To begin with , older mobile homes are still a good bargain. Just because it was built during the 60’s or 70’s may not really make it bad. However you need to be more cautious about what you purchase , specifically the condition it is in.
A lot of the value of an older home is in the ground it occupies. If you were to take even a new Manufactured home off of the site and stick it on a truck, it would loose a ton in worth. So be sure whatever you buy is in a good spot in a good park.
Secondly, you have to know that buying an older mobile home is limiting you in appreciation . Older mobile homes can only go up so much in value , and it probably will continue to go down in price – EVEN though you remodel or add on to the coach . So, you MUST be buying for more reasons. For instance you love the area , you love the layout, or you love the price. If this is the case, then who cares if it goes up in value . If you happen to care then consider installing a new home on the spot. This may be the only way to get more value.
Finally, routine maintanence is even more critical in older homes – they need to be repaired and kept in great condition to make sure they stay useful.
The greatest areas would be termites, electrical , plumbing, roof and leaks, and dampness .
If you locate an older mobile home that you like, the location is fine, and the floorplan is good for you then have a complete professional inspection and know that there will need to be remodeling done to get the place into good shape .
There have been times where the electrical or plumbing goes out in a single room or the entire mobile home, and the home owner just runs an extension cord or a hose from outside. Or any soft spots in the floor are not fixed – these are a huge problem for making sure the home does not loose any value.
If you own an older home now, or if you are buying or selling one, be aware that you should install smoke detectors and get the wiring inspected by a qualified electrician. Replacing the electrical is costly, but if you are going to remodel any amount, consider replacing as much of the wiring as you can.
Inspect the roof VERY well. Have a qualified roof company inspect the roof every 5 years. Fix any problems right away. Be sure that if you notice any water stains on the ceiling, get them fixed .
The plubming is another area that can be a cause of concern . Normal wear will create leaks – fix these right away. If you don’t fix any leaks right away, the damage caused will be very serious. Thankfully, these are normally cheap and easily repaired.
Termites and dry rot are often found in older homes. Look for any evidence of termites (small wood pellet piles). Get a pest inspection every 5 years and expect to have your unit tented . This will save thousands of dollars down the road.
Moisture – one of the biggest problems yet almost no one thinks about it. Because of the large area below a mobile home, there is a good chance that water can collect and stay standing under your home. Check this at least once a year. Also, all water needs to drain away from your home by 10 feet or more. Install gutters, downspouts, and french drains along all sides of your home to prevent water from pooling. Extra moisture rots the wood of the structure, and makes the ground uneven which then causes your home to become unlevel – which causes stress and twisting in the structure. You can fix this by re-leveling the home, but you must get rid of the extra moisture .
Moisture will lead to Mold. When mold is allowed to grow it becomes hard to get rid of and becomes a hazard to your health. This is why it is really necessary to have a new manufactured home installed on top of a vapor barrier.
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