Buying a mobile home

[Robert]

I may soon be replacing an older mobile home in a park in N.Y. with a new or used one in excellent condition.

I would like one that looks most like an actual house, but must be of the mobile home variety (you can put wheels on it and move it) and be one section.

I would also like to know if there were any recent important changes to the construction codes (state year) so that if I look for a used one I can find one that meets the latest and highest standards.

I am interested more in quality than size.

Any advice ?

Thank You.

[Kevin C]

I highly recommend you get some of the books on this site. They go into construction and quality. I've found they are well worth the price.

[David Oxhandler]

Find it all in the book store at ManufacturedHousingBookStore.com

[Robert]

Many of the books seem to be about making money or reselling. Which one (1) goes into construction details and ranks the manufacturers as far as quality and choice goes ? Please name the title of the book.

I`m just replacing my one and only unit in a park. I already know what the town expects as far as electrical upgrades, concrete slab and tie downs, etc.

I`m pretty sure I`ll be looking for a small home( 24x40) that is rated for the weather in my area. Anybody have an opinion on which manufacturer has the best quality and design ?

[David Oxhandler]

A Complete Buyers Guide to Manufactured Homes and Land - E-Book Edition Purchasing any new home is a complex process that presents a big challenge even to the smartest of home shoppers. Veteran author and journalist John Grissim learned this when he and his wife purchased their first manufactured home. His discoveries inspired him to research and write this comprehensive buyer's guide. John has become a well-respected new voice for the consumer. In an unusual move, the MHI invited John to present a workshop at its 2003 Expo in Las Vegas, called "Our industry through an outsider's eyes" in which he delivered a hard hitting, no-nonsense view. Written by a consumer for consumers, this no-nonsense, highly readable guide explains just how the manufactured home industry operates, exposes its secrets, and teaches you how to find a dealer worthy of your trust, how to make the right home selection, how to accurately determine the fair price of a home. Exhaustively researched, with extensive input from both industry insiders and consumer advocates, this guide contains much information that retailers, even the good guys, don't want you to know. MORE DETAILS
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[Lisa]

I can tell you that I have worked in upper management with a couple of large owners of Manufactured Home Communities and have several years experience buying homes to put into communities.

Depending on your City, County and State regulations, there are some that dictate the year the home must be to be put into the community, so I strongly recommend that you talk with your Community Management and County to determine additional requirements other than electrical, slab, etc. as you mentioned.

I am not 100% sure what all manufacturer's are in your local area,which depends on what part of the state you are in, but that can have a determining factor on you since moving and set up are cost associated with your purchase. Keep in mind too that you will have to pay to have your old home removed most likely.

There are several well known makers of Mobile homes (Manufactured homes) but the top ones that come to mind are Schultz, Palm Harbor and Skyline. This is only my opinion and I have no connection with any maker or community at this time. I am an independant contractor in the southeast. I also tend to like Fleetwood for the money. Palm Harbor builds their home with 2x6's instead of the standard 2x4's which allows extra room for added insulation, so that could be a factor with the cold weather in New York.

You can actually contact the maker's that I have listed above via on line and ask for spec sheets to include manufacturing details.

Hope this helps and good luck finding the home right for you. Another thought, you can contact your local Manufactured Home Associations, probably NYMHA for additional support. They are an organization that has information on all types of topics in the industry.

[nathan]

i was wondering is there a way to get a loan after u file bankruptcy to get a trailer if so please respond and let me know

[Michael D. Goff]

What are "typical" terms for purchase of MH? Is it like conventional home purchases where you make a deposit (10%), close in 30/60/90 days with balance due?
Is a dealer/broker asking for all the money up front scamming us?

[Sheila Beckman]

Hello!
My girlfriend has bought 1 of your mobile homes and cannot find the serial number on it for her taxes and title. She needs this because the number on her title is wrong. Could you please help me help her find it.