The Manufactured Housing Forums

Hello,
My 19 year old daughter has come into some money. It is more than what most make in a year. She wants to spend some of it on a mobile home. I have one and would not buy another but they are an inexpensive way to go since most homes around here start at $50,000. She has been talking to a mobile home rep who said he would have on built to her specifications for $20,000. What should she be looking for. I suggested that she have a cement foundation poured before she puts it down. Need suggestions on what she should do.

A new sales rep....He is very wrong there IS NO NEW MANUFACTURED HOME (mobile home) under $ 30,000....A young girl with cash burning here pocketbook is an easy score for a scam artist...

I'd suggest a 19 yr old should save her money and not buy a mobile home. For one, she needs to be absolutely sure that is where she wants to live for a long time, because they are hard to sell. Also, you may run into a lot of maintenance issues even on new ones - she may not be handy replacing particle board floors or trims. Neighbors may be a problem that she'd be stuck with. Last - she will not see as much appreciation as a stick-built home. These are things a 19 yr old does not want to deal with. Tell her to save her money. Rent for a while until she gets established with a career, her pay will probably go up quickly starting work. If she buys now she may be throwing her money away.

First thing she should do: Get educated! Number one, if this is intended to be an investment, she should buy a home/land package - the land will appreciate, even if the building does not.