FOR YOUR FILES
Chosing a Mobile Home Park
If you are considering buying or upgrading a home in a MH community, it is advisable to check out the various parks first. Each one has a different personality and you will want to find the one that marries well with yours. Whether you are staying in your area or moving to a new location, you will save yourself time by asking yourself what lifestyle and community you are looking for. Here are some suggestions: DECIDE:
■ What facilities do they have available?
■ What kind of social life are you looking for? Active or quiet?
■ Do you want a senior park, a family park, or a combination?
■ Do you want to buy an existing home or replace an old one?
■ Do you want to lease space or have ownership in the land?
■ If you want ownership, do you prefer condo or coop ownership?
■ If you want to lease, are you looking for rent control?
■ What can you realistically afford given the space rental/mainteinance
fees and mortgage? ■ What areas or cities are you interested in?
INVESTIGATE:
If you have friends who live in a MH community, ask them what they think you should look into. Get a copy of their MH Laws that are given to all residents of MHs in Calif. Search for the amenities and activities offered in the areas or cities you are interested in: Are there colleges, hospitals, recreation areas, libraries, etc.? Google the city or ask the Chamber of Commerce. Call the communities you are interested in and speak to the manager. ■ Do they have homes for sale now, or expect any to be available soon? ■ What are the Park requirements to buy/lease a space or replace an existing MH? ■ Are they willing to send you a copy of their requirements and rules? ■ Will they send you their activity calendar or bulletin? ■ What are their clubhouse use rules? Will they send those to you? ■ What are their rules regarding animals? ■ What are the regulations on buildouts and fences and trees? ■ Is there public transportation available? Are there schools and shopping nearby? ■ Is there an active Home Owners Association? What committees do they have? (Or is that set by the manager?) ■ A few possibly sensitive questions: Who owns the park—i.e. is it a corporate group or an individual owner? Is the manager hired as part of a management company or individually?
■ Is it in a good neighborhood/location? ■ Is the entry attractive?Is it gated or fenced or walled? ■ Is the park well-planned? Is there green space? ■ Is there adequate lighting? Parking? ■ Are there views? ■ What kind of landscaping is there? Is the landscaping in front of the
homes maintained by the owners or the park? ■ Does the park have dog walking areas and doggie bag stations? ■ What are the ages of the homes? Are they appealing? ■ Are there attractive yards, patios and/or porches?
MORE: Check out the activities at that park again. Some communities have people who are active on their own (in their own homes) and others have recreation committees or even staff. Some are very quiet with few activities offered while others have dinners, lunches, pancake breakfasts or teas. A few even have dancing (some require special insurance for such an event, especially if alcohol is served); many now have large TVs for group viewing (some only allow group events if everyone in the park is invited); a few of the most active have musicals and plays, bus trips, lectures, book clubs and Bible studies; many have coffee hours and card games—the variety is endless. The way the parks are managed also varies, depending on the owner or manager and/or former problems in the park. Some managers are professionally trained, but most aren’t. A five-star rating requires “Superior management interested in the comfort of residents and maintenance of park.” You can ask around to see what issues you might want to be aware of. There are websites that rate parks; the California state government does also, but only on some issues. Find out what your loan options are, given your circumstances, asking local banks and going online. Mortgage rates and requirements vary a great deal. Some banks loan only to specific parks—find out if your circumstances match their requirements and how it effects your rate.
web sites: www.oceanpacificcapital.com/five-star-mobile-home-park-financing.php www.cmhi.org www.mobilehome.com www.mhvillage.com/Communities/Search.php www.manufacturedhousing.org www.manufacturedhomesource.com www.modular-experts.com www.mfdhousing.com
■ What kind of people live here? Talk to them. Ask them about life there.
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VISIT:
Pool, tennis, golf ? Snack bar? BBQ area? Picnic tables? Shuffleboard?Bocce? Basketball? Playground?(fenced?) Exercise room? Shower room? Library? With good books, dvds? Card room?Pool tables? Hobby rooms? Dinner/meeting/dance hall? Stage? Fireplace? Large TV? Are these facilities attractive and well-maintained? Are they used?