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View Full Version : Anyone Own a Mobile Home?


MidwesternGal
07-11-2005, 02:11 PM
Hi all,

My husband and I have been considering buying a mobile home. I am going to give you the pros and cons that I've come up with, and would LOVE to hear your personal input or experiences, in addition to more pros or cons I haven't thought of.

Thanks in advance.

PROS:
1. My husband and I will be moving about every 1.5-2.5 years for the next 10 or so as he works his way up the company ladder (it's just how his company works).
2. His company PAYS the cost of moving the mobile home for you.
3. Obviously, we won't buy if we are somewhere for less than 5 years, so even if the home's value depreciates (a common arguement against buying a mobile home), we at least get *something* back out of it, whereas rent, we don't get anything back except one month's deposit.
4. Makes packing to move a lot easier.
5. The loan for the trailer and lot rent is cheaper than renting an apt/house in my area.
6. Wouldn't have to deal with apartment crap/crappy neighbors in the same building/stupid landlords.
7. We have a dog, and that is harder to find rentals with a dog. (And giving her up is not an option, she is a part of the family.)
8. Newer mobile homes are actually quite nice, and I'd like the feeling of having something that is MINE.

CONS
1. We live in a midwestern state that is in Tornado Alley.
2. All the stereotypes from being "trailer trash."
3. Might not be able to sell it very quickly when we do decide to buy.


Obviously, Con #1 is a pretty big one. But, in my experience living in the midwest my whole life, if a tornado lands on your house, it's pretty much a goner anyways, regardless of it being brick, cardboard, whatever.

Okay ladies (and any gentlemen who may have joined). . . . thoughts??

Thanks!

Georgiana
08-01-2005, 05:50 PM
Are you talking about Manufactured homes? They are really popular in my area considering alot of them are made here... From what I understand,it's not easy to get a mortgage for them.....

There are nice mobile home communites that look better than most neighborhoods. What you need to do is shop around for a nice area. Also if you want, you can buy some land and put one on there..

Georgiana
08-01-2005, 05:57 PM
I am an account rep for the RV division of this company... Here are some of their homes:


http://www.fleetwoodhomes.com/beaconhill/beaconhill_photo2.jpg
http://www.fleetwoodhomes.com/lifestages/lifestages_ext_0603L.jpg


http://www.fleetwoodhomes.com

Asha
08-02-2005, 05:26 AM
another con would be that some communities don't have mobile home parks. do you know exactly where you dh would be transferred each year?

southhavenjen
08-02-2005, 06:12 AM
Maybe this is true of just the older ones, but I didn't think they were designed to be moved long distances multiple times, ie, cross country or even several hundred miles. Yes, they are "mobile" homes, but I have heard it is hard on the unit to move them, particularly the plumbing. How far away will the places be that your husband will be transferred to?

I would not count on getting much out of it when you are done...at least around here, mobile/manufactured homes in parks depreciate FAST! And those are ones that haven't been moved. If I were a mobile home buyer, I would be looking at the units that have been stationary the whole time - there would be so many to choose from.