Modular Home Scams

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Favorite Links:

consumeraffairs.com | crimcheck.com | HADD |

November 29, 2006:
MUST READ STORY!
This story is ALL too familiar! READ THIS BEFORE you spend another DIME!
Don't get RIPPED OFF!
http://www.findarticles.com

Before you pay for plans,
READ THIS!: Do not assume that when you pay for plans that they will actually come directly from the manufacturer. They may come from the dealer and be very vague. Many modular homes may be "pre approved" for a dealer and his "cookie cutter" homes. The plans since "pre-approved" may be very vague since the home is supposed to be to spec. for a previously approved design.

The dealer may not give you copies and try to avoid letting you see the plans he will have given to your local zoning.

The main problem w/ pre-approved plans is the house may not be inspected and held to the standards you are thinking they should be to protect you. Certificate of occupancy will be given, you will move (if you get that far) then the problems start. Then you will have a long expensive fight trying to get your house fixed.

What we've learned:

Your local inspector is only responsible for inspection of the foundation, septic and electrical hookup to the pole. The federal government is responsible for setting the standards for modular homes. Your local inspector is not responsible for inspecting your home according to local building standards, as he/she cannot see into walls that are already put together, or an attic that is sealed off. This would explain the demand a builder may have for payment in full before delivery, after deposits have already been given. This puts the customer in a serious bind. Buyer BEWARE!

To sue for your deposit money back will cost about as much as the deposit itself. The final outcome would be that you just spent more money to get a house you now know would be sub-par.

News Links

April 13, 2006: One of central Missouri's largest mobile home dealerships will pay more than $564,000 in consumer restitution and penalties to the state under a consent judgment and permanent injunction obtained by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon. Full Story...

June 11, 2004: There are new developments tonight following an I-Team investigation about a modular home dealer who’s drained the life savings from dozens of families all across the state. Our I-Team has learned the dealer is now the subject of an FBI investigation. Full Story...

October 24, 2003: What was supposed to be Rita and Lewis Nolan Daugherty's dream home has turned into somewhat of a nightmare. After numerous delays and construction problems, the modular home that took nearly a year to complete sits empty. Full Story...

ANOTHER VICTIM:

Mark Smith/Rexford, NY

"We went through it about 4 years ago and are reminded of it almost every day with the constant money being pumped in to this place. Every once in a while I will surf the web on Manorwood and GFM and better bbb, just so I can tell my story, or to warn others off about GFM, to share the pain..."

"My wife and her mother did go to Saratoga county clerks office and did find liens against Sam under different company names. 2 outstanding judgements that were on record. When there is a judgement he just changes his name so they don't stick. We now have been in our home going on 5 years we almost are to the end of "fixes" for the home as close as possible anyway... next week we are putting a new roof on, it is leaking the length of the house every 4-6 feet we have to fill a gap in the plywood and we are going to take out the sky light because it wasn't put in properly, just so we don't have to worry about future leaks. One part of the house is hanging over the foundation so that is also a project for the summer time."