Hi,
I have saved some money, and I could buy a little mobile home... and I am wondering if this is a good idea or not.
Please help me.
Are mobile homes only for poor people?
Is it dangerous to live in a mobile home (I'm a young female)?
Is it really a smart idea financially to buy a mobile home and pay a lot rent (about $200 or $300/month) instead of renting a place for about $500/month?
Thank you in advance.
2006-12-04 05:40:32 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
It's not just poor people who live in mobilehomes, despite the jokes, however, if you are thinking of purchasing your first home, they are not the best investment. Regular homes on a foundation appreciate, or gain in value, the longer you have them, assuming they are taken care of. Mobile homes, on the other hand, depreciate, or lose value, like a car does. So if you pay $10,000 for a used mobile home now, you will probably owe more on it than it is worth in 5 years. So you'll have lost money, plus all of the money you spent on lot rent.
I would save your money and wait until you have enough for a down payment on a little house that you can purchase. A good bet is to find a company in your town that buys fixer-uppers and remodels them and resells them. They usually have new carpet and roofs, other expensive stuff, and you won't have to worry about some of those upkeep items for a few years.
2006-12-04 05:47:16 · answer #1 · answered by OK yeah well whatever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having lived in a mobile home I can tell you that it's kind of a double edged sword. On the one hand, it was cheaper and roomier than an apartment. I had something that was mine and could sell when it was time to move on. I managed to save up some money for a down payment, so that was handy, but the utilities were pretty high because it was an older mobile home and poorly insulated.
On the other hand, when it was time to move out, my "investment" was basically worthless. It took forever to sell, and in the end it cost me more than living in an apartment for a year would have. For over a year, I had to pay lot rent and some utilities while trying to sell the place (I was also paying a mortgage on the house I bought). At the end of the year, I ended up taking even less than the mobile home was worth because I just couldn't take the financial drain any more.
Keep in mind, this is just my experience. Some things to consider are the age of the mobile home you're looking at, the "condition" of the park you're looking in (i.e. is it nicely maintained, or does it look like it's getting trashy?), and how quickly other trailers in that park are selling. Good luck with your decision, whatever you decide, I hope it works out for the best for you.
2006-12-04 06:11:41 · answer #2 · answered by Sithein 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, mobile homes are not just for poor people, a lot of people love them. I have a brother that has lived in one for 15 years. He bought a fairly new one that even has a double garage.
As far as mobile home courts go, there are good ones and bad ones, he is in a very nice court and I would definitely get in a better class of court.
Value wise, needless to say the do depreciate, unlike a house that goes up in value if its kept up.
If you have any doubts maybe you should keep saving your money until you have enough to buy a small house.
As far as the lot rent you pay in a court..its a wash...because taxes on a mobile home are really cheap compared to property taxes on a home. Good chance you would pay as much in taxes on a home as what your lot rent is in a year.
The good thing about renting is....when something goes wrong its your landlords problem not yours. When you own, you pray the furnace, air conditioner, anything major does not go to heck on you because then you need big bucks to take care of it.
Gives you a lot to think about. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.
2006-12-04 18:07:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Living in a mobile home and apartment are gonna do u about the same.....the only difference is in a mobile home you have something to sell when u are ready to move, in an apartment you dont.
Another thing to think about is the back -lash you will get living in a mobile home.....there are a lot of snotty people out there who will make fun of you.......just a few things to think about.
2006-12-04 05:49:07 · answer #4 · answered by Kimberly M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Living in a lo cost mobile home is an excellent way to save money and still own your own home. AND if you don't like your neighbors you can move the whole house.
2006-12-04 05:47:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are talking about buying one I would say not to do it. My friend has been trying to sell his for 18 months. I don't see any reason it if you are renting and that is all you can afford why you should not do it. There is no need to keep up with the "Jones" if you are going to go into financial stress.
2006-12-04 06:13:56 · answer #6 · answered by redbull_photo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The newer ones are great, but also at least as expensive as a stick built home. The older ones are cheap, but they are also CHEAP. I just had one that we burnt down--it was falling apart and we were about to be fined by the county government. They aren't just for poor people.
2006-12-04 06:00:05 · answer #7 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hear is a web site telling about liveing in a mobile home. Hope this helps.
http://www.mytrailerpark.com/
2006-12-04 13:29:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't do it the only men you will have a chance to meet are the jerry springer riff raff.Move into an apartment community and maybe take on a room mate to help with the bills.
2006-12-04 05:46:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋