Buying a used mobile home

[Lori Banta]

Hi. Happy Thanksgiving... I hope someone might be able to tell us if my daughter and her fiance are getting a good deal. They are still in the process of negotiating. They are looking at a 16 by 80 mobile home. It was built in 1997 and rated for zone 2. I do not know the name of the home. It was manufactured at Westfield Homes of Ga. in Douglas Ga. I'm sorry they didn't get the serial number. It has a lot of upgrades and is in pristine condition. It was only lived in for a few months and the couple got a divorce and has been vacant ever since. The parents of the woman own it. It comes complete with all applainces, dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, washing machine and dryer and intercom system. It is all electric with central heat and air. It has two bedrooms with two upgraded baths. The outside is done in vinyl siding and shingled roof. The only visible thing we can find wrong with it, is the living room carpet needs to be replaced. There are no signs of water damage anywhere and the hot water heater was drained since no one was living in it. It cost $32,000 brand new and the owners are wanting $18,000. Does anyone recognize this company that made it and if so, does this seem to be a reasonable price.

[rmurray]

Yes...this is a Fleetwood Westfield model....if they paid 32K for it in 97 they probably paid too much...this is a very basic home from a construction stand point..

Now...if this is a good deal now is a much different question...If they need wind zone 2 construction...you should compare this price with all others in the local market...Shop around..

You have not mentioned if this price is delivered...remember moving costs can be substancial even for a single...zone 2 singles can easily cost $2500 or more to move...

Candidly..GA built Fleetwoods are fairly basic homes...all others available will be at least as good so the price might well be a little high..especially if it must be moved..

Tell them to be sure they shop around and compare...

[David]

Hi,

I would not pay that much.
I just paid $ 11,000 for a fleetwood 16/80 2002 model, people only lived in it for two months, and it cost $ 2500 to move it.
$ 18,000 is not a good deal at all for a 16/80 1997 model.

David

[Lori Banta]

Hi. I just wanted to thank you for such a quick response. The info was very helpful. My daughter and her future husband have just started looking seriously. They have about 4 or 5 months to find a home. They have looked at several mobile home dealerships in the area, but they are all very high here in lower Alabama. That is why they are trying to find a used home since they only plan to live in it for 3 to 5 years before they plan to build their own house themselves. Thanks again.

[rmurray]

The wind zone 2 and 3 home will be much higher in price in your area because there are so few of them...Check with building officials in your area about the wind zone requirement where the kids want to live....If by lower AL your mean the little part that goes to the cost...at or near Mobile...Wind zone 2 or 3 will be required...

They should compare with homes from Southern MS and NW FL..both well within delivery distance...My guess is that you would find quite a few homes toward Pensacola...

[Lori Banta]

Thanks again. I will pass this information on to our kids. I don't believe it is a requirement in our area for a wind zone 2 or 3. We are about 80 miles north of Mobile. Still on occasion we do get the hurricanes coming through our area making their way north. We also have a lot of high winds and tornados. If they are able to find one close to home, his parents have a friend who is in the mobile home moving business and has already offered to move it for costs, but I will certainly pass this on. We are not that far from Pensacola, just a couple of hours. Thank you so much for your input.

[rmurray]

One thing to remember...wind zone 2 will not help much with a direct hit of a tornado...
The wind zone rules are designed for some protection in the case of hurricanes...When properly set up a zone 1 home is designed to sustain a 90 mile per hour wind..zone 2 100 mile/hour..zone 3 110 miles/hr..

Be sure they check with the local building officials..If wind zone 1 is ok...I would look further north in AL, MS and SW GA...All FL homes will be zone 2..remember they are higher used only because there are few of them...

Your sons mover friend should be a big help..most know homes fairly well..

[Joanna?Missouri]

David,
Wow.....I have been offered a 16x 70 19912 bd 2bth Fleetwood/Gateway? for 14,000..yikes....hmmmm..looks like I was almost robbed..LOL..Are you in the midwest or why is there such a price difference?.....I tried to find it's bluebook price but it was not listed..or I couldn't find it
thanks
Joanna in Missouri

[Lee H]

It sure makes a difference where you are located. Three years ago I bought a
1981 14x70 Fleetwood with a double tip-out for 13,500. Around here, it was a
good deal. I've seen them here for anywhere from 3,000 to 25,000, just a matter
of condition, park location, and appearance (plus appearance of the park).