How to sell a mobile home?????

**Jerseygirl** · 08-18-2009, 07:33 PM

Dh's grandmother died rather unexpectedly 2 weeks ago, which meant we all had to fly to Florida to take care of the business of such. I was able to do everything that needed to be done except sell this mobile home. I have it listed with the in house sales people, cleaned it, emptied out all the personal belongings, and have listed it for exactly 1/2 of the estimated value. I have even offerred the salesperson that sells it an additional $500 commission. It's in a really nice little community, which is currently costing me $500 per month while it sits vacant. I hate throwing this $ away to carry this place every month, our only other choice is to donate it back to the park and let them sell it and keep the $, which in a few months will be the plan. I even called charities to donate it too, noone will take it because it is in a park and not on it's own land.
Anyone have experience with this or suggestins???

**dianeeileen** · 08-18-2009, 09:53 PM

Ok, I have been there, I had to sell two mobile homes and they are not easy to sell. The park would LOVE you to give it to them. Don't do it if you can help it. Make up flier's with pictures and post them around where you live. Snow Birds will be interested. Take out AD's on Craigs List, and all the free sites you can find on the internet. Put AD's in church papers around where the home is and any local free papers. I bought a used 1962 single wide when I was single for 4,000 dollars I resold it 8 years latter for 4,000. It can be done. I sold my mom's 1977 single wide for 5,000 a few years ago and presently trying to sell her double wide for her. You have to blanket every free place you can put it up. That location will attract snow birds. I would put ads in MI, Ohio, and other cold climates. Good Luck and if all fails don't give it to the park, try listing it with an independent mobile home sales person. They are listed in the phone books. Some will buy the house out right from you and resell it for a profit. Better a little money then letting the park have it. Diane

**Greebo** · 08-19-2009, 08:40 AM

$500/month ground rent eh? So every 2 months you're $1000 closer to having paid the park the value of the trailer.

What is it's appraised value? (And I say that tongue in cheek, knowing that mobile homes don't have much value at all... )

**jas** · 08-19-2009, 09:00 AM

really the lot rent is that much? It must be a nice park. I live in Florida, brother lives in a 55 and older park. No ammenities. His lot rent is about 260.00 a month. My dad bought him his mobile home for 7500.00 eight years ago.

I would think you would be able to find someone to buy it. Sounds like you have it priced to sell at 1/2 off. Winter is coming and the snowbirds may be in the market for cheap living.

like the other posters have said try as many cheap ads as you can!

**NikoSan999** · 08-19-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

$500/month ground rent eh? So every 2 months you're $1000 closer to having paid the park the value of the trailer.

What is it's appraised value? (And I say that tongue in cheek, knowing that mobile homes don't have much value at all... )

Totally agree here. I live in Florida and in a nice town but full of mobile home parks. Don't know where yours is located. Here they are sitting empty with either for sale signs or for rent. This is for several towns/cities surrounding us also. $500 is high especially with nothing extra in the mix.
1. Unless you are turning off the electric ( which will eventually cause problems with the trailer in Fl if you do ) you will also have an electric bill.
2. In a 55 plus park you cannot even have family come and stay more than a few days. Here it is 3 unless special permission. Also if one spouse is under 55, again, special permission which is hard to get on this one. This is why alot of northerners rent a house.
3. Like Greebo said, for every two months you will have paid at least $1000 for lot rent. Season dosen't start here with snowbirds coming back until earliest Sept and most in October. There's 2 months to start. While Greebo didn't say it I will. If it was me I wouldn't give it more than a month and if it didn't sell I would let the park have it.

**Greebo** · 08-19-2009, 09:48 AM

Yeah, that. The park is expecting to get the trailer sooner or later. Not a bad deal for them - they create a park, lease the land, then let their tenants buy the trailers for them. Oh..sorry..."homes".

Dunno why anyone would sign up for that...

**jas** · 08-19-2009, 09:58 AM

The older the trailer the less likely someone can buy it and move it off the property onto thier own land. Not knowing the condition or if it has attached out buildings or carport ect. Someone might take it off your hands for free if they incure the cost to move it. Just a thought.

**mhope** · 08-19-2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Yeah, that. The park is expecting to get the trailer sooner or later. Not a bad deal for them - they create a park, lease the land, then let their tenants buy the trailers for them. Oh..sorry..."homes".

Dunno why anyone would sign up for that...

For many people a trailer is a home. A home is what you make it.

**Greebo** · 08-19-2009, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by mhope

For many people a trailer is a home. A home is what you make it.

No no - not the trailer - the putting at trailer in a park where if the rent isn't paid they take possession of the trailer.

**mhope** · 08-19-2009, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

No no - not the trailer - the putting at trailer in a park where if the rent isn't paid they take possession of the trailer.

Well if you don't paid your property taxes the local government comes it away.

**Greebo** · 08-19-2009, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by mhope

Well if you don't paid your property taxes the local government comes it away.

If my tenant doesn't pay his rent, I evict him. I don't take his furniture. (Unless he leaves it behind)

I don't think I'm making myself clear here though.

I just think its a pretty lousy deal for the mobile home owner. $500/month to have land for the trailer to sit on, and a mortgage on a trailer on top of that? Ugh! Better to rent the trailer and later buy land + trailer together

**mhope** · 08-19-2009, 02:21 PM

Oh agree. Also depends what's offer with that 500 rent.

**Greebo** · 08-19-2009, 02:28 PM

Fair point - around here the $500/month gets you a postage stamp.

**NikoSan999** · 08-20-2009, 07:44 PM

While I don't live in one as I said there are many many here and all but one are 55 and older. I'll try to explain WHY many older people do this but with cheaper lot rent. Some lot rents are locked in prices for as long as you stay and anywhere from $200 to $350 a month. .
Companionship of like age. Interests, birth era, etc. They kind of look after each other and each others properties. The ones that stay year round look out for snowbirds properties. They grow close friendships due to age and like interests
Also as these people grow older they want a yard but can't keep up with mowing, gardening etc. In alot of parks this is done for them while still keeping their flowers etc. If the park dosen't do this then alot of times neighbors will driver their mower over, mow and stop for a chat and something to drink.
The trailers in most parks aren't expensive. You can get a really nice one for $20,000 or little less and that's top of the line. A very nice one for $12,000 or less and not mess with yardwork etc.
They cannot afford a condo or an apartment but they can afford this. It is not a bad way to live for alot of people. Independence while still looked after by like kind/age. Go north or on vacation and know that your home and property is looked after.
Alot of our customers like in mobile home parks. They are very nice people.