Purchasing manufactured home

[ANN MARIE]

I would like to purchase a manufactured home this year before interest rates go up. I would like to put my home on a piece of land in San Diego County, but am having trouble finding affordable land. Realtors don't seem to be that interested in looking for land. Not much commissions I guess. Also, since I am not able to put down a sizable down-payment, I am looking for some government assistance to help me purchase. I was told there are over 100 government agencies that provide this assistance to first-time home buyers (not all for manufactured homes, of course). I'm exhausted looking. Can anyone point me in the right direction or tell me who I should call. Thank you.

[rmurray]

Big task in front of you...The federal housing agency...HUD...recommends and in some cases requires prepurchase counseling...there is a list of HUD approved organizations for this...Many are non-profits or government agencies..They should be up to speed on all of the helpful programs..The list of approved counseling services for CA is at (you will have to tape and paste URL)

http://www.hudhcc.org/agencies/california.txt

These services should be free or very inexpensive..There is a good course they have that is worth the cost for first time buyers..

Now...You have picked the most expensive place in the country to look around..From what I have seen here Southern CA is outragous...You are right about real estate folks not wanting to spend time on this..You will have to do your home work...The first place I would talk to is local dealers..If there is any available property...they will know about it..

I would check with the local zoning maps and then where allowed...drive around and look for places...even if there is no for sale sign..you can look up the owner from the tax records and contact them to see if they are interested in selling...Some of the best deals I have seen are from this method of shopping for land..This takes work..

Please do not take the next observation as nasty...

You seem to be very impatient and eager to have some one else to do the work for you...Housing is unlike any other purchase you will ever make...You have to take the bull by the horns and educate yourself (here and other places are a good start) and then depend on this knowledge to help you move in the right direction..In any big ticket sale (autos, housing, insurance..the list goes on)..there is room for huge mistakes...The most prone to the mistakes are those who expect others to do all the work for them...This opens them up too the crooks and thieves of this world...Your only protection is self education and hard work...Slow down..get up to speed..then progress to a happy concluesion..

[Ben]

I have a friend that should be interested in helping you find property. I am moving to Jamul in about 9 months because of inexpensive property there, and that it's not too far from civilization

Call Century 21 Award and ask for Matt Mascari. He should be able to help you - tell him that Ben Van Gaasbeek sent you. He's one of my best friends as well as a reliable realtor.

Good luck.

[ANN MARIE]

Thanks, Ben, I'll have to give Matt a call. I appreciate the reference.

[ANN MARIE]

Murray, thank you for responding to my message dated 5/31/02. I appreciate the information. In response to your comment that I would like to have someone else do all the work for me, you bet I would. But we all know it doesn't work that way....even me. My message did not explain all that I have done which led you to believe that I was just starting to look and was getting impatient and looking for an easy way out. I have a library of government packets, forms, and all sorts of information. You know how the government works, you call and they send you to someone else and that person sends you to someone else, etc. They don't return calls very well either. I have been educating myself and have learned a lot and will continue to do. I have learned a lot from this site. Sorry if I came across as a freeloader. I was just reaching out for a little direction and knowledge. I did receive some positive responses. Thanks to all.