1) When I go with Ferris Financial Group, Inc. for my new home, what services are provided?
Ferris Financial Group, Inc. makes it easy for you to buy a home from us with services such as the following:
For our clients wanting to build on a vacant lot or as a secondary dwelling on their property, we recommend a site inspection by our contractor. It's really the only way we can get an accurate price for the entire project by having all the information. Our site evaluation specialist would drive to the site, gather all information, and then take a couple of days to put the report together for your review. There is an up front site evaluation charge for this service. This charge would be used for a lot review, cost analysis and permit cost, etc. for the site. Once you purchase a home from us we normally credit the fee back towards the cost of the home.
The reason we recommend this survey for the first step is because there are so many unknowns, type of sewer required (standard, pressure or treated etc.), where electrical is currently located and if there will be any additional costs to run it to the building site, is the well good or does it need some work, amount of site preparation required, where a driveway will run to the home, etc. The cost of the home is only one aspect of the project. We want to know all about the project, since installation of the home is another cost. We want to present to our customer the most accurate turn key pricing for their evaluation.
2) What is a manufactured home or factory-crafted home?
Manufactured homes are built entirely in the factory under the federal building code administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (commonly known as the HUD Code) went into effect June 15, 1976. Manufactured homes may be single or multi-section and are transported to the site and installed. The federal standards regulate manufactured housing design and construction, strength and durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality. The HUD Code also sets performance standards for the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal and electrical systems. It is the only federally-regulated national building code. On-site additions, such as garages, decks and porches, often add to the attractiveness of manufactured homes and must be built to local, state or regional building codes.
It may be hard to imagine building a home in a factory, but compared to building on site, there are some big advantages:
- Controlled environment - framing and sheathing of Homes built in a factory aren't exposed to the elements before they are closed in. Waste is a all but eliminated by designing and pre-cutting materials to exacting specifications.
- Time - Electrical, plumbing and every other construction process is done at the factory, eliminating the scheduling hassles that slow down site-built construction. And we're not subject to the same weather delays you experience when everything happens on site. Experts wager that cycle time can be shortened by as much as 30%, as the site preparation can be executed at the same time the house is being built.
- Cost - There is very little waste building a factory-crafted home - and, because we buy construction materials in large quantities, we can offer lower prices.
- Quality - Every Ferris home meets or exceeds the code requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is scrutinized by countless inspections. Modular structures are often sturdier than their stick-built counterparts because they must be engineered to withstand transport.
Normally the homes are in planned developments where homebuyers will own the home as personal property and lease a home site from a community owner. The community owner would be responsible for maintaining the community, amenities and services.
You will find that quality, durability and high value are the hallmarks of today's precision-built manufactured home. If you would like more information, please fill out our request for information.
3) I currently own an older mobile home and would be interested in a new Ferris home. What steps do I take to make this transition?
At Ferris Financial Group, Inc., we offer a trade-in of your old home when you want to stay in your same space. Check out our trade-in policy or contact us for more information.
4) Where can I find financing to purchase my new manufactured home?
Ferris Financial Group, Inc. is not a lender, however a principal in our group is a California Licensed Mortgage Broker with access to many lenders and mortgage companies throughout California. We make it easy to not only customize your home with the features of your choice, but to also help you find financing for your new home. Just take the first step and fill out our Pre-Qualify Home Loan Application. On this application you will be asked a few questions to help us calculate your pre-qualification status. This pre-qualification is secure, free and confidential. When you decide to purchase your new home, you will submit a mortgage application.
5) What questions and steps should I ask when considering a new home that best fits my needs?
STEP 1
What are your family’s needs?
How many bedrooms/bathrooms do you need?
Will you need space to grow?
STEP 2
Where’s the perfect place for your home?
Do you own or are you intending to buy land?
Will your home be placed on a land leased home site?
STEP 3
Choose Ferris Financial Group, Inc.
Our extremely knowledgeable New Home Sales Specialists are there to guide
you through every step of the home-buying process.
STEP 4
Choose from hundreds of floor plans.
View the regionally designed floor plans on this web site or work with our New Home Specialist to decide which model and floor plan is best for you.
STEP 5
Choose your favorite options.
Customize your home with décor packages, upgrade your appliances, select your floor coverings...the list goes on.
STEP 6
What is the best way to pay for your new home?
Ferris Financial Group, Inc. can offer a wide range of financing options that are designed to meet your needs.
STEP 7
Your new home is on its way!
Our homes are delivered directly from one of our preferred manufacturing centers to the site you have selected for your new home.
STEP 8
It’s here, now it’s time to be installed.
The Ferris homes are built in one or more sections. After being transported, they are installed; the utilities are connected and you move in!
STEP 9
All that’s left is your approval! Make sure everything is as you expected. If not, don’t hesitate to contact Ferris Financial Group, Inc. Consultant so that issues may be quickly addressed.
6) How does the process of buying a new manufactured home work?
Ferris Financial Group, Inc. can help you every step of the way such as a site survey if you have an existing lot you wish to build on, finding a space in a local park or community, designing your home around your needs, project management as well helping you find financing for your new home. Clients typically move into their new home in just a few weeks after the confirmation of the order for their new home. Contact Ferris Financial Group, Inc. for more information.
7) Where can I place a manufactured home?
Your new manufactured home can be installed on vacant land, as a secondary dwelling on an existing lot with a home already, in a park space and in a manufactured home community of your choice, either senior or all age park. If you own a parcel of land, we can sell you the manufactured home and assist you in the process of installing that home. We also can build homes on in-fill vacant lots in neighborhoods. Ferris Financial Group, Inc. can either assist you in locating a land-leased space or we may also have current spaces in our inventory that you can choose from for your new home. Ask our Consultants.
8) Can you sell me a park space?
Ferris Financial Group, Inc. is not a park dealer. We are a dealer that sells manufactured homes.
We have new homes in parks/communities that are currently for sale, or we can also help locate a space for you. Prices of park spaces and new homes vary by location. Ask one of our Consultants for more information.
9) What are the benefits of living in a mobile park community?
In the communities in which we build, you will find a strong sense of community, a secure environment and in most parks there are many activities including holiday parties for the residents. Other amenities in the parks can include play grounds, pools, spas and club houses. We normally build in well planned and maintained parks that are closely located to shopping, churches, medical facilities, dining and other services. You will also have minimal yard maintenance.
10) I have private land. Can I place a new manufactured home on it?
City or county permits are required. If there is an existing structure on the property, a replacement permit may be applied for. You will also need to remember the possible necessity for site construction such as all utilities, road, and site preparation. These will be additional costs and usually done by a third party contractor. We can preform a site survey that will help us evaluate the extent of site preparation and cost of permits. This survey is at a cost, however once you decide to go with us for your new home, it will be credited against the cost of the home.
11) What model of manufactured home is most popular?
Popularity of a home really varies with the city or region where you will locate your new home. Because we have many floor plans, we will be able to design the home that fits your needs. Most of the homes we build tend to be three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a walk in closet in the master bedroom, outside deck(s) and a carport and an optional storage shed. Our Fuqua homes are Energy Star rated. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) designed to help us conserve by using energy efficient products. You are probably familiar with the Energy Star logo from seeing it on appliances, heating and cooling units, water heaters, home electronics and even light bulbs. By meeting the strict EPA standards, even an entire home can earn an Energy Star rating such as Fuqua.
12) Why would I want to buy a manufactured home?
It’s less expensive. There are always variables in the price of the manufactured home. As you can see, there are many floor plans, features, options, upgrades available to you that prevent a simple answer. It also depends on the region of the country. Construction cost per square foot for a new manufactured home averages anywhere from 10 to 35 percent less than a comparable site-built home, excluding the cost of the land. Today, Fuqua homes carry the Energy Star rating (see question 11 for more information on Energy Star rating). For more information on the benefits of a manufactured home, see Question 2 regarding What is a manufactured home or factory-crafted home?
13) Are there benefits to building my home in a factory?
Yes, there are major benefits. All aspects of construction are continually inspected by not one, but several inspectors. Delays that can interfere with construction due to weather conditions are minimized. Inventory for building your home is better controlled and materials are protected from theft and weather related damage. Cost of interim construction financing is significantly reduced or eliminated. All aspects of the construction process are controlled. Appliances, interior features and construction materials can be purchased in volume for additional savings. All technicians, craftsmen and assemblers are on the same team and professionally supervised. For more information on the benefits of a manufactured home, see Question 2 regarding What is a manufactured home or factory-crafted home?
14) What amenities can I expect in my new manufactured home?
Today’s manufactured homes come with a wide variety of “standard” features that you would find in a site-built home. You can select from several floor plans that range from our basic models to more sophisticated or elaborate designs that include living and dining rooms with vaulted or recessed ceilings, fully-equipped modern kitchens, comfortable bedrooms with walk-in closets, and bathrooms with recessed bathtubs and whirlpools, granite counters and slate floors. We also have fireplace options. You may also select from a variety of exterior design features such as a bay window, a gable front, territorial stucco finish, and designer upgrade shingles to name a few. Modern computer-assisted design is offered by us so you have the flexibility of selecting variations to the floor plans and decors, exterior siding materials, color and thickness of carpeting, kitchen appliance upgrades (Energy Star rated appliances) as well.
15) Can a manufactured home be built as a secondary dwelling (guest house/cottage) on my property where I already have an existing home?
This depends on the city or state building codes in your area. We would need to check with these departments to make sure you can do so. There are certain square footage maximums for the unit, clearances from the property line and existing house, lot size requirements and building permits needed to build a secondary dwelling. Many families have built a secondary dwelling on their property to house parents or other family members, for rental units, studios, offices and more.
Down payments start with 5% down, depending on your credit qualifications and the year of the manufactured home.
Yes. We will set up an automatic monthly payment to your lender.
No. Most conventional loans do not provide for a prepayment penalty. We will disclose to you if any loan you may choose does contain a prepayment penalty.
19) Are manufactured homes energy efficient?
When you purchase a manufactured home constructed after October 25, 1994, you can be assured that your home has been designed with a standard energy efficiency package that's the most cost-effective in the housing industry. New HUD Code energy standards require that your new home be engineered to contain the right energy efficient equipment and insulation package for your specific climate zone. Today's manufactured home offers lower monthly energy bills for exceptional economy and comfortable living. Energy Star rated appliances also keep your utility bills lower. Today, Fuqua homes carry the Energy Star rating (see question 11 for more information on Energy Star rating).
20) Do manufactured homes hold their value?
Manufactured homes are constructed with the same materials as site-built homes, giving the homes identical durability standards. The fundamental factors that cause appreciation are quality, location, demand, size and appearance. With favorable marks in each of these areas, manufactured homes will respond to the forces that establish value, to the same degree as other housing in the surrounding neighborhood.
21) Will my new home come with a warranty?
All new manufactured homes come with a one-year written warranty, which states specific obligations of the manufacturer and Ferris Homes.
22) Why should I buy a new manufactured home vs. an older Pre-HUD mobile home (homes built prior to June 10, 1976)?
Questions To Ask Yourself And Things To Consider:
- Why would you spend approximately $100,000 for a used mobile home that originally cost $12,000 to $14,000 in 1972?
- Beware when buying a pre-HUD mobile home in California. Park owners have a legal right to make you remove that pre-HUD mobile home from their park, instead of allowing you to list it for sale. If you purchase a pre-HUD home in 2008, ten years from now that pre-HUD mobile home would be 48 years old. What do you think the possibilities are of selling your pre-HUD mobile home if it’s that old?
- Take the time to research your investment. Contact your local City and County Building Departments as well as HCD and ask them about policies regarding removing and reinstalling a 1974 pre-HUD mobile home.
- Check out the electrical wiring in pre-HUD mobile homes from 1959 to 1976. In most cases the manufacturer used aluminum wire that has become the number one cause of mobile home fires. Other significant causes of fires in pre-1976 mobile homes are heating and cooking equipment. Today’s manufactured home has electrical systems according to National Code, including copper wiring, common residential components, and other outlets placed per code.
- Smoke alarms in older pre-HUD mobile homes were dangerous due to not being hard wired. They are battery operated only. New manufactured homes are per today’s code.
- Since interior walls in pre-HUD mobile homes do not have wall linings, walls have a tendency to catch fire promoting a more rapid flame. The average pre-HUD home burns down in less than five minutes. New homes have ½” drywall on interior walls, adding fire safety and lifelong maintainability.
- Utility Bills including gas and electric tend to be triple the cost of energy in a pre-HUD mobile home verses a new manufactured home. This is due to little to no insulation in the roof, walls & floors.
- Wood paneled interior walls in pre-HUD mobile homes can be a fire hazard and is one of the causes for rapid burning fires in homes. New manufactured homes have standard high strength ½” drywall.
- Wall construction in pre-HUD mobile homes is 2” x 2” stud walls. New manufactured homes are 2” x 4” interior walls and 2” x 4” or 2” x 6” stud construction on the outside walls. This construction is stronger and allows more room for insulation.
- Tin roofing in pre-HUD mobile homes requires costly sealing for air and water leaks. Normally this repair is done every other year, and at times may still leak causing water damage to the ceilings, walls and carpets. If not taken care of immediately, this could cause mold. New manufactured homes are built with composition roofs, meeting today’s standards and materials.
- Single pane windows are installed in pre-HUD mobile homes. They are not as energy efficient as the dual pane, low-E windows in new manufactured homes or do they have the vinyl coated low-maintenance framing.
- Tin exterior siding on pre-HUD mobile homes does not compare to the new manufactured homes no-maintenance long-lasting fiber cement exterior siding.
- Older water pipes need to be replaced on pre-HUD mobile homes. Our new manufactured homes have the non-corrosive CPVC plumbing of today’s standards and materials.
- Drainpipes have caused problems in pre-HUD mobile homes and normally need to be replaced. This is due to inferior plastic materials available when the pre-HUD homes were constructed. New manufactured homes have more longevity, especially with the new materials being used today.
- Mobile homes built prior to 1990 were set on “as is” bare ground without being graded or rocked to allow water to drain away from the home. Because of this, the water could collect under the home attracting termites and mold. Today all spaces are required by the State of California to be graded, rocked and rolled with a road base material, and then contoured to allow water to pass through it and not stand under the home.
- Mobile homes of the pre-HUD era were set on cement blocks and leveled with a large piece of untreated wood. For additional leveling, wood shims were used. Unfortunately the main problem during an earthquake and/or earth movements, settling would cause the shims to fall out. Thus, every two years it’s recommended with older mobile homes to have the home leveled. This can be costly. Approximate cost for leveling a mobile home is around $1,050.00. This is a much simpler process with steel jack support structure as we use in our homes. Our steel jacks are tied to the frame of the home. We use vinyl platform jack holders on the ground instead of wood to prevent dry rot and future placement pads. You can see this construction under our "Ferris Construction" page of this web site.
- Insurance costs for pre-HUD mobile homes are much higher than a new manufactured home. It can be difficult to find an insurance company to underwrite the policy for an older mobile pre-HUD home versus new homes.
- Financing of a pre-HUD mobile home will be difficult to find. Normally a buyer will have to obtain a seller carry back loan. Expect interest rates of 14% or higher. New home interest rates can be as low as 7.55% with Cal/Vet.
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Pre-Hud mobile homes were initially built to last 10 years or so. It’s now been 38 years. Do you think it’s time to replace them? Pre-HUD mobile homes were originally built as temporary housing. This created the migration path to the manufactured homes of today, which is, NOT built as temporary housing. The new homes have all the insulation, efficiencies and amenities offered in homes of today.
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