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Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You Decide
Old 11-20-2004, 06:38 PM   #1
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Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You Decide

I'm thinking about moving to Arizona in about a year. I'm 25 and I'm still a young dreamer. There seem to be two good options for housing in the desert that are in my price range ($80,000-$120,000).

1. New Double-Wide Trailer Home: These are usually 1600-2000 sq ft. and built within the last five years. The interiors on these homes look very nice. These homes seem to come with about 4 acres of land on average so there's plenty of space and no neighboors to get annoyed over. Here's an example of this home: http://www.longrealty.com/property/s...ial&MLS=112617

2. Small New Home: These homes are smaller than the trailer homes and vary between 1000-1500 square feet. Most of the homes were built within the last five years. If the home is new, it usually has a very small yard, and if you keep your curtains open, you may be able to see your neighboors. Some of the homes in this category have homeowner's association fees that can add to the maintenance cost of this home. The fees pay for common use areas like pools or clubhouses that the community may have. Here's an example of this home:
http://www.longrealty.com/property/s...ial&MLS=111390



So, would you choose the trailer home with the land or the small new home in an established community?
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 01:48 AM   #2
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Depends upon whether you prefer the social interaction with neighbors, or the open land to walk around on. *Its just a matter of personal preference. You will have a warm place to sleep either way.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 02:35 AM   #3
 
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

My wife and I are well matched in this area, i.e.
we are both country people and you really can't be too far away from what passes for civilization to suit us.

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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 03:50 AM   #4
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

You are going to have to figure out which you would get the most out of. Will you use the amenities of the established community enough to make it worth the monthly fees? Make a list of pros and cons.

For me I would choose the space but I would have a really difficult time adjusting to no grass in both cases.

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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 04:06 AM   #5
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

I suspect, all other things being equal, that the resale value of the small house is going to be much better than the resale value on a trailer...double-wides don't really age that well.

Personally, I couldn't live in either. I have just shy of two hundred acres and my neighbors are still too close for my taste.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 05:02 AM   #6
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

I think it really comes down to personal preference. I dont know what value land has in Arizona, but 4 acres where I live would run you into the high 6 figures if not more. Depending on the land values, it might be worth it to get the land/trailer and build a house on it eventually. There are many cheap/simpler solutions such as pre-fab housing you might think about down the line.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 08:05 AM   #7
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Quote:
I'm thinking about moving to Arizona in about a year. I'm 25 and I'm still a young dreamer. There seem to be two good options for housing in the desert that are in my price range ($80,000-$120,000).

1. New Double-Wide Trailer Home: These are usually 1600-2000 sq ft. and built within the last five years. The interiors on these homes look very nice. These homes seem to come with about 4 acres of land on average so there's plenty of space and no neighboors to get annoyed over. Here's an example of this home: http://www.longrealty.com/property/s...ial&MLS=112617

2. Small New Home: These homes are smaller than the trailer homes and vary between 1000-1500 square feet. Most of the homes were built within the last five years. If the home is new, it usually has a very small yard, and if you keep your curtains open, you may be able to see your neighboors. Some of the homes in this category have homeowner's association fees that can add to the maintenance cost of this home. The fees pay for common use areas like pools or clubhouses that the community may have. Here's an example of this home:
http://www.longrealty.com/property/s...ial&MLS=111390

So, would you choose the trailer home with the land or the small new home in an established community?
Wow! *I'm in the Phx area and I can't believe the differences in the land prices! *Well, actually I can believe it of course... *

I'm curious: *what are typical prices of just the double wide by itself? *
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 08:07 AM   #8
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Depends on personal preference.

Permanent structures would be my personal preference. One thing you may want to look at is the average time on the market for single family homes versus double wides on 4 acres. This could be an issue either way when you go to sell later. Where is the higher demand in this area? Lots of space or the social factor?

If this is a popular growing area, resale may not be an issue and it may simply be your personal prefeance at that point.

-TB.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 06:20 PM   #9
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Quick turn-around was a main factor in the house I selected to buy in my mid 20's. I was still single, not dating anyone seriously, and wanted to make sure I had a decent OUT if I wanted it.

Since you are still younger, I would go for the home in established community. Seems easier to unload if you need to relocate, family status change, etc.

Personally, 4acres is too secluded for me -- I'd be imaging creepy pychos were coming to get me and no where to run!! Yes, my 50' lot is very close to my neighbors, and I do get v.v.v. annoyed with the loud music , but I also know that I can bang on their door in the middle of the day or night if I need help.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-21-2004, 07:15 PM   #10
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Quote:
Personally, 4acres is too secluded for me -- I'd be imaging creepy pychos were coming to get me and no where to run!! *Yes, my 50' lot is very close to my neighbors, and I do get v.v.v. annoyed with the loud music , but I also know that I can bang on their door in the middle of the day or night if I need help. *
Solution to creepy psychos coming to get you in your home with nowhere to run: Fully loaded shotgun.

By the way, the neighbors may not be much use to you in the middle of the night when the psycho is walking up the stairs in your house and the cops may take a few minutes to get there in time.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-22-2004, 05:04 AM   #11
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Quote:
Solution to creepy psychos coming to get you in your home with nowhere to run: *Fully loaded shotgun.

By the way, the neighbors may not be much use to you in the middle of the night when the psycho is walking up the stairs in your house and the cops may take a few minutes to get there in time.
LOL-- I can hear the Pyscho "eeek,eek, eek" music in the background of this post!!

I think a German Shephard would be a good alternative!
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-22-2004, 07:47 AM   #12
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

I would go for the open space...but the quality difference is apparent in those photos, so it depends on what is more important to you. That appears to be a high end house (tile, kitchen, etc) compared to the double wide.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-22-2004, 09:07 AM   #13
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

The picture of the double wide screams depreciation to me.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-22-2004, 06:11 PM   #14
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Perhaps it is a decision I can only make when I move to Arizona and can see both options in person. What worries me is that a lot of trailer homes are built with inferior quality and so they depreciate quickly. It might be worth it to buy the trailer home if I think that the community is growing and someone will want to purchase my 4 acres for a lot of money. But, there are no guarentees that is going to happen.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 11-23-2004, 04:20 AM   #15
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

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Perhaps it is a decision I can only make when I move to Arizona and can see both options in person. What worries me is that a lot of trailer homes are built with inferior quality and so they depreciate quickly.
Two valid points.

I live not far from SV and it is a very tansient community (military) and growing, as people move from Tucson and attempt to commute (crazy). You would definitely need to look at the doublewide closely because everyone around you could be living in a trash heap. Even with lots of landscaping your property values would stay low Not a concern if you KNOW you will be living there always, but which of us knows that. We lived in a DW for a short time several years ago while saving money to build a house. It was in a maintained park which helped keep the values higher but these type homes are notoriously poorly insulated and difficult to maintain. Once things start going bad it's a slippery slope.

Your best return would be with the site built home. Most houses in AZ have block walls all around the lot so neighbors become less of a problem but you could live nextdoor to 4 guys (or gals) living off-base who like to party. You'll just have to check it out in person.

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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 12-04-2004, 05:42 AM   #16
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

Another vote for the site built home for depreciation reasons.

My brother runs a mobile home park and makes good money buying and selling homes because they depreciate so quickly. I'd choose an established or promising community for a best chance to appreciate. In fact, an ideal purchase (financially speaking) would be a 2, 3 or 4 unit building where you occupy one of the units and rent out the others. But whatever you decide to buy, do lots of homework first so you are comfortable you understand the market. $100K is a lot of money -- try to spend it well.

Best wishes.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 12-04-2004, 07:56 AM   #17
 
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

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My brother runs a mobile home park and makes good money buying and selling homes because they depreciate so quickly.
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 12-04-2004, 07:58 AM   #18
 
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

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My brother runs a mobile home park and makes good money buying and selling homes because they depreciate so quickly.
How does he make money selling crap that loses money the minute he touches it? Fraud?
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De
Old 12-04-2004, 10:20 AM   #19
 
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Re: Trailer Home with Land or Small House...You De

I can answer that Liz (may I call you Liz?).

He can make money because he lets others take the depreciation "hit". He knows when to buy and when/how to sell. Classic free enterprise. It would only look like fraud to a socialist or hopeless liberal.

JG

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