My feeling based on some similar experience is that a well kept mobile (single wide) with a roofed veranda type cover over them can be a good housing unit. I realize things like plumbing and electrical can be issues. What is your assessment of a home of this type. Thanks guys.

Don't walk away. Run. Everything about those things, from the framing to the mechanicals, is sub-par and limited in lifespan. I've never lived in one, but I've been in plenty, and have yet to see one that I've been impressed with.

They're basically a step above RV construction without the mobility. While they may have made them a little better in the 70s than they do today, it's now 50 years old, and I would not be willing to chance the issues that are likely to be lingering just below the surface.

If it gets cold where you live, that's an even bigger issue, as most of them have exposed plumbing underneath, and it's mostly brittle plastic. You see people around here insulating the skirts as best they can, but it looks like a real headache.

I'd build a pole barn on a slab and live in it before I'd buy a trailer.

I was in a mobile home that was for sale some years back, on behalf of a young friend who wanted to move out of his parents' home, and it was a mess from normal wear and tear.

Leaky roof, gaps in the walls, especially around all the windows and doors, creaky flooring, and more.

Your normal home increases in value over the years. Mobile homes are more like used cars, losing substantial value over time, eventually ending at zero.

If you are looking to rent it like an apartment, sure, check it out. Ownership is not a winning proposition in my experience.

Only if it comes on a decent parcel of land. I’d value it as the land purchase only the mobile home adds negligible value in my opinion.

Land minus clean up/removal cost.

1970’s, aluminum wiring is a distinct possibility. There’s probably a good reason they roofed it like water leaks, originally was probably sheet metal and not shingles and leaks were pretty common. Probably gave up on sealing over the roof joints on a never ending basis. If the roof is supported by its own pillars into footings, that’s a plus. But if the new over roof is attached/sitting on the MH, well that’s a lot of load on those 2x4’s.

Non standard plumbing fixtures not uncommon. Window parts, good luck. Speaking of that, wind and water leaks not uncommon in MH windows of that era.

Walls were 2x4”s in that era including door frames. Flooring was particle board over the MH frame.

Personally I’d run away.

Death traps. I’ve investigated a number of fatal fires in mobile homes. The wiring is often marginal, the framing components are generally smaller with less separation of mechanicals from occupancy space. Fires tend to spread very rapidly. I would not live in one, nor recommend one to anyone that I care about.

Location also key. Texas - nope. WI - double nope.
It's a thinly insulated can.

One from the 70's - triple hell no unless I was homeless and someone gifted it to me. And even then, only for as short a time as possible.

From personal experience,
Stay away.

Good info above.

Or spend $275.00 and get an appraisal done.

Thanks. I understand the thoughts guys, I do.
Not in tornado country or freezing climate. The covering has been over it a long time and was done right. No evidence of leaks. Floor solid, windows and doors good. Siding good. No weird smells. I understand about mechanical issues possible. Good skirting. Interior is clean.
Yes property is a big chuck of the value. In this case the structure is pretty good and does have some value in terms of a usable home.

For reference I have a 30' rv trailer of the same era underneath a open sided pole barn.
Been that way since the early eighties. The trailer when cleaned looks almost new. It is amazing. It has withstood the test of time incredibly well.


We'll see on this one. Thanks a bunch.

quote:

Or spend $275.00 and get an appraisal done.

Whre are you getting appraisals worth the paper their printed on (assuming its emailed as a PDF), for $275?

I wouldn't even talk to someone on the phone for that little.

My Ex and I lived in a 1972 right after we got married mid 80s. Piece of junk. Aluminum wiring -sat and watched outlets sizzle and fry. Ugly as sin.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
Whre are you getting appraisals worth the paper their printed on (assuming its emailed as a PDF), for $275?

I wouldn't even talk to someone on the phone for that little.

I think we paid $600 or $650 for an appraisal on our first house 18 years ago. I figured an appraisal would be around $1000 nowadays for a basic home.

In the 80's we spent a winter in a 70's mobile home in Anchorage Alaska. Don't think the heater ever shut off and it was miserable. Wife and I could not wait to move back to Los Angeles.

But there are some decent ones that can be a cheap place to live.

Another thing to keep in mind is nearly everything in a trailer is different than standard construction. And not in a good way.
I have lived this scenario.

Turns out we were out bid . so all is good. Thanks guys and gals.

Just be sure its locked down!

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