An understated sub-area of growth that we’ve seen however- has been the purchase of an older mobile home. Folks are becoming increasingly creative when it comes to how they live these days – and as a result – we’ve seen quite the surge in the purchase of mobile homes.
It’s safe to say that today’s mobile homes are not what they used to be. They come with all sorts of bells and whistles and under the hood – are just as nice, if not nicer than traditional homes in some cases. What homebuyers are finding though – is that there’s even more value to be had in bringing older mobile homes forward and renovating them.
If you find yourself tempted by the value older mobile homes offer, here are some of the things to think about and do if you decide to purchase one. Let’s jump right in!
Exterior
Older mobile homes are usually rife with siding, which over time can take a real beating. They also used chalked paint, which means you’ll need to seal the panels before painting over them. This can be purchased at any local store. Simply power wash the side of your home, apply the chalk sealer, let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then you’ll be free to paint.
Interior
The biggest challenge with older mobile homes is that they tend to look dated. You’ll have some technical fix ups – filling in old nail holes, patching and replacing drywall, etc. But these are all things that can be done affordably and something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can go a long way. One of our favorite updates people make – is splurging just a bit – and going granite with their countertops. You’d be amazed at what a fresh coat of paint and granite can do for the interior look of an older mobile home.
Flooring
Installing flooring is going to be no different than if you were installing it in a regular home. You’ll probably encounter lots of carpet – which will need to come out – and whatever tiling is left around is likely to have seen some wear and tear over the years. Replacement tiling is super affordable and even if you elect to splurge a little bit, you’re already more or less playing with house money thanks to the bargain you got on the home to begin with.
Plumbing and electrical
Plumbing and electrical isn’t sexy, but it’s necessary to pass city codes. Bring in an inspector and have them check all of your HVAC, your water heater and your outlets. Make sure you change your outlets near water sources and make sure you ground your fault interrupters.
Plumbing is doubly important because it can cause water damage. Hire pros to do this and don’t scrimp on the prices. This is the one area where a job well done is worth its weight in gold.
Don’t break the bank
One thing we always implore our customers to do is to NOT overspend. Things like fixtures, counter tops and the like – they’re all available at local builders warehouses and the like. Take your time before your rebuild to acquire all the things you’d like to have in your home. It doesn’t all have to happen in one, fowl swoop. Take your time and get what you want affordably!
If you’re looking to remodel your mobile home and aren’t sure where to start, feel free to give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation! Hopefully these tips will give you a roadmap of where you need to go! Good luck!