Buying land to move home on

[Cindy]

Hello,
I hope someone can help. We live in a MHP in northern Indiana, and would like to find a piece of property to move our home to. We've just started seriously considering this, so we've not really done any research. But most everyone we've talked to, friends and such, say it's nearly impossible in Indiana. My question is, where do we start? If we find the land, how do we find out if we're allowed to place our home on it. Where do we find out the information about all of this. Our goal is to move the home and live in it for a few years, then build our own home. Any help is greatly appreciated..................Thanks, Cindy

[rmurray]

Land is sold like any real estate..sometime through developers...sometimes real estate offices and sometimes by individuals..

Finding the right place for your future is not easy...Zoning is sometimes a problem...some parts of Northern IN are crowded and expensive...

It would help to first check zoning...go to the planning office of the county..or counties that you are looking at and ask about zoning...I would suspect that there would be available locations in most IN counties...Then...go to the county of your choice...find the most ideal place to put a home...and drive around...observe locations...for sale signs..real estate signs...get the local newpaper..check out the local "shopper" papers..stop at local dealers and ask for advice...hunt...hunt...hunt...

Some of the best deals are found when you see a great lot..even though it is not listed for sale...check with the tax records in the county and find the owners name and address...call them and ask if they want to sell...many times it works..and gets good prices as well..Good Luck...

[james]

The last comments were good. It is generally easier to locate a manufactured home in a more rural area than inner city or suburb. Indiana is a big producer of manufactured homes and I would be surprised if zoning restrictions were overly restrictive there. You may need to spend extra on the installation of the home to make it real property, such a frost-free foundation system or whatever the local government might require of all homes. No big deal as it's the best way to do it for the integrity of the home. Some local governments require all homes to be a minimun size, as a way to keep out single-wide manufactured homes. There are a lot of variables for you to look into as you proceed. But it should be doable. Good luck.

[Cindy]

Thank you for your reply, and advice. At least now I know where to start our hunt.
If Indiana doesn't pan out, we're willing to try lower Michigan. I guess we'll pick and county and start our search.............thanks for the help. Cindy

[Cindy]

Thank you, also for your help. You're right about Indiana being a big producer
of manufactured housing, I live in the heart of it all in Elkhart Co. What I didn't mention is that we do have a single wide mobile home, so I hope that isn't going to hurt us in our quest. We actually like our home, it's just the park we live in offers nothing in return for their continual increase in lot rents........but I won't cry on you're shoulder Thanks, Cindy

[carol]

I to am looking for property to place a single wide mobile home on in nw ohio. wondering if Cindy has had any luck and can offer any suggestions.

[Nancy Mitchell]

Make it easy on yourself...just call a licensed Realtor, or Broker in the area. They will be able to tell you what is for sale, what the restrictions are, etc...and it won't cost you anything. That is their job to know what is available, they know the area and they know what is listed in the Multiple Listing Service, they know what the zoning restrictions are, and if there is any financing available on the land...It's more difficult to get anyone to lend on land, although it can be done. Call your local Realtor.

Nancy Mitchell, Broker
California

[Cindy]

Hi Carol,
Actually, we've just started seriously considering this, so our seach is
just beginning. But like the following poster, Nancy, my husband suggested
that very idea. Just get a hold of a realtor, let them know what we want, and
let them do all of the work. I'll still be out looking at land, though. It would be
nice to get something that we like, and not settle for something that we have to
but I have an idea, that's probably going to be situation. Good luck to you.
Cindy

[Cindy]

Thanks Nancy,
I guess since we want out of here as fast as possible, that will be the way we start. Sound advice. Thank you