Author: Raden Payas

Considering Selling Your Mobile Home? Read THIS!
You may have been living comfortably in a mobile home for years. But, now that you need to sell your mobile home for personal reasons, reading this article will teach you what to do before selling your mobile home in the Sarasota, Florida, area.

When looking to sell your Sarasota Florida mobile home, many Sellers will look to improve their home prior to putting it on the market in an attempt to try and sell their home at the highest price possible.

While we, here at The Mobile Home Dealer, can certainly respect the thought of doing this we want to issue a warning to everyone who is looking to update their property.

Sarasota mobile home

Too much improvement of your mobile home in and around the greater Sarasota Florida area can lead to a property not selling.

Let us explain!

Mobile home Buyers who are looking to purchase a mobile home on leased land throughout the greater Sarasota Florida area are mainly looking for the same three attributes within their new home.

These Buyers want the home to be safe, clean, and affordable.

In referring to the home being safe, most Buyers have a reasonable expectation that the home will have all of its major structural components in good working order, free of major issues. These components will be the roof, AC, electrical, and plumbing systems. If any major attention is needing to be taken to these areas of the home the Buyers will expect the price to heavily reflect the work needing to be done.

Buyers want a clean home, one free from smoke, pet, or mold odors, and that welcomes them into the property. If one of these types of odors exists then it should be clearly stated and, again, the price should reflect the work that needs to be done.

Affordability is a relative term, what is affordable to one mobile home Buyer may not be affordable to the next Buyer.

This not only goes with mobile home sales but anything in life.

Many Sellers excel in making their homes safe and clean but, many times they strike out with making the home affordable.

This is in large part to cosmetic upgrades that have been done to the home that they were interested in that do not have anything to do with the structural components of the home but rather the paint, carpet, appliances, fixtures, or kitchen upgrades.

These upgrades often increase the price fast because they can be expensive items.

The issue with over-improving a mobile home is that many times these cosmetic upgrades will not provide any real value when the home is ready to be sold. The Sellers do not realize this and expect to see a dollar-for-dollar return on their financial investments with the upgrades and price the home accordingly.

When this is done the home sits on the market and does not sell quickly which leads to the Seller paying more money in lot rent and utilities.

Mobile home park

If you are looking at improving your mobile home, great, but make sure you look at using your upgrade budget on more structural upgrades making the home safe and clean, and less on cosmetic upgrades so that your mobile home is in a good position to sell fast!

Instead of making improvements that could cost thousands of dollars, declutter and fix minor maintenance issues.

When a mobile home’s base settles, the doors and windows also get out of balance and won’t shut or lock properly. These are the pieces of your mobile home that potential buyers can easily see. It’s essential to get these repairs completed so that you can sell quickly.

Some people buy a mobile home as an investment. Thus, it’s crucial to fix any issue and make your mobile home an excellent deal for investors for you to sell it fast. Repaint, refinish those cracks, and fix any other holes. Remind yourself of how much you love it and why it makes you happy by showing it off to anyone who will take it. You’ll impress people and will likely get a better price.

You should also declutter your mobile home. The ultimate goal is to make your mobile home look like a move-in-ready home, even if you have to live in it for another few weeks until you can set up a new, better one.

After fixing maintenance issues and decluttering your belongings in your mobile home, you’re now ready to find the right place where you can sell it fast.

Selling a mobile home can be complicated for many, especially those who don’t have proper knowledge of how to do it right. Doing it wrong could only complicate and lengthen the process.

Selling your mobile home can be easy and quick if you’ll follow the essentials needed before selling it. Fix up all maintenance issues, consult professionals who know more about selling your mobile home, price your home at an acceptable rate, and plan everything before you post it for sale. Participating in online auctions, selling via a real estate broker, or advertising your mobile home online and offline are great ways to sell it fast.

The Mobile Home Dealer are licensed mobile home broker in Sarasota Florida and the surrounding areas. We provide professional buy and/or sell assistance to our clients. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us by clicking this link. You may also visit our Facebook Page and send us a message.

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer. We help mobile home Buyers and Sellers improve their lives.

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September 26, 2023
What Is A Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Title?
Buying or selling a mobile home in the greater Sarasota Florida area and not sure what documentation you need?

Are you looking to buy a home but don’t know what role a title plays in the purchase transaction?

Are you looking to sell a mobile home but are not sure what you are supposed to do with your title when it comes time to sell the home?

This is totally understandable as many times when we get asked these questions they are asked by mobile home buyers or sellers who only sell or buy a few mobile homes their entire life.

Don’t worry, we are here to help!

Mobile Home for Sale in Sebring

When looking at buying or selling a mobile home within the greater Sarasota Florida area one first needs to know, for certain, where the mobile home is located and what type of park the home is within.

As silly as this may sound, it makes all the difference in the world in how the sales transaction will be handled.

In the state of Florida, if a mobile home is within a mobile home park and the park is selling the home with the land included then this will equate to a real estate transaction, the same way a single-family home will be sold.

Here, a deed for the land will be issued for the sale of the home.

If, however, the mobile home is being sold and the Seller is paying lot rent and does not own the land the home resides on then this transaction will be viewed as and taxed as personal property.

Here, a title will be issued for the sale of the home.

Mobile home titles are blue sheets of paper that look the exact same as a vehicle title does.

One key difference is that, with mobile home titles, there is a title for each side of the home.

For example, if the home being sold is a double-wide mobile home then there will be a title for side a and a title for side b.

When you buy a mobile home it is a good idea to make sure the seller has the title to the home in their name.

Mobile homes must be registered with a current decal affixed to the mobile home unit at all times, even when unoccupied. For mobile homes affixed to land that is rented, mobile home decals will expire on December 31 each year. The registration fee for mobile homes is based on the length of the mobile home. Doublewide, triple-wide, or additional mobile home units require a separate registration and decal for each unit.

Individuals who currently have a regular mobile home decal and who own the land upon which the mobile home is affixed are required to have a permanent Real Property (RP) decal affixed to their mobile home. In such cases, the mobile home owner is required to obtain a Declaration of Real Property from the Property Appraisers Office. Then, the mobile home owner is to present their RP Declaration to a Tax Collector’s Service Center and purchase an RP decal for their mobile home.

Registration Renewal

Florida law requires mobile home decals and registrations to be renewed before they expire on December 31st. It is a violation of the law to fail to display a current registration decal. Mobile homes that fail to properly display a current decal are subject to late fees or tangible personal property taxation.

Mobile Home registration and decal renewals may be conducted online, by mail, or at one of the Tax Collector’s Service Centers.

Mobile home park

To renew by mail, be on the lookout for your registration renewal notice! As a courtesy, the Tax Collector’s Office mails renewal notices to mobile homeowners. The courtesy renewal notices are generally mailed no less than 3 weeks prior to the mobile home registration expiration date (December 31st). The renewal notice includes materials that allow mobile homeowners to easily renew their registration(s) by mail. Florida law does not require mobile home registration renewal notices for vehicles to be mailed, and failure to receive a courtesy renewal notice by mail does not relieve the mobile home owner of their responsibility to renew their mobile home registrations and decals.

With this understanding, it is of utmost importance that anytime a mobile home sale is being transacted that the Buyer and Seller have all titles necessary for the ownership of the home.

When looking at a mobile home title, the upper left-hand part of the title will list who the owners of the home are. This is important to note so that you are buying the mobile home from the individual or individuals who are legally able to sell the mobile home.

Oftentimes with the names of the person(s) who are on the title, there will be the words “and” or “or” between the names.

While this may seem like an insignificant word in the title it surely is not.

When the word “and” is in between the two owners’ names this should alert the Buyer that, unless an extreme circumstance such as death has occurred, both names of the Sellers need to sign off on the title for the documentation to be transferable to the Buyer. Barring an extreme circumstance, if this does not happen, then the title can not be transferred.

When the word “or” is in between the two owners then this will signal to the Buyer that either person can sign off on the title for the title to be transferred.

When looking at buying or selling a mobile home in the greater Sarasota Florida area it is always important to know exactly what documents are needed for the transfer of title so that when the sale is complete there are no issues with the paperwork going forward!

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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September 26, 2023
Where Are All Aged Mobile Home Parks In Sarasota Florida?!
People of all ages are coming down to Florida to enjoy their summer holiday, but one may ask, what type of mobile home is suited for myself or my family?

As real estate prices continue to surge higher along with the rents for rental homes and apartments continue to increase the need for affordable housing is at an all-time high throughout the greater Sarasota Florida area.

While there are over 400 mobile home parks in Sarasota County alone, the question, however, is; where are all the all-aged mobile home parks?

Mobile Home in Bradenton Florida

The direct answer is simple, there aren’t many.

In fact, less than 10% of all mobile home parks in the greater Sarasota Florida area are all aged!

The vast majority of these parks are for age-qualified residents which are usually regulated at 45 or 55 years of age and older.

For many, Sarasota Florida is a destination location with its beautiful beaches, lively downtown area, and close proximity to everything that larger cities such as Tampa and Fort Myers have to offer.

The majority of the mobile home parks within the Sarasota Florida County area were built in the 1960s and 1970s as vacation-style retirement communities where many of the homeowners would come down during the winter months to live and then return up North the rest of the year.

As years went on, these folks were cleverly referred to as “snowbirds”.

Snowbirds continue to own and operate a large portion of the mobile home parks that we see here today throughout Sarasota.

Within these age-qualified parks, there is usually a strong restriction to those who are under the age of 45 living in the home full time. The hardest restriction set is of those of school-aged children living in the home on a regular basis.

While these children are certainly welcome for a few weeks a year, they are not allowed to be living in the homes on a regular basis.

This then begs the question, well then where are the all-aged mobile home parks in Sarasota Florida?

All aged mobile home parks, more commonly referred to as family parks, are mobile home parks where there are no age limits for any of the folks who call this their home.

These types of parks offer affordable housing for families and younger people who are in need of this type of residence while offering modern amenities to the residents such as play areas for the kids, pools, and clubhouses where they can do their school work and participate in park-sponsored social activities.

While the greater Sarasota area does not have many all-aged parks to choose from if the Buyer looks more into the central Florida area such as near Orlando, Lakeland, Riverview, or even further north to Jacksonville these types of parks are plentiful in nature.

But, why does Sarasota have so few?

While it is hard to nail down a single reason why there are so few, one can certainly look at the history of the mobile home parks in the Sarasota Florida area and who the intended residents were when the parks were built.

Most of the parks in the greater Sarasota Florida area were built in the 1960s and 1970s during a time when Sarasota was a fraction of the size it is today. Here, these parks were built primarily for snowbird retired folks looking for either a second home to come to in the winter months or for their permanent residence once they decided to retire.

Mobile Home for Sale in Sebring

During this time that the parks were built, there was far less of a need for affordable housing for young families simply because the area as a whole was mostly for and inhabited by folks who were 55 years of age or older.

As the times have changed since then most of these parks still continue to provide affordable housing for seniors by offering them a safe, secure, and reasonably priced home for them to call their own.

While it is frustrating to many, if the need for a family park is in your family’s needs you may want to look to other areas nearby if at all possible as these areas have newer parks with modern amenities created for the family in mind.

All hope is not lost, however!

Just this year, two Bradenton Florida mobile home parks that were age-qualified have changed to all-aged mobile home parks!

While this is a new trend that started just as recently a few months ago, we believe that it will be something that will continue to grow in popularity as the need for affordable housing continues to increase throughout the greater Sarasota Florida area!

Why do most Sarasota mobile home parks allow only 45-year-old and older people?

Although there is no law that says mobile home parks are created just for older people, most parks are occupied by older and senior people for many good reasons.

For senior citizens, who are usually retired and have very little or no source of income, living in a mobile home can provide them with a perfect place to live in, and that too in a very affordable range. Buying Mobile homes is comparatively easier than constructing regular homes, requiring more investment and more hassle.

Perhaps the main reason why younger people like teens and children are not allowed to stay longer in mobile homes is because of noise and other things young people could do that could disturb the peaceful senior living community.

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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September 26, 2023
3 Ways Being Frugal With A Mobile Home Is BAD!
Mobile homes within mobile home parks around the greater Sarasota Florida area are one of the last beacons of affordable housing within the United States.

With real estate prices continuing to surge higher and higher, interest rates starting to grow, and the cost of apartment rents seeing record-breaking increases the lack of affordable housing is in a desperate situation here in the greater Sarasota area.

Owners of mobile homes oftentimes can have an affordable housing option where many times they own their home outright with no mortgage.

Mobile homes are a great option for those who are looking for an affordable housing option. Mobile homes are often less expensive than traditional homes, and many people who own mobile homes own them outright, with no mortgage. This can make mobile homes a very attractive option for those who are looking to save money on their housing costs.

After the monthly lot rent payment and some additional utility bills, these folks can bring down their cost of living much further than those who are renting or buying their home at this current time.

Living in a mobile home is often more affordable than renting or buying a traditional home. After the monthly lot rent payment and some additional utility bills, these folks can bring down their cost of living much further than those who are renting or buying their home at this current time. The current economic climate has made it difficult for many people to afford their homes. However, mobile homes provide an affordable option for those who are looking to downsize or live more economically.

Mobile homes offer several advantages over traditional housing options. For one, they are typically much less expensive to purchase or rent. Additionally, they can be moved if necessary, which gives owners the flexibility to relocate if their circumstances change. If you are considering a mobile home as an affordable housing option, be sure to research the pros and cons carefully before making your decision. There are several things to consider, such as the cost of living in your area, the quality of mobile homes available, and whether you would be able to find a suitable location for your mobile home.

Mobile Home for Sale in Sebring

While low-cost housing is the desired outcome for many, regardless of what time of year it is, we are here to tell you why being too frugal with your mobile home will cost you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars.
1. Not Running The Air Conditioning
Many mobile homes within the greater Sarasota Florida area are lived in only a few months a year due to the owners being out-of-state residents who are using the home as a winter home. These owners are absent during the warmest months of the Sarasota summer and return in the fall and winter to get out of the cold up north.

Many of these owners do not realize the problems with not running their air conditioning year-round.

The problem that many owners will run into is that if they do not run their air conditioning on during the summer months the home will get so hot that the presence of mold may very well present itself as well as warping of the flooring system within the home.

If the home is closed up and has no air on throughout the summer then the owners may come back to a mold-infested soft floor home that they could have avoided if they simply had the air on throughout the months they were not present.

Not running your air conditioning unit for a year may also cause problems with your air conditioning unit because you may miss its regular maintenance

2. Not Keeping Up With Pest Services

The structure of a mobile home is wood-based.

Florida has termite issues.

If the owner of the home does not keep up with their pest services then it is a reasonable expectation that the home may very well become infested with termites. Termites will embed themselves into the walls and flooring systems causing extensive damage that the owner may not notice until it is too late.

Not keeping up with the regular pest services can very well lead to thousands of dollars in damage that could have been avoided if the owner kept up with their pest spraying services throughout the year.

3. Not Turning Off the Water When Not at Home

Mobile homes have a water shut-off at the back of the home that is easy to access both to turn on and off.

When not in the mobile home for several weeks at a time it is a wise decision to turn off the water so that the owner avoids any possible issue with a water leak springing up and causing extensive damage to their mobile home.

Please keep in mind, that this does not need to be done every time one leaves the home for a few hours but, rather, for a few days or weeks at a time.

Florida Mobile Home

Plumbing leaks can spring up without notice creating severe damage to the underbelly of the mobile home flooring system.

When looking at keeping your costs down while living in a mobile home it is imperative to follow basic maintenance steps to keep your mobile home in proper working order. Avoiding these basic tasks to be thrifty could easily cost you thousands of dollars in additional damage that will far outweigh your possible savings!

Leaving a mobile home for six months can also result in a myriad of issues that can be costly to repair when not attended to immediately like spiders, water leaks, stains, molds, and all similar things.

If you plan to leave your mobile home for an extended period, make sure to do the following:
- Secure your home and make it appear occupied,
- Empty and clean out your fridge
- Prepare your mobile home for elements like extreme weather
- Clean your mobile home both inside and outside. Tall grass touching your home can give termites and other insects easy access. Overgrown greens can also tell people that your house is unattended and could attract burglars or even illegal squatters.
- Shut off the water supply. This could prevent unexpected water leaks.
- Unplug electrical appliances that are not in use.
- Set your water heater to “vacation mode”
- Set your thermostat closer to the outside temperature.
- Ask a neighbor (if any) to watch your mobile home while you are away.
Being frugal is generally not bad but we should know our limits when it comes to balancing expenses and savings. Yes, you may save a lot of money being frugal but when problems arise because you ignored some small things, your savings might not be enough to cover these maintenance costs when a certain situation blows out of proportion. Molds and termites are some of the worst problems a mobile homeowner has to deal with.

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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September 26, 2023
Mobile Home Recession UPDATE!
The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound economic repercussions, affecting various sectors, including the mobile home industry. As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, the mobile home market has experienced its share of fluctuations, giving rise to what can be termed a “Mobile Home Recession.” Factors such as financial uncertainties, job losses, and shifting priorities have influenced the demand for mobile homes.

This comprehensive exploration delves into the nuanced impacts of the COVID-19 recession on the mobile home market. From altered buyer preferences to potential shifts in pricing and availability, we examine the multifaceted aspects that have shaped the industry during these challenging times. Understanding the dynamics of the mobile home recession in the context of the pandemic is essential for homeowners, buyers, and industry stakeholders seeking insights into navigating this unique economic landscape.

In light of the recent shifts in the economy, which appear to indicate an impending recession, a comprehensive examination of the implications for the mobile home sector becomes imperative. This examination should encompass not only the vicinity of greater Sarasota, Florida, but also its broader impact on the industry at large.

The mobile home industry, often characterized by its unique dynamics and interplay with economic trends, stands at a critical juncture. While the prices of conventional real estate remain perched near historical peaks, the concurrent upward trajectory of interest rates for traditional mortgages introduces a complex interplay of factors that warrant exploration.

A twofold dynamic colors the immediate outlook for the mobile home marketplace. In the short term, prospective homebuyers might seek alternative avenues within the real estate spectrum, with mobile homes potentially emerging as a pragmatic and financially viable choice. The relative affordability and flexibility inherent to mobile home ownership may make them an attractive proposition amid economic uncertainty.

Conversely, the longer-term trajectory necessitates closer scrutiny of the sector’s resilience and adaptability. The confluence of a recessionary environment and the mobile home market warrants a nuanced evaluation. While the industry may be somewhat sheltered due to its distinct value proposition, factors such as consumer sentiment, job stability, and credit availability will inevitably influence its trajectory.

In the greater Sarasota, Florida area, as well as beyond its borders, the future of the mobile home industry stands at a crossroads. The enduring appeal of cost-effective housing options, combined with the evolving financial landscape, underscores the need for a judicious analysis of the sector’s prospects. As economic tides continue to ebb and flow, the mobile home industry’s response to these challenges will ultimately define its resilience and capacity to weather the uncertainties that lie ahead.

What factors should you consider if you are looking at buying or selling a mobile home within this environment?

Here at The Mobile Home Dealer, we feel that we need to let everyone know exactly what is going on, how to work through it, and more importantly, how to thrive in these crazy real estate times.

Mobile home in a 55+ community

Arming yourself with the most recent information on Florida’s housing market is the best way to avoid catastrophic financial loss whether you are buying or selling a mobile home. It should be noted that a recession is not always 100% bad. If you are well-equipped and do the right things, you can be a successful buyer or seller regardless of the housing market condition.

Buyers:

If you are looking at buying a mobile home in and around the greater Sarasota Florida area we stress that you look at two things before putting an offer in on the home:
1. What structural updates have recently been done to the home?
2. What is the current lot rent, and what is the expected increase for the following year?
Structural updates are important because they usually cost far more than cosmetic upgrades and may carry warranties for you as the new Buyer.

Structural updates could include a new roof, a new AC unit, updated plumbing, updated electrical, or redone subflooring. These updates all cost a lot of money and will significantly increase the value of the home because they are tangible items that improve the structure of the home, unlike cosmetic updates, which are based on the Seller’s personal interests.

Always confirm with the park office exactly what the current lot rent is, when it is expected to increase, and by how much it will increase next year.

This is important because even if the park is unable to tell you exactly how much the lot rent may increase for next year, they should be able to tell you how much it has increased in previous years, which will give you a fair idea of what to expect going forward.

Having verified lot rent for the current year and the following years will give you a pen-to-paper idea of exactly what this expense is so that you are not purchasing more homes than you can afford.

Sellers:

If you are looking at selling your mobile home in and around the greater Sarasota Florida area, these are points to consider during your sales journey:
1. What other like homes are selling for in your same area?
2. Is your home able to get financing?
The tried and true one-liner of; you don’t want to be the most expensive home in the neighborhood is just as true now as ever.

When pricing your home, make sure you understand and can verify what other homes in the area are selling for, and price your home accordingly.

Recently, we have seen several unrealistic Sellers price their homes much too high, hoping to hit a price homerun only for them to find themselves sitting on the house for months on end. Remember, the longer your home sits on the market, the longer you are paying lot rent and other utilities, which eats into your profit!

Most financing companies will not finance a mobile home on leased land.

There are, however, financing companies that will finance mobile homes on leased land so long as the home is a 1976 or newer. If the home is older than this, financing can be nearly impossible for a Buyer to obtain.

Mobile Home in Florida

Whether you are a buyer or seller, it is always recommended to get updates on the ongoing recession that affects the housing market, both traditional homes and mobile homes. Florida is known to be notorious for housing market volatility and the mobile home market is no exception.

There are even reports predicting the crash of Florida’s housing market but don’t get worried about this.

According to a Forbes report, as of October 2022, Florida’s housing market is slowly recovering even though the median price of traditional houses is still higher than in the past. Based on the given data, the crash is unlikely to happen.

We stress this fact because if the home is overpriced and too old to be financed, you are relying on an all-cash Buyer to buy it, which dramatically reduces your available Buyers.

Buying or selling a mobile home when entering a recession can be stressful, but if armed with the right information from the start, you can certainly be in a position to succeed at a level higher than you have ever imagined!

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer. We help mobile home Buyers and Sellers improve their lives.

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September 26, 2023
What Is Mobile Home Skirting?
When looking at a mobile home, one may see that there is additional material attached to the side of the home between where the siding ends and the ground for which the mobile home sits begins. This material is called mobile home skirting.

This is called the skirting of a mobile home.

While the name is simple in nature, what it does and how it works are quite a bit more detailed.

Mobile home skirting covers the space underneath a mobile home to protect it from animals, cold, snow, and water. Skirting protects the plumbing work and ensures pipes or ducts do not freeze during winter. An adequately installed skirt will provide storage space where one can tuck away items they don’t occasionally use.

If you’re not sure of the material you need for skirting, there’s always an option to contact a professional to come and do an assessment and give a cost estimate. Experts will advise on the best product depending on the type of mobile home, budget, climate, and homeowner’s personal preferences.

Mobile Home for Sale in Sebring

Mobile home skirting can be made of a variety of materials, but the most common type around the greater Sarasota, Florida, area is made of fiberglass, stone, aluminum, or plastic.

Mobile home skirting is attached to an inner track of the bottom of the mobile home, each additional piece of skirting is then snapped or placed directly next to the previous skirting panel.

For the skirting to work properly, it must fit on the track without any issue and be the length of space between the bottom of the mobile home and the ground on which it sits. If the skirting is not the correct length, then it will largely defeat the purpose of what the skirting does.

The market is awash with skirting solutions for mobile homes. Popular options include Vinyl, concrete, metal foam, wooden foam, and faux rock.

Before one hits the store, gathering the material they’ll need for their skirting is essential. First, they must know the overall dimension of the open space in terms of length, width, and height. These are some of the things their supplier will need answers to.

Also, it saves on cost since one only needs to buy the right size for their home. Other materials include screws, long planks, chalk, and circular saw.

The mobile home skirting is easy to fix, although you may need extra hands. So grab some pizza and call in that favor with a friend or two for a day to help with skirting.

One of the main benefits of skirting on your mobile home is to prevent inviting pesky trouble-making critters under your home.

Mobile homes have their plumbing running underneath the home, and if this is not protected, then animals can get under the home and burrow into the plumbing lines, often causing premature leaks in the plumbing system of the mobile home.

As discussed in previous blogs, the flooring system of a mobile home is wood-based.

If the skirting is not properly installed and maintained then, in addition to the plumbing having issues, the wood-based flooring can have premature damage done to it through animals chewing on the support beams of your flooring system.

In order for your skirting to be kept in good shape, we here at The Mobile Home Dealer, strongly suggest you routinely walk your mobile home identify any issues you see with the skirting, and act quickly to get these issues taken care of.

Mobile Home

A simple walk of your property 1-2 times per month should suffice for the inspection.

If any skirting looks like it has shifted off of the tracks, see to it that you get it back on the track quickly as some skirting products are brittle in nature, and if it is not sitting flat, it can lead to premature breakage of a skirting panel.

Installing your own mobile home skirting

If you want to install your mobile home skirting yourself, some companies do sell kits, but it can require a lot of expertise and hard work. When installing skirting, you also must check local requirements regarding inspections and permits — improper installation could void insurance claims or your home’s warranty.

Suppose you choose to install the skirting yourself. In that case, it’s important to ensure that your home gets proper ventilation, and you have to get the correct amount of panels and accommodate for possible variations in height. Vinyl is typically the easiest material for a DIY skirting installation.

If you have fiberglass or plastic skirting around your mobile home, make sure to take additional care of it when lawnmowing. Weed wackers can often clip the skirting, causing small holes that can lead to larger issues down the road.

When protecting your mobile home we strongly suggest keeping your skirting in tip-top shape as it is a very inexpensive insurance policy for the safety of your mobile home’s plumbing and flooring system.

The Mobile Home Dealers are licensed mobile home brokers in Sarasota, Florida, and the surrounding areas. We provide professional buy and/or sell assistance to our clients. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking this link. You may also visit our Facebook Page and send us a message

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer. We help mobile home Buyers and Sellers improve their lives.

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September 26, 2023
Mobile Home Water Leaks EXPLAINED!
Mobile home water leaks can be a common but often misunderstood issue that homeowners face. Whether it’s a small drip or a major flooding incident, understanding the causes and implications of water leaks is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your mobile home. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various factors that contribute to water leaks in mobile homes, ranging from aging infrastructure to improper installation and maintenance.

We’ll investigate the potential consequences of unchecked leaks, such as structural damage, mold growth, and compromised indoor air quality. Additionally, we’ll discuss preventive measures and practical solutions to mitigate the risk of water leaks, including regular inspections, prompt repairs, and proper sealing techniques. By gaining insight into the complexities of mobile home water leaks, you’ll have the knowledge and resources to effectively address and prevent these issues, ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment for years to come.

When buying or selling a mobile home in the greater Sarasota, Florida, area, it is important to fully realize the cost of some of the most expensive repairs.

Not knowing how much something costs to fix or what to look for when trying to assess if this item needs fixing can greatly throw off your budget when buying and settling into your new mobile home purchase.

Mobile homes are notorious for leaky roofs, but this does not have to be the case if you know what to look for, how to fix it, and how to prevent a leak in your mobile home roof from turning into a HUGE issue

Mobile home in Florida

What are the signs of a droplet on the ceiling, and what measures should you take to stop the damage? Here you will find what you should do when you face a roof with leaks.

The majority of tenants or mobile homeowners may know the age of their roof, but their knowledge doubtfully goes beyond that. Consider a leak on the roof, for example: for many, the first indication that there is a leak on the ceiling is the appearance of a spot on the roof or on the wall. Luckily, there are specific measures that you can continue to learn to locate a leak on the roof and help stop the damage before it gets worse.

When looking for a mobile home roof leak the first thing anyone wants to do is examine the ceiling for any type of structural imperfections. This can look like a very smooth area in an otherwise textured area of the ceiling.

If you see this then this will usually tell you that there was, at one time, a roof leak in that area, and either the current owner or a previous one patched the roof and then cleaned up the stain that the roof caused.

Another common way to notice a roof leak is a “coffee stain.” These stains are where water has leaked through the roof and dried over time, leaving what looks like a coffee stain on a white T-shirt.

Once you find these roof leaks, it is always a good idea to contact a licensed roofing company to determine how bad the leak is and what needs to be done to fix it.

Generally speaking, the roof that comes on your mobile home from the factory will usually last between 25 and 30 years without any issues.

After this time has come and gone, a mobile home will need a new roof put on.

Unlike single-family homes, where shingles or tiles are pulled from the top of the roof and new ones are placed on, mobile homes have a roof over installed.

A roof over is exactly what it sounds like, within a mobile home a new roof is built directly on top of the previous roof.

Roofovers can cost a few thousand dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the size of your mobile home and the type of roofover you are considering.

In order for your roof to last the longest, make sure you look into and invest in sealing your mobile home roof every few years.

The process of sealing a mobile home roof involves applying a thin film of sealant to the entire roof. This sealant is sticky and can be applied with large rollers to coat the entire roof evenly.

If the sealant is not done on a regular maintenance schedule, then it would be reasonable to believe that the roof that you installed will not last nearly as long.

Roof leaks can be a huge problem or they can be taken care of quickly, the key is to act fast anytime you see warning signs of possible roof leaks so that it does not lead to something much larger. A roof with leaks is a small issue but can create a huge problem that can cause a series of problems inside the house that follow each other, from the isolation of the flooded ceiling to the ruined floors.

Mobile home on leased land

The ceilings and roofs are elements that are generally very exposed to external agents, whether meteorological or of the house itself. They are very important parts of the mobile home since they are responsible for isolating and protecting the interior. In addition, they allow a multitude of finishes and materials, so the aesthetic set of the mobile home can also be unified according to the preference of the owner.

When the water enters households, it can cause serious damage to the property, but it can also affect the ceiling. If the roof does not receive proper maintenance, it can cause leaks that could collapse the ceiling.

In general, it is important to contact a professional company whenever a problem is detected on the roof, whether it is big or small.

Mobile home water leaks can cause extensive damage and costly repairs, so it is important to be aware of potential causes and plan to quickly address any issue that arises. Mobile homes are more susceptible to water leaks because of their design and the materials used in construction. Common sources of leaks include plumbing fixtures, water lines, roofing, and windows. Plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, and faucets can develop leaks due to age, wear, and tear, or faulty installation. Water lines can corrode or become loose, leading to leaks. Roofing can suffer damage due to strong winds and storms, allowing water to enter the mobile home. Lastly, windows can become warped or cracked over time, allowing water to enter the home. If a mobile home has experienced water damage, it is important to take steps to identify and repair the source of the leak. Depending on the location and severity of the leak, a professional plumber or contractor may be necessary to repair the damage.

The Mobile Home Dealer is a licensed mobile home broker in Sarasota, Florida, and the surrounding areas. We provide professional buy and/or sell assistance to our clients. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us by clicking this link. You may also visit our Facebook Page and send us a message.

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer. We help mobile home Buyers and Sellers improve their lives.

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September 26, 2023
3 Ways To Finance A Mobile Home in Sarasota Florida
Securing financing for a mobile home in Florida requires a nuanced understanding of the state’s real estate landscape. From traditional mortgage options to specialized loans, this article delves into the intricacies of financing, providing valuable insights for those navigating the journey of making a mobile home their residence in the Sunshine State.

Around 18 million Americans are living in mobile homes or manufactured homes according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This accounts for around 5% of the entire US population. One of the main reasons why people are living in this kind of arrangement is obvious: mobile homes are cheaper compared to conventional on-site fixed houses, they are mobile and can be in any location, are low-maintenance and upkeep, and are subject to different housing laws.

It is obvious that mobile homes have bigger advantages than conventional homes for a single family, but buying and financing mobile homes has its hurdles and different challenges. Getting a mortgage for a mobile home is not the same as getting one for a conventional home and we are here to explain.

Sarasota mobile home

With mortgage rates continuing to rise and the cost of real estate at a record high in most of the United States mobile home Buyers need different ways to pay for their mobile home within the greater Sarasota Florida area.

Where can a mobile home Buyer go to get financing for a mobile home on leased land in Florida?

Does financing even exist?!

This is an important topic to discuss but first, we need to fully understand what type of mobile home we are looking to finance so we can best understand the financial obstacle that needs to be overcome.

Mobile homes in Florida that are located within a mobile home park where the owner of the mobile home pays lot rent are viewed as and taxed as personal property within the state of Florida.

The sale and purchase of these dwellings have titles associated with them and not deeds as traditional single-family homes do.

If this sounds quite a bit like the Buyer is purchasing a vehicle then you are correct!

Since this purchase is unique to many folks, we are here to give you the 3 most common ways a mobile home in the greater Sarasota Florida area can be financed below.

1. Cash

Buying a mobile home on leased land in the form of cash is by far the most common way to buy. When we say cash we are not referring to physical dollar bills, but rather cashier’s checks or money orders. This type of purchase amounts to over 90% of all home sales state-wide and is often preferred by the Seller of the mobile home.

2. Mortgage

In traditional mortgages, your major lenders will not lend on a mobile home in Florida when it is located on leased land. The reason is that these homes do not qualify as real estate because the home does not include the land in the sale of the property. If you are looking at obtaining a mortgage for your mobile home purchase you will need to go to a third-party mortgage underwriter who specializes in mobile home loans with properties located on leased land.

3. Seller Financing

It is not uncommon to encounter a Seller who is willing to play banker with you as a Buyer. Here, the Seller will require some type of down payment to move into the property and monthly installment payments that will be credited toward the remaining balance of the home. Although this is not the most common financing method we see it is certainly one to inquire about from the start to see if the Seller is willing to work with you on a payment system.

If none of the above options is right for you, there are other ways to acquire a mobile home through different types of loans.

Mobile Home for Sale in Sebring

4. Chattel Loans

Chattel loans work similarly to traditional mortgages in that your mobile home can be seized if you fail to pay your mortgage on schedule. The good thing about a Chattel loan is that your house doesn’t need to be affixed permanently. Chattel loans can be used whether you own the land or rent a lot.

5. Personal Loans

There are many types of personal loans but because most of them don’t require collateral, the interest is always higher compared to traditional loans. There are also secured personal loans if you want a lower interest. Some loan companies accept mobile homes as collateral for personal loans.

Borrowing money from your family, friends, and relatives can be another option if none of the above fits your situation.

One of the many great things about buying a mobile home on leased land is that there are several different ways to purchase and move into your new property that are not normally available to single-family homes.

Having several different options and being educated in all of them will certainly put you ahead of the curve when looking at buying your new mobile home!

Although all of the above options can help you acquire a mobile home, it is always important to plan ahead before planning to move into a mobile home. Most people who avoid paying interest plan two to three years in advance. This gives them enough time to save money to buy a mobile home.

Finally, there are a few different ways to finance a mobile home. You can take out a personal loan, get a loan from a mobile home dealer, or finance the home through a bank or credit union.

Personal loans are one option for financing a mobile home. You can get a personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender. The interest rate on a personal loan is typically higher than the interest rate on a mortgage, so you’ll need to carefully consider whether this is the right option for you.

Another option is to finance your mobile home through the dealer where you purchase the home. Mobile home dealers often work with banks and other lenders to offer financing options to their customers. The interest rates on these loans are usually higher than those of personal loans, but they may be easier to qualify for.

Finally, you can also finance your mobile home through a bank or credit union. These institutions typically offer more favorable terms than either personal loans or dealer financing. However, it may be more difficult to qualify for financing from a bank or credit union than it is from other sources.

The Mobile Home Dealer is a licensed mobile home dealer and broker in Sarasota Florida and neighboring areas. We provide professional buy and/or sell assistance to our clients. If you have any questions, please contact us by clicking this link. You may also visit our Facebook Page and send us a message.

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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September 26, 2023
5 Reasons Why Mobile Homes Are Great Investments!
Investing in any type of real estate is all about earning passive income for most investors. With the real estate market’s diverse portfolio, it is one of the hottest destinations for investors who are aiming to put their money in both medium and long-term investments. Having said that, due to the increasing price of conventional homes, small investors are eying the mobile home market.

As prices continue to rise in the real estate market, apartment home rents are near an all-time high, and interest rates for traditional mortgages creep up to levels we have not seen in years one needs to think more about an affordable housing option.

There are many reasons why manufactured homes make great investments. For one, they are much more affordable than traditional stick-built homes, and they can be just as comfortable and stylish. Additionally, mobile homes appreciate at a much faster rate than stick-built homes, so your investment will grow more quickly.

Another big advantage of mobile homes is that they can be moved if you need to relocate. This means that you can take your home with you if you get a new job in a different town or city, or if you simply want to live in a different area. This flexibility is incredibly valuable, and it means that you won’t have to go through the hassle and expense of selling your home and buying another one every time you move.

Finally, mobile homes are much easier to finance than traditional homes. Because they are cheaper and faster to build, lenders are typically more willing to finance mobile homes than traditional homes. This makes it easier for you to get the financing you need to purchase a manufactured home, and it also means that you can get a lower interest rate on your loan.

But, with this thought, does one even exist?!

Mobile home for sale in Florida

The answer, without a doubt, is yes!

Enter the world of mobile homes!

For the longest time mobile homes have been the pillar of affordable housing within the United States and now, more than ever, it stands head and shoulders above all other housing options when looking at affordability and how a Buyer can get the most bang for their housing buck.

Today, we want to discuss with all our readers the 5 reasons why mobile homes in and around the state of Florida are great investments.
1. Affordable
Buying a house like a single-family home requires a considerable amount of money. Mobile homes cost much less. There are mobile homes that cost only a few hundred dollars per month if you’re financing one unit and putting a handsome amount of money on the downpayment.

As mentioned above, with all other housing options skyrocketing throughout the economy where else can one buy their own stand-alone home for the cost of an average used car? Not only that but when buying a mobile home within a mobile home park many parks offer the vast majority of the utilities and maintenance fees associated with owning a home in one payment called lot rent. Here, lot rent will usually cover the residents’ water, sewer, trash, lawn care, and usage of amenities such as the pool, clubhouse, dog parks, and workout facilities.

Where else in this economy can one have high-end amenities all paid for and taken care of for one low monthly fee?!

2. Tangible

When renting an apartment home the rent that is paid each month goes to the landlord or apartment complex. At the end of the rental period, there is nothing to show for this other than a paper invoice.

When owning your own mobile home you, as the owner, have something you can sell to recoup your expenses for living.

3. Easy To Maintain

As discussed in previous blogs, a mobile home has a much different structure than that of a single-family home. Many of the differences are in the wall, flooring, and roof structures.

When something needs to be fixed to one of the major components of a mobile home it is far less expensive to fix than that of a single-family home.

4. Say The Same Price

Most mobile homes do not gain much in value, likewise, they do not lose much in value either. The nice part about this fact is that by having the price stay around the same will help you, as the Buyer, to better estimate the cost of a mobile home when looking to purchase one in the future.

Keeping your costs set when buying a mobile home will help with your budgeting.

5. Cash Purchase

Most mobile home purchases are done within a cash transaction. With cash transactions being the main way how these homes are sold it avoids the extra expenses and time associated with the purchase or sale of a single-family home which normally has a mortgage associated with the ownership of the home.

Cash transactions will help the owner of the home buy or sell the property faster and for less money than a home with a traditional mortgage attached to it.

Sarasota Mobile Home

In addition to the five reasons mentioned above, another reason that many mobile home detractors always ignore is the STEADY DEMAND for mobile homes.

Although the demand for mobile homes can vary from state to state, there is always a steady demand for mobile homes in Sarasota Florida, especially during the winter season when people from the North flock down South to run away from the cold winter

Nonetheless, the data from Manufactured Housing Institute states that:
- 22 million Americans live in mobile homes
- 62% of residents expect to stay in their mobile homes for at least 10 years
- 90% of mobile homeowners are satisfied with their dwelling
These numbers prove that the demand for mobile homes as an affordable housing option cannot be ignored, especially in states like Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee.

If you are planning to invest in a mobile home and have money to buy, especially cash, don’t listen to naysayers. Mobile homes are here to stay and will only continue to get more popular as more people are looking for cheaper but more comfortable housing options.

When looking at all living situations one can partake in we highly suggest everyone take a long look at owning a mobile home as the cost savings, ease of maintenance, and speed of the transaction are all aspects that put the mobile home option at the top of affordable housing!

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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September 26, 2023
Where To Find Mobile Home Sales Comps?
Have you been looking at buying a mobile home on leased land in the greater Sarasota Florida area but have been running into issues when looking for sales comps?

Wait, what are sales comps?

Have we lost you already?

No problem, let’s start from the beginning to give you a better understanding of exactly what sales comps are and how they work!

Mobile Home for Sale in Sebring

Real estate comps are recently sold homes that are similar to the property you’re trying to buy or sell in terms of location, size, condition, and features. Comps – an abbreviation of “comparable sales” – are used to determine a home’s fair market value through the sales comparison approach to pricing property.

Individual comps are assembled into a comparable market analysis and presented by a real estate agent to their client. This is done by both the listing agent working with a seller to set an asking price and the buyer’s agent helping a home buyer determine the amount they should offer.

The sales comparison approach forms the basis for a real estate agent comparative market analysis (CMA), which estimates the value of a property. The sales comparison approach uses the principle of substitution to determine what a specific home is worth. According to this principle, you can figure out the value of a home by finding out how much it would cost to purchase a similar, equally desirable property.

When looking trying to track the price of a normal real estate transaction a Buyer or Seller can easily find what other homes in the area have sold for. This is also known as a sales comp or sales report. These reports can be found through real estate professionals in the area who have access to the records at the county courthouse where all the sales for real estate in that county are reported.

If you are not currently working with a real estate professional then you, as the individual Buyer or Seller, can go to the county courthouse yourself and obtain these sales records since they are public records that anyone can view at any time.

Can we pull sales comps in mobile homes?

We have a question that came to us from one of our viewers who contacted us through our Facebook Messenger to ask the following question, “Mark, could you discuss how I can pull a sales comp up on other homes in the area so that I am able to know how much other mobile homes are being sold for you?” The question went on to say that they own the early 1970s, double-wide in Sarasota, Florida, and would like to know what they should price their home at

Mobile homes located on leased land, however, are a totally different ball game when looking to obtain a sales comp for any given area.

Mobile Home for Sale in Florida

The reason for the difference is that mobile homes on leased land in the state of Florida are viewed as and taxed as personal property and not real property. What this means is that the mobile home purchase and sale follows the exact same sales process as that of a vehicle as the sale is recorded at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

When the DMV records the sale price of a home they do not record it at the county courthouse, or, for that matter, any other place other than letting the Department of Revenue know exactly how much a mobile home sold for and what taxes are owed on the home.

As such, personal property is going to be viewed the same way as a vehicle is, which includes a title and not a deed.

The reason why this is important to know is that there is no way to pull an accurate listing of what mobile homes on leased land actually sell for since they are not deemed as real estate. In a real estate transaction, all sales are recorded with the County that the sale is completed in, as well as those numbers being put on the MLS for reference. The MLS stands for multiple listing services, which is a place where a realtor can pull comps for all sales of real estate in the area.

Since there is no tried and true way of finding out what mobile homes that are deemed as personal property are selling for, the only way we have found is to speak to other Sellers in the area and ask what their homes actually sold for. Take this as a word of caution from me personally because asking a Seller what their home sold for can be about as accurate as asking me how much I weigh. I mean, sure, I will tell the truth!

I am being goofy here, but I am also being serious. You basically have to take the seller’s word for it, unless they will be willing to provide you with a purchase agreement that states exactly what was paid for the home.

Since there is no way to find sales comps for mobile homes on leased land, I would also suggest any Seller contact a licensed mobile home broker in your area, such as The Mobile Home Dealer, and ask them for their thoughts on how you should price your home.

This is where the sales comps end for mobile homes that have been sold in the greater Sarasota Florida area that are located on leased land.

There is, literally, nowhere these sales are recorded for the general public to gain access to.

So, with this understanding, when someone tells you that the “comps” in the area say this or that be wary as this may very well just be hearsay and not have any valid points to it at all!

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life!

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September 26, 2023