The event offers shopping options and packages that include land and financing.
PARIS – Finding and then buying a new home can be a months-long process. Factor in prices that sometimes soar thousands of dollars in a matter of a few days and expenses can grow in proportion to frustration.

This weekend, though, house hunters have an opportunity for some one-stop shopping.

It’s conceivable, says the man organizing the third annual “Oxford Hills Manufactured Housing Show,” that people can find the house they want complete with the appliances they want on the lot of their dreams. They can then get their turnkey package financed with favorable mortgage interest terms.

Best of all, they could do it in as little as a day.

“The opportunities,” said John Williams, “are endless.”

From Friday through Sunday, a dozen makers and sellers of manufactured homes will have more than 80 fully furnished model homes on display and open for buyers’ inspection. Some manufacturers will also open their factories for tours to give prospective clients a chance to see how today’s homes are built.

Lenders will be available as well, providing information, and money, to seal deals.

Williams, who heads the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, said scores of deals will likely be made. And thousands of people will walk away with information in hand and head to help them make a future housing choice.

Williams said the show has grown to become the largest of its kind in New England. Last year more than 20,000 people walked through display homes and met with manufacturers. He expects a similar, if not larger, showing this year.

Williams said the manufactured housing industry is stronger than ever, particularly in Maine. The dozen house makers taking part in the weekend show have more than 150 years of manufacturing experience combined and employ more than 550 people.

“This is the heartland” of the industry for the state, he said.

Its local economic impact can be measured in the tens of millions of dollars.

Over the past three decades, manufactured housing has evolved into highly desirable homes equal in quality to stick-built homes, Williams said.

Robert Huotori, general manager of Twin Town Homes, echoed that. “These homes built today are a far cry from the mobile homes of 30 years ago,” he said.

The free show gives people a chance to see how extensively the industry has grown.

And this year, three manufacturers – Oxford Homes, Keiser Industries and KBS Building Systems – will open their plants for free tours to the public. During the tours, people will see the state-of-the-art building systems and materials employed by area home manufacturers.

Perhaps the most significant change in this year’s event, Williams said, is the continued growth of the principal players, which has gone from eight to 12.

They are: Oxford Homes, Alternative Modular Homes, Keiser Industries, Maine Home Center, Maine Home Crafters, KBS Building Systems, Turn Key Homes of Maine, Martin’s Country Homes, Schiavi Homes, Zabi Homes, Advanced Quality Custom Homes and Twin Town Homes.

All are located on routes 121 and 26 between Oxford and West Paris.

Also new to the show is a financial and modular services center being set up in the Oxford Municipal Building and at offices on Route 26 in Oxford where potential buyers can meet with financial vendors in one location.

That’s also where people can register to win prizes.

Williams said the show kicks off with an Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” hosted by the entire group at Twin Town Homes from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

The show is the result of a partnership between the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce and the principal players in the local manufactured housing industry.

For more information, contact the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce at 213 Main St., South Paris, 743-2281 or [email protected].
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