand the superior building materials they use everyday. Their website is www.westchester-modular.com.
Before you choose a modular company, visit websites and showrooms. Walk through model homes and visit factories to see the actual materials that are being used. Ask a lot of questions before you trust one company to build your dream home. These five modular manufacturers provide excellent customer service so take advantage of it! Do your research and then enjoy the home of your dreams.
