The outlook for manufactured home sales is taking a turn for the better — at least according to two companies in the business. Summer sales were sluggish at Palm Harbor Homes in Millersburg, N.Y.; but the plant never halted production once, and sales manager John McKiernan says recent numbers are more positive. “I think we can see that our winter is going to be better than our summer,” he predicted, noting that the factory has a backlog of homes on order. “Our industry traditionally benefits from a bad economy. People are looking for something affordable that feels like a home.” Sales were healthy all summer, meanwhile, over at Inter-City Housing, which sells Golden West and Marlette manufactured homes. “We’ve seen sales in the last three or four months unlike anything we’ve seen in three or four years,” reports Inter-City President Mark Irving. “We’re hoping it continues all winter.” He agrees with McKiernan that consumer focus has turned to more modest and affordably priced homes. Both company representatives say prospective buyers want to package homes with property that they already own or can obtain through dealers. The trend is reflected in sales statistics at each of the firms, with increasing movement at Palm Harbor of higher-end, triple-wide homes and with land and home packages accounting for three-quarters of sale activity at Inter-City.

From “Manufactured Home Sales Improving” Albany Democrat-Herald (10/01/09) Lathrop, Steve

Source: MHI Newswire