I’m not sure why manufactured or modular homes are such a topic for criticism? When I moved to Colorado, I had no idea what to expect. After about 5 minutes worth of driving main street in the new town I now call home (not for the fact that I only spent 5 minutes, but because the main street is all of 7 blocks, expanding 3-5 blocks on either side to encompass town), I realized the dire need for housing. It’s Colorado. Like my home state–people are flocking to the mountain towns. It’s expensive to live here and the inventory for stick-built homes is next to none.
I found the mobile home park (mhp) and I made my first phone call to a local. Needless to say, I moved to a high mountain town–elevation of 8000 feet–the first of October. Because I got into town late afternoon, my work said I could spend a few nights dry camping in the parking lot. Cool. Except the first night was a crazy blizzard thunder storm and I woke up to single digits with about 6 inches of snow! The mhp manager was hesitant to let me winter in a camper, but his wife saw something in me that said “survivor.” I am a survivor, but I think in that moment I was in a desperate ‘fake it til you make it’ mode. They approved and I moved onto lot 11 which eventually became my first home. Almost 2 years later, with no luck finding a marketable home, I bought a used manufactured home about 2 hours away in Wyoming.
I’m fairly familiar with mobile homes. I was born and raised in one in my very early childhood. My parents bought their now home when I was about 4 years old. And that begin the renovation childhood with my Dad. I have fond, but faint, memories in that mobile home. It was the typical long corridor of tight spaces and separated rooms. The manufactured home I purchased in Colorado was a a 2006 and did not feel like a manufacture home inside! It’s a great opportunity for couples who are just trying to start a family, change a career–or singles who are wanting to buy their first home without breaking the bank in the old fashion “American Dream.”
Just like any home, this is an investment. You do you–if you’re just needing something temporary, or just want to set it in a mobile home park and that’s it, or that’s all you can afford, then do so. However, lot rent is ridiculous in Colorado–into the thousands per month in a lot of places!! You’re not saving, and you’re losing investment opportunities!
The investment piece is where some go wrong. First and foremost, plan to install a foundation under the manufacture or modular home–right off the bat (if you own the land/lot). It’ll likely come out of your own pocket, but it’s worth the investment. Then, go straight to the county and get the home rolled over to a permanently fixed home. Once that’s approved through the state (requirements are different for each state), the home is no different than a stick built home in valuation! Where manufactured homes depreciate is when it is not affixed to the lot/land via permanent foundation. It’s also useful for selling it–as it opens up loan opportunities for the buyer. When I sold this property, I nearly quadrupled the sale tag from what I purchased it for!
Great story about the locals. Once the home was moved, set on the lot, foundation installed and leveled, I was the one who had to hook up the utilities and skirt it. So, I did what I could–and the water was easy. So I thought. I wrenched and turned on the water valve to get it to open into the house with no luck. Figuring something was wrong–I called the local plumber. He’s a rather quiet guy, but was patient and listened and watched as I tried to open the valve. With little effort, he opened it right up and looked at me and responded, “Is that all you needed?” Haha, I’m still in touch to this day–and I still owe that bloody mary I offered from that memory!
About 8 months after purchasing the home, the park manager offered the lot underneath it for a reasonable price. So, under $50,000 total, I owned a home and the lot underneath it!
The first thing I did when I got the home set up? Paint! It is absolutely amazing how paint can spruce up a room. It’s cheap and it takes only a day or a weekend. I had already been addicted to Pinterest! There were many things, on the dime mind you, that I wanted to try.
I started on the master bathroom. And jeesh! I made a ton of mistakes! Read on into the next post to hear of my first DIY’s in my first, new home! X