Berkshire Hathaway Cameraman Achieves Dream of Homeownership

When Matt Mason had been working as a cameraman for the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting in 2006, he never thought that homeownership would be something that he could obtain. Then he beheld The Munger, a special 1,800 sq. foot, Clayton-built home that was on display at that year’s show, and he realized that he, his wife and their two little daughters would finally be able to get the home of their dreams.

For years, Mason had thrown money into a rental property that was getting smaller and smaller as his family grew. He dreamt of a quality home where they could grow and make memories together in a space of their own. When Mason toured the home on display at the Clayton Homes show space, he was pleasantly surprised at the affordability of the newly built display model.

“I had never even thought about manufactured housing as an option until I saw this home in person,” says Mason. “I always thought that renting was the only option for me.”

That summer Matt expressed interest in buying the display home and was soon placing the home on top of a basement foundation on his sister’s land. He and his family officially moved in on Christmas Eve 2006 and received the ultimate holiday gift that year.

Today, Matt Mason is a co-owner to the land and his daughters are now 7 and 10. Warren Buffett, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, still remembers when Matt bought the home and checks up on him periodically to see how he is enjoying it.

“It’s amazing how sincere and sharp Mr. Buffett is,” explained Matt Mason. “He holds onto a lot of details in his head, and that’s how he has been able to be so successful. Just the fact that he remembered me over the years and the details of my life. . . it meant a lot.”