Mail Order Home Kits - Sear Roebuck Homes Still Stand Proud

"After some consideration, I think I'll choose thelasting mark on real estate across America. Some
Modern Home No. 146. The Saratoga has a lovelyanalysts say it was the company's attention to
wide front porch and the redwood siding shoulddetail and quality that kept it in front of its
endure for many decades."competitors. In 1918, a Sears' marketing piece
This was, perhaps, the thinking of thousands ofpromised "the customer must be satisfied for a
families who bought their homes from the Searslifetime for every house we sell is a standing
Roebuck Houses by Mail Catalog - a phenomenonadvertisement for Sears Roebuck and Company."
of the early 20th century that delivered kitPart of this satisfaction came with the efficient
homes stacked onto rail cars to families acrossway the Sears kits were assembled and
America. Between 1908 and 1940 about 100,000presented. In the early 1900s, carpenters and
families perused the architectural catalog, readhome builders did not have the advantage of
concise descriptions of house styles and analyzedtoday's power tools. Most people were not
floor plans. Then, according to their family budgeteducated in reading architectural plans, nor
and needs, placed a stamp on an envelope andexperienced in construction. Sears pre-cut all the
sent off for a complete kit to build their homelumber for the homes and made instructions easy
from foundation to roof top.to follow. Since most buyers were intimately
Sometimes, the buyer would take on the task ofinvolved in the construction of their kit home,
building the home while others hired localthere was a special pride in hands-on ownership.
contractors. Thousands of these homes still standAfter the Great Depression, Sears offered an
today, their owners perhaps unaware theireven more complete package to customers by
bungalow, cottage, colonial house or other olderincluding financing. By then, the company was
home was assembled from a kit. The cost? Adeep into lumber mills and other industries that
home kit could be purchased for a under $1,000supported its housing venture. By 1940, the
and up to about $2,700, depending upon theburden of manufacturing and financing - and the
design and square footage. Today, many of thoseimpact of WWII - saw the last of the Book of
same homes sell for a half million dollars or more.Modern Homes. Times changed and Sear Roebuck
Although Sears Roebuck Company was the mostchanged with them. The company never kept an
successful retailer of home kits, it was not alone.inventory of the homes it sold so many people
A major competitor in the market was, notwho own houses from the early decades of the
surprisingly, Montgomery Ward. But it was Sears20th century may be unaware of their home's
that captured the majority of sales and left ahumble, mail order origin.