Robert Calhoun bought Sunrise Mobile Home Park in Goose Creek, South Carolina in the 1970’s and expanded the home sites from 102 to 325, added a swimming pool and a gated section, and lost only three of the property’s 115 live Oak trees, as the area grew up around him. At the other end of the factory-built housing spectrum, which is coming back to life in the Charleston, SC area, Sangaree Homes owner Les Dyches says many shoppers are seeking amenities that are available in site-built homes, according to postandcourier.com. They want deluxe windows, crown moulding, all-wood cabinets and smooth-top ranges, and can still save about 50 percent over traditional building.

Shirley Shamblin, manager of Southern Palms manufactured housing community (MHC) in Ladson, outside Charleston, tells MHProNews.com their homes start at $88,000 and go up to $130,000 with add-ons like sunrooms and screened-in porches. Alicia Kinard, owner of Artistic Design and Construction in Charleston, says before the recession she put finishing touches on high-end modular homes. The pendulum is now swinging back from the downturn, and since signing on with Excel Homes and Ritz-Craft, the factories are sending her customers. ##

(Photo credit: Greg Vote/Getty Images–two-story manufactured home for sale)