Single wides are typically long and narrow with their rooms connecting without hallways. Double wides are twice as wide as single wides and have hallways connecting some of its rooms. Triple wides are much larger and typically have 3 to 4 bedrooms with hallways and much more open space. Most mobile homes or trailers require a foundation. For a truly mobile experience, a recreational vehicle, or RV, or camper trailer will provide the greatest mobility.
Make sure a used home will pass all of the necessary codes in your area. You can find out the building codes in your area by contacting your local government’s building division. If you’re buying new, check to make sure you’re buying from a reputable company that sells homes compliant with local building codes.
You can negotiate the price of a new mobile home just like you can a car. Most mobile home dealers have the price of the home marked up about 15 to 30 percent, so they have some room to lower the price for you.
It is a good rule to keep your home loan payment to under 30 percent of your net income. The payment should include money for the loan, the taxes, and any insurance on the home. The total of these should be under 30 percent of your net income. The total cost of a mobile home, land, delivery, and land preparation can cost between $75,000 to $300,000, and sometimes even more if you get all of the upgrades. [4] X Research source
Some larger financial institutions don’t do loans for mobile homes so you may have to look at smaller banks and credit unions. Local financial institutions might be best to get a good loan on a mobile home. The government issues loans for mobile homes for qualified individuals from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Visit their website to find out their qualifications for a loan.
Some rent to own agreements let the buyer have the option of not buying the home when the lease contract is up, but some are binding agreements that the buyer will definitely purchase the home. Make sure you read the agreement thoroughly before getting a rent to own property. It’s a good idea to have a lawyer look over the contract as well.
You can find out the zoning ordinances from your county tax assessor’s office.
You can hire a surveyor to provide you with a topographical map detailing the exact measurements of slopes on the land.
Decide how many bedrooms you need. Think about how many people will be living in the home, and if you will want an extra bedroom for guests. Consider how the floorplan is divided. Think about whether you want the bedrooms next to each other or on opposite sides of the home. Some floor plans are better set up for roommates with one bedroom and one bathroom on either end of the home, and others lend themselves more to a family set up with a couple of rooms together on one end. Pick a floorplan that has enough space for you and your family. You will want enough sleeping space as well as living space for your family to move around in.
Before constructing a permanent foundation on a land you will need a building permit. Some municipalities also require special permitting to connect to city utility lines. If you plan to use your land for any business or agricultural purposes, additional land use permits may also be required.
Be sure to schedule delivery for a day when you have a full day free. Delays may occur, causing your delivery to take longer than expected. Ask the company about any fees that may be associated with rescheduling your delivery due to unforeseen circumstances.
Use registered contractors to connect your utilities to the city supply lines.