Tag: mobile home floor joists

How To Budget Your Sarasota Mobile Home Money-Floor Repairs!
In this day and age when nearly everyone seems to be feeling the squeeze of rising prices due to a lack of supplies from the Covid-19 pandemic Buyers and Sellers of mobile homes in the Sarasota area want to make sure their dollar is going as far as possible. The pandemic is not totally over yet and there are still a lot of uncertainties in the economy, being wise with your money is the best way to avoid a financial meltdown

One of the most common repairs we, at The Mobile Home Dealer, continue to see on mobile homes in the Sarasota area is the need for repairs done to the flooring system.

If this is your first venture into the mobile home world then you will quickly learn that mobile homes, although very similar to traditional single-family homes, do have their unique features one of which is the flooring system.

Mobile home park

A mobile home flooring system is unlike that of a condo, townhome, or single-family home in that the construction of the floor is wood-based and not concrete.

When walking into a mobile home, under the actual flooring that one sees is usually a sheet of lumber. This lumber will either be a 5X8 sheet of particle board or a 5X8 sheet of plywood.

Usually, mobile homes from the factory come with particle board sub-flooring which is a composite type material that can hold up well over the years so long as it does not get wet. If this product does get wet then it can be susceptible to breaking apart quicker than plywood does. Many times over the course of a mobile home’s life the original particle board flooring will eventually be replaced by plywood to help make the floor sturdy for years to come.

Under the plywood, most mobile homes have 2X8 support beams that are then built into the frame of the home. Under the 2X8 supports, most homes will have the plumbing, vapor barrier, and then the ground that the home sits on.

With all of this understanding, it would be reasonable to think that over time the flooring system may have to be replaced because it is a wood-based product and not a flooring system based on concrete like many single-family homes are in the Sarasota area.

Mobile homes can have, what is referred to as soft spots on the floor that develop over time.

Soft spots can occur for a variety of different reasons but most commonly it is created by the moisture that comes from either the ground or the air conditioning system that penetrates through the wood subflooring and makes it weaker over time. If one were to walk on these weak spots they will feel a little “soft” or one may see a dip in the floor where the soft spot is located at.

Many times mobile home Buyers will see or feel a soft spot and immediately think that this will turn into a large repair bill, which, in all reality, this is false.

If a soft spot occurs then the owner of the mobile home will have to decide if they are going to go in and replace all of the subflooring or only the sections that are soft. If the homeowner is looking to only replace the sections with the soft spots then all that will be needed to be done is to have the soft portion of the subflooring cut out and a new piece of subflooring installed that matches the piece that was taken out.

Most handy professionals around the Sarasota area can replace a soft spot for around $100.

If the owner of the mobile home is looking to replace the entire subfloor system then prices will skyrocket as with the cost of lumber and lack of supplies right now in the building industry nothing is coming cheap!

Bay Indies-Venice Florida

Another way to cut the flooring repair expenses is to do it yourself. We saw many homeowners who have spare time during weekends replace sections of their mobile home flooring. Although not all people can do this, mobile homeowners who have basic carpentry skills and extra time can save money on labor costs.

Although flooring repair could be cheap or expensive, there are several factors that contribute to the increase in replacement costs. Regular cleaning and checking can help prevent these soft spots in the long run.

Making sure to budget your money for repairs to your mobile home in Sarasota is key to having a safe and comfortable living space. To start, you should make a list of all the repairs that need to be done and the estimated cost. Knowing what needs to be done and what it will cost will help you plan your budget accordingly. Additionally, you should research potential repair options and find out what materials are necessary for each job. This will help you find the most cost-effective solution.

Once you have an understanding of the repairs that need to be done and the necessary materials, you should look for discounts or deals on these materials. Many stores offer discounts for bulk purchases or you may be able to find deals online. Additionally, it’s a good idea to shop around for repair services and compare prices. Once you have a clear picture of your costs, you can create a budget that you feel comfortable with.

Finally, if you need additional help with repairs, several organizations in Sarasota assist with mobile home repairs. These organizations are often able to provide free or low-cost assistance, so it’s worth looking into if you find yourself in need of assistance. With a little bit of planning and research, you should be able to successfully budget your money for mobile home repairs in Sarasota.

When budgeting for your Sarasota mobile home, do not be overly concerned about a few soft spots. Sure, they may look and feel unsightly, but when they are repaired by a professional, they are not expensive and will add years of life to your mobile home flooring system!

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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May 28, 2024
Common Issues With Sarasota Mobile Homes #1
Common Issues With Mobile Homes in Sarasota

Common issues with mobile homes in Sarasota include weather-related concerns due to the area’s susceptibility to hurricanes and tropical storms. These homes may lack proper reinforcement against strong winds and heavy rain, leading to structural damage. Additionally, older mobile homes might have issues with outdated plumbing and electrical systems, requiring regular maintenance and upgrades. Moisture intrusion, especially in humid climates like Sarasota, can lead to mold and mildew problems if not addressed promptly. Moreover, issues related to land lease agreements, such as increasing fees or restrictive regulations, can impact mobile homeowners in Sarasota County. Vigilance and proactive maintenance are crucial to mitigate these challenges.

Are you planning to buy a mobile home but want to know about several issues that may come up during the process? This article will discuss some of the most appalling incidents we have experienced recently.

I received an e-mail from one of our viewers last week asking for us to begin shooting videos with us reviewing some of the most common issues we have seen in the mobile home industry.

When I heard this question, I immediately thought that this would be a good idea since we are in and out of mobile homes and mobile home parks daily.

With this much experience, we seem to come across situations regularly that, we feel, if more people knew about them, they could avoid the same issues that we have seen other Buyers and Sellers encounter with the same problems.

With all that said, today we are starting a new segment for our blogs entitled Common Issues With Mobile Homes.

Importance of Ownership Before Moving In

The common issue within mobile homes that we will discuss today is the importance of owning a home before moving anything into the property.

I understand that this may sound like an obvious statement, that it is important to own something before you act like it is yours. Still, you may be surprised at how many times we at The Mobile Home Dealer get asked if it would be okay for the new Buyer to begin moving things into their property before closing.

Any time we are asked to allow this, we tell the Buyer that we are not able to.

Many times, these Buyers get flustered at us for not letting them move their belongings into the property at this time.

The reason why we do not allow this is that we do not want our company or the Seller to be held in any way responsible for the items should something be lost, stolen, or damaged prior to the home being closed on.

Secondly, we do not want the potential Buyer to have access to the property without an insured party present, such as a representative of The Mobile Home Dealer.

The reason for this is that what happens if the new Buyer falls or has one of their friends or family members get injured while on the property?

If this were to happen, then who would be responsible for paying the medical bills, should the injury require some type of medical attention?

The last reason we do not allow this is that we want to ensure the Seller’s security, knowing that the only people who will ever have access to the property are representatives of the company selling their home for them.

At no time will anyone other than representatives of The Mobile Home Dealer have access to the home’s keys or lock box codes on the property.

We are always happy to do anything we can to accommodate buyers to make sure they feel like their new home is theirs to do with it as they feel fit as soon as they can.

This is why we move quickly to get all the paperwork done and to move to close on the home as fast as possible.

However, we do not take the trust and responsibility that the Seller entrusts in us lightly at all.

We at The Mobile Home Dealer will not do anything to jeopardize that.

So, if you are looking to get a jumpstart on moving into your new mobile home, do everyone a favor and move quickly to the closing table first, and do not look for a shortcut!

Importance of Clear Agreements

We understand that buyers are always excited to live in their new home but that the seller needs time to prepare before moving out. For sellers, leaving their house where they built some memories is sometimes hard to do.

The period between closing and the Seller’s move-out is outlined in the purchase agreement. The buyer is excited to move in, but the seller may not be in a rush to move out. Every mobile home transaction is unique based on different circumstances, and the people involved have different priorities. This is the reason why it is very important to put everything, including expectations, into writing before the closing date. If you need more time to move out, put that into a written agreement.

As the seller, you are responsible for all the papers, but you should also be ready to go and start packing. You can stay in the house after the closing, but only if it has been negotiated and agreed upon and for how long.

As the seller, can you delay the closing because you are still looking for a place to move on? Staying in the mobile home after closing is not ideal for both parties and the seller may lose money. Once the paper is signed, the only way to delay the closing is to tear that paper apart and start to renegotiate. This idea, however, will fail nine times out of ten.

Why Sellers Should Leave After Closing

When you sell your mobile home, leaving immediately after closing is important. Staying in the mobile home after closing is not ideal for both parties and the seller may lose money. Here are a few reasons why you should leave immediately after selling your mobile home:
1. The new owners may not want you there.
2. You may not be able to stay there indefinitely.
3. It may not be safe for you to stay there.
4. You may end up losing money if you stay.
5. So, if you’ve sold your mobile home, be sure to leave right away!
The Mobile Home Dealer are licensed mobile home brokers 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, and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.

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September 22, 2023
What Are Sarasota Mobile Home Soft Spots? Volume 2
Hey Guys! We’re back again for another discussion on mobile home soft spots that could be a problem.

Today, we will discuss how to avoid getting those pesky soft spots in the first place. But first, let’s review what soft spots are in mobile home floors so that we’re all caught up and on the same page before moving forward.

Mobile home soft spots occur when a portion of the floor gets wet and begins to swell, eventually causing a hole in the wood floor.

This can happen through an appliance that is running, a pipe under the home that has burst, or several liquid spills in the same general area that were not cleaned up quickly. Over time, the liquid will soak through the flooring and get to the wood subfloor, which causes it to begin to cave in on itself. If this is not treated quickly and efficiently, the wood floor will eventually sag so far that it will cause a hole in the middle of your mobile home floor!

Another common way to create soft spots is when a pipe under the home bursts and the water sprays on the underside of the floor, causing a soft spot from the bottom up.

This will often happen without even the owner knowing it’s going on!

Now that we have everyone up to speed on the basics of a soft spot in a mobile home floor, let’s discuss how to avoid them in the first place!

When discussing the most common soft spots, the ones that start from the top and then go down to the subfloor, we need to mention the obvious fix:

If you spill something, clean it up!

Generally speaking, a liquid spill will not create a soft spot, as it will have to soak through the over-flooring, which could be carpet, wood, or laminate, to get to the subfloor, where the soft spot will eventually occur.

We all grew up learning something very simple: if you spill something, clean it up!

Another familiar soft spot to avoid is the ones happening from a running appliance.

This can be done from a refrigerator, a bathtub, or a toilet.

As preventative maintenance, ensure you check that all of these items were correctly installed and sealed, as this is one of the most common issues we see with them. These house fixtures just were not installed properly from the start, which led to water issues without the owner even knowing.

The last common way to avoid those soft spots is by turning off the main water valve at the back of the house. I have seen that for this preventative maintenance to work best, remember to shut off the water if you will be out of the home for more than a few days, for sure a week or more.

Soft spots can also develop due to a lack of regular cleaning, especially those portions under the carpet. So, to prevent soft spots, we prepared some basic tips on how to clean and maintain your floor.

Tips for eliminating the spots on your mobile home floors

We know that cleaning the house can be exhausting most of the time. Cleaning bathrooms and carpets can be exhausting, and we know that kitchen floors are usually one of the most demanding because they are used a lot and are the most likely to get dirty or stained.

This time, we will explain how to keep the floors of your kitchen in optimal conditions for longer, give you some tips on cleaning the floors, and discuss how to wash, disinfect, and polish these surfaces.

1. For the daily cleaning of the floor, we recommend that you do not use any chemicals since they can easily spoil the floor if we use them a lot. Instead, use a soft bristle brush to apply the mixture with a bit of soap and warm water, wait a few minutes, and then dry the area with a dry cloth.

2. There is a wide variety of chemicals for disinfecting floors,; among them, we have to find the appropriate product for the type of your mobile home floor.

3. The floors may always be stained, and these imperfections require more than water and soap. Depending on the source of the stain, it can be easily fixed.

4. Wet spots, humidity spots, or mold often appear due to the presence of water, and they can easily be cleaned with warm water and detergent.

5. Food stains: If your floors have organic spots, you can remove them with a little ammonia. Just put some ammonia on the stain, let it act all night, and in the morning, clean the surface with soap and warm water.

6. For oil spots, immediately clean the oil with a cloth or a napkin and add some talc or flour to the damaged area. Then, wash the surface with soap and water.

7. Shoes or dirt spots: At this point, we recommend mixing water and hydrogen peroxide to clean the dirt. Then, use dishes to remove the final stain and leave the ground impeccable.

8. Oxidized spots: To eliminate oxide, special products must be used. Look for those specific to your floor type. For these products, performing tests in areas with little visibility is recommended.

I hope these basic tips have helped you better understand how to minimize your exposure to soft spots so that you can have a safe, dry floor in your mobile home for years to come.

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

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September 22, 2023