I have an older park with several lots that can only fit a box length of 56 feet, so its looking like my best option is going to be new homes.Right now Tru homes seems to pummel the competition it terms of price. I’m in the Michigan area, and I have a fairly low end park with high tenant demand, so I’m more concerned with providing shelter than anything fancy. Nevertheless, if anyone has bought Tru homes and has anything bad or good to say I would love to hear it.There are several options on the Tru homes I would appreciate any insights on:-House Type Front door with storm - $225 (seems unnecessary)-30# roof loan - ($475) (Since the home is built to hud code, I’m assuming this is unnecessary)-Ice Dam Protection ($125) (I have no idea what this is)-Thermal Pane dual glaze vinyl windows ($295)-Gas Range and Furnace ($550) (This options seems like a no brainer yes for such a cold climate)
I have a lot of experience with TRUmh homes. The Dempsey is your only option as a 2+1 or an Ali doubewide which is 28x56. TRUmh is the best bang for the buck for a reliable shade and shelter house.I would go with a house type door with storm otherwise you will have an outswing front door and no storm door.30# roof loads are for northern homes that deal with tons of snow. I’m in the Cincinnati metro and we get our share of snow and we don’t need it here. Michigan might need it.Ice Dam is not something I have experience with and have never ordered.Thermo Pane windows are too cheap not to order and will save your tenant money in utility bills and you money rehabbing in the future if you have to put more tenants in the home later. The big issue with self storing storm windows is that folks leave the outer window up and the elements go directly into the window sill and rot it out and the stud and drywall beneath it. Thermo pane windows eliminate that problem and look so much nicer and tilt out for easy cleaning. They offer a lot of value.Gas range and furnace are not a popular item unless you have a park space with only 100 amp service you don’t wish to upgrade to 200 amps. Most folks prefer all electric houses with a heat pump in my area. Connecting gas to the home is costly and requires a plumber or HVAC tech and inspections and some customers have a fear of gas leaks and explosions. Put the extra money into a heat pump is what I would do unless the vast majority of folks in your are are comfortable with and prefer gas.
Awesome, thanks Bruce!I live in a very mild climate so am not familiar with many cold weather items, would you mind elaborating a little more on why this could be a significant advantage?:"I would go with a house type door with storm otherwise you will have an outswing front door and no storm door."One quirk to my park is its on master metered electric (but not gas), so the gas furnace would have the advantage of shifting some of the strain from the system I own onto the gas company.
If you don’t go with a house type door with storm(aka combo door) then you have a solid slab looking door with no glass that opens outward. Upside is its lower cost and maintenance, downside is it’s not as attractive.With a combo door folks like to leave the interior door open and just have the storm and screen door open to see outside and allow fresh air during the warm weather months.I see your point with master metered electric so in that case gas/gas would benefit you.
I have a park with small lots in Indiana. I’d look for small used homes on Craig’s list. I have found several 50-56ft long homes. Widen your search to neighboring Craigslist to increase your chances of finding them. I would not spend 30k filling a lot on a low end park, not when it can be done for less then 10. Take a look at this home I got for free! It needed moved, but was in nice shape and filled a smaller lot…, http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/reo/4954647198.html
How were you able to obtain the above home for free?
It was on a lake front lot that some people purchased to build a home on. They wanted it moved and I was the first person to talk to them. I was confident in what I was doing and had the home wrapped up quickly. Here is another home I got for 3k. I saw the ad on Craigslist, went and looked at it, and bought it less then 24 hours from the time they posted it on Craigslist. It was 1 owner and very well kept. http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/reo/4954651892.htmlYou have to be consistent on Craigslist, quick, knowledgeable and have the cash ready. I straight up tell the people that I am reputable, know what I’m doing, and will quickly have the home off their property. Some people just “hope they can get that trailer off their property” and know little about that process.
Depending on where you are located you should also confirm with the local building inspector that the home is permitted to be relocated to your lot. Some areas all kinds of restrictions regarding age of buildings, upgrading to meet present codes etc. You do not want to move a old home only to find out after the fact that it is not allowed or to get a building permit to place the home requires thousands in code upgrades.Always check with local building codes before doing anything.