Category: Blog

  • Why a Mobile Home Park Could Be a Profitable Investment

    Welcome to the world of real estate investing, where opportunities come in many shapes and sizes. While houses and apartments may be the first properties that come to mind, there is another type of investment that often goes overlooked: mobile home parks. Yes, you read that right! Mobile home parks can actually be a profitable venture for savvy investors like yourself. In this blog post, we will explore why investing in a mobile home park could be a smart move for your financial portfolio. 

    Mobile home park in Sarasota
    Mobile home park

    You are Investing in Land

    When you invest in a mobile home park, you are not just buying a property – you are investing in land. And as any seasoned investor will tell you, land is one of the most valuable assets out there. Unlike traditional real estate investments where the focus is on buildings and structures, mobile home parks offer an opportunity to capitalize on the inherent value of the land itself.

    One of the key advantages of investing in land is its limited supply. Land cannot be replicated or manufactured; it’s a finite resource that will always have intrinsic value. This means that as the population grows and demand for housing increases, the value of your investment can appreciate significantly over time.

    Another benefit of investing in land is its versatility. Mobile home parks provide space for multiple units, offering the potential for both short-term and long-term rental income streams. Additionally, should market conditions change or new opportunities arise, you have the option to repurpose or develop the land further to maximize its potential returns.

    Furthermore, when it comes to managing a mobile home park investment, there are fewer maintenance issues compared to traditional residential properties. Since there are no permanent structures erected on site (aside from utility connections), maintenance costs and repairs are generally lower.

    Investing in land also provides some tax advantages compared to other types of real estate investments. Depending on your location and local regulations, owning a mobile home park may offer tax incentives such as depreciation deductions or favorable capital gains treatment.

    So if you’re looking for an investment opportunity that offers stability and growth potential while leveraging the power of owning valuable land – consider adding a mobile home park to your portfolio! It’s an unconventional yet potentially profitable avenue worth exploring.

    An Answer to the Affordability Crisis

    The rising cost of housing has become a major concern for many individuals and families across the country. As home prices continue to soar, finding affordable housing options is becoming increasingly difficult. This is where mobile home parks come into play, offering an answer to the affordability crisis.

    Mobile homes provide an affordable alternative to traditional houses or apartments. They are typically more budget-friendly and require lower upfront costs compared to other housing options. In fact, studies have shown that mobile homes can be up to 50% cheaper than conventional homes.

    Mobile home park living also offers residents the opportunity for financial flexibility. With lower monthly mortgage payments and utility bills, individuals can save money for other expenses or invest in their future endeavors.

    Additionally, mobile home parks often provide amenities such as community centers, playgrounds, and swimming pools that enhance the quality of life for residents. These shared spaces encourage social interaction among neighbors and create a strong sense of community.

    Furthermore, investing in a mobile home park can be financially rewarding. The demand for affordable housing is high and continues to grow year after year. By owning a mobile home park, you can generate consistent rental income while providing much-needed affordable housing options within your community.

    Mobile home parks offer an innovative solution to the affordability crisis by providing affordable housing options with flexible financing opportunities and communal amenities while also presenting profitable investment opportunities for savvy investors.

    Mobile Home Park Investment Tax Efficiency

    Investing in a mobile home park can offer significant tax advantages that make it an appealing investment option. One of the key benefits is the tax efficiency associated with owning and operating a mobile home park.

    As the owner of a mobile home park, you can take advantage of various deductions and write-offs. Expenses such as maintenance, repairs, management fees, and even property taxes can be deducted from your taxable income. This helps to reduce your overall tax liability and increase your net profit.

    Additionally, investing in a mobile home park allows you to benefit from depreciation allowances. The IRS considers mobile homes to have a limited lifespan (usually around 27.5 years), which means you can depreciate their value over time for tax purposes. This depreciation expense further reduces your taxable income while providing additional funds for reinvestment or other financial goals.

    Moreover, if you choose to sell your mobile home park after holding it for more than one year, you may qualify for long-term capital gains treatment. This means that any profit made on the sale will be taxed at a lower rate compared to ordinary income tax rates.

    The tax efficiency offered by investing in a mobile home park is certainly worth considering when evaluating potential investment opportunities. Consult with a qualified accountant or tax advisor who specializes in real estate investments to fully understand how these benefits may apply to your specific situation and maximize your returns through smart taxation strategies.

    Mobile Home Park, also called “Trailer Park” in Florida
    Mobile Home Park, also called “Trailer Park” in Florida

    Low Risk 

    When it comes to investing, risk is always a factor that needs to be carefully considered. One of the reasons why investing in a mobile home park can be so attractive is because it offers low risk compared to other real estate investments.

    One key aspect contributing to this low risk is the fact that no permanent structure is erected on the land. Unlike traditional housing where there are buildings and homes that require constant maintenance and repairs, mobile homes can easily be moved if necessary. This means that there’s less likelihood of expensive damage or structural issues.

    Additionally, since mobile homes are not permanently affixed to the ground, they don’t have the same vulnerability as traditional houses when it comes to natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes. This provides investors with an added layer of security knowing their investment won’t be severely impacted by unforeseen events.

    Another advantage of investing in a mobile home park is that demand for affordable housing continues to rise across the country. With rising costs of living and stagnant wages, many people are turning towards mobile homes as an affordable alternative. As long as there are individuals looking for cost-effective housing options, there will always be demand for mobile home parks.

    High Demand 

    Mobile homes have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their affordability and flexibility. As a result, there is a high demand for mobile home parks all across the country. People from various backgrounds and income levels are choosing to invest in these affordable housing options.

    The appeal of mobile homes lies in their ability to provide comfortable living spaces at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional houses or apartments. With rising housing prices and limited rental options, many individuals and families see mobile homes as an attractive alternative.

    Furthermore, people are no longer confined by location when considering homeownership. Mobile homes allow individuals to live wherever they choose, whether it’s on private land or within existing mobile home parks. This freedom gives potential investors a wide range of opportunities when it comes to finding profitable locations.

    In addition, many retirees are opting for downsizing into smaller and more manageable living spaces such as mobile homes. With retirement savings often being limited, this demographic finds that investing in a mobile home provides them with financial security while still maintaining independence.

    The high demand for mobile homes demonstrates the growing interest in affordable housing solutions that offer both flexibility and comfort. As an investor looking into the market potential of buying or developing a mobile home park, understanding this demand can greatly contribute to your success in this profitable sector.

    How to Find Mobile Home Parks to Invest In

    When it comes to finding mobile home parks to invest in, there are a few key strategies that can help you identify the best opportunities. 

    1. The first step is to do your research and familiarize yourself with the market. Look for areas where demand for affordable housing is high, such as growing cities or regions with limited rental options.
    2. Another important factor to consider is the condition of the park itself. Look for well-maintained properties that have the potential for growth and improvement. This could include amenities like community centers, playgrounds, or laundry facilities.
    3. Networking within the industry can also be invaluable when searching for investment opportunities. Attend trade shows or join online forums where you can connect with other investors and park owners. They may have insider knowledge about parks that are available or upcoming developments in the area.
    4. Don’t forget about working with real estate agents who specialize in mobile home parks. They often have access to listings that may not be publicly advertised.

    The Bottom Line

    Investing in a mobile home park can be a highly profitable venture for savvy investors. With the affordability crisis and increasing demand for affordable housing options, mobile home parks present a unique opportunity to generate significant returns. Not only are you investing in land, but you also benefit from tax efficiency, low risk, and high demand.

    By purchasing a mobile home park, you become the landlord of an entire community rather than just one unit. This provides stability and potential for long-term passive income. Additionally, since no permanent structures are erected on the land, there is minimal risk of damage or depreciation.

    Investing in a mobile home park can provide numerous benefits ranging from steady cash flow to favorable tax treatment. It offers potential investors an opportunity to contribute positively towards addressing the affordability crisis while earning attractive returns on their investment.

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  • When Has The Plumbing Been Replaced In Your Sarasota Florida Mobile Home?

    Ahh, yes, a mobile home plumbing system. One of the most unattractive structural items of a mobile home is a necessity for everyone’s well-being.

    How long people tend to keep their mobile homes is an interesting topic of conversation.

    The HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), estimates that the average life expectancy of a modern prefabricated home is between 30 and 55 years, with that number rising with better care.

    Mobile houses should endure forever if treated with the same care as any other kind of house. Manufactured homes have the same resale value as site-built homes, according to a report published by the Federal Housing Finance Agency in the middle of 2018.

    The Manufactured Housing Institute found that manufactured homes have an average lifespan of 55.8 years. Manufactured homes have a long life expectancy and may endure indefinitely if cared for properly.

    Sun Shine RV Resort
    Sun Shine RV Resort

    There’s no reason for a mobile home to deteriorate any quicker than a conventional house. Mobile or manufactured homes use the same high-quality materials as conventionally constructed houses.

    Since 1976, mobile houses have been referred to as manufactured homes to reflect the fact that they take advantage of modern construction techniques. Moreover, they employ ever-improving standards of design and material usage.

    Mobile home buyers may have the same concerns as conventional homeowners, such as those related to property taxes and the quality of the local public schools. But you shouldn’t be too worried about how long your manufactured home will last. The average age of a residence built on a lot is over 40 years.

    Manufactured homes in senior adult housing parks tend to be in better condition than the average. Florida is home to a plethora of such parks. Many houses were built in the 1960s and 1970s, making them roughly 40-55 years old and well past their useful lifespans at this point.

    A home’s longevity is greatly influenced by the local climate. Construction materials like fiberboard, particle board and pressed board have degraded over time in Florida due to the state’s high humidity and rainfall.

    When it comes to housing alternatives in today’s society, you have several possibilities. Perhaps a manufactured home is something you’re interested in. It’s natural to ask how long your new manufactured home will hold up when you’re house hunting.

    Construction time and available materials for manufactured homes are not affected by the elements because the dwellings are constructed indoors

    Given the above data, mobile home plumbing is one of the hottest topics along with mobile home flooring systems so, in this article, we will discuss more mobile home plumbing. 

    Most of the time the plumbing system in a Sarasota Florida mobile home is not addressed by the Buyers or Sellers of the home and for good reason, it isn’t really exciting to talk about!

    With this belief commonly understood, it is important to realize that not having a good quality plumbing system that is free of leaks and issues is of utmost importance to the livability and resale of the mobile home.

    The average age of mobile homes in and around the Sarasota Florida area is that of a mid to late 1970s model.

    Mobile Home in Florida - plumbing
    Mobile Home in Florida

    The reason this is brought up here is that in 1976 the government created the HUD division of housing and they required that all mobile homes that were manufactured for sale in the United States after this year be held to a uniform standard. Part of this standard was that all manufacturers of mobile homes would have to adhere to the same building codes across the board for the plumbing systems that were being placed within every mobile home.

    Before 1976 most mobile home manufacturers would use a product called gray piping to run the plumbing throughout the home.

    Gray piping is a much cheaper product than what is used today and would often crack within a few years of the mobile home being settled on the concrete pad creating leaks throughout the entire underbelly of the home. These small leaks would then create additional pressure on other parts of the plumbing system for which, eventually, there would be bigger and bigger problems with the home’s plumbing system.

    In nearly all mobile homes throughout the Sarasota Florida area, the plumbing at some time has been totally replaced with a more modern product called PVC piping.

    PVC piping is usually white and is made of a more durable plastic than the gray piping that was originally used.

    Many times in mobile homes when the plumbing was redone the plumber also put in a dishwasher line in the kitchen along with a bigger water heater to the home.

    It would be fair to say that if you are looking at a Sarasota Florida mobile home and see that the age of the home is in the mid-1970s or before and it has a dishwasher that the home has been replumbed sometime during its life span.

    Having updated plumbing in a mobile home is not something that everyone gets excited about when purchasing their piece of paradise in the Sunshine State, however, having this essential part of the home that you are looking to purchase updated will save you thousands of dollars and tons of frustration moving forward!

    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, 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 and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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  • 3 Reasons Why Buying A Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Virtually Is A Good Idea

    For first-time mobile homeowners, moving from a traditional home to a Florida mobile home can be daunting. With so many designs, sizes, locations, and prices, the options can be endless and confusing. 

    The State of Florida is second only to Texas when it comes to the number of mobile homes, but Florida is becoming more and more popular due to its favorable weather all year round. If you are looking to move into a mobile home in Florida, look no other place than Sarasota.

    Have you been entertaining the idea of finally taking the plunge to purchase your Sarasota Florida mobile home and feel you are finally ready?

    mobile home for sale - Florida Mobile Home
    Mobile Home in Florida

    Only one problem, you live several hundred or even thousands of miles away from the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida and are unable to jump on a plane to travel and see a mobile home right when it is listed.

    With how busy the market is at this time of this writing we understand!

    Today, we want to address the top 3 reasons why buying your Sarasota Florida mobile home virtually is the best way to go about purchasing a mobile home quickly for a good price!

    Reason 1: The Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Market Is Liquid.

    It is not surprising that the mobile home market moves just as fast if not faster than the real estate market does. When a good property is listed, many times, it is sold before it is even on the market due to the Sellers, such as we at The Mobile Home Dealer, having a long list of qualified Buyers ready to buy at a moment’s notice. When a property comes up a Buyer has to move quickly!

    Reason 2: Technology

    With the rise in virtual meetings and phone calls that have risen dramatically in the past two years since the pandemic, it is far more normal now than ever before that the Seller is capable of showing their home virtually through either a Zoom call, a Facetime call or a YouTube video. If this is new technology to you look to embrace it and learn the basics so that you can see a mobile home through one of these mediums and not rely on traditional still photos.

    Reason 3: Good Deals Move Fast

    Anytime you see a mobile home for sale around the Sarasota Florida area that is priced fairly it will move faster than overpriced ones. If you see a home that you like that has a fair price attached to it look to see how you can see the home virtually and make an offer on it. If you don’t there will be several other Buyers both locally and at a distance who will!

    Not convinced? Wait, there are more reasons why Sarasota Florida is a food location for your mobile home.

    A.) Warranty

    In the State of Florida, all mobile home manufacturers are required to warranty their homes for at least one year from the date of the sale. There is also another warranty when the home is installed and should not be less than one year from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. No homes should be purchased from an unlicensed mobile home dealer. 

    B.) Location

    Sarasota Florida offers several mobile home parks and communities with many white sand beaches. Sarasota is one of the main destinations for people who stay during the Northern winter season. The mobile nature of mobile homes allows owners the ability to choose a location suitable to their needs and tastes. 

    C.) Cheap

    The Florida housing market is in inflation and the cost of real estate continues to increase. Buying a mobile home though won’t break the bank. Mobile homes are highly affordable compared to traditional onsite-built homes. And since Sarasota is one of the perfect locations for mobile homes, you’re not going to be alone.

    Mobile Home in Florida
    Mobile Home in Florida

    D.) Live cheaper, simple, and minimalistic

    Living in a mobile home gives the owner the ability to live closer to a minimalistic life while enjoying the luxury of Saratosa’s tourist attractions. Of course, with limited space, why bother buying things that are not so important? Many mobile homeowners learn how to declutter and become organized.

    E.) Friendly neighborhood

    Sarasota is known to have friendly mobile home parks with friendly homeowners. Unlike in conventional homes where neighbors often argue due to several things like fences, this is not happening inside a mobile home park because there is no fence to argue about, and no trees, plants, and other greens that could lead to neighbors’ altercations. Additionally, people who are living in mobile homes understand their responsibilities as homeowners.

    There are many more good things why buying a mobile home in Sarasota Florida is a good idea. If you can’t decide immediately, try to visit the City and stay for a couple of weeks to test it yourself. There are a lot of beaches, rivers, and other tourist destinations to visit.

    Regardless of what the Sarasota Florida mobile home industry is doing, there are always plenty of good-priced deals to be had. The key to snatching one of these good deals up, now more than ever is the ability to move quickly to secure your position within the home. Asking to see the home in person and then looking to travel down if you are out of state can add several days to the buying process which could very well lead to the home being sold out from underneath you.

    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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  • What Brings A Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Seller The Most Money?

    When looking to sell your Sarasota Florida mobile home it is in every seller’s best interest to ask themselves the basic question of, what will bring them the most money when they go to sell their mobile home.

    mobile home for sale - mobile home seller
    Mobile Home in Florida

    Many times the question then gets directed to two different types of thoughts:

    • Will The Mobile Home Seller Get The Most Money If They Sell At A Higher Price?
    • Will The Mobile Home Seller Get The Most Money If They Sell Faster?

    Essentially, is the Seller going to benefit most if they are the tortoise and wait for the right Buyer or will they do the best they can if they move more like the hare and take the first offer that comes to them?

    The answer to this basic question is that the mobile home Seller wants to act like both the tortoise and the hare at the same time when selling their mobile home.

    The reason for this nondirect answer is due to the fact that mobile homes on leased land require the owner of the property to pay a set amount of money each month to the mobile home park in the form of what is commonly referred to as lot rent.

    This lot rent will cover several different bills all in one but, most commonly, the lot rent will cover the usage of the land the home is on, the water bill, the sewer bill, the lawn care, and usage of the park facilities.

    Most mobile homes on leased land are cash transactions, meaning, that the Seller does not have an outstanding mortgage payment they are required to make each and every month for the ownership of the home home. They own the home outright in cash.

    The lot rent will never be paid off, regardless of how long the owner lives in the park as this is a reoccurring utility-type bill that will never go away.

    The reason why we bring this up to you, the reader, is that many times we, we at The Mobile Home Dealer, have seen that the Seller does not take into account their monthly carrying costs, such as their lot rent when deciding to sell their mobile home.

    Many times these Sellers will price their home too high and continue to pay the lot rent each and every month as well as their electric bill, cable bill, yearly registration, and constant property upkeep when things go wrong and need to be repaired within their mobile home.

    All of these ongoing bills seem to feel automatic to the Seller and they do not factor them in when pricing their home.

    By not factoring these continued bills into the mix the Seller is setting themselves up for a lower net profit when their mobile home eventually does sell as they will need to calculate their monthly carrying costs throughout the entire time they were trying to sell their mobile home to get themselves the most accurate number.

    So, to answer the original question on what brings the Sarasota mobile home sellers the most money, the answer is by selling your mobile home fast and avoiding paying monthly lot rent dues. 

    If you are looking to sell your Sarasota Florida mobile home fast, how do you do it?

    Although this seems like a very detailed answer that needs to be given, the truth is it is not. In fact, selling your Sarasota Florida mobile home quickly can boil down to three specific factors, that, if followed, will get you top dollar for your home fast.

    Now, I am not trying to eliminate the professional opinions of others in the space, but rather, I am trying to get give all of the readers of this blog a much better understanding of how to get their mobile home sold quickly without all the extra garbage that is out there on the internet discussing what to do and what not to do.

    Sarasota Mobile Home
    Sarasota Mobile Home

    With that understanding, please take this as a guide of what we, at The Mobile Home Dealer, have seen on a repeated basis that, if followed correctly, will lead to you not only getting your Sarasota Florida mobile home sold fast but also for top dollar regardless of what the market is doing in your community or within the area your mobile home is located in.

    • Price your mobile home correctly
    • Mark your mobile home correctly
    • Understand The Sales Process

    Following these three basic steps will help you, the mobile home Seller, move your property quickly and for the most profit possible.

    When looking to sell your mobile home we can not stress enough the importance of looking at not only what you are trying to sell the home for but also the costs that will add up should you not be able to sell it as fast as you would like. Not doing this will give you, the Seller, an inaccurate understanding of exactly how much you made on the sale of your mobile home.

    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 and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

    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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  • How Long Is Too Long When Moving Out Of Your Sarasota Mobile Home?

    When it comes to living in a manufactured home, the first obstacle you should overcome is the perceived stigma of staying in what is considered to be a ‘mobile’ house situated in a ‘trailer park’.  Some people still perceive mobile homes as substandard houses that are planted in less developed and desired areas. Today, nothing is further from the truth – modern mobile homes are classy and have won the hearts of many homeowners.

    Gone are the days of poor-quality manufactured homes that used to be towed behind tractors and grouped into unkempt and unregulated parks, especially on the outskirts of towns. The phrase ‘mobile house’ has not been in use since the 1970s when the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented the HUD code. This code was to entirely revise and regulate the manufactured home industry.

    The HUD Code prescribes high standards of structural safety, integrity, accountability, and energy efficiency in homes that are built in a tightly controlled and cost-effective factory environment. This ensures that modern manufactured homes are constructed using high-quality materials and sophisticated tools.

    Mobile home on leased land
    Mobile home on leased land

    So the time has come, when you are ready to sell your Sarasota mobile home.

    You put the home on the market with a licensed broker, such as The Mobile Home Dealer, and you have the place sold!

    Now the next question is, how long do you need to collect your things and get ready to move out of your Sarasota mobile home and into your new home wherever that may be?

    This situation is very common and we feel that taking a few moments to discuss how long is reasonable and how long is too long to move out of your Sarasota mobile home is something many Buyers and Sellers are not familiar with.

    When you are looking at selling your Sarasota mobile home before the home ever goes on the market to sell we strongly suggest you review how long you will need to move along with locating the title of the home.

    We can not begin to tell you how many mobile homes we have sold for Sellers only to come to closing and not be able to locate the title to the home they are trying to sell!

    If this is your situation, please, please, please, take a few moments to look for and locate the title of your mobile home. Please note, that if you are selling a doublewide mobile home then there need to be two separate titles that you are able to locate, one for each side.

    After you have located the titles of your mobile home make sure you keep these in a safe place as these titles will need to be given to the licensed mobile home broker upon closing so that they can get the home out of your name and into the name of the new Buyers of your mobile home.

    The next item of business that will need to be addressed before putting your Sarasota mobile home up for sale is just how long you will need to get packed up and out of the home when it is sold.

    If you are using your mobile home as a winter retreat and are okay leaving everything in the home when it is sold then that is fine, just make sure you communicate these wishes to the mobile broker at the time of the listing of your home being taken.

    If you are living in the home full time or if you need to make a special trip down to the home to remove certain belongings then by all means take the time you need to get moved out as this is the mobile home you are selling.

    Taking your time and dragging your feet, though, are two different ways to approach a move.

    We, here at The Mobile Home Dealer, strongly suggest every Seller who needs to move out of their mobile home not take any longer than 30 days to do so upon an accepted offer and park approval has been granted to the new Buyer of a mobile home.

    The reason why we suggest 30 days be the maximum is because when the Buyer of your mobile home decides to purchase your home they are ready to pay for it and move into it right away. The Buyer is ready to move forward and separate from their money to begin making memories in the home they just purchased. Delaying this any longer than 30 days could create a separation from the buyer’s excitement and can very well lead to a Buyer not wanting to close on your mobile home.

    We strongly suggest that before you ever put your Sarasota mobile home on the market make sure you have located your title for the home and have laid out an easy-to-follow plan for a timeframe you can be moved out of your mobile home. Forgetting to do this may cause you issues that you could have easily avoided if you had taken the time to lay things out on the front end.

    manufactured home
    Mobile Home in Florida

    In addition, when you decide to sell your mobile home and you have enough time to declutter, it is always better to leave everything clean as some buyers can be distracted and turned off by things they don’t want to see. Yes, the documentation is the most important thing to secure and prepare, but the house itself should be presentable so anyone can move without delays.

    If you need more time, this can always be negotiated as long as you tell your broker in advance. If you already have a buyer, make sure that both of you agree on everything and everything must be put in writing.

    We have seen a lot of sales end up unsuccessful because the seller changes their mind, won’t cooperate, or is not ready. If you are really serious about selling your mobile home, avoid these issues and focus on complete preparation.

    Most successful mobile home sales always start with the seller’s complete preparation, followed by the cooperation of both the seller and the buyer. If you think there is something you are not sure of, you can always consult your broker, or contact The Mobile Home Broker for further assistance.

    Moving out of your mobile home for the first time is like your first kiss.

    You spend years imagining what it will be like and how you will feel and when it finally comes around you feel that nauseating combination of excitement and fear.

    Moving out of your mobile home is one of the biggest transitions you will experience in life. While the thought of leaving your parents’ rules, and your annoying little brother, and going to university or starting a new job can be exhilarating, it can also be overwhelming.

    The good news is, feeling nervous or overwhelmed is completely normal and there are ways to make your transition to independence a smooth journey.

    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 and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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  • Where Are The Best Sarasota Mobile Home Deals?

    Has the time arrived when you are looking at moving down to the Sunshine State, either full-time or to get out of the snowy winters? Do you live out of state and are concerned about if the mobile home will be sold before you can make it down to see it in person?

    With how fast the real estate market is selling right now one needs to be focused on moving as quickly as they can if and when they find the mobile home that meets their needs throughout the greater Sarasota Florida area.

    Where is the best place to find Sarasota mobile homes for sale?

    Have you been looking to purchase a mobile home in Sarasota, but can’t seem to find exactly what you’re looking for?

    Where have you been looking for these homes? Have you been driving through some of your favorite mobile home parks looking for the for sale signs? Maybe looking online at some of the popular mobile home listing sites for a home. Scrolling through your favorite social media channels, hoping to find a home that catches your eye and is a good deal.?

    Some of those?

    None of those?

    Mobile homes are not always advertised the same way as real estate is.

    Whether this is the first mobile home you are buying or you have bought and sold several mobile homes it is important to know the basics of what to look for in your next purchase.

    Buying a mobile home is an excellent way to become a homeowner without having to pay the high cost of a traditional house. But there is much to consider before buying a home in this style. The following information will help you determine the requirements to buy a mobile home and if it is the right investment for you.

    This is for the simple fact that if the mobile home that is being sold is within a mobile home park that has leased land, then it is viewed as personal property. This differs from if you are buying a mobile home with the land attached, as this then qualifies the home as real property, better known as real estate.

    Many mobile homes that are for sale are advertised through the channels we just discussed earlier but many of the best deals are not advertised through traditional methods.

    So why is there such a mystery here?

    Many licensed mobile home brokers have what are called pocket listings that they have for sale. These listings are for homes that have either not come on the market yet, or the seller is not ready to move at the exact moment if their home is sold. As such many of these listings are not made public but are kept in the broker’s “pocket”.

    Sarasota Mobile Home
    Mobile home in Sarasota Florida for sale

    Some of these listings are kept for days, weeks, or even months at a time by the Broker just waiting for them to be marketed!

    The home is usually under contract to be listed with a broker at this time, but the seller needs to get their affairs in order prior to the broker looking to market the home for sale.

    This is where you come in!

    Reach out to the licensed mobile home brokers in your area and ask them what pocket listings they have for sale that have not yet hit the market. Ask to see these homes, or at least get the address and name of the park the home is in and drive by to check it out and see if you like it.

    Always give the broker that you were speaking with your contact info when asking for this insider information. Let the broker know exactly what you are looking for. The price range you want to stay within and the time frame for which you are looking to buy.

    Once a broker has all of this information, they will be able to add you to their special buyer list and you will then be able to gain access to homes before they even hit the market.

    If you are looking at buying at the lowest price point you usually will want to look at buying in a mobile home park where you own the home and are leasing the land, however, the monthly payment will be the highest.

    If you are looking for a lower monthly payment but a higher buy-in price then you will want to look at buying a mobile home in a park where you own the mobile home and the land.

    Lastly, if you want to buy real estate and don’t want to purchase a single-family home or condo then buying a mobile home with land in the country will be your best option.

    If you can’t buy a traditional house, a mobile home is always a good option to consider. Depending on the size of your family and how much you can pay, you can opt for a single, double, or triple-wide mobile home.

    When looking to buy a mobile home, it will help you to network with all of your local mobile home brokers who work in the area so that you are on their buyer’s list of people who are looking to move forward with the purchase of a mobile home.

    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, 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.

    See Also:

  • Are Sarasota Area Mobile Homes Rising In Price?

    In the early 2000s, Americans lost interest in the compact form of housing like mobile homes. From 2010, sales of mobile homes remained low, however, in 2018, Bloomberg reported that mobile homes were making noise.

    In just 4 years since the Bloomberg report, sales of mobile homes have skyrocketed faster than single-family regular homes, as more and more Americans seek affordable dwellings.

    Mobile homes are America’s biggest source of affordable housing, however, the rising prices due to increasing demands and investors’ activity are turning buyers away.

    Royal Palms-Sarasota Florida
    Royal Palms-Sarasota Florida

    Although mobile home sales slowed in 2020, likely due to the Coronavirus pandemic, shipments of manufactured homes bounced back in 2021 and 2022. In fact, the year 2022 sold the most mobile homes since 2006 according to the data provided by Stacker.

    The prices of new mobile homes are outpacing the prices of new single-family conventional homes. Mobile homes are becoming more expensive than traditional single-family homes,  especially between 2020 and 2021. Although much of this can be attributed to the pandemic, the increasing cost of construction materials for conventional homes played a big role in the mobile home’s high demand eventually pushing the price up.

    Lot rent prices are following suit. It’s not just mobile home prices that are going up. The cost of renting a lot where the mobile home sits are also increasing not only in Florida but in the whole country. The Midwest has recorded the highest lot rent increase according to the data while the average nationwide lot increase was 4.4%. This trend is likely to continue together with the increasing price of mobile homes.

    It is no surprise, we are currently in the middle of a real estate boom!

    Everywhere you look the cost of single-family homes, condos, and townhomes are rising to record highs at previously unthinkable speeds!

    This dramatic rise in prices has led most single-family home sellers who are looking to sell their homes to wait until they see a slowdown in prices as each and every month their homes continue to skyrocket in value.

    One may speculate and say that the rise in home prices will continue so long as interest rates remain low, others will say that the rise in prices will stay the same until the inventory of homes that are on the market catches up on the demand. Yet, still, others have stated that the rise in home prices is the new normal, meaning, that home prices will continue to go higher and higher as time goes on and the cost of a particular home today will be far less than what it will be down the road regardless of interest rates.

    While no one has a clear crystal ball, one thing is for sure; real estate prices will continue to stay high for the foreseeable future.

    With that basic fact stated, does that mean that mobile homes on leased land throughout the Sarasota area will increase at the same rate or will they continue to stay at the same price?

    Mobile homes on leased land are viewed as and taxed as motor vehicles in the state of Florida. The reason for this is that when there is no land attached to the purchase of the mobile home the home is then viewed as a personal property sale. Once the home and the land that it is attached to is included in the sale then this means the home is now viewed as real estate and no longer personal property. The real estate carries with it a deed on the purchase whereas a piece of personal property carries with it a title.

    What we here at The Mobile Home Dealer have seen right now is that mobile homes on leased land are staying at around the same prices as they were this time last year. We have seen some Sellers attempt to up the asking price of their homes to reflect the lack of inventory that is available in the single-family market. This attempt at raising their mobile home price has led to their homes sitting on the market for an extended period of time, many of which, have had to drop their prices in order to get the home sold.

    mobile home for sale
    Mobile Home in Florida

    The difference that we have seen in the mobile home space right now is that homes under the $30,000 price point that are in good condition are selling faster than ever. We are not able to put a finger on exactly why this is but we continue to see homes at this price point that are two-bedroom and two-bathroom to sell faster than we can keep up with. Many of our listings that meet this criteria never go on the market in a traditional sense as they are usually sold to one of our Buyers on our Buyers List.

    While single-family homes continue to rise to record highs mobile homes on leased land continue to stay about the same price. This is yet another reason why buying a mobile home on leased land is such a good idea as it continues to be one of the last affordable options for housing in and around the Sarasota Florida area.

    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 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 and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

    See Also:

  • What Mobile Homes Are For Sale In Sarasota?

    Are you looking to move to Sarasota, Florida permanently?

    Ever thought about buying a second home or a home you can retreat to when the winters up North become unbearable?

    Yes?

    Am I speaking to you there?

    I thought so!

    I too, am originally from the Midwest, and over time grew extremely tired of the freezing cold winters and gray skies that seemed to linger for months on end!

    Florida is well-known for its high quality of life and low cost of living. Communities of all types, from those catering to retirement communities to those catering to people living in mobile homes, have found a home in Florida.

    Those who choose to make Florida their home can settle either inland or along the coast. The large size of the state makes it possible for a wide range of manufactured housing options, including the increasing popularity of mobile home communities and the purchase of prefabricated homes for individual lots.

    When looking at purchasing a mobile home in the greater Sarasota Florida area there are several factors that every Buyer has to be fully aware of before making an offer and pursuing park approval for residency in the mobile home park.

    Let me tell you, from personal experience, palm trees and ocean breeze never gets old!

    After personally living in the Sarasota area for several years now, I feel no better place along the Gulf Coast of Florida offers this much bang for your buck when it comes to affordable housing.

    When looking at living in the Sarasota area, I would suggest you take a look at the affordability of living in a mobile home. Mobile home parks are all over the Gulf Coast of Florida, with over a hundred parks being located right here in Sarasota.

    The parks here in Sarasota range quite a bit from traditional mobile home communities, where you buy the home and rent the land to resident-owned parks, where you own both the home and the land that it sits on. There are also several different types of age-qualified parks, as well as family parks in the area to choose from.

    Sarasota Florida
    Mobile home in Florida

    One of the reasons why so many people decide to make a mobile home their place of residency is the affordability of these homes. Prices on mobile homes can vary quite a bit from a few thousand dollar fixer uppers to well over six figures for the latest models with all the bells and whistles the industry currently has to offer. One, two, and three-bedroom single-wide, and double-wide mobile homes, are available all over the area at very affordable pricing. Operating costs in a mobile home are very reasonable, but the electricity usually runs under a hundred dollars a month.

    Many parks provide other basic utilities within the monthly lot rent payment. These utilities are water, sewer, lawn maintenance, and garbage pickup, as well as the cost of the upkeep of all public areas the park has to offer. Lot rent can vary quite a bit in Sarasota from the low end of about $500 to well over a thousand dollars a month.

    The main reason why lot rent varies so much in Sarasota is due to the location and the amenities that the park offers its residents.

    If the park is located down the street from the Gulf of Mexico, expect to pay more. If the park offers a gated entrance with 24-hour security and resort-style living, you will be paying extra for those amenities.

    The great part of all of this is that the location and the amenities these parks offer come at a fraction of the price compared to if you were renting an apartment or buying a single-family home in the area.

    This is one of the main reasons why a mobile home is such a popular choice for those who want to call Sarasota Florida home, either full-time or just for the winter.

    Whatever your budget is, or what your interests are, I believe Sarasota has a mobile home that will suit all of your needs.

    In addition, buying a mobile home also needs a strategic land decision. While a privately owned parcel has a certain allure at first blush, leasing land in a mobile or manufactured home park also provides value. These are critical items to check off when considering buying a mobile home in a park. Usually owning a mobile home placed in park decreases in value over time. This is why you want to make sure to have the information pack with you before making a purchase. Go through these questions and understand how to buy a mobile home in a park.

    • How much is the homeowner’s association fee (HOA)?
    • Does the park have common areas you can utilize?
    • Does the mobile home park have gated security?
    • Do you receive adequate land and privacy to meet your needs?
    • Can leased land be owned over time?
    • Can you get a minimum 3-year lease to help qualify for a federally guaranteed mortgage?
    • What are the advantages of purchasing a mobile home in a park?

    Buying a new mobile home and having it delivered to a leased land park can lower your monthly mortgage costs and provide you with more money for leisure spending. Not having to purchase land upfront also helps many first-time buyers qualify for home loans in 2021. Home loans can be complicated if not done correctly. It is always recommended to check different options before buying a new mobile home.

    This is Mark Kaiser with the Mobile Home Dealer, and we help mobile home buyers and sellers get to a better place in life.

    See Also:

  • Why Pricing Your Sarasota Mobile Home High Is A Bad Idea!

    Why High Pricing A Mobile Home Is A Bad Idea. I got an idea!. We should price the home super high and then come down because we can always go down on price, but not up, right?

    With the rising real estate market that we are all seeing throughout the country, it is natural to think that selling your Sarasota Florida mobile home is the right thing to do now in an attempt to cash in on all the Buyers looking to relocate to Florida.

    While pending on the Seller’s situation, this may not be a bad idea, we at The Mobile Home Dealer stress that there are quite a few pitfalls with the idea of trying to sell your mobile home by yourself while commanding your own high price.

    In this brief article, we will look to educate you, as a Seller, on why pricing your own mobile home at an extremely high price point and not being willing to negotiate on price is a bad idea

    This is a common idea that I have 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 are willing to come down later.

    Every time I hear this idea, I always go against it as I do not think this is a good plan to follow when trying to sell your mobile home quickly.

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

    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
    With that thought in mind, I always suggest starting the pricing of your mobile home as competitively as possible in order to pull the most eyes to your property as fast as possible.

    Price is a deciding factor for most Buyers in the mobile home space, not necessarily features of the home or even location.

    If a Buyer can get a comparable home to yours at half the price down the street, then it will be a very difficult presentation for you as a Seller to try and explain why the Buyer should go ahead and pay twice as much for a very similar home like yours.

    Many times Sellers expect to see retail pricing on their upgrades and will price their home according to what they paid for these upgrades regardless of when these were even done to the home.

    As mentioned previously, in one of our other videos, much of the benefit of the home’s upgrades that have been done to your home should be paid to you in the form of actually enjoying the property when these upgrades were put into the home.

    Overpricing Your Mobile Home

    Pricing your home high 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.

    When buying a mobile home on leased land in Florida a Buyer or Seller does not need to report the sales price of a home to anyone. Many times this leads to no comparative pricing in the area for a mobile home. With this lack of information, we often see Sellers who are trying to sell their mobile homes themselves look online for their own comps on similar properties. The problem we see here is that most Sellers will compare their mobile home on leased land to that of a single-family home. The main issue here is that the Seller is comparing apples to oranges because a mobile home on leased land in Florida is personal property and not real estate.

    Following this pricing guideline, we continue to see mobile homes sit on the market for extended periods of time because the home is considerably overpriced.

    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.

    Making it easy to have the Buyer buy your home is the first step in getting your home sold fast.

    mobili home florida
    Mobile home in Florida

    By pricing your home at our below-market price from the start, you will garner more attention faster creating a quicker sales process.

    Although selling your own mobile home is possible, there are more disadvantages and advantages. Here are some additional issues that you may run into if you choose to do it yourself.

    You can lose money. According to statistics, mobile homes sold without a realtor are less than 15% compared to those sold by the agent. This is understandable because agents know what they are doing to maximize the price. The higher the price sold is the bigger their commission.

    You can lose lots of time. You are losing time the moment you start the process. From posting online, researching where to post, doing the legal paperwork, and meeting with potential buyers, everything will be overwhelmingly time-consuming.

    Paperwork. There is no need to explain here. Paperwork always means a headache especially if you are not an expert in this field.

    Quality of buyers. Realtors know exactly what type of buyers your mobile home will attract. But by letting every interested party take a look at your home, you are not only losing a lot of time, but you are also wasting the time of quality buyers because you don’t know which is which. Realtors have contacts and a database of potential buyers.

    At the end of the day, the money you lost by selling your mobile home yourself might be bigger than what you are supposed to pay the realtor, not to mention the time you lost.

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

    See Also:

  • Do You Really Want To Sell Your Sarasota Mobile Home?

    When you see a “For Sale” sign in the front yard of a home or on the hood of a car one would think that the individual who is looking to sell that item is looking to part ways with it for some extra cash, right?

    If the Seller did not want to sell then they would not have put their mobile home up for sale in the first place is what one would tend to believe.

    Inside a Sarasota mobile home
    Inside a Sarasota mobile home

    I mean, if this were not the truth then why would someone go through the headache of putting a sign in the front yard, cleaning up their home, and preparing for strangers to begin calling on their home to come and take a look at it?

    This seems like quite the effort if someone is not ready to take on the process of selling their home.

    Recently, we here at The Mobile Home Dealer, have seen that there are Sellers who put their mobile homes up for sale without the intent of ever selling them in the first place.

    After speaking to several Sellers who fall into this camp we have found that the simple idea of having their home for sale is scratching the itch enough so that even if the home doesn’t sell they still feel like they are doing “all they can” to get it sold in the first place.

    Just this week one of our sales professionals called on a For Sale By Owner number they had found while driving through a park in the greater Sarasota area. Here, the Seller said that they would not be back in town until the end of November and would not be showing or speaking to anyone about buying their mobile home until then.

    Confused, the sales professional asked why they had a sign in their front yard at this time if they didn’t have any intention of selling their mobile home and the Seller simply told them that they were “putting their feelers out”.

    The same sales professional met with another Seller earlier this month and during the listing appointment discussed what the sales price could be for their home based on other sales comps in the area. Here, our Mobile Home Dealer sales agent suggested an initial starting price but assured the Sell that whatever price they wanted to start with would be fine but simply wanted to throw an initial number out to them so that they had a basis to go off of. The sales professional stressed that any number that was much higher than this would be a “pie in the sky” number as comparable homes were not selling for anything close to the number he had suggested.

    The sales agent returned later in the week to complete the media for the home and to get the listing agreement signed.

    At this meeting, the Seller stated that not only did they want to sell the home for more than what they had discussed earlier in the week but that they wanted to go 20,000 dollars over the pie in the sky number.

    The reason for this is that the Seller stated “Their home is worth it”.

    Although we can understand an individual’s evaluation of something they own, the market will determine what something is worth based on who is willing to pay what.

    The sales professional continued to try and educate the Seller on the correct pricing of their home but the Seller would not listen to their suggestions.

    At this point, The Mobile Home Dealer sales professional decided that they would not be the right fit for the Seller and declined the listing hoping that they would find another agent in the area who would be willing to take on the listing that was well over the suggested selling price.

    Sarasota mobile home - sell a mobile home
    Sarasota mobile homes

    When looking to sell your Sarasota mobile home make sure you are ready and willing to sell the home and not just entertain the idea of it. If one is not invested in selling their mobile home then this could lead to quite a bit of frustration for the Buyer, sales agent, and everyone else involved in trying to help the Seller sell!

    One of the major reasons why a mobile home is difficult to sell, or even difficult to list with a sales agent is that the owner won’t be listed and wants to price their mobile home far higher than what the market suggests.

    Although it is okay to make a profit, pricing your mobile home way above market value will only prolong its selling time and will not likely get sold especially when there are cheaper options in the same mobile home category. Remember that buyers are also looking for the best bang for their buck and mobile homes that are at a higher

    When you are selling your mobile home, it is important to remember that you are not the only one with a mobile home on the market. Other sellers are also looking to make a profit on their mobile home. However, pricing your mobile home way above market value will only prolong its selling time and will not likely get sold. This is because buyers are looking for the best bang for their buck and they will not pay more for a mobile home than they have to. There are cheaper options in the same mobile home category, so buyers will likely choose one of those over your overpriced mobile home.

    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.

    See Also:

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