Palmetto State leads nation in per capita manufactured homes

WIS TV ^ | 31 May 2002 | Rebecca Pepin

[aomagrat]

(Columbia S.C.) May 31, 2002 - The stereotypical view of mobile homes is not very positive. People told WIS News 10 the homes are more associated with overgrown lawns and an unkept appearance.

Other stereotypes suggest the homes are "not very strong as far as the weather. But, manufactured housing is a booming business in South Carolina. Charleston Highway is dotted with retailers; more than 400 are licensed around the state.

Burch Antley of the Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina explains part of the appeal, "We have a lot of rural land, a lot of less expensive land that is available."

Many manufactured houses today defy the stereotypical expectations. While they are relatively affordable, their extra amenities and wide open spaces mean they're attracting a different kind of buyer.

Nell Williams, who owns a manufactured home, is retired, "We wanted to get out from the city and wanted to be quiet, so we go something of our own." Antley says retirees buying manufactured housing is a trend.

People in their golden years come from across America to settle in the sunny South, and manufactured homes leave them with more disposable income, "That's why Horry County is so big. We have a lot of subdivisions in Myrtle Beach area that are geared just for retirees."

Industry experts say the manufactured housing business brings some $300 million into the Palmetto State and creates about 12,000 jobs every year. Experts say more people are buying manufactured homes are summer houses.

[aomagrat]

Woo Hoo!!!!!
We're #1!!! We're #1!!! We're #1!!!...