Congratulations on finding your dream mobile home in the vibrant Sarasota, Florida area! As you prepare to make this significant investment, one crucial question arises: should you get a home inspection? While the allure of your ideal property may be strong, obtaining a professional inspection can provide invaluable insights and peace of mind.
A thorough home inspection can uncover hidden issues that may not be immediately apparent, potentially saving you from unexpected expenses down the line. From structural integrity to electrical and plumbing systems, a comprehensive examination ensures that your future home meets safety standards and is in good condition.
Furthermore, a home inspection can be a negotiation tool, allowing you to address any necessary repairs or adjustments with the seller before finalizing the purchase.
In this article, we will delve into the importance of getting a home inspection for your mobile home in the Sarasota area, empowering you to make an informed decision as you embark on this exciting journey of homeownership.
The price seems right, the layout is functional for your lifestyle and the location of the mobile home park is right within reach of all of the fun activities that Sarasota Florida is known for.
You may have had experience buying or selling a single-family home in the past but are curious about if you should go forward with a home inspection on the mobile home that you are looking to purchase and are interested on if you should spend the money to move forward with a home inspection.
Mobile home in a 55+ community
Sound familiar?
Let us explain.
If so, we are happy to help walk you through the pros and cons of ordering a home inspection on your Sarasota Florida mobile home that is located on leased land.
Mobile homes in the greater Sarasota Florida area that are located on leased land where you purchase the home and rent the land are viewed as and taxed as personal property in the state of Florida and not as real estate. As such the buying process is much different than that of a mobile home with land included or a single-family home.
When buying a mobile home on leased land through a licensed mobile home broker such as The Mobile Home Dealer, it is important to know that all homes sold are sold in As-Is condition.
What this means is that, essentially, what you see is what you get when it comes to the home and what you are getting for your money.
When Buyers are looking to obtain a home inspection for a mobile home that is being sold in As-Is condition we stress to the Buyer to not expect the Seller to go and fix anything that may or may not come up on the home inspection report. We further stress that many Sellers will not allow this report to be used as a bargaining tool either in an attempt for the Buyer to get the mobile home at a lower price, because, again, the home is being sold As-Is.
We do stress to all Buyers that if the Buyer is looking to obtain information from the home for their own information and nothing else it would be beneficial to move forward with a home inspection on the mobile home they are looking to purchase.
It is important for all Buyer to always keep their expectations reasonable when they are looking through the mobile home inspection report due to the fact that the average age of a mobile home in the greater Sarasota Florida area is that of a 1976 home. One needs to expect that there certainly could be some issues with a home of that age that has been sitting in the Florida weather for that many years.
Expecting a mobile home inspection to come back without a single issue would be unreasonable.
Most every Seller that we have ever worked with will accept a written offer from a Buyer assuming that they are buying what they are seeing and not anything other than this.
If you are really interested in a specific mobile home but are doubting the condition of the house, instead of paying for a costly inspector, ask the seller if they can give you details of the following basic but important concerns.
Random fresh paint
Before putting their home on the market, many mobile homeowners apply fresh coats of paint to the walls and ceiling. It’s easy to win by organizing the property and potentially increasing home value, and any buyer can appreciate a brighter, fresher space.
That said, beware of random patches of new paint or a single wall or ceiling sporting a fresh coat. These uneven paint jobs could hide anything from mold to cracks to water damage. It is important to address these concerns with the seller and your mobile home broker before signing any paperwork. If you see random fresh paint, make sure to ask for details from the seller.
Unexpected odors
Do the house smell like a big ashtray? Does it smell like a field of daisies? Both scents could be a red flag. While it’s obvious that a bad odor is a sign of an underlying problem, a pleasant smell can also point to a potential problem.
If you find candles and wall fixtures in every room, the homeowner may be trying to hide an underlying stench. Follow your intuition, and if you feel that something smells a little fishy, or unnatural, consult the owner or your mobile home broker.
Mobile Home for Sale in Sebring
Improperly installed ceilings
Roofing is a long-term investment with a significant impact on your mobile home. If a previous homeowner skimped or relied on an unreliable contractor, it could spell bad news for you. Extreme weather or just old age could make problems worse, leading to water damage and poor climate control.
It is important to pay attention to the exterior of a house. Problems like exposed nails are common red flags to watch out for.
Inadequate drainage
This red flag is not always easily detected. If it hasn’t rained recently, it can be difficult to tell if the water is collecting on your roof or on your lawn. Fortunately, even without rain, there are ways to tell if your home has a poor drainage system.
Look for low spots in the lawn where areas of the ground have remained wet for long periods of time and have subsided to create a pool of sorts. You can also inspect the mobile home’s foundation for mold and areas where paint can easily peel off. These problems indicate that water is collecting around the house and may compromise the integrity of the foundation.
Get the home you deserve, without the red flags
Buying a mobile home is a pivotal event in anyone’s life, requiring research, thorough inspection, and well-informed decisions.
It is imperative that both new and experienced buyers be aware of these red flags that can cost time and money to fix. Pay attention to these warning signs and your home purchase will turn out to be a successful and rewarding experience.
Mobile home inspections can be a great way to have the Buyer get a better idea of what is going on with the mobile they are buying and can be well worth the money if they are used as only an educational tool and not as a negotiation tool!
When looking at obtaining a mobile home inspection on a mobile that you are looking to buy it is certainly a good idea to have one done if you are simply looking for additional information on the home and not as a bargaining tool or under an expectation that everything will come back perfectly as if the home was brand new.
This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.
See Also:
- Are Vapor Barriers Needed On A Mobile Home?
- Why Do Mobile Home Parks Check Residents Income?
- Your Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Flooring System Explained!
- 3 Things You Need To Know About The Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Park Application Process!
- How Much Should You Budget For Your Sarasota Florida Mobile Home Lot Rent Increase?