buy now, move later

[Brian]

We are considering buying a two section home and putting it in a park for a few years and then later moving it to a permanent lot. I've read somewhere that this might cost a lil bit (abotu 4-5k depending on distance i guess), and thats not too scarry. but what abotu the extra stress from a move. would it just be a better idea to get a new one cheaper now and then when wer're ready trade it in or sell it and buy a new one?
-Brian

[rmurray]

You are missing 1 major part of the equation...interest rates and the cost of the rent...Home only finance is substancially more expensive than mortgage finance and park rent needs to be added to the overall monthly cost..

Example...
$50,000 house requires about $ 5000 down and will have payments of about $ 450 for 20 years..PLUS park rent..If it is in a lower part of the country the rent will be about $200 for a total monthly payment of $ 650 principle, interest and rent..you still have insurance to pay for and taxes on the home..
If you invested the same money today in a Mortgage you would have rates of about 6%...TO hold this payment to $ 650 you would be able to finance $ 110,000....Plus the $ 5000 down and you could spend $ 115,000 for the package...With the same $ 50K home you could package 65K in land and improvements..Most likely the land will not cost that much...therefore..you can buy the same home and land for LESS than going into the park.....

If you plan on going to your own land EVER..you should package it into a good mortgage NOW while rates are the lowest in all history..There is NO good reason to go into a park now..unless you plan of staying there forever..

A simple answer to your main question...Moving will NOT hurt the home..if done by qualified professionals..

Trading is not a good option ever...

[Mrs X]

And speaking of trade-ins, I just wondered what the dealers do with those old trade-ins. I saw a 20-year-old single-wide sitting on a lot and wondered what the dealer was going to use it for, and how much they allow for such old structures.

Just curious.

[Tracy]

on the subject of old "trade ins"..I was working on a dealer lot once a year or so ago. The General Manager asked me if I wanted to buy his old trade ins, for a dollar each. Only problem was, where in the world would I put such a creature, even if it only cost a dollar!

Tracy

[Mrs X]

Where DO they put them?

[rmurray]

Many counties do not have any restrictions..Rural counties are always in need of rental housing for the seasonal labor and local farm labor..They mostly get sold to land lords...Some of these homes rent for a pretty penny...