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Prefab-home gains signal housing pain
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13049888/ ^ | May 30, 2006 | Mara Der Hovanesian

Posted on 06/01/2006 6:43:12 AM PDT by Hydroshock

With home sales no longer soaring and inventories on the rise, there's little doubt that the housing market is cooling. But for the holdouts who need more evidence before they admit the party's over, the manufactured homes industry is worth close attention. One might assume the two move in tandem. Not so: Strength in manufactured housing often signals tough times for the larger housing market. And with no less an investor than Warren Buffett voicing support now, the stocks of the handful of publicly traded companies in the prefab sector might soon be due for a lift.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: andagonyonme; despair; gloom; iluvwilliegreen; imreallytxbsafh; skyisfalling; williegreenismyhero; woeisme
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1 posted on 06/01/2006 6:43:14 AM PDT by Hydroshock
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To: Hydroshock; ex-Texan


2 posted on 06/01/2006 6:46:10 AM PDT by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: Hydroshock

Come on...if we say it enough, it will happen. We are the MEDIA! We have the POWER!

Housing Bubble bursts! Inflation! Unemployement! No real wages! Slowdown!

Evil corporations fail...the masses rise up...tax the rich...liberals in charge...Eutopia!


3 posted on 06/01/2006 6:48:47 AM PDT by rightinthemiddle (Islamic Terrorists, the Mainstream Media and the Democrat Party Have the Same Goals in Iraq.)
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To: Hydroshock

Beware of modular homes. They're tornado magnets.


4 posted on 06/01/2006 6:49:51 AM PDT by NaughtiusMaximus (Join me! Every night I pray for Global Warming . (And I think it's beginning to work.))
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To: NaughtiusMaximus

Yes and No. You can get a home where the walls, roof trusses, and such are factory made and assembled on a concrete foundation on your land. You just finish it out. It can be as strong as any house and cheaper.


5 posted on 06/01/2006 6:51:57 AM PDT by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: Hydroshock

I wish they'd make pre-fab castles.


6 posted on 06/01/2006 6:55:36 AM PDT by coconutt2000 (NO MORE PEACE FOR OIL!!! DOWN WITH TYRANTS, TERRORISTS, AND TIMIDCRATS!!!! (3-T's For World Peace))
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To: coconutt2000

Ever see the abc show Extreme Home Makeovers. Alot of the luxury homes made there are in part prefabs.


7 posted on 06/01/2006 6:57:33 AM PDT by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: Hydroshock
It can be as strong as any house and cheaper.

Nope, sorry, couldn't pay me to live in one.

8 posted on 06/01/2006 7:12:47 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: NaughtiusMaximus
Beware of modular homes. They're tornado magnets.

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Only a person completely ignorant of the differences between mobile homes and modular homes would utter such a stupid statement.

Modular homes are built in climate-controlled factories to conform with local codes and then delivered to the site where they are pieced together and secured to a foundation or even a poured concrete basement. They meet or exceed on-site, stick-built homes in terms of strength, code, and durability.

Mobile homes are not built according to HUD standards, which is usually a lot worse than local municipal codes. They are usually "tied down" to a stab, at best.

You could look all this up on the internet and not look like such an ignoramous before pontificating blindly in the future.

9 posted on 06/01/2006 7:15:41 AM PDT by D-Chivas
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To: D-Chivas

Whoops, I meant that mobile homes are BUILT TO "HUD" standards, not "NOT BUILT" - typo there.


10 posted on 06/01/2006 7:16:53 AM PDT by D-Chivas
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To: Hydroshock

You are correct...depends on the materials used. Ours is solid wood construction, 2 X 6 framing with solid wood log siding and rock skirting. It is sturdier than any site built homes I have lived in. The older metal ones are the tornado magnets.


11 posted on 06/01/2006 7:22:15 AM PDT by ravingnutter
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To: Hydroshock

I agree much has been done to improve the quality of manufactured homes. However, what did the industry in was not poor quality, but allowing people to buy more house than they can afford.


12 posted on 06/01/2006 7:22:34 AM PDT by baltoga
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To: D-Chivas

You are right, but certainly no diplomat. It is bad form to attack someone for a misquided statement.


13 posted on 06/01/2006 7:23:25 AM PDT by billhilly (Tagline goes here.)
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To: Hydroshock
It can be as strong as any house and cheaper.

So true. My wife and I are downsizing and investigated manufactured homes. Folks, these don't have wheels on them. They are built as well or better than stick built homes. They survived Hurricane Charlie in 2004 on the west coast of Florida better than conventionally constructed homes. Some we looked at had luxury items you wouldn't expect.

14 posted on 06/01/2006 7:25:05 AM PDT by jslade (Liberalism ALWAYS accomplishes the exact opposite of it's stated intent!)
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To: Hydroshock

Psssst. I heard them trailer parks are full of them danged redneck republicans.....


15 posted on 06/01/2006 7:52:15 AM PDT by showme_the_Glory (No more rhyming, and I mean it! ..Anybody want a peanut.....)
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To: showme_the_Glory

I live in the land of the rednecks.


16 posted on 06/01/2006 7:55:45 AM PDT by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: NaughtiusMaximus
Beware of modular homes. They're tornado magnets.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Because the modulars are manufactured in a controlled environment using computer technology that assures precission cuts and assembly, modulars are in many respects superior to stick built houses in the same price range.

17 posted on 06/01/2006 8:01:42 AM PDT by Labyrinthos
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To: mtbopfuyn

Last week I was visiting a friend down in Greenwich CT. his home a modest 3 bedroom cape would sell in the million dollar range.

The new Homes they are putting up are 2 million + on his street, are all prefab and they look pretty good to me


18 posted on 06/01/2006 8:06:26 AM PDT by underbyte (Call them what they are, socialists - They are not democrats, liberals or progressives)
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To: D-Chivas

Thank you for your polite corrections. I have little experience with the apparently crucial distinctions between modular and mobile homes. But I think your toolbelt may be a couple notches too tight.


19 posted on 06/01/2006 8:23:18 AM PDT by NaughtiusMaximus (Join me! Every night I pray for Global Warming . (And I think it's beginning to work.))
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To: D-Chivas
There are some beautiful modular homes out there these days. While not all make great "first homes," they often provide a great option for those who have a vacation lot and need something to put on it. It saves people the trouble managing new home construction from miles away, and can often be a bit cheaper than a home of similar quality built on site.


20 posted on 06/01/2006 8:28:05 AM PDT by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
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