Celebrity's $600k Doublewide

[Mrs X]

Well - How 'bout this, Folks? The January 14th issue of the tabloid "Star" has an article about actress Minnie Driver who just bought a doublewide in "the world's most expensive mobile home park, Malibu's Paradise Cove." The home overlooks a private beach and is across the cove from Barbra Streisand's $25 million home. Ha, Ha!

Now, get this - Star reports that this "mobile home dream home has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, .......It is so upgraded that it even has vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors!" ( My question is - why didn't she get at least 3 bedrooms, but if she's happy, I'm happy)

All this for $600,000, although Minnie is only financing $250,000.

Obviously, most people don't realize that vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors are not that unusual in manufactured housing. In fact, there's a LOT they don't know about m-h's, but maybe stories like this will open some eyes.



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[Myra]

LOL...California, the land of fruits and nuts!

I've seen lots of MHs with wood flooring...and I don't believe I've ever (in the last few years, anyway) seen one without vaulted ceilings! I do love wood floors, but I don't believe I would go with real wood flooring since there are so many good-quality vinyls that deliver the look without the price.

I saw your post on the other board about a guy named Clark Howard praising MH. I've never heard of him. I'm going to do an internet search and see if I can find what you were talking about. (I would have already done it, but I couldn't remember his name and had to go back and find your post.)

Keep posting, I always enjoy your messages!

[Threnody]

In Malibu? That price sounds about right.

[Mrs X]

Hey, Myra - Clark Howard's website is "Clarkhoward.com". If you can find out what radio station carries his program in your area, you ought to tune in sometime. He's very, very savvy and he takes consumer on-the-air questions about everything. Unlike some other talk show hosts, he's very kind to his listeners even when they call in with stupid stuff - like the woman who called a psychic hot-line (a 900 number), was put on hold for an hour and then received a phone bill for hundreds of dollars just for that one call !

He's got a book out also (maybe more than one) and I really trust his judgement on most things, so when I heard he LOVES manufactured housing, it made me feel a whole lot more confident about my decision - now, if I could ONLY find the land...............

Glad you enjoy my posts. Isn't this a great website? I've learned so much from the other postings and the moderators of these forums while being entertained at the same time, that I really feel that I can make an informed purchase.

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[Myra]

I posted to you and I searched it thoroughly, but could not find any reference to manufactured housing. The site also said he no longer comes on the radio in LA anymore.

Let me know if you find anything in print of what he has to say about MH.

This is a great site. I was just thinking how much I have learned and how much I have appreciated the advice, especially from Mr. Murray. He really takes a lot of time here...he must be a very nice man.

[Mrs X]

Yes, he's also very knowledgeable.

I've learned a lot from Mr. Murray's posts - but also from Randy Eaton and Mr. Bonney. I bought Randy's book and it's very informative. I recommend it to anybody contemplating manufactured housing.

I didn't see anything on Clark HOward's website about manufactured housing either, but will try to find something in print. There is also a syndicated (I think) radio host named John Adams who has a program about real estate investing. I heard him one Saturday morning talking to a caller about manufactured housing and he (Mr. Adams) was also VERY enthusiastic about it, so that makes TWO experts who see the value.

I'm surprised there's not an L.A. radio station carrying Clark Howard. HIs show is both entertaining and informative - on a wide variety of subjects.

By the way - what did you decide about your home purchase? Weren't you the one debating whether to buy a Palm Harbor or some other brand?

[Myra]

No, I wasn't the one contemplating Palm Harbor or something else. I'm just contemplating whether I can come to terms with living in a MH or if I'd rather live in an already built home.

I have my eye on a very nice older home in town that is pretty private, very well kept, a nice, Southern, set-a-spell-on-the-front-porch, Mayberry-type of home. The owners are very old, live in another town, and are going to sell it eventually....would have already but the lady is sentimentally attached. But I'm not sure I will be able to afford it (have NO clue what they will ask), OR if I even want to try, it being an older house. Even though it has been well-kept (the man has it re-leveled every year), it is still an old house, and I've lived in plenty of those and know what they are like! Plus, I wouldn't have the choice of tweaking the floor plan to my liking. Plus, I'd have to paint it. Plus, .....well, you get the idea. I just don't know, but for now I'm researching and learning all I can about MH so I will know if it should even be an option for us in the future.

I know one thing, I sure love those glamour baths, walk-in closets, and all that floor space!

[Mrs X]

We must be leading parallel lives. I also looked at an old house - built in 1919. Had been completely renovated, including the plumbing, etc., had those high ceilings, big windows, etc. An older more knowledgeable friend of mine cautioned me not to buy a house that old because you never know what kind of problems you might have down the road. Can't remember exactly what he was referring to, but I grew up in a house built by my grandfather in 1914 and I remember how drafty it was. A lot of charm - yes - but the manufactured houses they're building now have so many pluses that they just far outweigh the charm factor. The energy efficiency is one thing - and like you, the first time I walked into one of the glamour bathrooms, I was hooked! Whoever came up with that idea was brilliant because I'll bet that feature alone sells a lot of houses. The kitchens are also fabulous!

And yes - I love being able to pick a floorplan that suits me. I'm praying that I can find some land that isn't too far out in the boonies so that I can finally buy a manufactured home, but it's not looking good.

As for your situation - if you buy the older home and then want to sell it later on, the manufactured houses are still going to be out there, so it's not like a now-or-never situation. On the other hand, if you're hunting land for the home, that might not be so easy to find in 2 or 3 years - or not so cheap to buy.

I sure wish I could win the Big Game.........................

[Marie]

Looking for a mobile home in Florida. General question. If the house is in the 55 range, what should the ballpark offer be