[USER]

would you purchase a double wide mobile home (3 bed 2 bath) that was previously in a fire but has been completely remodeled (electric, plumbing etc) on .3 of an acre for $80k?

the fire aspect is what’s making me hesitant

[Tristia]

I would get an inspection before I even considered it. If you are needing a loan. There’s where it could be a problem.

Unless a mobile home has been detitled it is considered a vehicle.

Getting it insured might also be an issue.

[Nancy]

In general a mobile home goes down in value vs a house that will appreciate.

I would put the money toward a down payment on a house

[Jackie]

Pay for a home inspection and you’ll have your answer. They are worth every cent and will tell you every possible issue with the home.

[Nick]

Mobil homes depreciate in value. Fire or no fire. Not really a good investment.

You’d be better off to look for a smaller home in your budget.

[Debbie]

When in doubt, don’t do it. Go with your Gut instinct.

You could have problems that insurance won’t cover down the road.

[Chelsea]

As long as you have an inspection with a clause to allow you to rescind your offer if any safety/structural issues are found…

I wouldn’t worry about it.

If it is septic, make sure you have that inspected too.

[Kristi]

How old is it and did they replace the wiring? I believe I would probably want the wiring replaced before I would consider living in it.

I will add that mobile homes were a deal breaker for us when we were looking for property.

Unlike site built homes, they depreciate over time.

Since your home is generally your largest investment, we couldn’t afford one that loses value.

[Brian]

If you are buying the land also, I could see this being a good thing.

Inspection on the home to make sure it was repaired properly.

[Melissa]

Be sure to get a building inspector and not one recommended by the seller. Ask for receipts of work.

They don’t have to provide this but I would ask, anyway.

[Megan]

No because insuring trailers here is astronomical, and it’s near impossible to ever get a payout.

Also, anything that needs to be replaced cost way more money and it’s super difficult to get contractors that will do work on them

[Marilyn]

Can you get insurance on the home? That would matter to me. Will you own or lease the property? That makes a huge difference.

Make sure you get a professional inspection.

[Mindy]

It depends on what you are doing with it. I bought a trailer that was built on a huge basement along with an addition on 5 acres of land.

It worked for my family but didn’t realize people don’t like trailers and took a huge loss.

[Natalie]

I would first have the fire Marshal do an inspection. They may do this without charge. If you get a clean inspection that will help you get a loan.

I’d then get a property inspection.

You’ll have to pay for that. You can have them fix any issues found or negotiate the price based on the findings.

Then I’d decide. Good luck.

[Cindee]

Your first order of business s/b to call several insurance companies to make sure you can insure the mobile affordably.

[Brooke]

Probably depends on where it’s at. Honestly, if it was completely remodeled (correctly) then it’s probably fine. An inspection is still needed regardless of any previous damage or not.

Where I live, mobile homes appreciate in value. My neighborhood ranges anywhere from $150,000-$400,000 for double wides.

They’re mostly closer to the lower end of that range though.

We’re about to do a total remodel of our house because we found an old leak. Inspectors didn’t catch it when we bought the place.

It’s turning into us gutting the entire house.

[Gail]

I wouldn’t. I worked in a business where we had a fire in 1981. I can still smell it when I go back there.

They never really get the smell out especially on a damp or humid day.

[Christina]

I don’t think I’d buy a mobile home, but that’s me. Just the quality of the product.

Then, it’s also been in a fire…. See if they’ll just sell you the land and remove the mobile home.

Usually you have to pay people to remove mobile homes from a property because they *can be* so undesirable.

Not always!

[Suzanne]

I live in a home that had a fire and has been completely redone, but I know it was all done because my husband did it.

So as long as you know all the work was done well, I wouldn’t let the previous fire scare me

[Tiffany]

No, mobile homes will not hold up for 30 years. Invest in a home that appreciates in value and use that money in a down payment.

Plus, if a tornado happened to come through, you are more safe.

[Author]

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