Why I regret buying a Mobile home.
We purchased a mobile home in 2013. It was only a 10 year mortgage and at the time, it was the only house we could afford.
We didn’t have much for down payment and our Father in Law gifted us $10k to put down on a house.
We searched around for a regular house at first, but everything was in foreclosure back in those days and most of the our house hunting was met with much disappointment.
Holes in the walls. The plumbing ripped out. Bitter homeowners who did what they could to destroy the home they could no longer afford. We knew we didn’t have the money to buy a beat-up house and fix it.
We needed a home that was “move in” ready.
We stumbled on a mobile home park community which will remain nameless. It was clean and their manufactured homes could withstand a Cat 3 hurricane. Pretty lake and area for jogging. Close to the highway and grocery stored. It was perfect. We figured we would pay off the house in 10 years (which we did) and take the money for a down payment on a real house in the future.
Unfortunately, the community management team changed in 2020 during Covid and suddenly we found ourselves completely miserable. Covid was bad enough. Cooped up in a house for months.
We constantly had a notice on our door. At least once a week. “Pressure clean, cut grass, remove plants, add plants, paint stairs, paint stairs again, pressure clean again…..”. It was a nightmare. We were only given 7 days to comply, or we would face eviction. The constant worry and stress drove us insane. We made the decision to pay off the mortgage balance and start house hunting immediately.
Was it cheaper to live in a Mobile home? Not really. You must pay a lot rent fee. And you get nothing for this lot rent in additional to the mortgage payment. You are still responsible for taking care of your lawn and home on the outside.
You are literally throwing away money to a management that constantly harasses you. Once the mortgage is paid in full, you still have lot rent if you stay on their property. Since the home is manufactured (bolted to the ground, no wheels), you can’t move the home anywhere. You are stuck paying management and they get richer as your mobile home depreciates in value. It really makes zero sense.
You might as well BUY a real home with LAND that’s yours to do whatever you want or simply rent an apartment. At least with an apartment, you don’t have to cut the lawn or pressure clean anything.
Also, the mobile home park takes 10% commission when you sell your home. They are still getting rich. You must evacuate every hurricane. You don’t have a private backyard. Fences are NOT allowed. You see your neighbors all the time.
And the space between yourself and your neighbor is extremely close. There is zero privacy for barbeques and family gatherings. Certain dog breeds are not allowed. They are very strict where you walk your dog.
A mobile home/association doesn’t let you relax. I assume if you’re retired, have zero pets, no family/friends, no hobbies…….then a mobile home is perfect for you. Lol.
The homeowner’s insurance is also expensive. You’re force to have it because you have a mortgage. But it’s not worth it for a mobile home that may blow away in a storm.
Lucky for us we had NO claims. No damage over those 10 years. We are extremely lucky, but we knew that luck would eventually run out. What if the owner of the park decides to sell the land.
Then you must move your home or sell it. What if a storm does flatten the entire community? It could happen.
The only positive news we received from selling our home was receiving more than the original purchase price and that’s thanks to Inflation. So, I beg you. Don’t do it. Avoid an HOA as much as possible.
Find a home that is only run by the city. HOA’s are demanding and costly. They can raise their fee when they feel like it.
Here is the other side of it. I was totally embarrassed living in a Mobile home. I didn’t like people saying, “ oh you live in that Trailer park over there?”. I hate the word – Trailer Park.
I used to lie to people I just met for the first time. Only our close friends knew.
“Where do you guys live?”
“Oh, we have a house in Davie”.
“Where?”
“ummm Near Sawgrass Mall”.
I would straight up lie. Act like I had a regular home. I never said the word MOBILE. Anytime there was a hurricane on the way. We had to stay with Family. It felt degrading.
We never knew if the house was still standing when we returned.
I know this sounds shallow as hell, but I deserve better. I work hard, I make good money. I have an education. I’m an American. A mobile home park made me feel like trash. I know none of that is true. And that’s not to offend anyone else. It/s my own issue. But for me, just for me ……a Mobile home was not good enough.
Now that we have our own a private home with a fenced in yard, life is beautiful. Our mortgage payment is an investment back into our property. Building equity feels amazing.
We only answer to the City of Sunrise, FL. No more notices. No more management.
I beg you. Don’t buy a mobile home. Own your land or rent an apartment. Build your credit and save your money. Best of luck!
