Mobile homes can be infested by both subterranean and drywood termites, which can be controlled through fumigation using a fumigant. Drywood termites can enter the home via underground termite mud tubes or by climbing pillars that support the house. They can also enter the home when they fly.
Manufactured and mobile homes are not immune to termite infestations, as they may have a steel framework at the base and not sit directly on the ground. If you plan to put a mobile or modular home on your property, consider having these as part of your foundation.
Termites can infest any building directly placed or lifted off the ground, so it is essential to prepare for them during your ownership journey. Termites start working from the ground up, so you will need to go under the house and bring along a dust mask, flashlight, and screwdriver.
Termites are attracted to any food source that contains cellulose, primarily wood. Some termites prefer damp, soft wood or live in the ground near the home. Damage in mobile homes can be caused by wood skirting attracting termites. After removing aged skirting, inspect the homes’ rim-joist for rot.
If a home is raised off the ground, it is less likely to be attacked by termites, provided that 12-month inspections are completed. Pre-treating the soil before home construction is another successful way to prevent termite infestation. However, the actual risk to your house is if there is water infiltration or soil-on-wood contact, as termites and carpenter ants primarily look for moisture in the wood.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Can a mobile/manufactured home get termites? | Yes, both Subterranean and Drywood Termites can infest a mobile home. It is also possible for a termite inspector to document an assortment of wood boring … | howtolookatahouse.com |
| Termites in Hugelkultur raised bed. This bed is about 2 … | But the actual risk to your house is if there’s water infiltration or soil-on-wood contact, because termites and carpenter ants primarily look … | reddit.com |
| Homes Vulnerable To Termite Attack Find Out If Your At Risk | If a home is raised off the ground it is less likely to be attacked by termites. This is of course provided that 12-month inspections are completed. When a home … | sunnystate.com.au |
📹 DIY Home Termite Treatment – Long Lasting
This video demonstrates how to apply a long-lasting termite treatment around a house. The presenter explains the process in detail, including the type of product, mixing instructions, and application techniques. They also show the importance of termite prevention by highlighting the damage termites can cause.
Are Manufactured Homes Built On A Foundation?
Manufactured homes, often referred to as mobile homes, can be installed on both permanent and non-permanent foundations, each offering distinct advantages and considerations. Permanent foundations typically include basements, concrete pits, slab, pier and beam, or crawlspace setups. These foundations not only provide enhanced stability and support for the structure but also allow the home to be classified as real property, enabling traditional mortgage financing and compliance with HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) standards.
Pier foundations are a common choice for manufactured homes, where piers are strategically spaced to ensure proper support. Concrete block skirting and slab foundations are other prevalent options, each varying in terms of durability, cost, and ease of installation. Permanent foundations are essential for meeting local building codes and safety standards, protecting the home from shifting soil and moisture, and ensuring long-term durability.
Non-permanent foundations, such as runner systems and temporary piers, offer flexibility, allowing homeowners the option to relocate their homes if desired. While these foundations provide mobility, they may not qualify for traditional financing or insurance, as the home is not considered real property. Selecting the appropriate foundation type involves evaluating factors like location, soil conditions, climate, and the homeowner’s long-term plans for the property.
Manufactured homes are built in factories and transported to their intended locations, necessitating a proper foundation to ensure stability upon arrival. Whether opting for a permanent or non-permanent foundation, it is crucial to ensure that the chosen setup meets all structural and regulatory requirements. A strong foundation is vital for the longevity and safety of the home, making the selection process a critical step in the installation of a manufactured home.
In summary, manufactured homes can be anchored using a variety of foundation types, each with specific benefits and requirements. Understanding these options helps homeowners make informed decisions regarding stability, financing, and potential mobility of their manufactured residence.
Does Insurance Cover Termite Damage?
As a homeowner, pest control, particularly regarding termites, is your responsibility. Home insurance generally does not cover termite damage, which can be expensive to repair, as it's considered preventable rather than sudden or accidental. While some policies may cover damage caused by wild animals or certain covered perils, termite damage typically falls outside this scope. It's essential to learn how to identify, prevent, and address termite infestations effectively.
Understanding the different types of termites, recognizing signs of invasion, and implementing preventive measures can help protect your home. In situations where termite damage occurs, homeowners may explore valid claims if the damage resulted from a covered peril, but standard policies usually exclude such infestations. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), this exclusion is standard across most homeowners, condo, or renters insurance policies.
Therefore, the costs associated with termite removal and damage repair generally fall on the homeowner. To ensure home protection, educating yourself on prevention techniques and the specifics of your insurance coverage is crucial. Being proactive can save you from potential significant expenses linked to termite infestations.
What Smell Do Termites Hate?
Termites are repelled by various odors, making it easier for homeowners to take preventative measures against infestations. Essential oils and natural scents such as orange oil, neem oil, garlic, cinnamon, vinegar, mint, and citrus are particularly effective in deterring these pests. Cedarwood oil is notably potent, as it not only offers natural resistance to termites but also emits a scent that they find unpleasant. Other smells that termites detest include peppermint, tea tree oil, and clove oils, which disrupt their pheromone systems.
Additionally, the aromas from cypress and pine trees serve as an effective deterrent when used for mulching. Incorporating these scents into your home environment can prevent infestations without needing toxic chemicals. Some lesser-known yet effective repellent methods include using cayenne pepper, human hair, wood ashes, and boric acid.
Fragrant plants like geraniums and marigolds are believed by seasoned gardeners to repel termites and other pests as well. By utilizing these natural odors, homeowners can avoid the chaos of a termite infestation while safeguarding their property. Overall, employing these aromatic strategies benefits the home’s environment and ensures that termites remain at bay.
What Are Signs Of Termites In Your House?
Evidence of termite infestation can manifest in various ways, making early detection crucial for homeowners. Look for discolored or drooping drywall, peeling paint resembling water damage, and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Additionally, signs include small pinpoint holes in drywall, buckling wooden or laminate floorboards, and loosening tiles due to moisture introduced by termites. Excessive squeaking from floorboards may also indicate their presence.
One of the most recognizable signs of termites is the presence of mud tubes, which are pencil-width tunnels constructed by termites using their saliva. These mud tubes serve as a travel route and are a strong indicator of an underlying colony. Homeowners should also be vigilant for clicking or munching sounds from walls, which are caused by soldier termites.
Other warning signs include termite swarmers (either alive or dead) found within the home, hollowed or damaged wood, and blistering or buckling in wood flooring. It’s essential to inspect your property regularly for these indicators to prevent extensive damage. Early detection can save you from costly repairs. If you suspect a termite issue, consider conducting a thorough inspection or consulting with a pest control professional to address potential infestations promptly.
When Do Termites Come Back To Your Mobile Home?
Even after treatment, termites can reappear, making it essential to keep your mobile home clean and dry continuously. Regular spraying and fumigation every few weeks can help prevent their return, particularly at ground contact points. Subterranean termites access homes from below ground, while drywood termites swarm and then penetrate structures. To deter future infestations, liquid termite treatments can last between five and ten years, depending on application methods.
For example, Taurus SC can endure for up to a decade in the soil when correctly applied. Termites may return if your home provides an ideal environment for them. This guide outlines the signs of termite infestations, preventative measures, DIY solutions, and professional treatments. Both subterranean and drywood termites can infest mobile homes, and various wood-boring beetles may also be documented by inspectors. While treatments offer temporary relief, neglecting preventive measures may lead to a resurgence of termites.
Understanding the early signs of a potential termite comeback is crucial for homeowners with a history of infestations. Termites, attracted to wood’s cellulose, can compromise your mobile home’s structure, allowing other pests entry. Treatment efficacy depends on the methods used, as chemical barriers bind with the soil. Additionally, termites swarm at specific times during the year, primarily in early spring. Therefore, diligence in prevention and treatment is vital to avoid the extensive damage termites can cause.
What Houses Are At Risk For Termites?
Many people believe only wooden homes are susceptible to termites, but homes with brick, stone, or vinyl exteriors are also at risk. Termites cause significant damage in the U. S., equating to billions of dollars annually. Regions like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are particularly vulnerable due to their warm climates, rich soil, and prevalence of older homes containing wood. In contrast, states such as Alaska, Nevada, and Wyoming experience lower risks due to less conducive conditions.
Active termite damage or previous infestations heighten the risk for homes, with a history of termite issues posing a significant concern. Subterranean termites, the most destructive type, create large colonies, while drywood termites affect localized areas. Certain home construction styles can make it difficult to detect infestations, as termites prefer wooden structures and can exploit various access points in a building's architecture.
As "silent destroyers," termites can damage wood, flooring, and even wallpaper undetected, leading to an annual property damage cost of around $5 billion, often not covered by insurance. Homes with wooden elements, especially those poorly ventilated or drained, are more susceptible to infestations.
Termitic activity is indicated during swarming seasons, but active colonies occur year-round, particularly in regions like Florida. The risk level ranges from "Very Heavy" to "None to Slight," with termites needing moisture and avoiding cold climates. Even wood in contact with the ground, such as firewood or landscaping elements, is susceptible. Properties with wooden structures or fencing face higher risk levels.
Older homes generally have a greater risk of infestations, with costly repair implications if damage occurs. Overall, termite vigilance is crucial for all homeowners, regardless of exterior materials.
Can Manufactured Homes Get Termites?
Termites are pervasive pests capable of infesting any building, whether site-built or mobile/manufactured. Both Subterranean and Drywood termites pose a threat to mobile homes, despite their steel frameworks and foundations elevated on piers. These pests can infiltrate through underground mud tubes that climb the supporting pillars of mobile homes. Additionally, termite inspectors may identify various wood-boring beetles alongside termite infestations.
Mobile homes may be more susceptible to termite attacks due to their construction materials and closer proximity to the ground. Carpenter ants are also a common threat, but Drywood termites are particularly adept at infesting these homes. Proper prevention and maintenance are crucial to safeguarding mobile homes against such infestations. Implementing foundation solutions like ABS Pier Pads can help reduce vulnerability, especially when placing mobile or modular homes on a property.
Early detection is essential in managing termite problems. Spotting signs of infestation, such as visible termites or wood damage, is the first step in eliminating these pests. Treatment methods vary depending on the termite type; for Drywood termites, tenting the house may be necessary, whereas other infestations might be addressed with localized treatments. Independent elimination strategies include applying vinegar, orange oil, boric acid, and commercial insecticides directly to affected wood areas.
While termites themselves do not pose direct health risks to humans, their ability to compromise the structural integrity of a home makes them a significant concern for homeowners. Regular inspections, proactive maintenance, and timely treatments can effectively protect both mobile and traditional homes from termite damage, ensuring long-term safety and durability.
How To Treat For Termites In A Mobile Home?
To combat drywood termites in mobile homes, a targeted approach using Termidor Foam can be effective. First, locate the "kickout" holes where termites expel frass and drill a small hole into these areas. Mobile homes can indeed be infested by both Subterranean and Drywood termites due to their design's vulnerabilities. Homeowners must be vigilant about signs of infestation and consider prevention strategies to protect their properties. For treatment, hiring a professional pest control service is advisable for thorough and safe elimination of termites.
However, DIY methods like using vinegar, orange oil, boric acid, and retail insecticides are also options, albeit sometimes less effective. Regular maintenance is crucial—control moisture levels, fix rotting wood, seal utility openings, and maintain distance between plants and the house. Cleaning gutters and vents can help deter termites as well. For subterranean termites, a liquid termiticide like Taurus SC with trench treatment is recommended.
Termites often invade via underground mud tubes, making it critical to eliminate conducive conditions for their survival, such as damp wood. Ultimately, the combination of preventative measures and timely interventions are key to protecting mobile homes from termite damage.
How To Bug Proof A Mobile Home?
Mobile Home Pest Control 101 emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean and secure living environment to deter pests. Start by clearing trash and debris from around your home, ensuring that trash and recycling bins are tightly closed. Installing skirting and repairing it as needed is crucial, as it acts as a barrier against unwanted animals. Keep bird feeders at a safe distance and consider sprinkling chili or habanero flakes around your home to deter pests. Motion-sensor lights can also help keep critters at bay.
To effectively bug-proof doors and windows, proactive measures are essential for a pest-free living space. If dealing with mice, sealing entry points and utilizing the correct traps can help maintain comfort in your mobile home. Insect foggers can eliminate pests in tight spaces, but it’s important to remove food and dishes beforehand. Always follow product instructions regarding application amounts, as using too much can be counterproductive.
When preparing to bug bomb a mobile home, ensure all steps are followed correctly, including shutting off utilities and inspecting for rodents. Keeping a tidy outdoor area, sealing gaps, and using mesh screens on vents can significantly reduce infestation risks. Regularly inspect around your home for any debris or overgrown grass, which can attract pests. Ultimately, a combination of cleanliness, preventive measures, and traps, along with considering professional extermination if necessary, will contribute to a comfortable pest-free living environment in your manufactured home.
How Do I Get Rid Of Termites In My Raised Garden Bed?
Diatomaceous earth (DE) effectively kills termites by creating micro-cuts in their exoskeletons upon contact, yet remains safe for worms. To combat termites in a raised garden bed, soak cardboard in DE, dust the area, and bury it. Additionally, spraying vinegar or orange oil can help eliminate termites. For future prevention, use termite-resistant materials, like treated wood, when constructing the raised bed, ensuring proper soil drainage. If termites are already present, quick action is crucial to prevent their establishment.
Effective removal methods include both natural solutions and chemicals. Keeping your garden dry is important, as termites thrive in damp conditions. For drywood termites, use boric acid baits or inject wood with pesticides, while beneficial nematodes can help eradicate subterranean termites. Utilizing foaming termiticides like Termidor can also be effective in suspected infested areas.
Create physical barriers, such as digging a moat filled with borax-soaked cardboard, to deter termites. Other chemical options include liquid insecticides like fipronil and imidacloprid. Regular maintenance and mindful landscaping can help prevent infestations, along with strategic placement of termite baits as a monitoring system. This guide offers diverse approaches to identify, remove, and protect against termites, ensuring a thriving garden free from these pests.
📹 7 MASSIVE LIES About Manufactured (Mobile) Homes AFFORDABLE HOUSING!
When purchasing a manufactured home, or a mobile home you need to do a lot of your research upfront. It will make a huge …
We bought a mobile home 20 years ago, an old one, for $22,000. It included the land and is in a park in south Florida with very reasonable HOA dues. Recently I checked value, and country appraised it for $88,000. On-line realtor’s purchase value was $168,000. It is 56 years old now. Most of the value is in the land, but if you choose correctly a mobile home can be a halfway decent investment.
It’s a tragic situation what is happening to the mobile home communities. I have considered downsizing to a mobile home but changed my mind because of this. It’s a crime these greedy investors and corporations can’t be satisfied pricing out the middle class of basic housing, now they have to gouge the poor and senior citizens who can least afford it. This bs has to stop.
My parents downsized and moved south in the early 80’s. They bought a parcel and a single-wide mobile home. I believe they were able to pay cash in full or almost in full. Since dad had been a building contractor for many years he knew what to look for. He enlarged it some, added a screened porch and 1/2 bath. It’s about 40 years old now and still standing
Bought a double wide manufactured home on a large crawl space, well, septic, 1 acre across the street from a corn field. Absolutely beautiful and peaceful. Our first home in our mid 20s only 115k mortgage of 750 a month. I must say, as a young married couple we feel as if we are winning, even on a 30 year mortgage, we are catching up financially so much quicker than a 1k rent apartment. (That’s just the rent 😂) we feel like we are finally getting ahead to move forward in our next step in life, and that’s if we even wana sell this peaceful place!
I’m low income & really want my own house. So I thought a manufactured home was my best bet. It was a nightmare trying to get a conventional mortgage. I found out early that parks due to possible large rent increases could also wind up being a nightmare that could cause me to loose my home. Trying to find a cheap piece of land to put it on was not cheap but very expensive. Eventually I found a stick built house I could afford & had no problem getting a conventional mortgage. It came with a 1/4 acre of land. I could not be happier. I use to be a renter & got out right as the rents began skyrocketing. Now as long as I pay my mortgage I have an affordable home where the price will stay the same & won’t constantly be going up & I now have an an affordable home for the rest of my life.
I bought a 20 year old modular home through the USDA loan back in 2020. It’s registered as a single family home. It meets all of the standards of the county/state. We were able to get traditional finances. We own the land we are on ( 1 acre). We got a 1.75 interest rate! We bought it for 175k. I really recommend a REAL modular. It’s lasted great!!! We have had way less issues than our DR. Horton homes. It’s really about doing the research as you have said.
As someone who lived in mobile homes for 21 years, I was prepared to be skeptical, but Jerry’s information is solid. Great tips if looking into manufactured housing! I would add a couple more. Don’t buy into a “rental park.” Look for mobile home communities where the residents own the park or the land. That way, no one can sell it out from under you. If you’re considering an older home, check out what homeowners insurance is available. If a home is too old, you sometimes can’t get it insured. Thanks, Jerry, for an excellent article.
I’ve lived in and worked on mobile homes half my life, I’m 70. The older ones were made of glue paneling and staples wrapped in a thin skin of aluminum, the roof was covered in galvanized steel, guaranteed to rust in under 20 years. The newer ones are covered in a material that should be outlawed as a building material, press board. Their garbage, the outside walls buckle and rot, termites think it’s candy. The floors are made of chip board and when ya get them wet ya get big holes in your floors. The plumbing is made of plastic tubing like garden hose running through the walls. Save your money and buy an OLDER real home… Your Welcome…
I used to move mobile homes of all sizes when parks closed or brought in new rules or requirements, it was extensive and expensive. A mobile home is not really as mobile as it sounds, many have porches or external structures which must be dismantled and then you need to disconnect utilities and hope the axles and frame of the mobile is road ready which can add thousands to the move cost. Then when at the new place it all has to be reassembled and reconnected to utilities which may not be located the same, requiring adjustments, and more expense. For anyone who anticipates moving, park models or fifth wheels are great because if a serious storm is coming you can unhook in a couple hours and leave, and if a unscrupulous land owner decides to sell or raise your lease you can just unhook and move elsewhere without all the hassle of a typical “mobile” home move.
I worked maintenance in a major mobile home manufacturer. I can tell you horror stories. Rural property can have water available. It is here. I bought my property, 2 beautiful acres, a stocked pond in front yard, water, septic and power already here, 10k, building a small house now. I’m living in my camper till it’s finished I’m buying as I go, when I put the last piece of trim on,,,IT’S ALL MINE!
I moved my parents’ 1300 SQ ft lakefront mobile home from a rental slum Lord park to private land lot that they purchased for $9k. The teardown and move and reinstall was expensive, not just the few thousand that you quoted, @Jerry Pinkas. And I used a reputable mobile home installer who had been in business for 40 years. There were so many more costs on top of it such as sewer, water, electric installation on a bare lot. Tree removal. Permits and inspections. AC ducts and connection and cement pad pour. I oversaw or did the rest of the upgrades and repairs myself. We sold it shortly thereafter. Former park tried to sue us. They just never had anyone pull out their property before. Once a mobile home is moved to private land in Florida, it becomes REAL ESTATE instead of a MOTOR VEHICLE. You pay taxes on the lot and home, etc.
Ive been in my double-wide for 21 years. It’s not the greatest. But it’s solid and meets the wind standards for where I live (Tallahassee, Florida). Even being a lower priced home, it’s been worth it. I own the land. And the only major maintenance has been a floor repair in the bathroom and a new roof about 5 years ago. Most site built homes of the same age have needed a new roof as well. I replaced the shingles with a metal roof. I’m happy with it. Mobile homes are a viable, affordable option, especially if you already own the land.
I am a senior citizen who thought I had it made when I bought a used mobile home for $10,000. My lot rent at the time was only $160. I could afford to pay for yard maintenance. I loved living there, but as time went on, utilities went up. Little did I know that my insulation was rotting away within the walls. Over ten years my lot rent doubled. By the next summer it would have increased to $480 monthly. Thank goodness I found a nice little apartment in subsidized senior housing. My social security is $1200 and I pay 616 monthly, but I don’t pay for yard maintenance and my utilities are very inexpensive. Meanwhile the trailer park did not give me a cent for my old trailer and now they are charging people $500 for demolition of trailers they can no longer afford to live in, so I missed that financial disaster by a hair. As much as I enjoyed my trailer, I am very thankful to be living in this apartment now.
I bought a 1995 mobile home in 2008 on bought land and lived there for 14 years. It’s horribly expensive to cool them. I eventually had to shut all the bedroom/bathroom doors, install a window ac unit, and sleep in the living room with a bunch of fans going because I couldn’t afford to cool it with the central ac unit that came with it. I had great neighbors at first, but when they moved, horrible ones moved in. That was when I realized I was essentially living in a cardboard box. They would be standing in their driveway having a normal conversation, but it sounded like they were in the same room with me. They also played loud music, set off explosive illegal fireworks, honked their horns, and were up until all hours of the night. It was as if the sounds were being sucked into my mobile home and amplified. I don’t even know how that’s possible, but I’ve never lived in a regular house that had an issue like that. I moved a year and a half ago. Never again.
As a “Certified” Manufactured Home Inspector. The average life span of one of these is aprox 30 years, but can last longer. If you buy a used one, its a good idea to have it inspected by a “Certified” Manufactured Home Inspector and NOT a Home Inspector, unless they can show you their certification for manufactured homes. Its also a good idea to call the state and ask them about any past inspections and where it was located when inspected, which is very important. Many times these get moved to lots that would not pass a State Inspection.
Manufactured homes and mobile homes are two different things. 2×4 walls vs 2×3 walls. 2×4 rafters vs bow truss. Removable axels vs permanent axels. Manufactured can be quite large and have two stories. These homes come in sections and are mated together on-site. Manufactured home are far superior structurally to mobile homes, thats why the stopped making mobiles. I help write the building code requirements for manufactured homes.
I bought my 80×30 twenty years ago… island kitchen, massive master suite, four bedrooms, two bathrooms… brand new delivered for 57 thousand dollars… paid in full on paid off land… best investment I ever made… now I Airbnb the three empty bedrooms… put it on your OWN LAND…I got the 2×6 exterior walls and ran 13 concrete beams front to back… absolutely love it
I had a mobile home for 5 years and it doubled in price. I didn’t plan it when I first moved there but with the increase I was able to sell it and buy my house with the profits. The property owner offered to sell the park to the residents which seemed like a very reasonable offer and would have helped control prices in the long term. The park residents voted against it and instead it was sold to a private equity firm that continued to increase rents and does only minimum maintenance. That vote was a bad decision and a good reason to move to my house instead.
You’re spot-on I’ve lived in Waimea manufactured home and my property for 30 years worked very hard to keep it from my ex-husband and his lack of paying the mortgage many many times and have recently paid it off and have now remodeled my home is 1800 square feet on Two and a quarter Acres of beautiful land and I’ve invested a lot of money but I love this house. I still get people when I say I have a manufactured home that’s cringe their noses but I have seen site-built homes that are a mess I wonder when this opinion is going to cease. When people walk into my home they go oh wow it’s beautiful I brought my premature baby home who is now 26 years old to this house it’s seeing me through windstorms and a bad marriage and I’m now 60 and it will be my retirement home. I’ve been lucky I’ve had inherited says that have been given me the ability to pay it off and do upgrades just like any other home
I worked my career in the mobile/manufactured home industry for 32 years. One reason mobile/manufactured homes survive storms better than stick-built homes is that these homes are built in the factory to survive a 5.5 earthquake (during moving down the road). I started my career in a factory…been there, done that.
I get sick when I see young people fork over 40K for trailer in a mobile home park. Had a young coworker fork over 40K for this dumpy trailer in mobile home lot. Less than a year later. The park sold to an investment firm. The investment firm announced a new larger minimum size requirement along with a 150% lot rent increase! Apparently, you are not grandfathered in when ownership changes. When he looked around where to move. No soap. The nearest place was over 70 miles away cost almost 12 K to get there. He ended up using his mother inheritance to pay off the note. Just to watch a front-end loader crush it. No surprise he was not the only one person in the park who got screwed. Some trailers were 1960’s vintage, and they were sublet for years. The financial company. Ended up putting storage units up on the now open lots. NEVER ever buy in a mobile home park. When I retire soon. I will buy on a 2 acre land I own. I will set it up for myself to basically die in. My Nephews, who are like sons to me can loot what they want out of the place. Crush the rest. I will build a pole barn. Then the boys will have a peace of land they can do what they want with.
Great advise. I don’t know if this will help anyone but my wife and I took advantage of the housing boom and sold our stick built in town home and gained a great profit. We found 5 acres in the country and bought a manufactured home and couldn’t be happier with our decision. Our home is awesome with a large deck and great for entertaining. We were able to have a nice new home and wipe out a chunk of debt by selling our in town home. Everything Jerry said in this article is accurate, pay special attention to the finance portion, we pulled out of the process with our first bank as we educated ourselves and were able to find a local lender to work with and saved a point and a half interest by shopping around and talking to several lenders.
Excellent presentation!! We bought a lot and put a double wide on it for cash 25 years ago. It’s on a permanent foundation with city water. We have maintained it regularly, upgrading the whole kitchen and master bath and putting on a metal roof that insurance paid for after a hail storm. We only pay about $1300 for taxes PLUS insurance yearly. We now have many species of mature trees and shrubs on our one acre lot. The value of our property has not appreciated nearly as much if it were a stick built house but we our happy with our minimalistic life style and our view of the river valley. Your coverage was comprehensive and accurate. P.S. I grew up in Florida, my dad was a RE broker and I had a real estate license.
In the early 90s I built manufactured homes on the assembly line in northern Indiana. It was a very demanding job. The pay was good, though. Then I moved onto sales in southern states. When these homes are set up correctly, and proper maintenance is done, they will last many years. There are good and bad ones, just like home builders. To me, it seems that modular is the way to go, today. They are just like site built homes, but built in pieces at a factory, which are then assembled on the property. The factory has inspectors for every step of the build. Buying used mobile homes is like pulling the one arm bandits in Las Vegas. Unless you have the original build sheet, you won’t know what is going on under the floor, in the walls and in the ceiling.
I had a whole lot of trouble with the financing on a mobile home in Texas. It turns out that if you try to buy a place and the trailer has been moved, that screws everything up. People first buy their place and put it in a park, then the park jacks up the lot rent so they move. And when they do that, the trailer has “been moved.” So the financing ability degrades.
My mom owned her own land and bought a manufactured home. Everything he says spot on. She owed it here in South Fla. they are not built to last on the inside. Everything fell apart 15 yrs in. Bathrooms kitchen etc. However it was built for hurricanes and survived many down here. When we sold it everything had to be replaced. Trying to sell and buyer getting financing and the home being appraised was a nightmare. It all worked out in the end.
As a retreat to a stronger position in this crumbling economy + inflation, it is an option to consider. I was shopping for a home to retire in 2 years ago. I would have put down $200K, and still had a mortgage of $1600 a month. Add in $300 property taxes. Water, garbage, and sewer. That’s $2K a month, with $200K in cash gone. Instead, I bought a nice mobile for a mere $30K cash. No property taxes. No water, garbage, or sewer charges. Rent for my space: $625 a month (practically couch change). And I kept most of my capital in the bank. Nice place too: 1.5 miles outside the city (3 minutes to town, and Costco, Winco, and Wal mart). Sitting next to a county park and the river. Next to farms and ranches. No trash, no street people, no crime, just birds singing and fresh air. I don’t care if the value goes up or down: I have a nice comfy place to live for the rest of my life, and one which costs next to nothing. The key to doing this: make a list of all parks in the specific region you wish to reside in. Decide a limit of monthly space rent (mine was $700 and under) and cross those above that off the list. Visit the remaining parks. I narrowed it down to three, all of which were nicely placed, clean semi-country parks… but still close to town.
I live in Central PA where the housing market is still semi affordable. I was a realtor after an early retirement and sold many mobile homes that were in parks. Ten years ago the best parks around us were $350 a month and they provided water & sewerage, trash and snow removal you pay for lawn care. Corporations swept in and purchased all the decent parks about 4 years ago.. Now those same parks are $750 you pay water and sewerage (they installed meters at every home) you pay for trash removal and the park clears the snow. The worst parks around us are now $350 and in crumbling parks with terrible roads.
I bought a small lot of land reasonably and the purchased a small new modular build, I registered as an owner builder then employed concretes, electrician, plumbers, fencing contractors, I took a nice single modular and put pitching plates off it and built cool things of it at my own pace. Looking back, zero regrets and I don’t owe a bunch to the bank, enjoyed the process too
ONCE THE MOBILE HOME IS SET UP, BEFORE THE INSTALLERS GET AWAY. HAVE A LEVEL AND A BALL OR 2 AND CHECK IF IT IS PERFECTLY OR CLOSELY LEVEL. THERE IS SOME SETTLING AFTER A WHILE. I CALLED FLEETWOOD FOR THE PRINTS AND SPECS. TO FIND OUT WHERE ALL THE BLOCK RESTING PIERS WERE LOCATED. I PAID $1300 FOR CIRCULAR CONCRETE PIERS FOR THE BLOCKS TO SIT ON AND A NEW TIE DOWN STRAP SYSTEM TO PREVENT FLIPPING. FINIS PAX
We are living in a manufactured home we bought 3 years ago. It is only 6 years old now and on an acre of land. We are now (finally) living well below our means so there is no more money stress and we have enough left over to make this house exactly what we want. This house is more solid than the huge mid-century modern we sold which was super drafty and costs hundreds a month to heat. Excellent article. I must also add that insuring a manufactured home is a bit of a challange but we finally got it.
Great article explaining things and correcting some misconceptions that most people seem to have. My wife and I bought a 40-yr old manufactured home in the mountains almost 3 years ago to enable us to retire early. We were picky though, as ours has plywood subfloor and standard 2×4 framing throughout (definitely not standard for the era of the home). I am still working (we’re about 4 years from our planned early retirement) and the mortgage is 5% of our income. We’re about 75% through remodeling the place and making it how we want (plus upgraded insulation everywhere, etc). Home will be paid off next year (been paying roughly 4x the mortgage monthly). We’ve been practicing living on our retirement income since we moved (all the extra income is going to the mortgage, 401k’s, etc) and it’s been good for us. I wish we’d started living below our means much sooner!
I would add that if it needs work done or remodeling, that it’s a little different than stick built houses. Porches and decks being attached to the home can be dangerous in high winds if not properly built. The roof of the porch gets torn off and if attached improperly can pull the roof from the home. Which allows the wind pressure inside to build and tears the rest of the home apart.
New company has bought our mobile home park, and we are now paying over 600.00 a month, and it’s still going up. The place was nice when we got here, we had older neighbors and though it was nothing fancy, the people that owned it had the ditches cleaned every two years, an office that promptly fixed water or sewer needs, streetlights etc. Now, we don’t have anyone to call. Our light on the street took two years to get fixed, the grinder pump on our sewer was down over two and a half weeks, we had raw sewage in our yard, and couldn’t use our back toilet, drug addicts have moved in because there is no body local that screens who can come in. We are trying to find a small home to buy so the mortgage is lower, but the market here is terrible, everything we want is too high to afford when I retire soon. We are paying more and more, for less and less, just a bunch of investment morons’ money hungry for yield. I’m not much on government ruling everything, but this type of thing should be watched, its highway robbery….
Great info. I have no issue with living in a mobile home to save money if issues arises. I lived in one during my college years and another one when I started out my career so I could start saving for a home and paid off my student loan debt. I’m pretty easy going – a roof over my head is usually all I need.
Excellent advice. Watch out for mobile home financing that is more like a car loan, than a mortgage, and allows the home to be easily repo’d if you get behind. Another point about plumbing – mobile homes use special plumbing. It’s not the same as a stick built house. This can make repairs more difficult and expensive because parts are not always available when you need them.
This was indeed a range of good information. Definitely took a lot of notes on this… many of those points are critically important. As for the articlegraphy, however, can I suggest that this handheld thing you do, slowly rotating horizontally, while your hand-held NON-ANTI-SHAKE CAMERA is providing a wobbly, jittery, nausea-inducing flow of shaky background scenes that completely distract from the message, as well as providing a near-toxic visual experience on a very large screen (such as the 44″ one I’m using. PLEASE use a tripod with a fluid-drive head, and try this trick I learned a couple decades ago… string some largish elastic bands into a short chain of two or three and fasten one end on the tripod rotator handle, close to its end. Then, you will find that by gently pulling the elastic chain at whatever pressure you wish, the tripod head and camera will very, VERY smoothly glide left or right in the direction you’re guiding it. Gives results equal to a $5,000 camera and tracker/rotator mounting assembly in terms of final production results. And final note from an old-school cinephile: When did it become absolutely necessary for the narrator to be fully framed, FILLING the frame, in EVERY SINGLE SHOT of an instructional article? Go back to the pre-selfie days, and when people were talking about an object or process in an informational article, the camera WAS SHOWING US THE OBJECT OR PROCESS, not a grinning talking head FILLING EVERY FRAME of the movie in question, often obliterating interesting or important details in the background!
Good tips here. A few points to add-on: 1. When buying land, don’t just look at zoning, but what kind of zoning is permitted to the mobile home/size of the mobile home. I had a friend that bought a single-wide to put on his land, but he did not know that zone was only for double-wide trailers. He had to let the sale of the single-wide fall through and he sold the land, as he had no trailer to put on it, deciding to move-on. 2. Older Trailers in certain states have moving restrictions. For instance, iirc in Florida, you can not move a trailer/mobile home older than 3-5 years old to a new property that you own/your own land. Most importantly, you can not move a trailer/mobile home older than 1980’s models, to a new piece of land that you own, however, you can move a trailer/mobile home built after the 1980’s to another trailer park only if it passes an inspection. Any trailer/mobile home built prior to the 1980’s is legally stuck where it is at, in whatever park it is sitting currently in; many new investors know this, and eventually can end-up buying you out, either selling your trailer/mobile home property or renting it, once you’re gone/rent is too high for you and you moved-on. -that being said, once they buy you out, and the trailer is empty, the land owner of the trailer park may just likely tear it down and put in a newer unit/manufactured home or perhaps clear the trailer-out for the empty lot space to make it a spot for an RV/Pull Trailer to be placed there seasonally. Most of these new investors are looking to be rid of older mobiles, as temporary RV for seasonal, at least in Florida, is more appealing and brings in more money with no worries of bringing an older trailer up to code, which new investors don’t want to do anyhow/more likely to put in a new modular home, if that’s the case.
I used to rehab mobile homes and then went to assembling double wides, trim, sheetrock, tile, carpet, vinyl siding, adjusting doors, and hardie plank on ends. When we were buying our first house, the wife kept wanting to bite on a mobile home with land because of the affordability, I refused to do that. We ended up buying a house, when we sold that house 5 years later, we pocketed 30,000 for our larger land purchase and house build. That house and land was 225,00. We refinanced and cashed out, I added another 1,000 sqft to finish our whole house. We’re at 400k now with over a million in equity . I know this isn’t always across the board, but it’s an example of how it can be accomplished if you have vision. For me personally, I don’t consider mobile homes adding any equity to a land deal. Yes, they are put together a little better now, but unless you constantly maintain it to make sure everything is kept like new, they degrade much faster that a stationary stick frame house. It’s about being smart and patient to build that equity that you can use however you like. I understand there is a huge affordability problem in realestate right now. There’s a reason it’s harder to get financing on a MH, the equity is never an increase in value unless the land and house are financed together and the land is projected to rise in value. If you’re wanting to get ahead by increasing equity and wealth over time, buy used and rehab to live in while you build a house. This is the only way I would do it.
I’ve been living in a Park Model home for 8 years. No problems at all, I love it & get many compliments on it. The space rent has barely increased at all & the community been safe, quiet & clean. Unfortunately the property owners are in their 80’s so this could all change soon but my home has been great. I guess like with everything some people can get a bad product while others are completely satisfied. I just pray the perfect space will become available for me when it’s time.
We bought a manufactured home, built in 08, on it’s own lot and it’s pretty nice. I have upgraded certain things and they needed that. I think we got a fair price and Great Financing, under 3%. We’re older and really we know we made the right choice. It’s a Clayton home with and wasn’t the cheapest inside, it had nice upgrades. Our bathroom sinks are Not Plastic and I put a nice Kohler Sink in the Kitchen. We’re in a neighborhood where most of the Working People have these homes. We Wouldn’t live in a Trailer Park.
My husband wanted to move here in a mobile park 55 and older.My husband passed away about a year after moving in.It’s beautiful inside but I started doing the landscaping.When I started doing the landscaping in the back. I never realized the roots from a Maple Tree are as large as the tree Trunk.They are literally going around the whole back of my house.A Maple Tree should never ever be planted near living quarters because it will actually lift it off of your foundation and move it.Ruins patios,sidewalks,driveways,everything you put around you’re home it will ruin.The owners told me “someone will cut the roots.So when the tree dies they pay for it.Never came now I was told I am responsible for it. I will definitely fight until my last breath. I am responsible for my property, I take care of everything my landscaping looks great.Except for the back I never realized those roots are destroying my living quarters. I put porcelain tiles underneath the carport so it’s a nice patio.Then on the side I had some one put pavers down.That’s when I realized about the roots of that tree. I read every thing about it.Also it stated 90% park will refuse to pay for the tree removal. It never was disclosed in the contract if my house was being destroyed by the land it’s sitting on top of paying $600 to be on that land they own. I would be the one responsible for that land. I definitely take care of all the surroundings around my home.But there property is destroying my home. I definitely don’t have the money they have for sure.
I bought 33 acres of “raw” land southern Vermont over 15 years ago. Close to a town maintained road. No electricity, no water or sewer. Beautiful piece of property. Taxes have almost doubled on it since. Then Jed and his trash set up camp next door. The cost of just preparing to build there has tripled. (I cleared out close to an acre through the years). My house is in a very expensive state nearby and it’s tight to live off my pension here. I thought I had prepared myself to comfortably retire but I guess not. The cost to just get electricity is about 7k. Low water table so a well won’t be too expensive.
I love my manufactured home here in eastern Canada. Just a 10 minute drive to stores and I have 5.5 acres of land and 450 feet of lake frontage. The well water is so pure you could bottle it and sell it. it has 3 huge windows and 1000 square feet. All plywood construction no chipboard. Has back porch, a big baby barn and a shed. Only 8 years old with oak flooring and porcelain tiles in huge kitchen. I’m currently paying 630 dollars a month mortgage and taxes. My biggest power bill was 170 dollars in January. Has a heat pump also. Everything is so convenient. Glorious retirement!
In the UK, mobile homes (for full time residence not holiday) are essentially sound structures, the problem is with the ‘tenure’ of the land upon which your new home is held. Typically they are over priced as structures and you can get much cheaper mobile homes second hand, but the site rent is excessive. And then after 10 years typically the site owner can insist your home is removed or you have to buy a new home from the Site owners. So its NOT the van itself its where its sited. A lot of older sites are being bought up by the big companies who bully the van owners, often holder people without much finance. So sad.
valuable information. As a real estate agent, that would be the same advise I would give someone. Modular homes are better because they do not have a title that goes with them. Unless they started making these homes with “STANDARD” size doors and other parts, they are a rip off when looking for these items that need to be replaced because of the “SPECIAL” sizes not standard sizes as a stick built home. Talk about PRICE GOUGING on these items is Horrific. I grew up in a mobile home and owned one, its criminal how they gouge you for these replacement parts. As for Florida, not thanks to new laws forcing you to purchase Flood insurance and only 1 insurance company to buy home insurance has hit everyone very hard. The investors need to be hog tied and Horse drawn for their GREEDY SELFISH ACTIONS. Having a Title like a car title the value goes down faster. The other RIP OFF CON GAME is from these mobile home parks when they sell these units that are OVER PRICED especially homes that are 20+yrs old they want near New prices for that unit. Never a good deal having to “RENT” a lot for your home. You still have to take care of your lawn, pay for water and sewer or septic on top of the usual electricity, insurance and heating. My mom bought one back in the mid 70’s, this mobile home had Aluminum Electrical wiring thru out. Again what a rip off. You can’t go down to the hardware store and buy any outlet off the shelf, it was made for COPPER wiring. Noo. had to go buy it from the RIP OFF mobile home store because they were made with Aluminum for that type of wiring.
I am a realtor and property manager in Ocala FL, what you’re saying is spot on. Despite how hard things are getting sales aren’t going to plummet, developers are still making money, and sadly cost of everything has gone up. I love Manufactured homes, and mobile homes and it is definitely still doable, you just have to be well informed, like yourself to buy anything in todays market, sadly not a lot of people seek out information and information doesn’t just drop onto you’re lap.
Bought my first manufactured home last May. It’s a 20 year old house that was remodeled. Well 1 year later and we are dealing with so many issues. Holes in the vapor barrier under the house so the extreme humidity caused moisture to get trapped under our laminate flooring ruining the floors and subfloor. Then there’s pluming leaks, doors not shutting properly, lights not working, etc.
Man, this is the kind of research I should have done months ago. Now I’m past the point of no return on a place that feels more and more like a complete lemon the more I get to know it. Not much I can do now but knuckle down and make the most of it. Fix it up into a place a guy can be proud to own, then decide if I want to stay or sell it and move on.
Excellent article, Jerry. A great strategy is to form a co-op like we did here in Bradenton Beach back in 2002. We’re financially solvent and maintain affordable association fees for our residents. We actually turned down a huge offer last summer from one of those corporate sharks you spoke of. Saw them coming from a mile away. The other park in our town is not incorporated and just got sold to an investor and now those residents are looking at a bleak future. Very sad situation for them. Appreciate what you do.
Another great and very informative article! Everything you have mentioned I have seen happen to someone. They can start out affordable, then they’re not. Particularly heartbreaking are the older folks with health issues on a fixed income that get hit with fee increases they can’t handle. You can also get your mobile home park sold right out from under you…and the city doesn’t care because the developer will put the property to “better use” and the city gets more in taxes. Such a sad situation for elders to be in. Thanks again for highlighting these (and more) issues.
I would really like to see a article comparing or explaining if there is a cost effectiveness of low maintenance homes..having the HOA responsible for all exterior maintenance and insurance vs having to try to save up for exterior maintenance like your roof. With the high cost of homeowners insurance (I live in FL) and high cost of everything due to inflation, I am struggling to save for anything these days. I have been leaning towards single level like the Duet (Tuscan model my DR Horton or Beazers Garden Homes in Bella Vita Gardens). A article along these lines would be a great help for me. Thx so much
We bought a 2023 Clayton 14 x 76. Paid cash for it and have had nothing but problems with it. Water leaks all the time. In around back door. Both smaller bedrooms, and under kitchen sink. A crew is coming to work on back door for the 5th time next week. Flooring is 1 notch above card board . Wiring was wrong when came in. Had it repaired. We received a factory recall notice about water leaking from facia . Then the local company said there are no recalls.
Thank you for this helpful article. I just inherited 10 acres with a 2008 Mobil home that has been excellently maintained by my family. Many upgrades. Steel roof over top of it with wooden screened in porch all around. It looks like a cabin in the woods. The problem came when I had to change the insurance into my name. So many companies said they don’t insure manufactured homes. I couldn’t just add my name onto the current insurance when it was in my families members name. So I had to go with a national company and pay a lot more for insurance. I plan to die in this home on my own land so I don’t really care what anyone thinks about my living in a mobile home. At least I have a beautiful home in a beautiful part of the country. I plan on basically living on the screened porch anyway.
Thank you Jerry for this invaluable list! Beginning your search with these well-advised points will save many oversights, mistakes and disasters as you said, because we know that discovering one problem usually uncovers 2-3 more. Great advice, especially regarding doing your due diligence on city codes, permits, park ownership, and being wary of “good deals.” Great information!
I have a brand new 68×30 ft modular home. Its seems quite solid. 2×6 framing, 2×10 floor joists, 9ft ceilings, R50 insulation upgrade, hardie board and batten siding upgrade, transom window upgrades, and I did all my own interior finishing upgrades, built a big stone fireplace and installed heat pumps for ac.
In some areas where tornados and hurricanes are common insurance rates are high. Be prepared to evacuate when the weather threatens. Like all things, all mobile homes are not the same. You get what you pay for. living in an association cost some but can provide security and offer amenities like club houses, pool, and more social activity.
I have a 2000 Fleetwood mobile home and I had just put a new roof on my trailer and the tie downs we put extra it’s also over 5 ft of the ground. Hurricane IDA We took a direct hit. Homes that were old and new all stick built were completely destroyed. I had 1 window that broke and some of the hookups under the mobile home needed to be hooked up again so basically not much damage at all. I also gave sway an older mobile home a 1980 also had a new roof and tied down both of these mobile homes had little damage when even the stick brick homes with old roofs were completely destroyed. ALWAYS make sure the roof is in good shape and the tie downs are many. It’s better to buy an older mobile home and fix it up and pay cash. Then save your money from there
Also be aware it’s not exactly cheap. After you buy it you have to move it. Set it up. Buy a service pole. A meter box. Breaker box.. hook up the electrical.a septic and hook it up. Now you deal with a well or city water and hook up. Just to move mine 24 miles and set it on blocks and level it was 7 thousand dollars. And now the real expenses start.
Cities, counties, or states need to adopt ordinances that give the mobile home owners the right of first refusal to buy the mobile home park when it goes up for sale. There’s a big advantage to owning your share of the park and being self-governing, or to subdivide the park into condo units on which your home sits, if allowed locally. Unfortunately, mobile home owners on parks owned by a for-profit corporation are sitting ducks waiting to be squeezed by a site-lease increase.
In Iowa, homelessness is the title you receive if you live in a mobile home because of mobile homes being classified as vehicles. They did this to get grants for free lunches for children in schools. Also, the amount of rent you pay is equal to an apartment and that can be nearly a $1,000 or more per month with no additional inclusions. You pay for trash, cable and utilities like water and electricity in addition to the rent.
Storage unit owners often charge long time renters more than newer renters because they realized long term renters are unlikely to be able to part with their items if the rent goes up. You can often save half by moving into a different unit in the same facility-while you figure out how to quit storing things you don’t use. It must be even worse for long time mobile home lot renters as their home gets less able to survive a move by the year and the lot owner knows they are basically trapped. People need protections from price gouging for their basic necessities!
As a person that worked building mobile homes for years in my 20’s. As a contractor/RE investor later in life I will say a few important things to consider with mobile homes. #1) Manufacturing: They move the home from metal frame on wheels to floor frames and plumbing then walls, roofing, cabinets, flooring etc. They have 20 minutes to get each department’s job done then it moves up the line. This is extremely stressful. It is like rush hour at restaurants for 8 hours a day. It is also mostly production based pay. This leads to some of the biggest dope heads I have ever worked around. The joke was don’t buy a mobile home that went out the door Monday or Friday. Monday everyone is hungover and Friday everyone has already started their weekend.😉 We also knew the minute the truck pulled it from the lot it just lost 50% of it’s price. #2) Unless you own the property you are still just a renter and can’t really sell much. The mobile home financially only makes sense if it is on an owned property that you intend to die in. Don’t ever expect a profit except for the land. #3)To me the most important thing. If a tornado or very strong hurricane hits and neither has to worry about flooding your chances of surviving are MUCH better in a house on a foundation. If that expense is too much a condo is the way to retire. P.S. I grew up in a mobile home in central PA where we didn’t have extreme weather.
Don’t confuse mobile (built on a metal frame to which axles can be attached to when it is moved), and a modular home, which has a wooden frame and is moved onto the site where it will remain. I worked for an employer who bought several modular homes as employees housing. I did plant inspections on them and was surprised how over built they were. They had OSB sheathing on both the exterior and interior walls. I asked the engineer who did their designs, why they did that. He explained that the move down the highway was equivalent to a 6.5 or 7.0 seismic event.
My mom and het husband bought a mobile home and put it on a lot in Maine . Lease was $1,200 a year, included maintenance, opening it up in the spring and winterizing it after Labor Day and utilities. Now, 8 years later, after the owners retired and sold out to an investment group, it’s up to almost $8,000 a year, the maintenance and utilities and opening and closing are all separate, on top of the taxes and insurance, so close to $12,000 a year for 5 months out of the year. They are selling it after pouring tens of thousands of dollars in improvements and additions and landscaping and will most likely lose about $40,000 on it, because it’s not a year round home, no one wants those kinds of costs for 5 months a year. I begged her not to go into a deal where they didn’t own the land, but she was like a runaway train when she got this in her head. All I’ll hear about until the day she passes is how much she lost on this place. Greed sucks.
That’s the issue with the land lease. It makes it not worth it at all. The hamster wheel that will never end. Yourencorrect about buying the land and the utility expenses. There’s no easy answers if one has limited income. Might as well make the most logical choice that the upkeep is the least amount. Expsnses will never be eliminated, but it can be somewhat anticipated and controlled to an extent. Good article as usual.
Like everything there are good products and cheap shoddy products. Do your research and learn which is which. You want to be on your own land, not in a park or leased land. My last 3 homes have been “mobile” homes and all 3 were as good as or maybe better than some of the shoddy thrown together tract homes for sale in the area. The prime thing to remember is the doors, windows, plumbing et al are NOT the same dimensions as stick built homes. You often have to buy replacement stuff through specialty companies particular to mobile homes.
My parents bought a mobile home back in the late 70s. They bought a plot of land and paid to have a well drilled and a garage built. They got burned on so many things it’s mind boggling. Mobile homes can a huge gamble and you need to really do your homework. Do not even consider putting your home in a park!
In 1994 we bought a 7 yr old goldenwest triplewide on 1.3 private wooded acres. I had inherited some cash and was able to put down half so as to keep the mortgage low (about $410 a month on 30 yr) so in worst case i could work minimum wage job and still keep my home. Paid it off early. We have a shared well so no monthly water bill (a 1/3rd small yearly electric payment for powering pump, septic pump out every 7 yrs (2 person household) so no sewer fees. The appraisal this yr was almost 4x what we bought it for. We are well set for retirement. After the first 12 years we started doing upgrades and will probably live here forever. We were told to go for the biggest mortgage we could get but wanted the safety of knowing we could always make the payments. The peace of mind was well woth it.
An investor friend of mine had a win win situation for him and mobile home owners. My friend developed a mobile home park and sold the lots on a owner financed mortgage with small down payment. Interest rates were above traditional mortgage but not usurious. Mobile home owners were guaranteed fixed payment and eventual ownership. Assuming mobile home owners paid according to contract every one was happy. Great article.
I lived in one for about 15 years. My assessment: they’re detached apartments. Same thin walls etc. mine didn’t had drywall, but rather 1/8th inch wall board with a vinyl laminate. Every winter, even with heat tape working, the plumbing would freeze. One January it was frozen for 20 days straight! You don’t get to “do whatever you want” in regard to the yard. You can do stuff, but all has to be approved by management. Mine was costing me about $900 per month (mortgage, land rent, insurance). $900. I moved out & bought a house with basement, fenced yard, 2 car garage, essentially doubled my living space, and can do whatever I want to the yard. For $350 (mortgage, insurance, property tax). $350. For twice the building, 1/3rd acre fenced in, garage. For less than half the cost. Which sounds smarter to you?
As an Australian, I was very surprised that one in seven (1:7) Americans live in a Caravan/Trailer/Van/Mobile home/Manufactured home. The greatest grief I see, is that after a short amount of time, your home cannot be moved from where it is. I have seen many vlogs of people being evicted, and their home falling apart within minutes of trying to move. Our homes are who we are, and the sharks who sell this crap get away with murder.
There’s a difference between modular and manufactured homes. Modular homes are just an alternative build technique vs. stick homes. Some of them cost millions. There are office buildings that are modular. Modular homes have to meet the same standard codes as stick homes. They have regular home mortgages. Manufactured and mobile homes have to follow different (less stringent) regulations. They’re notoriously energy inefficient, which means utilities are going to be expensive and there’s no ceiling.
Came across your articles. I have followed exactly what say and took 400k and turned it to 7 figures in 6 years living well below my means. Now at 43 I can live how I want. I hope more people can live this way instead of spending thousands on ink to look cool and driving 100k plus cars they can’t afford.
We recently looked into buying at Tallowwood Isle in Coconut Creek FL. (near Deerfield Beach). No FHA loans, ok but we were told, the mortgage for such a manufactured or mobile home has to be a 3 year loan and on top of that, you have to pay the land lease, $971 a month and continue paying that $971 a month forever while you own the home.. or die. 😂. That is just outrageous. It’s like paying rent still after you’ve paid off your home. Just ridiculous. I don’t know what the land lease was 2 years ago, but my guess is that it was 1/2 of what it is now or even less. Just plain robbery.
Land owned outright.. Thank you granny and grampa.. New home paid for outright, Thank you Life for my path crossing with someone who made it possible but no longer is in my life. All happend and fell into place right as I was diagnosed with leukemia.. I do not forget daily how incredibly lucky i am to be in the position I am.. The cancer is a side thought. I will fight it, and i will make it through. I will not give up!! I am thankful every day because the housing market and the rental market has become so far outside moat peoples means.. I do not have to worry about that.. I pay my home insurance, yearly property tax, and my utilities.. Yes I have leukemia. Yes it will take me before i am ready, but I am so incredibly grateful and never forget how lucky I am for my situation I have been gifted with..
Buying a new mobile home today . Can be expensive…but mine is 10 years old. NO MORTGAGE. LOT RENT IS 642 MO…PROPERTY TAXES 12OO YR SECLUDED IN PARK…THE AVERAGE HOUSE IN THE COUNTY IS 400K+ WITH 12000K PROPERTY TAX…LAND COST IS 150K TO 250K..THE AVG RENTAL IN COUNTY IS 25OOMO…MOBILE HOME IS BY FAR THE BEST DEAL…
I bought a used manufactured home already on a property for ~$55k and paid for it outright. Today property values have it estimated at ~$100k. It’s an early 80’s model that was permanently set on the lot, so I own the lot. Previous owners added on concrete porch and lanai. A couple of sheds are also on the property, one is my workshop. Things about buying older homes is there may be a lot of repair and maintenance that are needed. We had a few plumbing repairs already, the leech field replaced. A roof leak at one of the vents, the AC unit, and the oven which is a built-in model so not easy to replace. There has been some settling so I’ve had to adjust doors. The wallboard is only about 1/4 inch and has wallpaper and faux paneling already on them. But, all the repairs are things you might find in any home of the same age. It’s a double-wide and the bedrooms are huge. The living area is large with open concept kitchen. The only drawback is that it’s in the boonies, but that’s the exchange for a lower priced home.
I guess that I got lucky. Found a 12×60 1972 trailer on a good size city lot for $22k. Rough, but livable. Put another $7k into improvements and now I have a comfortable home with a workshop, yard, and big garden. I spent the previous 10 years living in a tiny $1200/month apartment. I always joke with friends and family that it’s a POS, but it’s MY POS! 😂
I purchased a manufactured home back in 2014. It was a 2 bedroom and put into a mobile home park. It now has. Resale value of $81,000. The land lease is $491 a month. As far as rents. Its like everything else. Costs go up. When the property was sold,the new owner offered contracts to existing renters. We signed it. Others did not. Our lot rent goes up no more than $10 a year while the others are facing hundreds.
Great article. EXTREMELY helpful and true. My husband and i purchased a mobile home outright on a rented lot. The Carlisle Group purchased it and as soon as that happened, they fixed two street bumps and added $50 to the rent. Then we had a problem because the old owner couldn’t find good management so they started “offering to buy at a good price” homes all over the park,. Luckily we stood up to them and were in a position to buy a piece of land and move it. This all went down during the height of COVID so there were eviction laws protecting people from being kicked out at the time but others werent so lucky.🎉
I live in a 1965 that I bought in 1985 for $13k in San Diego County. Rent is now $1k/mo. The newer manufactured homes around me that replaced the OGs over the years are selling for over $100k. Those homes are absolute junk made of cheap materials. Most are not maintained and are slowly falling apart. The new neighbors (moved in yesterday) next to me will have a huge bill to replace the rotted particle boards that the previous owner didn’t maintain. I talked to the previous owner about how to preserve the cheap wood but she couldn’t have cared less. I write this as a warning to non-DIYers.
Iowa’s codes are very strict. My dealer doesn’t do cheap housing. No vinyl wallboard. All drywalled. Just stay away from parks that aren’t owned by a private individual. Singlewides aren’t allowed on private property unless it has several acres. I hope to buy a new one soon from them after I get my SS next year.
I understand that people buy these because they can’t afford a house, and that owning one might be a step up from renting, but it will still be worthless in 20 years from depreciation. Those were 20 years they could have been making house payments. They also could refinance that same house after aprox. 10 years to obtain more affordable payments. After it’s paid for, they can sell it for 3 times what they paid for it. That trailer will be worth 5k and you’ll be lucky to get that much for it.
I lived in a few mobile home parks, and without exception, they had a far superior sense of community over the stick built house neighborhoods I’ve lived in. The residents all hung out together and pulled together when times were tough, and when times were good. Not to say that some sense of community wasn’t to be had in the stick house neighborhoods, but it was much tighter in the mobile home park. That said, the parks ALSO had landlords that bordered on psychotic, almost without exception. The last one I had was nearly criminal in how badly she treated her residents. Even her own family hates her. I can honestly say I’m surprised she hasn’t been murdered with as many underhanded things she’s pulled and as many people she’s ripped off. She even went to law school but declined to take the bar exam so she could know how the law worked but wouldn’t have to be bound by any of the ethics rules actual lawyers are held to, and could use the law to screw people to the max.