Category: Blog

3 Questions A Sarasota Mobile Home Buyer Should Ask About Their Lot Rent!
Lot rent is one of the most important things both beginners and tenured mobile homeowners are always keeping an eye on.

It’s a monthly fee, usually paid in advance, that allows you to keep your home on a specific lot. Lot rent typically covers items like water, sewer, and trash removal – so it’s important to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

For those just starting in the mobile home world, it’s important to keep an eye on land rent prices in different parks. You may be able to find a park with a lower land rent, which can save you money each month. Tenured mobile homeowners usually have a good idea of what the average lot rent is in their area, so they can better negotiate if they feel their current park is overcharging.

Overall, land rent is an important factor to consider when you’re looking at different mobile home parks. Make sure you understand what’s included in your monthly fee, and don’t be afraid to shop around for the best deal!

As more and more people each day want to buy a mobile home, especially in the greater Sarasota Florida area, understanding the lot rent bill could save you a lot of unexpected financial blunders.

When it comes to owning a mobile home, regardless of whether renting or buying, the majority of questions always revolve around the land rent. Before we dig deeper into the topic, let’s know the land rent basics first.

Sarasota Mobile Home

What Is Lot Rent On Mobile Home Parks?

Land rent is a lease payment paid by the mobile homeowner to the park owner where the mobile home is situated. The homeowner may get a loan for the mobile home, but not for the land where it is sitting. Lot rent is required from those who want to become a resident of the mobile home park. Without paying the rent, one will not be allowed to park or sit in their mobile home inside the park.

Why Does The Land/Park Owner Ask For Land Rent?

The lot rent is used to pay utilities, amenities, park maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and everything the park provides to the homeowners. Of course, the land owner needs to make money and live and in this world nothing is free. Mobile home parks need water, electricity, lawn mowing, garbage collection, etc. Without the lot rent, these services would not be possible. A mobile home community functions like other conventional neighborhoods too. When planning to live inside a mobile home park, the best question to ask the park manager is “What is included in the lot rent”?

The monthly lot rent bill is something that will never seem to go away for the owners in Sarasota Florida whose home is located within a leased land mobile home park.

To some unfamiliar with this monthly payment, it may seem like a lot of money is being paid for something you do not own.

For others, it is an extremely affordable way to have a maintenance-free lifestyle where nearly everything is taken care of for all the residents within a mobile home park.

When buying a mobile home in Sarasota Florida that is located on leased land we at The Mobile Home Dealer want to make sure all Buyers understand the top three questions that should be asked before moving into a mobile home park with leased land.

Question 1: What Does The Land Rent Include?

This is going to be, by far, the most critical question that all residents within a Sarasota Florida mobile home park will need to be asked. Most mobile home parks will include, what we at The Mobile Home Dealer, refer to as your Big 5. These are your water bill, sewer bill, trash bill, lawn care, and the usage and upkeep of all the park amenities. While most parks in the greater Sarasota, Florida area include these, it is important to note the rising trend in parks that now are asking the residents to pay for their water usage. Having exactly what is included and what is not is an important question to ask when considering any mobile home park to buy in.

Question 2: When Does The Lot Rent Increase?

It is reasonable to expect an annual lot rent increase of 2-5% annually. While most mobile home parks within the Sarasota Florida area increase their land rent at the start of each year it is important to know when exactly the park you are looking at purchasing expects to increase its lot rent. Some parks increase the land rent in the middle of the year, so knowing exactly when to expect a lot of rent increases will help all buyers budget their upcoming expenses.

Mobile home in Florida

Question 3: When Was The Last Land Rent Increase?

As mentioned in the point above, many mobile home parks increase their lot rent each year, however, not all mobile home parks follow this. Some parks will increase their lot rent on expected inflation for the following year and overshoot the amount which, in turn, allows them not to increase the lot rent for the following year. While this may sound like a good thing, it is important to be very cautious of mobile home parks that have not increased their lot rent for several years as this could lead to a larger-than-normal increase all at once in the coming years for the park to offset all of the previous years where they did not provide a lot of rent increase.

When looking at buying a mobile home within the greater Sarasota, Florida, that is on leased land, it is always important to know all of the details about the park’s lot rent before deciding to buy a mobile home. Being well educated on exactly what the lot rent includes, when to expect an increase, and when the last time an increase was done will help you as the new Buyer to have a better idea of what exactly to expect when it comes to the lot rent in your Sarasota Florida mobile home park.

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

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April 12, 2024
Why Increasing Your Sarasota Mobile Home Price Brings Down Available Buyers!
Why Increasing Your Sarasota Mobile Home Price Brings Down Available Buyers? It is time to sell your mobile home in the greater Sarasota, Florida, area.

While this may be met with some sadness, it can also be met with some excitement for the next chapter of your life and what it will bring you!

We should price the home very high and then come down because we can always lower the price, but not up, right?

This is a common idea. Sellers come to me all the time and tell me that this is their plan: to price their home high in hopes that they will hit a home run with this price, but they are willing to come down later.

Every time I hear this idea, I oppose it because I do not think this is a good plan for selling a mobile home quickly.

The reason why is that most mobile home Buyers are looking for an affordable home.

As we can all agree, the term affordable can mean different amounts of money to different people. What may be affordable to one person may not be affordable to the other.

One thing is for sure, though, the lower you price your home, the more people will find that price affordable.

Sarasota Mobile Home

Florida mobile home

With that thought in mind, I always suggest starting the pricing of your mobile home as competitively as possible to attract the most attention to your property as quickly as possible.

Before putting a price tag on your mobile home or, better yet, working with a licensed mobile home broker such as The Mobile Home Dealer for guidance in pricing your home, one needs to understand the pros and cons of the price you put on your mobile home.

How are there pros and cons of pricing a mobile home, isn’t the higher the price the better?

While this may be true, in some instances, we here at The Mobile Home Dealer continue to see that this thought can backfire quite a bit on the Seller.

Let us explain.

Mobile homes that are located on leased land in the state of Florida are viewed as and taxed as personal property, not real property.

What this means is that a mobile home that is located within a land-leased mobile home park is sold the exact same way a vehicle is in the state of Florida.

While some lending agencies will lend on these types of homes, most traditional lending agencies will not, and as such, buyers have only a few options for seeking financing.

With the higher and higher prices of single-family real estate and the continued low interest rates offered for traditional mortgages, the need for affordable housing is at an all-time high throughout the Sarasota Florida area.

Single-family homes, also more commonly known as real estate, have the ability to have any traditional lending agency provide financing should it need to be used to fund a property.

Since traditional homes have more lending options and less cash required, comparing financing between the two is hardly a fair comparison.

Most mobile homes on leased land are purchased with cash, not financing.

With the rise in mobile home prices one needs to ask if the Seller is looking to increase the price of their mobile home exponentially further pushing out the availability of cash Buyers while at the same time, financing is limited, is this really a good idea?

Here is an example:

The buyer has $40,000 for their new mobile home in Sarasota, Florida.

The mobile home is worth $40,000 but the Seller is caught up in the real estate craze and charges $80,000 for their mobile home.

The buyer can’t obtain financing because the home is too old for lender requirements and he doesn’t have an additional $40,000 in cash to purchase it.

Buyer purchase inflated-priced single-family homes, use $40,000 as a down payment for a home, gets traditional financing at record-low interest rates and their entire mortgage is less than the lot rent of the mobile home park.

Mobile home park

The seller is stuck paying lot rent with a home that may not be able to finance.

Although this may sound like a far-fetched idea, we here at The Mobile Home Dealer have seen this happen time and time again throughout the first quarter of the year and don’t see it changing anytime soon.

When looking to sell your Sarasota, Florida mobile home, we always suggest pricing your home aggressively in order to bring you the best cash offers as quickly as possible. Getting caught up in the inflated pricing of a mobile home could lead to the Seller holding on to it for several months with the added stress of continuing to pay for a mobile home they do not want.

Increasing the price of your mobile home will usually result in your home sitting on the market longer while the Seller continues to pay lot rent, utilities, taxes, and all other carrying costs associated with owning that property. These continued monthly payments will eat into your profit even if you sell the home for a higher price.

Lastly, when you’ve decided to sell your mobile home, there are a few key things you need to do in order to get the best price possible. First, it’s important to clean and declutter your home. This will make it more appealing to potential buyers and help them visualize themselves living there. Next, you must take care of any necessary repairs or updates. This will help ensure that your home is in good condition and won’t require any immediate work from the new owner. Finally, you’ll need to stage your home for showings. This means creating a warm and inviting space in which potential buyers can picture themselves living. By following these tips, you can sell your mobile home quickly and for top dollar.

We at The Mobile Home Dealer feel it is always best to price your home aggressively from the start and be willing to negotiate with the Buyer when they want to make an offer.

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

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April 12, 2024
Here Are 3 Things A Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Buyer Is Looking For!
As with anything one is trying to sell, it is always essential to ensure you, as the Seller, are providing exactly what your potential Buyer is looking for. The lack of complete information from the seller sometimes creates problems that may not be easy to resolve during the selling process. It is always essential for the seller to provide all necessary information to avoid any unexpected hurdles.

This theory holds whether you want to sell a car, a pair of sneakers, or your mobile home.

If you are not providing what Buyers in the market are looking for, then it would be reasonable to think that you may be holding on to your mobile home for much longer than you initially expected.

With this general principle understood, the basic question of what exactly a Sarasota, Florida mobile home Buyer is looking for needs to be answered.

Mobile Home in Nokomis Florida

We, here at The Mobile Home Dealer, have broken down the three main features a mobile home Buyer is looking for when considering purchasing their next home in the greater Sarasota, Florida, area below to help educate all of the would-be Sellers on exactly how to position their mobile home for a fast sale.
1. The Home Needs To Be Safe
This can often be taken in several different directions depending on who the Buyer and the Seller are.

For this example, we will stress that the home needs to be safe for the new Buyer to purchase and begin working on it or living in it right after closing.

If the Buyer is looking to move into the home and start living within the property right after purchasing the mobile home, then the Seller should make sure that the roof is in good condition, free of leaks, the floors are solid, the electric works and the plumbing is functional.

The main thing here is to make sure that there are no exposed wires that could harm the new Buyer or issues with the floor that, if stepped on, could cause the Buyer to fall and injure themselves.

Having a house with a broken window and leaving it with the buyer to repair can turn many buyers away, especially if the buyer is looking to move into the house immediately.

Pro Tip:

If you were to send a family member into your home without telling them anything, would they injure themselves while trying to move around the home like normal? If the answer is yes, look to repair whatever the problem is ASAP!

2. The Home Needs To Be Clean

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is a standard one-liner we are all familiar with; sadly, so is dirtiness!

Make sure you have your belongings cleared up and the home is in presentable condition when you are looking to sell it. By this, we do not mean you have to have it totally showroom ready, but if there are unpleasant odors, noticeable stains, or an overly messy home, make sure you do your best to get this cleaned up as soon as you can before the home is put up for sale.

Cleaning should not be limited internally. You don’t want the buyer to see overgrown greens touching the house either.

Pro Tip:

If you are a smoker or have pets, your home has odors. Make sure you air the home out constantly and move your smoking and pets outside as much as possible.

3. The Home Needs To Be Affordable

With rising real estate prices, it is easy to think that if you are selling a mobile home on leased land in the Sarasota, Florida, area, you could easily charge an overly inflated price in order to sell your home.

Make sure you are selling your mobile home at a fair market value. If you are asking for a higher price, make sure that the buyer has the option to negotiate.

Sarasota mobile home

While we at The Mobile Home Dealer want all Sellers to get the most for their homes at the time of sale, we also fully understand that if a home is priced too high, regardless of its location, time of year, or upgrades, it will sit.

Pro Tip:

Like everything else in the economy, the mobile home market is driven by supply and demand. However, there is a ceiling to the price of a mobile home that Buyers will simply not pay. If you are confused about this amount, you may want to seek out a professional in the space who can help you accurately price your home at a reasonable asking price.

When looking to sell your Sarasota, Florida, mobile home, always look to bring the Buyer what they want, as they are your customer during the transaction of selling your home.

Avoiding these top three attributes of what a mobile home Buyer is looking for when purchasing their new home could very well lead to an elongated sales process where you cannot sell your property!

We highly recommend seeking professional assistance to avoid future headaches from issues such as the cost of selling, agent commissions, documents, and other extras.

We have other videos and articles discussing “how not to sell your house,” and I recommend watching and reading them. Knowing this stuff could not only prepare you for selling your mobile home but can also lead to fast and flawless transactions.

This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer, who helps mobile home buyers and sellers get to a better place in life.

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April 12, 2024
Why Consider Buying A Mobile Home In Florida?
Why Consider Buying A Mobile Home In Florida? Are you or someone you know interested in moving to Florida?

I imagine the answer to that question is yes, which is why you stumbled on this video in the first place!

The manufacture and sale of prefabricated mobile homes have accelerated in the last five years, following a trend that began several decades ago. The reason is that mobile homes are much cheaper than conventional homes or an apartments, even costing 70% less per square foot.

In addition, when new, they have the advantage of being transported to the park their owners want to move to.

The growth of prefabricated mobile home sales demonstrates that the market is changing and accelerating. The public seeks more economical, environmentally respectful, and reliable alternatives, and mobile homes are perfect for this.

Florida occupies the ninth position among the best US states to make summer trips along roads, despite the high gasoline prices, according to a report from the WalletHub personal finance portal. The so-called “Sunshine State” obtained a good score in 32 key metrics that Wallethub used to find the road destinations “more fun, panoramic and economic”, in addition to those who will make travelers make a fast-turning.

The metrics cover the number of attractions, the conditions of the roads, the costs, the average price of gasoline, miles traveled, to nightlife options. Florida led in several attractions, was located in sixth place in terms of the lowest price of a three-star hotel room, and in seventh in nightlife options per capita.

The United States offers thousands of possibilities for making a fun road trip. Undoubtedly, everyone’s most famous is that of the West Coast, but Florida is more and more a complete destination for a most entertaining road trip. If you ask yourself what to see in Florida beyond the famous thematic parks, keep reading because this might be why you should buy a mobile home in Florida.

As a transplant to Florida myself, I can personally tell you that living down here for the past few years is something I wish I had done years before I finally made the decision to call The Sunshine State my home.

One of the reasons I decided to move down to Florida years ago was the weather and the fun outdoor activities that the weather allows one to do year-round while they call this beautiful part of the country their home. The recent real estate buzz that the entire country is seeing is amplified that much more down here in Florida, where we tend to see more dramatic rises and falls in real estate prices than other common areas within the country.

So, with interest rates still remaining low and real estate prices going higher and higher seemingly every day, where does that leave the person looking at purchasing a property in Florida for a reasonable price?

Enter the world of mobile homes!

Mobile homes are a fantastic, affordable option for those who are looking to call Florida home either permanently or for just a few months per year.

Pleasant Lake

We at The Mobile Home Dealer specialize in selling mobile homes on leased land throughout the Gulf Coast of Florida. When we refer to leased land, we are referring to a transaction where the Buyer buys the mobile home and leases the land it resides on. This monthly lease payment for the land is called lot rent and is paid each month to the mobile home park where the home is located.

I personally view this differently, as I look at it as a condo association does, as you are essentially getting the same thing you get when living in a condominium complex.

These fees commonly cover the usage of the land and all of the resort-style amenities, for which there are several: your lawn care, your water bill, your sewer bill, your trash bill, and even sometimes your cable television bill!

You really do get a lot of bang for your buck within a mobile home park just like living in a condo complex!

When buying a mobile home on leased land, it is important to know that the dramatic rise and fall of real estate prices do not really affect this housing segment.

Traditionally, the price you pay for the home is usually the price it will sell for a couple of years later.

The good thing is that you do not see huge swings in price, so if you’re looking to buy now during a real estate craze you are not paying on an upswing, the bad thing is you are not buying an asset that appreciates all that much either.

If you are looking for an affordable, carefree living experience in Florida and are frustrated with the current rise in real estate prices, I, for one, would invite you to consider a mobile home as your next housing purchase.

The Mobile Home Dealer is a licensed mobile home broker in Sarasota, Florida, and the surrounding areas. We provide professional buy and 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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April 12, 2024
Mobile Home Selling Tips: What Buyers Are Looking For in a Mobile Home
Welcome to our blog post on mobile home selling tips! Whether you’re a first-time seller or a seasoned pro, we’ve got some valuable information that will help you attract potential buyers and sell your mobile home quickly.

Selling a mobile home can be different from selling a traditional house, so it’s important to understand what buyers are looking for in this unique market. From the location and neighborhood to the physical condition of your mobile home, we’ll cover all the key factors that can make or break a sale. So let’s dive in and discover what it takes to successfully sell your mobile home!

1. Location and Neighborhood

Location and neighborhood play a crucial role when it comes to selling any type of property, and mobile homes are no exception. Buyers are looking for a convenient location that suits their lifestyle and offers easy access to amenities and services.

One important aspect to consider is the proximity of your mobile home to schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and recreational facilities. Families with children will likely be interested in being close to good schools, while retirees may prefer a quieter neighborhood with plenty of green space.

Another factor that can attract potential buyers is the overall safety of the area. Make sure to highlight any security features such as gated entrances or surveillance systems if your mobile home park has them.

The surrounding community can also greatly impact a buyer’s decision. Are there local events or attractions nearby? Is there a sense of community within the park itself? Highlighting these aspects can make your mobile home more appealing to buyers who value social connections.

Keep in mind that each buyer will have their own preferences when it comes to location and neighborhood. Some may prioritize being near public transportation, while others may prefer being nestled in nature away from bustling city life.

By understanding what buyers are looking for in terms of location and neighborhood, you can effectively market your mobile home and increase its desirability among potential buyers.

2. Overall Mobile Home Physical Condition

The overall physical condition of the mobile home plays a crucial role in attracting potential buyers. Buyers are looking for a well-maintained and structurally sound mobile home that they can move into without any major repairs or renovations.

First impressions matter, so make sure the exterior of your mobile home is clean and inviting. This includes cleaning the siding, windows, and roof. Consider giving it a fresh coat of paint if needed.

Inside, decluttering is key. Remove personal items and excess furniture to create an open and spacious feel. Repair any visible damage such as cracked walls or flooring. Make sure all appliances are in good working order.

Buyers will also pay close attention to the plumbing and electrical systems. Ensure there are no leaks or faulty wiring by hiring a professional inspector if necessary.

Don’t forget about the HVAC system! Clean or replace filters, and service units regularly, and provide documentation of maintenance records if available.

Address any cosmetic issues such as outdated fixtures or finishes. A few simple updates can go a long way in improving the overall appeal of your mobile home.

Remember that presenting your mobile home in its best possible condition will greatly increase its market value and attract serious buyers who are willing to pay top dollar for a well-maintained property.

3. Park Amenities

Park Amenities play a crucial role in attracting potential buyers to your mobile home. Buyers often look for communities that offer a wide range of amenities, as it enhances their overall living experience. Here are some key amenities that can make your mobile home stand out:

1. Recreational Facilities: A well-equipped clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center, and playgrounds are highly sought after by buyers. These facilities provide opportunities for relaxation and socializing.

2. Security Measures: Gated entrances with security personnel or surveillance systems give buyers peace of mind regarding their safety and the security of their belongings.

3. Pet-Friendly Environment: Many people consider their pets as part of the family. Having a pet-friendly park with walking trails or designated areas for pets is a big plus for potential buyers.

4. Community Events and Activities: Regularly organized events such as holiday parties, game nights, or sports activities foster a sense of community among residents.

5. Maintenance Services: Efficient maintenance services provided by the park management ensure that common areas remain clean and well-maintained at all times.

Remember to highlight these amenities when listing your mobile home for sale to attract more interested buyers who value these features in their ideal living environment!

4. Lot Rent and Other Fees

One important consideration when selling a mobile home is the lot rent and other fees associated with the park. Potential buyers will want to know exactly what they can expect to pay on a monthly basis, so it’s essential to be transparent about these costs right from the start.

The lot rent typically covers the use of the land where your mobile home is situated. It can vary greatly depending on factors such as location, amenities provided by the park, and demand in the area. Make sure you have accurate information about this cost so you can provide potential buyers with an upfront estimate.

In addition to lot rent, there may be other fees involved, such as utilities or maintenance charges. These additional expenses can significantly impact a buyer’s decision-making process. Be prepared to disclose these fees and explain how they are calculated.

When discussing lot rent and other fees, it’s crucial to highlight any value-added services or amenities that come along with them. If your park offers perks like access to recreational facilities or organized community events, emphasize these benefits as they could make your mobile home more appealing to potential buyers.

Remember that affordability plays a big role in attracting buyers. If possible, try negotiating with your park management for lower fees or explore alternative parks in the area that might offer better financial terms for prospective purchasers.

By being upfront about lot rent and other associated costs while showcasing any added benefits of living in your particular park community, you’ll increase your chances of finding interested buyers who see both value and opportunity in owning your mobile home!

5. Price

Price is a crucial factor when it comes to selling a mobile home. Buyers are always looking for a fair and reasonable price that aligns with the value of the property. Setting the right price can attract potential buyers and help sell your mobile home quickly.

When determining the price, it’s important to consider factors such as the age, size, condition, and location of your mobile home. Researching similar properties in your area can also provide you with an idea of what other sellers are asking for.

It’s worth noting that setting too high of a price may deter interested buyers, while setting too low of a price may raise suspicions about the condition or quality of your mobile home. Finding the sweet spot is key.

If you’re unsure about how to price your mobile home accurately, consider consulting with real estate agents who specialize in mobile homes or conducting professional appraisals. Their expertise can give you valuable insights into market trends and ensure you set an attractive and competitive price.

Remember that negotiating on pricing is common in real estate transactions. Being open to negotiation can help facilitate communication between you and potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

Finding the right balance between attracting buyers with an appealing price point without undervaluing your property will greatly contribute to successfully selling your mobile home.

Mobile Home Virtual Open House Tour

How to Prepare Your Mobile Home Before Listing It For Sale

Preparing your mobile home before listing it for sale is essential to attract potential buyers and maximize your home’s value. Here are the steps to help you get your mobile home in top shape for the market:
1. Clean and Declutter: Start by thoroughly cleaning your mobile home. This includes dusting, vacuuming, washing windows, and cleaning all surfaces. Remove any clutter and personal items to create a clean, spacious look.
2. Repairs and Maintenance:
  - Fix any visible damage, such as holes in the walls, leaky faucets, or broken fixtures.
  - Ensure all appliances are in working order.
  - Check for any electrical or plumbing issues and address them.
  - Replace or repair any damaged flooring, carpet, or tiles.
3. Fresh Paint: A fresh coat of paint can work wonders. Stick to neutral colors to appeal to a broad range of buyers. Paint both the interior and the exterior if necessary.
4. Curb Appeal:
  - Improve the exterior by cleaning, power washing, and repainting if needed.
  - Enhance your landscaping with plants or flowers, and maintain your lawn.
  - Fix any visible issues with the mobile home’s exterior, like damaged siding or skirting.
5. Home Inspection: Consider hiring a professional home inspector to identify and address any hidden issues that might deter potential buyers.
6. Replace or Update Fixtures and Hardware: Outdated fixtures and hardware can make your mobile home look less appealing. Replacing them with modern alternatives can make a big difference.
7. Upgrade the Kitchen and Bathroom: These are the most critical areas for many buyers. Consider updating appliances, countertops, sinks, faucets, and cabinet hardware. A minor remodel can make a significant difference.
8. Flooring: If your flooring is outdated or damaged, consider replacing it with laminate, vinyl, or hardwood flooring. These options are often more appealing to buyers.
9. Lighting: Improve the lighting in your mobile home. Upgrade old fixtures, add additional lighting where necessary, and ensure that each room is well-lit.
10. Staging: Consider staging your mobile home to help buyers envision themselves living there. Remove personal items and add some furniture and decor to make the space look inviting.
11. Set the Right Price: Research the market and set a competitive price for your mobile home. An overpriced home can deter potential buyers while underpricing can result in a loss of value.
12. Professional Photography: Hire a professional photographer to take high-quality photos of your mobile home. These photos will be crucial for your online listing.
13. Online Listing: Create an appealing online listing on real estate websites. Include high-quality photos, a detailed description, and all the necessary information about your mobile home.
14. Open Houses and Showings: Be prepared for showings and open houses. Keep your home clean and ready for potential buyers at all times.
15. Market Your Home: Consider using social media, local newspapers, and real estate agents to market your mobile home. The more exposure it gets, the better the chances of finding the right buyer.
16. Disclose Information: Be honest and upfront about any known issues with your mobile home. Full disclosure builds trust with potential buyers.
17. Negotiate and Close: When you receive offers, work with your real estate agent to negotiate the best deal for you. Once you have an agreement, follow the process to close the sale.
Selling a mobile home, like any property, requires time and effort. By following these steps, you can improve your chances of selling your mobile home quickly and at a good price.

See Also:
April 12, 2024
Why Buying A Sarasota Mobile Home During Covid-19 Is A Great Idea!
With all the talk about the new Covid-19 Delta, variant one needs to ask themselves if buying a mobile home within the Sarasota Florida area is a good idea at this time.

Spoiler Alert:

The direct answer to this question is YES!

Buying a mobile home during the Covid-19 pandemic can be a better idea than you think. Above all, you can consider the factors that you can take advantage of in the negotiation, to make your investment profitable.

Mobile homes are not only a safe alternative to expand and protect your investment. They also represent an excellent opportunity if you need to obtain future liquidity.

Whatever interest, before buying you need to identify the keys to satisfactory negotiation. Discover the aspects you should consider if you plan to invest during the current situation.

Covid-19 surprised the world and imposed a new dynamic in everyone’s life. And so far, it is difficult to predict when the pandemic will end or what scope it will have while evolving.

This new reality, without a doubt, forces us to reassess the most important decisions, including the purchase of mobile homes. This is with the purpose of identifying opportunities that allow the protection of our investments as much as possible.

Investing in the purchase of a mobile home in the middle of a worldwide pandemic can certainly generate uncertainty. Many people fear placing their money in an investment when they do not know if it will be capitalized or lost value.

But there is an element that can provide tranquility to buyers at this time. And, acquiring a property in the middle of COVID-19 is financially more accessible than before the pandemic. How is this possible?

Mobile homes on leased land in Florida are great investments regardless of what time of year it is, what is going on in the world of what the real estate market is doing.

Why?

The reason for this is that mobile homes on leased land in Florida are viewed as and taxed as personal property and not real estate. What this means is that these mobile homes come with them a title and not a deed when they are purchased. This is the exact same way a car is being purchased or sold in the state of Florida.

Mobile homes on leased land provide a much lower cost of ownership with a pre-set rental amount needing to be paid by the owner of the home to the park each month for lot rent. These lot rent payments that are paid usually cover the home’s water, sewer, trash, lawn care, and usage of the park amenities. Having all of these expenses already laid out at the front of the year allows the homeowner a more set way of budgeting their monthly bills without the constant up and down costs seen when paying these amounts on their own.

When owning a mobile home on leased land it is not required for the homeowner to pay property taxes as they are simply paying a fee each month to use the land that their home is located on and not physically owning it themselves. This allows the owner of the home an additional large money-saving opportunity each month.

Mobile homes also benefit from the fact that they are so cheap to fix and maintain. As such most mobile homeowners who own their home on leased land do not carry a full coverage insurance policy as it is much cheaper to have the home covered with a liability policy and then pay cash for any repairs that are needed.

Colonial Manor

Additionally, the dramatic rise in real estate prices throughout the entire country it is making purchasing a single-family home, condo or townhome harder and harder for the regular person. One can look at the huge rise in prices is a direct result of the lack of inventory of homes currently for sale in the market. With record-high building material costs being at an all-time high as well it is making a new home build even more expensive than ever before.

Buying a mobile home on leased land throughout the Sarasota Florida area is a great way to purchase your own property while not being exposed to the high real estate prices or building material costs that all other home types are facing at this time.

If you have never considered this option of living, feel free to give us a call here at The Mobile Home Dealer any time and we will be more than happy to walk you through all of the additional benefits this way of living provides.

Buying a mobile home is a safe alternative to protect your investable funds. The surplus value offered by the property makes the money remain protected in times of crisis.

COVID-19 undoubtedly has led to changes and uncertainty in all areas. However, the real estate and mobile home housing sector has preserved stability amid the volatility of markets.

Buying a property at this time is a successful decision. It is a tangible investment that you can use to generate liquidity in the future without the fear of depreciation.

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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April 12, 2024
Why A Cheaper HOA Equals Paying More Money-Episode 3
In our final installment of, “Why A Cheaper HOA Payment Actually Costs You More Money”, we here at The Mobile Home Dealer wanted to dive into the idea of what your actual mobile home can be worth when you go to sell it when you own the home and the land it is attached to.

As we have discussed in our previous blogs within this series when you own a mobile home within a park where you own the land as well as the home, you are no longer owning personal property as the ownership of land, along with the home, now equates to you owning a piece of real estate.

As we have discussed a few weeks ago, when you own this type of mobile home, not only do you own the home and the land, but you are also responsible for paying property taxes, additional insurance, and the highest cost of all, the community share purchase.

In this series, we have discussed other hidden fees that go along with a lower HOA payment, such as the requirement for you to find and pay for your own lawn service, water usage, and a handful of other fees associated with your monthly ownership of that property.

Once all of these monthly fees are added together, the actual cost savings between a land-owned mobile home and a land-leased mobile home is far less than what many folks initially thought of.

This, of course, does not take into account the average $80,000 price tag associated with purchasing a mobile home land share just in order to live within that mobile home park.

Today, we will review what the mobile home is worth and how difficult it is to get any of your money back for upgrades made to the home when the time comes to sell the property and move on to the next chapter of your life.

Well over a dozen times, we at The Mobile Home Dealer have had mobile home Sellers, who are looking to sell their land-owned mobile homes, call us to see if we can help them sell their homes quickly. Since we are licensed mobile home Brokers in Florida, specializing in land-leased mobile home sales, we are not going to able to help these folks at this time, but are happy to get them to someone who can.

What we have been told by many of these Sellers is that when they have tried to sell their home themselves, the only price that they are able to get for the actual home is the share of the land!

The reason for this is that many folks who are looking to buy these properties are looking, just like the Seller was, to obtain a home with low monthly carrying costs. These Buyers are also looking to get into the community as cheaply as possible and know that they must budget for the land share before moving forward. So, the 80 grand land share is usually the bulk of the amount of money the Buyer has available to spend on their new home.

What we have learned in fielding these phone calls from aggravated land-owned mobile home sellers is that the work they put into the physical home is not coming back to them at the time of sale whatsoever!

These Sellers have told us that they are literally getting around $500 on top of the share price to purchase their mobile home!

What this means, to you, is that the home, regardless of what upgrades or updates have been done, is being offered for purchase for a few hundred bucks.

$500 for all that work you put into your home, does that make sense?!

The reason is that there is no tangible value that can be passed on to the next owner.

If, on the other hand, you are looking to upgrade the AC unit, update the subflooring of the entire home, add a new roof, add brand new appliances, upgrade the plumbing, or update the electrical then, yes, these items will certainly see a real-time return on your investment.

The reason why these items will help bring a higher sales price as opposed to the list above is that this list adds structural upgrades to the property that, many times, will have warranties that can be passed on along with years of trouble-free living with some of these major structural upgrades.

To further the example, let’s go ahead and say you spend a few thousand dollars painting the home, it looks great and it was professionally done but the new Buyer does not like the color and wants to change it. Here, the money that was spent to update the property is not a transferable item of value for the new owner and they will not be willing to pay for your personal color taste, regardless of how well it is done.

We hope this series has helped you, the Buyer, know a little bit more about buying and selling a mobile home where you own the land and that this information has helped better inform you of how you would like to move forward with your new mobile home purchase.

The Mobile Home Dealer 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, 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. We help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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April 12, 2024
How To NOT Get Your Sarasota Mobile Home Sold-Episode 2
How To NOT Get Your Sarasota Mobile Home Sold-Episode 2

In our second installment of, How To NOT Get Your Mobile Home Sold, we are going to go over the importance of making it as easy as possible to have a Buyer actually buy your home.

In last week’s episode, we discussed the importance of following through with what you say you will do when looking to sell your mobile home.

Mainly, if the Seller says they will fix something, and communicates that directly with the Buyer, then the Seller should honor their word and follow through with what they said they will repair. If this is not done, then a large trust gap begins to be created on how well the Buyer believes in the Seller when moving forward with their transaction.

Today, we want to drive home the basic idea that Buyers do not need to buy but Sellers, they usually do need to sell their mobile homes.

Now, this makes sense, right? I mean, if the Seller did not need to sell their home to some degree, then why in the heck would they be going forward with putting the work in to get their home ready for sale in the very first place?

What we have seen as recently as just last week is a Seller who made it incredibly difficult for the Buyer to buy their home!

Allow me to give you a very basic history of this story as I feel this will best illustrate the issues that we encountered during the sales process and how you can avoid them.

The Seller contacted us stating they needed to sell their home quickly due to moving out of state to take care of a sick family member. We showed them what homes were selling for in their area and how we felt we could best position their home for a fast sale using our marketing methods. The Seller agreed to go with our pricing suggestion and decided to move forward. About three weeks later, we wound up finding a park-approved Buyer who negotiated the price of the home with the Seller and went forward with their decision by putting a down payment on the home.

This all seems like it is going in the right direction, doesn’t it?

Wait!! Here is where things get goofy very, very fast!!

At this point, the Seller who is selling the home fully furnished and stressed to us in turn, we showed the Buyer that they had a clear title on hand and needed to sell their home ASAP, which wound up making it difficult for the Buyer to continue moving forward buying their mobile home. The Seller decided they wanted to hand pick their favorite furniture pieces from the home after the home was sold, including the washer and dryer and all the televisions in the property.

Bay Indies-Venice Florida

After I stressed to the Seller that this was not what was agreed upon, they told me that they did not care and that the Buyer was “already getting a great deal”.

I communicated this with the Buyer and they reluctantly agreed to continue moving forward with the buying process. We then sent out the purchase agreement for the Seller to sign only for them to decide they wanted to change around the entire agreement, which, in turn, stalled the contract process for over a week.

During this time, the Seller told me that they could not find their title and would not pay for a duplicate title.

Our team stressed to the Seller at that point that we can’t sell a home without a title for which they said they “would start the process next month”!

I communicated this to the Buyer and they said that would not work for them.

They needed to take possession of the home ASAP as they thought that was the process here and that was what everybody wanted to do.

I spoke to the Seller about this concern and they further stressed the Buyer was still “getting a great deal”.

Can you guess what happened here?

Yep, you figured it right!

The Buyer walked and the Seller, still has their home for sale, believing “everybody’s getting a great deal!”

If you do not want to sell your mobile home, then make it as difficult as possible for the Buyer to buy.

However, if you do this, please contact another sales team as we at The Mobile Home Dealer do sell homes fast

If you are looking to sell your Sarasota mobile home quickly, there are certain steps that you should avoid to not get your home sold. Firstly, it’s important to price the home realistically. If the price is too high, potential buyers may be discouraged from making an offer. Additionally, you should take the time to make sure the home is in good condition. Buyers may be less likely to make an offer on a property that requires a lot of repair work. Additionally, if you have any personal belongings that are not essential, it’s best to have them removed. Clutter can make your home seem smaller and unappealing. Finally, it’s important to work with a reputable realtor who knows the local market. A well-informed agent can help you set the right price and provide effective marketing tactics to reach potential buyers.!

There are many ways how not to sell your mobile home but the above story is one of the most egregious things that happened and resulted in everyone’s frustrations. Looking to buy a mobile home is stressful already and having this kind of problem after everything is agreed upon only adds fuel to the fire especially when the buyer is interested.

This is a series of To NOT Get Your Sarasota Mobile Home Sold and if you want to watch other series, visit the Mobile Home Dealer YouTube Channel.

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 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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April 12, 2024
Buying More Than One Sarasota Mobile Home In The Same Park? Read This First!
Buying a mobile home in the same park offers unique advantages and considerations. Firstly, it provides familiarity with the community, amenities, and neighbors. Secondly, it often streamlines the purchasing process, as the park management may facilitate the sale and transfer of ownership. Additionally, purchasing within the same park can offer continuity regarding maintenance standards and park regulations. However, buyers should still conduct thorough inspections and research to ensure the mobile home meets their needs and is in good condition. Overall, buying within the same park can offer convenience and a sense of belonging while still requiring careful attention to detail.

Florida’s warm climate, beautiful white beaches, and the lack of state income taxes made the state a preferred choice for movers and mobile home dwellers.

Florida is second only to Texas in terms of the total number of mobile homes. Still, its relatively high standard and lower cost of living are attracting more movers from across the US.

Because mobile homes are becoming increasingly popular in Florida places like Sarasota, many people buy multiple homes in the same park. If you are planning to do the same, this article will tell you exactly what you should know before owning multiple mobile homes in the same mobile home park in Sarasota.

Many times, we at The Mobile Home Dealer have several people come to us monthly looking to purchase more than one mobile home within the same mobile home park throughout the Sarasota area.

This could be because the Buyers are investors looking to fix up and rent or flip these additional mobile homes.

This is not always the case, as many times, other Buyers are looking to purchase a second mobile home within the same community for various reasons.

Just last week, we sold a mobile home to an out-of-state Buyer whose husband was looking for a “project home” to work on after moving into their current home. This Buyer was a carpenter by trade and, after retiring recently, was not ready to quit working. He felt working on a project down the street from his home would help keep his physical and mental skills sharp.

They planned to live in one home and take their time fixing up the other one. Once this project home was finished, they said they would want us to sell it for them, use the proceeds to purchase another mobile home in the same community, and repeat the process.

Sounds easy enough, right?

Unfortunately, not so fast.

Each mobile home park in the greater Sarasota area has a park prospectus, which essentially consists of the park’s rules and regulations.

This document will state when the trash is picked up, if a home can be moved from the park, what the rules are for animals, and how many homes one can own within the same park.

Any would-be resident or sales agent needs to inquire about this document and make sure it is fully read and understood before looking to work or live within the park, as often, the questions or concerns you will eventually encounter will be answered in this document.

Most parks throughout the Sarasota area have a limit on how many homes a resident can own at one time.

The park owner sets this limit because he does not want to give too much authority to any single resident.

To explain this, allow us to review a basic example below:

For this example, let’s assume there are 100 total homes in the park, and within this park, there are no vacant lots, so every home that can be in the park is physically there. One resident moves in and, over time, buys 20 homes in the park, including their own. This means that one person owns 20% of the entire park. Let’s further assume that lot rent increases yearly, and the year the 20 home-owning residents own these homes, it increases by $20. When the rent increase comes out, the resident who owns the 20 homes tells the park they will not pay the increase and will remove their 20 homes if the rent does not stay the same.

If this were to happen and the resident was to move all of their homes, then the park would lose 20% of all of their lot rent payments each month, which would cripple the profitability of the park with the owner.

This simple example shows that a park will cap the number of homes a single resident can own because the park owner does not want any resident to have too much controlling power over the future outcome of the park’s lot rent.

When looking to buy a second, third, or even fourth mobile home within the park where you reside, make sure you understand the rules and regulations prior to doing so so that there will be no issue with your plans to purchase mobile homes.

Owning multiple mobile homes in the same park can be profitable if you plan to flip them. Still, without knowing the responsibilities of being a mobile home owner, the laws and regulations of the park, and the things you can and can’t do, can result in a bigger loss.

Managing multiple mobile homes needs bigger maintenance money, so be prepared to have a deeper pocket.

Buying multiple mobile homes also requires a fair amount of time and money and a longer reselling time.

If you plan to buy, repair, and resell a mobile home, the best advice we can give is to do it one or two at a time, depending on the park’s regulation on how many mobile homes an owner can have.

If you’re looking for a warm climate and beautiful white beaches, you may want to consider buying a mobile home in Sarasota, Florida. The state’s lack of income taxes makes it a preferred choice for movers and mobile home dwellers. Sarasota also has several golf courses, parks, and other recreational activities.

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April 12, 2024
Your Offer Was Accepted But You Can’t Buy Your Sarasota Mobile Home?!
Recently, we here at The Mobile Home Dealer, had a client who made a written offer on one of the mobile homes that we had under listing contract but, after it was accepted by the Seller, they were not able to purchase the mobile home located in Sarasota County Florida.

How is this fair?

The Buyer of the mobile home believed that all they would need to do to purchase the Sarasota mobile home for sale was make a written offer, have that offer accepted, and move forward with the purchase.

Although in most other transactions this would make sense, when we are dealing with a mobile home that is located on leased land within a mobile home park there is one more critical step that needs to be completed prior to the closing of the home.

The step that the Buyer overlooked is the importance of being approved by the mobile home park to live in the community.

We here, at The Mobile Home Dealer, are licensed bonded, and insured mobile home brokers with the state of Florida. As a result of our license being with the state, we are required to only sell mobile homes to those who have been approved by the mobile home park to live in the community. If someone wants to purchase one of the mobile homes we have listed but is not park-approved then we will not be able to sell them the home until they are approved due to this requirement.

Royal Palms-Sarasota Florida

Most mobile home parks will take an applicant’s application and be able to approve it or not within a few business days. Every park has its own criteria but, generally speaking, the parks will always check the applicant’s criminal background, debt-to-income ratio, credit report and to see if they have any evictions on file.

While I have asked several times, no park manager or owner can tell me what they weigh heavier than the other when it comes to how they approve an applicant for their park.

The mystery as to how or why parks will approve or deny an applicant is still very much present. However, one thing is for sure, regardless of how the park completes its approval process each and every Buyer does need to go through the process and become approved before they are able to purchase within the mobile home park.

If you are planning to buy a mobile home in the Sarasota Florida area, it is important to understand everything about mobile home parks.

Does it even matter that this is done before buying a mobile home on leased land in Florida?

Many times those who are not familiar with the buying process of a mobile home on leased land do not realize that getting approved by the park is a part of the mobile home purchase process.

This then begs the question to be asked, what really is park approval?

When buying a mobile home in a mobile home park, every resident needs to be approved as a resident within the community in that the home is physically located. Different parks have different requirements but, generally speaking, if you are in an age-qualified community, every person who will be physically living in the home will need to be approved by the park. If you are buying a mobile home in an all-ages park, usually you will need to have approval for everyone living in the home who is over a certain age to be able to be approved for residency.

Each park has its own way of going about the actual approval process. Usually, every park will require each person that is going through to be approved to fill out a written application. Along with the application the applicant will need to provide a photo ID, pay a nominal application fee, and agree to have their background checked by the park. If you or your applicant friend does not have a current driver’s license that is okay as usual, a state-issued photo ID card or a passport will do the trick.

The reason is simple: if the Buyer is not park-approved prior to purchasing the mobile home through us as a licensed mobile home broker then we will not be able to close on the home.

The reason for this is that, as licensed mobile home brokers with the state of Florida, we are required to make sure that all parties who are looking at becoming residents within the mobile home park they are buying their home in have passed the approval process and are allowed to become residents within the mobile home park.

Many times, folks will skip this step and just assume that they can buy and move into any mobile home in any mobile home park in the Sarasota area without a second thought.

When looking at buying a mobile home on leased land within a mobile home park it is important to have an accepted written offer but do not think because you have that in writing that this guarantees you being able to purchase that home. Always look to get your approval done at the same time so that you are not let down by not being able to purchase the mobile home of your dreams.

The Mobile Home Dealer 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, 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 which helps mobile home buyers and sellers get to a better place in life.

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April 12, 2024