Category Archives: Manufactured Homes

All About the Customer

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Hi all,
As you can see, I have surpassed my 1 year of employment, (actually going on 1 ½ years) with DeTray’s Custom Housing and I must say this job has been most rewarding.  I’ve had the opportunity to tour the factories of the homes that we represent and it has given me additional insight and understanding. To be sure, this industry is very complicated in terms of all the moving parts that need to come together for overall success. Over the past year, I have been able to zero in not only on the needs of our customers, but also provide solutions for their housing needs.  We are all about the customer, helping them become aware of the options they might not have thought about. We are passionate and take great pride in sharing valuable information that our customers need to know to make quality decisions.

The results are customers that are excited about their new home, because it was designed for them!  I invite you to stop by and visit us and discover for yourself why we are the #1 dealer in Washington. I look forward to meeting you! See you then!

Michelle Dux, Housing Consultant

Factory Tour of Kit Homebuilders West

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Our recent Kit Homebuilders West Factory Tour was impressive and informative. Several factors impressed me from the beginning. The first is that the Factory Tours are conducted by management, not just anyone on site. Kit feels that if someone is willing to take the time to come to Caldwell, Idaho to consider their homes, then they will show them the respect that such a visit deserves. We were given a comfortable room at a clean and modern hotel nearby. We had a delicious meal that evening that was provided by a local restaurant and a great breakfast at the hotel the following morning before our tour. We had a rental car, since we flew over to Boise first, however, I am sure someone would have picked us up if needed.

The tour lasted a few hours with all aspects of the factory on view to see. Many homes were being staged with many more being constructed under the immense roof. Workers were performing tasks from basic to complicated with skill and craftsmanship. These homes were inspected and re-inspected at multiple levels of completion. I always liked the slogan, “the quality goes in before the name goes on”. While not this factory’s slogan, it certainly could be.

This was a most memorable trip and in turn, I hope to share some of the beauty and unique features that I observed at Kit Homebuilders West with others. So, if you’re looking for value and comfort built into your next custom home, let DeTray’s and Kit team up to serve your needs.

Happy touring!

Mike Buck

DeTray’s at the Puyallup RV Show

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DeTray’s Custom Housing, based out of the South Hill of Puyallup, will be displaying Skyline’s “Sea Breeze” at the Puyallup RV Show from May 4-7. This home, which features oversized windows, natural wood cabinets, low maintenance floor coverings, plus a very inviting front porch, would be eye candy for anyone’s waterfront vacation property.  Join us!

 

 

  (Click on photo collage to enlarge.)

 

Be a Smart and Informed Consumer

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Today we are so informed on so many consumer goods, from vehicles to homes. The internet provides us with all the information you could need or want, but it does not differentiate a good deal or a bad purchase. Only you can determine that!

I have been in the manufactured home industry for many years now and I can give you an example of an uninformed buyer. I received a phone call from a gentleman asking about a particular sized home and wanted a base price (stock model). When I have him the base price, he was floored. Then he told me he had a much lower price off the internet (Oregon dealer). So I said, why didn’t you buy it if it was such a deal?

He was unaware that the online, out-of-state purchase DID NOT include sales tax, delivery to the site, a normal block set, an interior finish and carpet installed or cleaning of the home.

“Out-of-state” purchases may contain risks to the consumer, here are some RED FLAGS to be aware of:

  • The seller may not be licensed or bonded
  • A pre-payment may require 100% total due before delivery, if the home you ordered is not what you wanted, you have no leverage or recourse
  • “Out-of-State” dealers are not required to carry insurance through delivery of the home
  • The dealer may not be required to give a home warranty once transported across the state line

In the State of Washington, retailers are licensed, bonded and subject to laws designed to protect you, the consumer.  For more information, you may contact our governing agencies, Northwest Housing Association, Labor & Industries and the Department of Licensing.

 

Happy House Hunting!

Marlene Lemoine, Sr. Housing Consultant

New Year, Healthy You, New Home?

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Happy New Year to All,

Just a quick word about the “Healthy You”. Walk with vigor, this can lower blood pressure and Cholesterol. Give a “hug” or get a “hug”, this will release a feel-good hormone!

Per AARP the Magazine…
New Year, new thoughts about future decisions in relocating, housing and affordability. According to AARP the Magazine, the population in numbers are; ages 89 and older equals 3 million people, ages 71-88 equals 26.2 million people, and 52-70 equals 72.9 million people. DeTray’s Custom Housing has seen an influx of these folks going on 2 years now. Folks that want to downsize, relocate back to Washington state and live in a single-story home.

You are able to place a manufactured home on a piece of land or go into a planned community near golfing, restaurants, churches and clubhouse activities. Life is good!

Here at DeTray’s Custom Housing in Puyallup, we are able to offer the most updated options available. Items such as a farmhouse sink with apron, subway tile for backsplash, ceramic tile for showers, appliance packages from white, black and stainless steel design. Many of our plans are custom-ordered for you! Please feel free to visit our Sales Center Lot in Puyallup.

New Year, New Homes!
Marlene LeMoine

 

 

 

 

Get Your Bang for the Buck

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I wanted to talk to you about getting the most “bang for your buck” when it comes to buying a home. If you look at today’s building materials in our new manufactured homes, they are what I see on today’s construction sites. I drive around and see various housing developments, apartment homes, new commercial buildings and they all have one thing in common. You guessed it, the materials used to build. I see O.S.B. board, 2×4’s, 2×6’s, sheet rock, Tyvek house wrap and the list goes on. Our homes from DeTray’s have all the same materials, real wood studs, joists and trusses, top-grade roofing materials, energy star windows, insulation, siding and doors just like a home built today.

You want Quartz counter tops, tiled showers, name-brand appliances, Hardie lap siding, metal roofs, all for far less that the competitors offer? Then come see us today. Most new homes built today range from the mid 300’s up to 500k. Why pay so much for something that is built with the same materials as today’s manufactured homes? Manufactured home building standards are quite impressive given the manufactured homes history; it is almost night and day. This is a good thing for the consumer who is looking for home ownership, not everyone has 350K to go buy a 2-story home in a neighborhood, on a “postage stamp” lot and no parking. Reach out and give your neighbor a high-five without leaving your home! Well, thanks but no thanks, that’s just my opinion. In today’s market and your average cost of living, who wouldn’t like to have a custom home built with quality building materials for 30% less and have a large piece of land you can actually do things with? Not having an H.O.A. telling you what you can or cannot do on your land? No thank you. I know what sounds more appealing to me. Home ownership with fewer restrictions, a bigger lot and larger home for less. That is high value. That is more “bang for your buck“!

With that said, I encourage you to look into today’s manufactured homes and just see what might be a perfect solution to your housing needs. Hope to see you soon here at DeTray’s Custom Housing. Stop by and see me at 10209 149th St. E. in Puyallup.

Happy Holidays!

Zac Phillips – Housing Consultant

Skyline Corporation’s Mega Factory Tour

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Traveling South from DeTray’s Custom Housing we are headed for McMinnville, Oregon; home of Howard Hughes Spruce Goose, Linfield College, and Skyline’s Mega Manufacturing Facility. Estimated arrival time is two and half hours away.

Upon arriving at Skyline, we were promptly greeted and introduced to a young man who outfitted us with OSHA Safety Gear, hard hat, safety vest, and goggles. Yes, these are required!

As we entered the vast building we were given instructions that were intended to keep us safe during our visit. A need for caution was obvious as we saw a moving chain pulling huge sections of manufactured homes from one end to another. The rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun sounding nail guns made it clear that this was a very busy environment.

Winding our way from one end toward the other while ducking and turning, we walked past many floors. Some had walls, roofs, plumbing, windows, and more. Each had a different level of completeness. These levels diminished as we move toward the Birth of each home. It was evident that organization was and is paramount to the success of this company – system where each worker is skilled at their specific role, as they greeted each new floor.

We arrived at the entrance where the magic begins, where the long steel frames are attached to their carriages and the OSB flooring becomes the solid surface for someone’s home. Floors are moving as skilled craftsmen assemble each step under the Foreman’s watchful eye. I was amazed at the efficiency, cleanliness, and professional approach each worker exhibited. I saw the Shop Foreman speaking to workers in the plant, not simply sitting behind a desk.

After the tour, we took off our OSHA required gear and met some of the team responsible for keeping supplies flowing. We saw how Skyline kept track of each home section as it was ordered, built, and completed. We experienced where the finished sections were prepared and stored for their final trip to some lucky manufactured home Home Owner.

I highly recommend this tour for anyone serious about buying a Custom Home. Skyline will convince you that their Goal is “Bringing America Home, Bringing America Fun”.

Happy Holidays,

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Mike Buck

DeTray’s Custom Housing

Why We Have Model Homes

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"We have so much to offer..." Michelle Dux

“We have so much to offer…” Michelle Dux

Do you know what I love about Detray’s model homes? They all have well-appointed features for the purpose of showing the customization that is available to the buyers. Who doesn’t want a one-of-a-kind home?

We take great pride in pointing out what the standard features are, so that our customers can accurately compare and determine the true value of the home that works best for them rather than the best “price”. Our focus as “Housing Consultants” is to help our customers make the best decision for them. We hope they are taking advantage of the knowledge available to them to help them make the best decision.

I might have been here a short time, but I have customers coming back to purchase because they were given the information to “help” them make a “forever home” decision that will impact them for a lifetime. And folks, that’s the true measure of reward for everyone!

Land-Home Packages vs. Home Only in Planned Community

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MarleneGreetings to all!

Today I will talk about our Land/Home packages vs Home Only in a planned community.

The home choices you make today can depend on where you are in life!
During my many years in the industry I have personally owned 4 manufactured homes. I am currently in a planned senior community. I like the fact that I can have a home built to my needs and wants.
The “Silver Tsunami” is here according to “AARP”. Our baby boomers are arriving in “bus loads”, a whole new group of folks that are now looking to make life changing decisions such as ; relocating to get closer to kids and grandchildren, downsizing from large homes with stairs and moving out of the city to a less congested area avoiding ever-rising property taxes.

Our unique custom-ordered homes can be placed where you want to live.
We service the state of Washington and are able to assist you wherever you chose to reside.

LAND/HOME PACKAGES
1.  The cost of the HOME is ordered to suite your budget, needs and wants.
2.  The cost of the LAND is making the choice of location, size of property and neighborhood.
3.  The DEVELOPMENT costs; involves permits, water, sewer or septic and electric installation. Many buyers are also wanting carports or garages.
You will get a full itemized written bid required by your lender.

This is a New Construction Manufactured Home Loan which consists of the 3 components wrapped up into one loan package. This can be financed as a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. Once you have chosen a parcel of land you are able to return to your local dealer and start the process. This project becomes real estate.

HOME ONLY-PLANNED COMMUNITIES
1.  The cost of the HOME custom-ordered to your budget, needs and wants.
2.  The cost of the park-package requirement; such as type of skirting, decks, carports or garages.
3.  Leased land; when you come upon a newer development you have choice lots.

This purchase is considered Personal Property. There are many advantages to going into a planned community. Many communities offer amenities such as; Clubhouse, swimming pools, golf, social events and much more! Your responsibility is only the home maintenance. Everything in the ground is the owner’s responsibility. Not only is your tax structure different because it is personal property, calculated at a different rate, you may also qualify for tax exemptions.

Wishing the best housing choices for you!
Marlene LeMoine

New Job Perspective – Zac Phillips

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Where do I start? Let me tell you a little about myself. I am new to this sales position. I have never attempted any type of sales in my time, so it’s been quite a change for me.

There is quite a bit to learn in this field of work. Even though I’ve never been in sales, I have been around the manufactured home scene for quite some time. My mother has been involved in the business for close to 30 years. Growing up, I would visit the dealership she worked for, sometimes cleaning the lot models. Also, we would go and clean pre-owned manufactured homes which were listing through the dealership. I was about 10 or 11 years old at the time. I eventually worked with the set-up crew when I was 16. Back then, the homes were so different from today’s manufactured home.

The construction of today’s manufactured home is quite impressive in comparison to when I was a boy. We have a great variety of model homes on the DeTrays’s Custom Housing lot that showcase the evolution of the manufactured home industry. You should stop by and take a tour!

1227 exteriorWhen I started here at DeTray’s, I was blown away with the quality and materials used in today’s manufactured homes…products such as  Cemplank, Smart Panel, Cascade Windows, Formica and WilsonArt counter tops. Cambria quartz, granite and solid surface materials are now available. Laminate wood flooring and much more.  It truly is NOT your “grandparents” mobile home.

The “options” today are like HGTV and allow custom built homes for you! The affordability factor is still there with a manufactured home, why wouldn’t you choose a manufactured home? Especially with the rising cost of homes, we provide custom, quality-built homes with the same materials as a site-built home. Built in a controlled environment is a big plus, especially with the weather conditions in our Northwest area.

Growing up with my mother in the business and working for some of the dealerships back then has helped me with the sales end of it. She also raised me and my sister in family communities.

My sales advice is to do some research on your own, visit other related businesses (dealerships) and go back to the person (company) that you felt was the best in their presentation, product knowledge and overall experience in what they do.

I’m looking forward to this change and this new career path. I have known Dana and Diane DeTray since I was a young boy. They have both been great to work for and have a wealth of experience and knowledge. I have been trying to soak in as much information as possible and am looking forward to further learning the business and helping people reach their goal of home ownership.

Zac Phillips, Housing Consultant
253-840-6773Zac@DeTrays.net