The California Manufactured Housing Institute (CMHI) informs MHProNews.com 70 percent of manufactured home sales there are not starter homes but rather second homes or people downsizing to an aging in place residence. Increasingly, people are paying in cash, and, according to CMHI President Jess Maxcy, the trend towards the higher-end customer has pushed the price of homes sold up six percent, from $94,070 in March 2013 to $100,000 as of March 2014. Additionally, shipment of new homes rose 24 percent for Jan. and Feb. 2014 over the same time period of 2013, and the number of dealers is increasing, reports the newsletter from the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). ##

(Photo credit: Riley Transport–new manufactured home being delivered)