This handbook details the steps the shopper must follow when buying a manufactured home. It offers advice on choosing a dealership, negotiating with sales people, understanding mortgage options, avoiding common trouble spots in setup and delivery, and customizing the new home. Included as an appendix are the addresses of the state agencies dealing with consumer concerns about manufactured housing.
The authoritative consumer guide to manufactured homes and purchasing land or leasing a home site, providing up-to-date, essential information home buyers need to make an informed purchase decision. This second edition of the bestselling guide is completely revised and updated, including a new annotated construction rating table with 56 criteria you can use to evaluate any home'before you buy. In this comprehensive book, John Grissim, author of the best-selling companion resource, The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes, gives you everything you need to safely'and successfully'navigate the tricky waters of the manufactured home marketplace. He explains how the manufactured home industry operates, how to find a dealer worthy of your trust, how to make the right home selection, and, as important, how to be informed, empowered and swindle-proof. Exahustively researched, with extensive input from both industry insiders and consumer advocates, this guide contains much information that retailers, even the good guys, don't want you to know. In addition to clear step-by-step guidance in the home buying process, John Grissim provides up-to-date, essential information together with authoritative, no-nonsense insights that have made him a respected industry observer and voice for the home-buying consumer.
This book contains comprehensive information to help the potential home buyer to find, specify, purchase, finance and install a manufactured home. It explains the best way of financing and other aspects of the process. Includes all necessary information both for erecting manufactured housing as a permanent home on one's own land and in a mobile home park.This third edition is significantly expanded and updated.
The first comprehensive consumer ratings guide to every manufactured home builder and their brands, with at-a-glance listings that provide key information home shoppers need to make an informed buying decision. All 79 U.S. builders evaluated More than 300 brands and series describedPlus, an annotated construction rating chart with 56 criteria you can use to evaluate any home'before you buyJohn Grissim's bestselling "The Complete Buyer's Guide to Manufactured Homes and Land" has been hailed as the definitive resource for navigating the tricky waters of the manufactured home marketplace. Now he has written a companion guide that takes a close look at every manufacturer and the brands they build, providing up-to-date, essential information together with authoritative, no-nonsense insights that have made him a respected industry observer and voice for the home-buying consumer. Each manufacturer's listing includes:Company background/historyStates where soldPrincipal market niche/target customerRetail price rangeWho they compete againstConstruction rating on a 1-to-10 scaleBrands and series describedDescription of a popular modelWhat distinguishes brand from competitionNumber of dealerships Warranty structureAvailability of in-house financing/insuranceWeb site rating and evaluationAuthor's commentsExhaustively researched, and containing much information that many manufacturers would prefer you not know, The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes not only tells you who's who in the manufactured home universe'enabling you to compare and evaluate their products'it will help you be informed, empowered and confident as you make the many decisions involved in the purchase of your new home.
Buying a home is a complex process that involves a delicate balance of financial, emotional, and practical factors. This essential resource helps readers come out on top, revealing the best strategies for finding and buying a new home -- while saving money every step of the way.Whether looking for a house, condo, co-op, or manufactured home, readers will learn how to:* Hire the right agent* determine financial limits* develop relationships with banks and other potential lenders* evaluate communities* get prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage* negotiate the best price and terms* and more.There's also a checklist of the 15 costliest mistakes homebuyers make -- and how to avoid every one of them -- plus crucial information on how to sell a home. Owning a home is the American dream, but achieving it can be a nightmarish experience. With this vital information and great strategies, readers will not only find their dream home faster, they will do everything right to move in quickly and confidently!"
Did you know that over 50% of mortgages don't close? Do you know how much home you can buy? Do you know how much paperwork in involved? Most people don't know how much home purchasing power they have, how much to expect for closing costs (varies by state), or how much paperwork is involved when applying for a home loan. Most people have no idea the difference between loan programs from bank to bank, lender to lender, or broker to broker- or what the differences are between the main types of residential mortgage providers. Most people have no criteria for choosing a lender, the type of loan to seek, or how much down payment is best for them. For example, are there differences between the types of property that may affect down payment? The mortgage industry is packed with nuance, which can lead to confusion for the consumer. While trying to buy a home, you may have people from many different professions telling you what you should do and how to make decisions-who should you listen to in which situations? Your most personal financial information is critical to the mortgage process and yet do you know who you are sending it to? What about mortgage insurance? Why is it required and when? The two questions I most often hear are: "What's the payment?" and, "What's the interest rate?" While these questions are important, there are several other questions that are just as critical: what is the right loan type for me; is there an up-front funding fee for this loan; what are the differences in available mortgage insurance; how will property type restrictions affect my loan; what are the pros and cons of this loan; what is the down payment requirement with this loan choice over another; what are the closing costs associated with each loan type; and, who is allowed to pay the closing costs? Successfully navigating the maze of questions, regulations, and requirements ultimately leads to a mortgage closing. Through over ten years of experience, thousands of clients, hundreds of Realtor and builder transactions (time line constraint purchases), and, as a licensed loan originator in 9 states and the District of Columbia, I have developed a wealth of knowledge about regulations and requirements. My commitment to client service and caring about their home buying experience has driven my passion for the individual personal experience in the mortgage industry and how the regulations and requirements affect real people in real time. With this book I'm privileged and excited to share my knowledge and experience with you. After reading this book, you will have an understanding of the big corporations that loan money to homebuyers, what other options you have and how to navigate government regulations and requirements to your advantage. I feel that an educated consumer is my best customer and I am happy to share these mortgage tools and tips with you in the hopes that you educate yourself and find the best mortgage and the mortgage professional that is right for you. In addition, I want you to know what to expect, what to ask, and, who to ask to get the answers you want and to understand what those answers really mean. With each chapter I will guide you through the mortgage process, from choosing between different loan types, to understanding the difference between a Good Faith Estimate and an Itemized Fee Worksheet, to the necessity of submitting certain documents in a particular method, and finally how to enter Closing Day stress-free and knowing that you have gotten the mortgage that makes the most financial sense for your future. The goal is to help you get the best mortgage possible for your individual needs and get to closing on time, stress free!
The Insider's Guide to Home Buying, San Francisco Edition includes advanced home buying secrets for beginners that will open the door to becoming a prepared homeowner. Shawn Kunkler's latest book demystifies the San Francisco home buying process with an easy to follow home buying blueprint. He efficiently guides you through the basics of how to begin, who to talk to and what documents are required to get started. This concentrated guide spotlights early warning signs and basic mistakes to avoid. Discover how to identify current market trends to find the best deals.
