The Homes of Fountainview Estates Offers Manufactured Homes, Dynamic Lifestyle

By Wendy Malloy, Special Sections Correspondent
Published: Sep 20, 2004

Providing an active lifestyle at a moderate price is the key to success at The Homes of Fountainview Estates, says sales manager Michael Dugay. And the formula has worked well.

In the 2½ years, the 540-home 55-plus community has posted sales of more than $6 million.

“Fountainview has come into its own,” Dugay says. “With our strong amenity package, beautiful homes and great location near Westchase, Fountainveiw has come into its own and now has a waiting list of people desiring a special location within the community.” But that shouldn't deter potential buyers. Dugay adds that at any given time nearly, 20 homes are available for resale, along with six to 10 models that are ready for occupancy.

Under the same ownership for 32 years, Fountainview has benefited from the new type of manufactured home. Formerly known as trailers or mobile homes, the contemporary factory-constructed home arrives at the community only about 60 percent complete. “They used to come all ready to go, but today we do so much to them, they're no longer considered trailers,” says Dugay. “They're regular homes, Sheetrock-constructed. People are just amazed at how this type of home construction can give you lots of square footage for less money than you'd pay for traditional Florida housing.”

The community features Fleetwood homes, made in Auburndale, and Palm Harbor Homes, a manufacturer based in Plant City. “We go to them with our own redesigns of their basic models, giving us floor plans that are very unusual and prove to be very popular,” Dugay says.

Each new model is placed on a 45-by-90-foot lot and offers ceramic-tile floors, a raised-floor screened porch, a carport, front planters and handcrafted brick steps. Ceiling fans are mounted in every room, and each floor plan offers designer carpet, 36-inch doors, a full-size washer and dryer and side-by-side refrigerator.

Six designs are available, all with either two or three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The standard 1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is priced at about $120,000, with other designs priced lower.

With 34 active clubs and organizations and a location adjacent to the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, Fountainview offers a dynamic lifestyle.

Residents enjoy bingo, picnics, shows, shuffleboard and horseshoes, among other pastimes. The community also features two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, tennis court and an exercise room. Neighborhood gatherings include dances, potluck dinners and pancake breakfasts, along with frequent guest speakers and seminars.

“The emerging baby-boomer population is attracted to the 55-plus community, and they don't want to give up their amenities — or their security, status and a good location,” Dugay says.

The community boasts a nationally recognized neighborhood-watch association, Dugay says. “Other groups come to see how our process works, and why we're so effective. Our members take over our gatehouse at night and do roving patrols in Fountainview-provided vehicles.” The Homes of Fountainview Estates is at 8800 Sheldon Road in Tampa. For information, call 813-884-3407 or, toll-free, 1-800-793-0548. For details, visit www.fountainview.com.