Ready to purchase your new Sarasota Florida mobile home but aren’t sure what condition the home is in?
Are you buying your Sarasota Florida mobile home from out of state and are relying on photos to guide you through exactly what condition the mobile home is in that you are buying?
If either of these situations rings true then perhaps you have thought about obtaining a home inspection completed on your mobile home prior to closing on your mobile home purchase.
Although this is a common thought pattern that many Buyers follow, does it make the cost of the mobile home inspection worth it?
The easy answer is yes, and, well no it isn’t.
Let us explain.
Mobile home in a 55+ community
If you as the new Buyer are looking to get a report completed on your mobile home prior to purchase to know exactly what is going on with the home so that you know from a trained professional what you are purchasing then yes, it is certainly worth the cost.
Most Buyers who purchase a mobile home in the Sarasota Florida area understand that they are, at times, buying a mobile home that can be older than forty years old. With a home being of that age, these Buyers will understand that it would be reasonable to expect there to be some type of general wear and tear items that need to be fixed or replaced on the property at some time. For these Buyers, it will serve as a general once-over on the home so that they have a better idea of what exactly they are buying when they sign on the dotted line.
If, however, the intent of getting a mobile home inspection is for the Buyer of the home to attempt to get a price discount or to try and force the Seller of the mobile home to fix certain problems with the home prior to the sale then, no this home inspection is not worth the cost.
The reason for this is that all mobile homes that we, at The Mobile Home Dealer, sell are sold in “As Is” condition and do not include any implied warranties of any kind. For each home listing we take on at our firm we let the Seller know that they are having us sell their home in the exact condition it is in when they take the meeting with us.
Essentially, what the Buyer sees is what the Buyer gets.
In all of our time selling mobile homes throughout the Sarasota Florida area, we have never seen a Seller go and fix any issue with their mobile home prior to selling their home.
Most every Seller that we have ever worked with will accept a written offer from a Buyer assuming that they are buying what they are seeing and not anything other than this.
If you are really interested in a specific mobile home but are doubting the condition of the house, instead of paying for a costly inspector, ask the seller if they can give you details of the following basic but important concerns.
Random fresh paint
Before putting their home on the market, many mobile homeowners apply fresh coats of paint to the walls and ceiling. It’s easy to win by organizing the property and potentially increasing home value, and any buyer can appreciate a brighter, fresher space.
That said, beware of random patches of new paint or a single wall or ceiling sporting a fresh coat. These uneven paint jobs could hide anything from mold to cracks to water damage. It is important to address these concerns with the seller and your mobile home broker before signing any paperwork. If you see random fresh paint, make sure to ask for details from the seller.
Unexpected odors
Do the house smell like a big ashtray? Does it smell like a field of daisies? Both scents could be a red flag. While it’s obvious that a bad odor is a sign of an underlying problem, a pleasant smell can also point to a potential problem.
If you find candles and wall fixtures in every room, the homeowner may be trying to hide an underlying stench. Follow your intuition, and if you feel that something smells a little fishy, or unnatural, consult the owner or your mobile home broker.
Improperly installed ceilings
Roofing is a long-term investment with a significant impact on your mobile home. If a previous homeowner skimped or relied on an unreliable contractor, it could spell bad news for you. Extreme weather or just old age could make problems worse, leading to water damage and poor climate control.
It is important to pay attention to the exterior of a house. Problems like exposed nails are a common red flags to watch out for.
Inadequate drainage
This red flag is not always easily detected. If it hasn’t rained recently, it can be difficult to tell if the water is collecting on your roof or on your lawn. Fortunately, even without rain, there are ways to tell if your home has a poor drainage system.
Sarasota mobile home
Look for low spots in the lawn where areas of the ground have remained wet for long periods of time and have subsided to create a pool of sorts. You can also inspect the foundation of the mobile home for mold and areas where paint can easily peel off. These problems are indicators that water is collecting around the house and may compromise the integrity of the foundation.
Get the home you deserve, without the red flags
Buying a mobile home is a pivotal event in anyone’s life, requiring research, thorough inspection, and well-informed decisions.
It is imperative that both new and experienced buyers beware of these red flags that can cost time and money to fix. Pay attention to these warning signs and your home purchase will turn out to be a successful and rewarding experience.
Mobile home inspections can be a great way to have the Buyer get a better idea of what is going on with the mobile they are buying and can be well worth the money if they are used as only an educational tool and not as a negotiation tool!
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:
- Are Hurricanes A Problem For Sarasota Mobile Home Owners?
- Three Tips For Sarasota Mobile Home Owners During Hurricane Season!
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- Frustrated At Real Estate Prices In Sarasota? Look At Buying A Mobile Home!
- How Much Can Lot Rent Increase In A Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Park?