‘Putting the Cart Before the Horse’ Home and Site Should be Compatible
“Putting the cart before the horse” is often applicable to purchasers of new manufactured homes, often entering into a non-contingent purchase agreement before knowing where the home is to be located and the costs of placement. Any home purchase commitment should be contingent on locating a placement location. Typically the retailer will have information pertaining to the availability of placement locations in local areas.
The truth of the matter is; shopping for a location goes hand-in-hand with shopping for your new manufactured home. In some instances, this can be a simple task, in others it may bring up questions that will strongly influence your choice of home and vice versa.
Typically new manufactured home buyers will locate their new home within a manufactured home community or placement on private property. The following information should be helpful in coordinating home and placement sites.
Manufactured Home Communities: When choosing a community location, find out about rules and regulations of the community. Become familiar with the community’s rent policies. Ask, for example, if children are allowed, whether you can have pets, what site improvements are required, and the time frame required for completion.
Look beyond such obvious factors as appearance, size of lots, and landscaping. Find out in advance who is responsible for yard maintenance, garbage removable, and whether these are included in your rent.
Lastly, talk to residents for their opinions about the community. Talk to the community manager. Ask yourself if you are prepared to live up to the rules, and also find out if the rules are lived up to by other tenants. Find out exactly what is and what is noted included in your rent.
Locating On Private Property: Perhaps you intend to place your new manufactured home on your own property or property you intend to purchase. This depends entirely on the regulations and restrictions of the town/county where your property is located.
As a first step, go to your county courthouse, or city hall, and obtain a copy of the zoning ordinances that apply to the area in which you are interested. In any event, do not buy property until you can satisfy the local restrictions.
After you locate a site that suits you and know you can obtain any necessary approval there are other things to consider.
Does the property have restrictive covenants or other deed restrictions that may limit your use of the property?
How far away are utilities? How much will you have to pay in property taxes?
You will have to arrange with your retailer certain site preparations, they include; properly prepared concrete strips or a slab to support the necessary piers on which the home will be set-up, or an approved foundation system depending on local conditions, adequate anchorage provisions, and connection to utilities. If water and/or hookups are not available, then you may have to dig a well and install your own septic system.
Note: Suggest you purchase your new manufactured home from a knowledgeable retailer in your geographical area willing to coordinate placement functions and include all the costs of site preparations and installations in your home contract purchasing agreement and include all other site related functions within your land/home financing.
