For over twenty years, I have stopped almost every day at
Starbucks. I don’t want to calculate how much I have given to this company over
the years, but it’s my one vice and I will continue to do it.
When I started visiting my favorite coffee shop, the cost of
my “Quad Venti Non-fat Vanilla Latte” was $3.00. Today, while I order a
different drink now, in a smaller cup, it’s $5.25. I think back to when I was a
kid growing up in Sumner, I would swing by a local restaurant in the morning
and get a to-go cup of coffee for less than a dollar.
Why am I sharing with you the price of coffee and what appears to be a severe caffeine addiction?
Prices on just about everything are going up, every day. In
fact, I have never experienced a price decrease at my favorite coffee stand.
Just like Starbucks, the prices of homes are going up too,
at times, several times a year. That’s why if you’re ready to make a decision, now is the time.
Last month a couple visited our sales center in Puyallup and mentioned to me that they had been in a year before and the home they wanted was $8,000 more than the last time they were in. I shared with them that the same home would be another $4,000 in the next twelve months. I said to them, “If you’re ready now, you should place your order.” They did and we helped them save thousands of dollars.
We would love to continue our conversations and see where we
might be able to assist in your process and help you make the best decision
possible for you. Feel free to call us at 253.840.6773 and let’s schedule a
time to continue our discussions or have me answer any questions that you might
have.
We are here and ready to serve you however we can, making sure your experience in purchasing a new home is a memorable one.
You have decided to go camping this weekend, and when you’re looking for good spots for your weekend getaway, because it’s July, there are none. The RV sits in the driveway for another week. Personally, I love RV’s and camping, but I don’t enjoy fighting other people for great spots, having desirable dates that I can’t go because I tried to book too late, or looking at my RV in the driveway 50 weeks out of the year.
RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT
The average cost of an RV in the United States is around $100,000. What if I told you that you could have a great outdoors experience that fits your recreational lifestyle for around the same investment, and it comes with two great benefits. 1) A return on your investment 2) None of the hassle I outlined above.
The alternative investment is a custom manufactured home from DeTray’s Custom Housing. You read that right. A custom manufactured home.
This retreat provides you a guaranteed place to recreate or simply relax when ever you want to, without fighting for good dates like the 4th of July, Mother’s Day weekend, St. Patrick’s Day or the random Saturday in June or August when you can’t find good camping locations.
It also appreciates in value, but that’s not the return on investment I am talking about.
Airbnb OR VRBO
I am a huge fan of both of these sites, and have used them quite a bit. You control the calendar, so you can block out the dates you want in advance, and have access to your prime location, whenever you want, while generating a return on your investment.
We live in the most beautiful part of the country, and a properly placed manufactured home will be highly sought after, providing you an excellent opportunity for an additional income.
You will benefit from the marketing on these platforms, and a turn key operation from start to finish. Alone, Airbnb operates in 191 countries and both services have great reputations for both service and execution.
GUARANTEED TIME WHEN YOU WANT IT
The great news is you won’t be fighting with others for campsites, or other desirable locations when you simply want to pick up and want to go. If you decide on a Thursday that you want to visit your retreat, you can block out that date and go. The years of having to budget for gas on your vacations are over, and you won’t have to watch your investment depreciate in your driveway for years.
THE CRAFTSMAN
This year, DeTray’s will be showcasing your future vacation home at the Seattle RV Show. If you’re looking for more of a traditional design, the Craftsman style blends well with whatever look and feel is right for you. The design is timeless and features 9? high flat ceilings throughout. At 798 square feet it is the perfect vacation home for weekend getaways, longer vacations or simply spending one night. The open concept layout allows for great family time together in a wonderful setting, and can be close to your preferred recreational activities. See more information on the Craftsman Cottage.
Disclaimer: Craftsman exteriors are available in 14’9? floor widths only. Exterior depiction are artist renderings only. Due to window sizes, room dimensions, and other optional features, actual exterior design is always floor plan specific.
Come See Us
It’s not easy to adequately describe the benefits in a single posting, so I am encouraging you to come visit us at the Seattle RV Show, February 7-10 at the CenturyLink Field Event center. You can get your tickets by visiting seattlervshow.com. We look forward to seeing you there!
During this busy holiday season of family, friends, and endless hours of house cleaning, I wanted to remind you that at DeTray’s Custom Housing, we put the “home” in “Home for the for the Holidays”. Welcoming family over for the holidays is one of the most important parts of the year and having a home to welcome them is one of the most important accomplishments of our lives.
The importance of having a home that you can be proud of can’t be overstated and at DeTray’s Custom Housing, we’ve spent the last half century of doing business, focused not only on the home, but also the homeowner. Whether it’s your dream home or a Christmas wish granted, no two homes are the same and certainly no two homeowners are the same. We treat each customer as an individual with their own unique vision and help guide them through the entire process. Imagine a home full of family and friends.
Usually, everyone’s favorite gathering place is the kitchen. Now imagine the kitchen of your dreams, in the home of your dreams, while having the holiday of your dreams. During this time of year, we see a lot of homes being built with special focus on the kitchen. There are kitchen packages available with Lazy Susans, Spice Racks, Cookie Sheet Storage, and Roll Out Trash Cans built-in to the solid wood cabinets. Also available is a stunning Frigidaire 21’ Frost Free Refrigerator with Icemaker and double ovens for all those Christmas cookies!
Another great feature is the wood/gas burning fireplace to hang your stockings on. We welcome you to come tour our model homes and turn your holiday wishes into reality.
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season!
Everyone needs a place to live. The options are to rent or own.
When you rent, it is easy to relocate, and someone else is responsible for upkeep. However, it can be difficult to get out of a lease. There may be neighbors above, below and beside you. You may not be able to have pets. Parking can be limited. You can’t paint or decorate your way. The Landlord could sell the property, or move in and evict you. You are paying the mortgage for someone else. Rent increases every year. Your payments will go up, up, up. At the end of 1, 3, 5, 10 years, you have nothing but a stack of receipts, and the rent will be much higher than it is now.
At first, renting or owning have similar costs each month. While rents go up each year, a Fixed Rate Mortgage will have the same principle and interest payment for 30 years! While your income increases, your housing costs will be a smaller and smaller portion of your expenses.
Each monthly payment acts as a kind of forced savings. As you pay down principle, your equity (the amount of your home you actually own) grows.
In addition, history shows that overall, homes become more valuable. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values have surpassed their pre-recession peaks by 16%. The overall trend is that home values and equity have gone up and will likely continue to do so. Think of what your parents paid for their home, and what it would be worth today!
It’s smart to build equity and financial stability while you enjoy your home. The equity in your home can eventually become liquid cash that you can access, either by selling your home, or borrowing against it. When you own a home, it is more than just a place to live; it’s also a financial asset. What is the leading wealth producer for average Americans? Home Ownership!
At DeTray’s Custom Housing, we design and build homes that are exactly suited to each family’s needs and desires. We can put together the whole package: land or community, development, and house. We have 8 furnished model homes to tour. You can have the joy and satisfaction of home ownership. Let DeTray’s staff show you how. Call, or come see us today.
In a world where the possibilities and options seem to be endless, I’d like to introduce you to TRUE CUSTOMIZATION. At DeTray’s Custom Housing, our primary focus is on each and every customer’s unique vision for their home. We take the time necessary to carefully listen to our customers’ needs and wants and we expand upon that to help you turn your vision into your dream home. Both of our home builders (KIT & SKYLINE) offer many customizable options such as your choice of flooring, countertop materials, interior and exterior paint colors, appliance packages, cabinets, hardware, siding, doors, roof style, and even your home’s layout.
DeTray’s Custom Housing has an entire room devoted to the many color options and material choices that are available. We call it the décor room. It’s in this room that we carefully pull together elements of color, materials and layout, into a home plan that meets the customer’s needs. Why get stuck with a floor plan that doesn’t accommodate your family or wishing you could have had the option to make some important changes to your current home? Why not truly define your customization with us at DeTray’s Custom Housing? We have the latest and greatest décor trends and options and we would love an opportunity to show you around our stylish manufactured model homes and the décor room!
Jason Lockhart
DeTray’ Custom Housing
Housing & Design Consultant
Hey everyone, Brian here. I started with Detray’s during this year’s May RV Show in Puyallup with featured manufactured housing. I’m excited to share a little bit about our new flooring option because I’m all about sustainability. But before I start there, let me share a little bit about myself.
I am originally from North Dakota and moved to Washington State around 8 years ago. I’ve had a wide variety of blue-collar jobs including welding, construction, electrician, etc. My hobbies include gardening, camping, and fishing. I’m all about sustainability. I grow and harvest my own vegetables, I raise quails for eggs, and I like making everything from scratch, like bread, sausage, brats, and bacon. I like to go the extra mile, in my home life and my work life. I recently purchased my first home using an FHA mortgage with the goal in mind of buying land and a manufactured home with the equity, so I’m familiar with the struggles of home buying in today’s market. This is what sparked my interest in manufactured housing and landed me at Detray’s. But enough about me, let’s get to the new flooring option.
I would like to introduce everyone to Endura Flooring. It is a natural PVC-free rubber that is super sustainable and includes the use of post-consumer recycled content. Endura provides impressive durability and comfort in a variety of colors. It’s unique rubber formulation is highly slip resistant and helps reduce noise from footfall. Endura is also water-resistant and is a comparable option to laminate and other flooring choices. The reason I decided to spotlight Endura flooring is to highlight how manufactured homes are becoming more sustainable. By incorporating more recycled materials that help reduce our environmental impact, a manufactured home makes a great option for eco-friendly living. We carry samples on-site so stop by to check it out.
Thanks for your interest in DeTray’s Custom Housing. Feel free to come out and tour our beautiful model homes. I look forward to helping you pick the perfect home to fit your lifestyle and needs.
It is now three weeks following the Puyallup RV Show which also featured beautiful Manufactured Housing. DeTray’s Custom Housing and their skilled support team coordinated the exhibit of two custom homes, “The 1st Cabin”, crafted by Kit Custom Homebuilders, and Skyline Homes’ “The Cozy Abode” doublewide. These homes attracted thousands of interested attendees and rarely disappointed onlookers. Diane DeTray continues to demonstrate her skilled talent for selecting unique furniture pieces and tying them into a theme, depicting lifestyles that the average NW families find comforting and yes, even cozy. Show specials offered by both Factories, Kit Custom Homebuilders, and Skyline Corporation, helped to bring a record number of buyers and shoppers into DeTray’s exhibit area.
Did you place your order for delivery this summer? If not, please come by to view our beautiful show room homes here at 149th and Meridian in Puyallup South Hill. For those new to the area, we are 15 minutes south of the Western Washington State Fair Grounds on Hwy. 161 toward Graham, WA. We have a small but enthusiastic staff ready to assist with all our guests so feel free to call and make an appointment. Saturdays are quite busy, so you might want to consider a weekday 9-6 or Sunday Noon to 5 pm.
Before driving over, check out our floor plans on our website, www.detrayscustomhousing.com
Thank You and See You Soon!
Mike Buck, Housing Consultant & DeTray’s Staff
People often mix up the terms when asking about their housing options. There are distinct differences in the products. I could list them until your eyes glaze over, but I’ll keep it simple.
Modular Homes (MODS) and Manufactured Homes (MFH) are built in the same factory, using an assembly line for efficiency. MODS are built to local building codes, for a specific address. MFH are built to national HUD codes so they can go anywhere in the country.
When they arrive on site, MODS lift off the steel frame used for the assembly line and go onto a standard stem-wall foundation. Then it is back-filled. MFH stay on the steel frame and are set on blocks on a Runner foundation (3 slab). Then they are strapped down to the foundation. Split-faced concrete blocks are used as “skirting” around the perimeter to keep animals out, and back filled. Only the top block of the crawl space shows for a very low to the ground, site-built look.
MODS need 2X10 floor joists because there will be no steel frame under the home. MFH can use 2X6 or 2X8 joists because the steel frame is also giving support. There are other construction details that are slightly different, but the home will look exactly the same on the inside and out. You cannot tell them apart by looking, except for the HUD tag in the corner.
The big difference in a MOD is time and money. The factory specs are for HUD homes. When you choose a MOD, the specs all have to be changed. Then they have to be approved and stamped by an engineer. Then they go to the local L&I Department for approval. MODS can take 3 months or more to work through this process. After such approval is given, special insignias are issued and sent to the State, that inspects the home as it is being built. Additional fees are required for each of these special approval processes. MODS can cost $35,000-$40,000 more than the same home built at as MFH.
Some people think a MOD is a better investment because the appraiser can use site-built homes as “Comparables” for higher appraisals. In this market, that may not be wise. Higher appraisals mean higher taxes. The loan amount will be more, so monthly payments will be higher. If you are paying cash, you will have less in your investments, earning dividends.
If you do not plan to sell, it makes no sense to pay more for a MOD. If you do plan to sell, you pay more for a MOD, and may get more when you sell. An MFH costs less. If you get less when you sell, you have still saved money while enjoying the same beautiful home.
I live in an MFH home. It has gone up in value every year, except during the recession, just like site-built homes. Our owners, Diane and Dana DeTray, chose a beautiful MFH home. They added a 3-car garage and lots of options instead of choosing the higher cost of a MOD. Our Senior Housing Consultant, Marlene Lemoine, lives in her 5th MFH home, and made money on all 4 previous sales.
We believe MFH homes are the best value for your housing needs. At DeTray’s Custom Housing of Puyallup, we “Walk Our Talk”. Let us custom design a beautiful Skyline or Kit West home for your family.
“Spring Forward”. Yes, the clock moved forward on February 11 at 2:00AM PST, one hour, and we all lost one hour of sleep. So if you feel a little tired on Sunday, it is in part that we are saving energy by having more daylight to use and thereby using less light and heat at home. Here at DeTray’s, we have moved our Open Hours to 9:00 am to 6:00 pm M-S, and Noon to 5:00 pm on Sundays, providing more daylight viewing hours for our lot model homes.
“Springing into Action”. Now is a time when many customers come into DeTray’s Model Home Center to look, plan and order their homes. Orders placed in Spring with our factories often get designed, built and delivered during Summer and Fall seasons, so don’t wait, Spring into Action Today!
“Spring Forward and Save”. Land is being bought and developed at a pace that is incredibly fast, forcing prices to climb. Add to that lumber prices, steel prices, and other items used in home production expected to climb. What can you do now to save money? When you finalize your purchase of a custom home, future building cost increases will not be included in your home cost. So, when you order your home with DeTray’s Custom Housing, please inquire with our associates on how to secure your home purchase price.
“Spring on Down”. Visit us at the Puyallup RV Show May 3rd – 6th at the fairgrounds in Puyallup. DeTray’s Custom Housing once again will help sponsor Manufactured Housing Day on May 3rd. For more information on the many discounts available, go to puyalluprvshow.com.
We hope you will jump like a rabbit into Spring like we are, see you at the show!
Happy February to all. Since it is the month of love and many celebrating Valentine’s Day, I thought it only appropriate to write about why so many people have fallen in love with their home from DeTray’s Custom Housing here in Puyallup.
We carry two of the top builders in the industry, KIT and Skyline. Both of these builders offer a beautiful and high quality product with amenities and options to make every dream come true.
Whether you are looking for a single wide unit or a large triple, you will be pleased with the abundance of floor plans offered by both builders. Our builders start from the ground up with quality construction from floor to ceiling. Exterior options such as siding, roofing, porches and more. Interior walls that are tape and textured with rounded corners and a choice of several interior colors. Beautiful linoleum, carpeting and more for flooring. A wide range of appliance options allows you to create your dream kitchen, which is the focal point for many of our homeowners.
The ability to customize their new home and make it their own is just one of the reasons why customers design their home with us and refer their friends and family to DeTray’s.
Our main focus at DeTray’s is not just building your dream home but building relationships. We take the time to learn about every customer’s needs and wants. We encourage you to visit our models and talk with one of our amazing housing consultants. We know once you see the quality of craftsmanship, array of customization and competitive pricing, you too will fall in love with your new home. We look forward to seeing you soon.
