Tips about purchasing a pre-owned mobile home.

(1) SALE PRICE -- Most mobile homes offered for sale are priced at current market value. Some sellers want a quick sale on their home and will offer the home under market value which will normally be noted in the listing specifications. If you feel the asking price is fair it is best to make your offer at or as close as possible to the asking price. Always be willing to neogiate with the seller through the agent on any offer you do make. You must like the home or you wouldn't make an offer so do not be negative toward the home to the buyer as this will often result in the seller being unwilling to work out an acceptable price with you.

(2) VIEWING APPOINTMENTS -- Be flexible as the agent may have other showings or closings and possibly can't meet with you immediately. You will want to be able to view the mobile homes you are interested in an un-rushed manner so you can get to see all the mobile home and related park have to offer.

(3) BE HONEST & FAIR WITH THE AGENT -- Why waste your time and their time for instance, if you have a maximum price you wish to pay for a mobile home, say $10,000 and all the homes listed are over $20,000. why waste your time and theirs? Also since most communities have background and credit check requirements for residency make sure the agent knows if there are any negative reasons in your history that may disqualify you from residency. Our agents may then be able to point you to a community that is less restrictive or help you apply to a park before you make an offer on a mobile home. Even if you are just researching mobile homes and do not plan to purchase one for a year or two, let the agent know. They will be willing to show you around and offer any help they can. Then if they know what you are looking for they can send you information on any mobile home that will come on the marked meeting your critera.

(4) WHAT TO LOOK FOR -- Keep in mind that you are looking mainly at the location, size, layout and condition of a mobile home within the price range you are willing to spend. It is possible that the home may not be as clean as you may like for reasons such as the owner is disabled, elderly or that the property has been vacant for some time. Remember a good thorough cleaning can make a world of difference in that mobile home and the asking price normally reflects these conditions which may save you thousands of dollars, so try to overlook that aspect. Look past the clutter of an occupied mobile home, it will be gone when the owner vacates and you take possession of the mobile home. Carefully look at the condition of both the outside and the inside of the home. Does it need minor or major repair? The asking price probably already reflects this but with a little elbow grease and a few repairs or updates you could have a home you are proud of at a very reasonable cost.

(5) WHEN CAN I MOVE IN -- The day of closing. Normally most closing dates are set at 30 days or less from the date a seller signs the offer to purchase. This allows you time to get park approval for residency, get acquainted with the park rules and regulations, allows us time to process all the necessary paper work and of course time for the seller, if occupying the home, time to vacate the mobile home. In most cases a quicker closing is very possible if the home is already vacant and the seller is quickly available for doing their part in the sales process. In certain cases a seller may want or need an extended closing date which if it suits your needs can be negoitated. Be sure the agent knows your needs on a closing date so they can show you only the homes that may qualify to your needs and wants.

(6) BE POLITE -- If the mobile home you are viewing is occupied, remember this is the owners home and is decorated, cluttered and lived in their way. Clutter goes when they vacate the mobile home, you will decorate the home your way so don't make negative comments about the home in front of the owner. In many cases they do not wish to sell but circumstances may force them to and negative comments from you will only make them less likely to neogiate a sales price, accomadate your needed occupancy date and so on. You could lose the home you want just by making an negative remark about a picture on their wall.

(7) ASK QUESTIONS -- Feel free to ask the sales agent about security, traffic, noise, neighbors, local attractions, restaurants, shopping, medical, etc. They are familiar with the area and can be of great help to you. Get as much information about the park and area as you can so that you can make your decision wisely.

(8) PARK RULES & REGULATIONS -- Make sure that the park policies will work for you. Our agents can answer most of these questions and can help you with the park management for the ones they can't. Some items to check out. Pet policy, what is included in the lot rent, what amenities does the park have to offer, rent increases, allowed updates to your home just to name for just a few.

(9) CAN I REPLACE THE HOME OR RESELL IT --
Florida law allows you to sell your mobile home using ANY licensed mobile home broker or as a for sale by owner. Sign placement is determined by individual park rules. If you wish to replace an existing home, park rules may stipulate the age, size and style of the mobile home allowed. It is always best to confer with park management for their exact rules and regulations.

(10) FINANCING -- If you will need to obtain financing for your purchase let our agent know or get pre-qualified before you start viewing homes. Let the agent know that you are able to finance the home. If you won't need financing, let the agent know that you are ready, willing, and able to buy a home with cash.
NOTE: We can refer you to local financial institutions that will handle mobile home loans.

(11) DEPOSITS -- When you want to make an offer, be aware that a down payment (deposit) will be required. Unless a deposit is reseived the home is not taken off the market and you stand a chance of losing the home if another buyer shows up and makes a deposit. We require a 10% deposit on any offer as this shows us and the seller that you are serious about purchasing the home. If you wish to make an offer but do not have the full deposit amount right then we will accept a smaller deposit and take the home off the market temporarily with the stipulation the balance of the deposit be made within an agreed upon time element. Make sure you agree on all aspects of the purchase before you give a deposit. If your offer is not accepted your deposit is returned. If your offer is accepted your deposit will be returned if you can not get park acceptance for residency or if you need financing and can't get it. Be sure to read your offer to purchase contract as there are time elements you need to follow or you stand the chance of being in breach of contract and may forfiet your deposit.