Before the name Karsten emerged in the industry, they were known as Golden West Homes in Northern California, which sold out to Oakwood Homes. This new company then restarted in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company used the same construction methods they used when building the Golden West Homes. Clayton purchased Karsten in 2005, but Harry Karsten is still at the helm. We have found their closest competitors to be Skyline, Silvercrest, Cavco, Hallmark southwest, Marlette, and Golden West.
Modular Home Book Resources Popular Buying Guides for Modular Homebuyers
When trying to select a modular home the first place to start is at the factory level. Knowing which factories deliver to your area is the first step in understanding your options. The second and most important step is determining how the factories compare to each other in the areas of: Quality Construction, Design/Style, Appraised Value and Price.
The manufactured housing industry has made some serious improvements in recent years regarding quality construction and residential appeal. With modern day technology and assembly line techniques, the industry is overcoming the misconception that manufactured homes are poorly built and don’t measure up to stick-built homes.
Knowing your financing options is the first step to securing a good deal. We have spoken with hundreds of modular home lenders and Mr. Eaton the author has gone through the process himself. Learn from his insight and you can avoid some common mistakes people make when financing their home.
On average 80% of homebuyers pay too much for their modular home. Not surprising with all the choices one must make from negotiating with your builder to purchasing property and site-improvements. This resource will reveal important negotiating secrets and dealer profit margins that will give you an edge when negotiating with your builder.
Most modular home builders have display models for potential home buyers to walk through. These models are professionally decorated to impress buyers with elaborate decorations, elegant furniture and dazzling floorplans. Aesthetics are important but would you purchase a modular home based on looks and compromise structural integrity? Don’t be fooled by appearances and miss what really matters; “Quality Construction.”
Factory Built Home The term manufactured means many things to many people. It can describe homes built on site using panels, walls prefabricated and shipped directly from the factory to the job site. The phrase can also be used for the modular housing industry built as whole sections or modular units in a plant and then attached on a permanent foundation with the use of a crane. Finally, it can describe HUD code homes, also known as manufactured homes or sometimes referred to as mobile homes.
Systems Built Construction Drywall is often glued and screwed to wall studs and triple headers are used over window openings and around stairwells to withstand the stress of transportation and being picked up by a crane.
Modular Homes Alaska A manufactured home is built entirely in the factory under a federal building code administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD and is classified as a Manufactured Home. These homes are constructed to meet the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, which has been in effect since June 15, 1976. The Federal standards regulate, manufactured housing design, construction, strength, 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.
