Reasons are varied and it is totally the choice of the buyer.
Many who seek mobile homes or manufactured homes like community and security.
Others are not so much concerned with building equity and buying up or down. Many mobile home and manufactured home parks are convenient to shopping and freeway access.
Many choose these homes as there are no shared walls and many have small gardens and most parks will allow pets.
More often than not the space inside is bigger than apartments or condos.
Many Seniors will sell their regular stick house and buy down. Many young couples find they are a great starting point for them until they are financially ready for home ownership.
Many like the affordability with no shared walls.
There are Pre Hud homes prior to 1976 and Post Hud homes 1976 and newer.
The difference? In 1976 Hud instituted standards that must be met in manufacturing and safety.
Does not mean that all of the homes built prior to 1976 are bad. In fact many were built extremely well and compare and/or stand up to the newer manufactured homes.
You should always have them inspected by a licensed inspector familiar with mobile home standards.
Yes there is maintenance as with anything. Yearly power washing is recommended. Roofs should be inspected for leaks and re coated as necessary prior to rainy season.
Have a home warranty included in your purchase offer and continue with it after the 1st yr to offset expenses for repairs or replacements that might be needed.
You can list and sell a mobile or manufactured home AS IS, however just know there are specific Health and Safety items the county and/or state will require to be in operating condition or a mobile or manufactured home could be condemned uninhabitable...ex: Rat infestation, improper fresh water hook up, failed sewer system among some to be mentioned.
Most mobile home and manufactured home parks have rules to address any health and safety items to compliment the local state and county ordinances.
When seeking a park to purchase a home drive through the park to observe overall maintenance of the common areas, the condition of the individual spaces. You must be pre approved by park management before purchasing a home in any of the parks.
Interest rates are higher on these homes vs traditional. The loss to lender is greater as the homes are NOT located on land you own. In the Bay Area most are found in parks where space rent is required.
On occasion you will find a manufactured home for sale with lot. Rare, but there are some out there.
When purchasing used check to see if the following has been updated or replaced: fresh water pipes, roof, windows, heating and air. Make your offer accordingly. Check to see if any permits have been pulled and signed off for any upgrades and/or additions.
If you are interested in learning more about mobile home and/or manufactured home living, contact me.
I can assist you in selling and/or purchasin a mobile and/or manufactured home in Contra Costa County and some areas of Alameda and Solano counties.
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