Are mobile homes really mobile? It’s a common question and one that doesn’t have a straightforward answer. On the one hand, mobile homes are designed to be moved from one location to another. They’re typically built on a chassis that can be towed behind a truck or other vehicle, and they often have special features that make them easy to transport. On the other hand, once a mobile home is set up in a permanent location, it can be very difficult to move.
The cost of moving a mobile home can be prohibitive, and many local zoning regulations make it difficult to relocate them. So while mobile homes are technically designed to be mobile, the reality is that they often become stationary once they’re set up in a particular location.
Have you ever seen a mobile home and thought to yourself that the home would be perfect if only it were located in another park?
Ever wondered what it would take to move a mobile home and how the actual moving process is completed?
This is a common question that gets brought up all the time and we are happy to help educate you on this question as well as dispel many of the mobile home mobile myths that exist within the mobile home industry.
Perhaps, where we should start first is the name of the home we are discussing in the first place, mobile home.
Sarasota mobile home
Mobile homes, also known as “manufactured homes,” are fabricated in a factory and placed on a trailer chassis to allow them to be moved. In most cases, mobile homes are placed in a mobile home park or on leased land. In these cases, the owner rents a space or leases land but owns the mobile home itself.
Alternatively, mobile homeowners can place mobile homes on land they own or are buying under contract
If the term is not clearly defined then we will be spending all of our time chasing our tail!
Mobile home is a term that many associate with a home being able to be moved from one location to another.
At its surface, this seems accurate, right?
Not totally so.
Mobile homes in the state of Florida can not be moved, legally with a permit, if they are over 20 years old from the manufacturing date.
In order to determine what year the home was manufactured one can look at either the data plate in the home or on the actual title paperwork of the property.
The reason why a mobile needs to be 20 years old or newer is that the governmental agency, The Department Of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is the one who will be issuing the permit for the moving company to transport the home from its current place of origin to that of the owners desired location.
If the home is older than 20 years old then the DMV views this home to be too old to be safely moved.
This, right here, causes confusion as the term “mobile” isn’t exactly accurate if you are dealing with an older home.
The average age of a mobile home in the greater Sarasota Florida area is that of a 1976 year model, clearly showing that the vast majority of these mobile homes can not be permitted to move from their current location.
When looking at buying a mobile home in and around the greater Sarasota Florida area we strongly suggest before buying the mobile home first look at the park and the general area it is located in.
If this meets your needs then go and take a look at the home.
Going in the reverse order may very well lead you to like a home that can’t be moved and thus you get stuck with the perfect property in a less-than-ideal location which only leads to further frustration during the mobile home buying process.
The next question is, how do you move a mobile home?
Assuming your mobile home is 20 years old and younger, still, there are still a lot of things that you should know before making a final decision to move your mobile home.
Hundreds to even thousands of people successfully move their mobile home each year and as long as you do your research, you can do it too. Here we are going to discuss the things that you need to know and be prepared with, before moving your mobile home.
A mobile home in Sebring Florida
If you are moving to another town, contact the town building commissioner.
Prepare your title certificate and county treasurer certificate. These documents prove that you own the mobile home you are moving to and that all taxes are paid on it.
Hire a moving company. Once all the paperwork is ready, hiring a moving company is time. Many people think this is the first thing to do when moving a mobile home but it is actually one of the last”. Moving companies will not bother hooking your mobile home without a proper permit and documentation.
The cost of moving depends on many factors and differs across different moving companies. Distance should be considered as well as the difficulty of moving your mobile home. There are places with tight corners and difficult to access. Moving companies consider these factors when giving you a quotation.
Another factor that may increase the moving cost is the size of your mobile home. It’s obvious of course, the smaller the house, the easier it is to move. Weight is also another factor. Older mobile homes are typically lighter than new ones.
In the state of Florida, older mobile homes must be inspected before a permit is granted.
If your mobile home is older or in need of serious repairs, moving could cost more. The movers will have to spend extra time fixing and altering things that could fall apart before they put them on the road.
There are other small but important things to consider when moving a mobile home, as every move is unique and has different circumstances. If your mobile home is insured, check with your provider to see if moving to a different location is covered.
This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.
See Also:
- 5 Reasons Why Mobile Home Parks Are Great!
- 3 Details You Need To Know When Buying In Co-Op Mobile Home Park!
- What Is A Park Model Mobile Home?
- Where To Spend Your Mobile Home Dollars?
- Where To Buy Your Mobile Home Parts In Florida?