Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 74,500
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

On 7/5/2014 OCGurl said: Check the plumbing pipes under the sinks & the mobile home. in the 70's & 80's many mobile homes had what is called Polybutylene or "Qest" . It was cheaper to use these in many mobile & manufactured homes. Many homeowners had so much trouble with these pipes that there was a class action law suit in the 90's & they were able to recoup their costs of damage caused by the faulty plumbing. They are gray plastic tubing pipes. They stopped making these pipes so now if a homeowner has trouble with the plumbing they need to do what is called a coupling or union with old piping and a new piping. Or replace all the plumbing in the home to More current plumbing. Also check with your insurance b4 purchase to see if they will cover any damage related to Qest piping since the piping is no longer made. You can google the 2 names I referred to and read about it so that you can make an informed decision b4 you purchase. HTH
It's not just mobile homes that have this pipe. I've spent almost $20,000 replacing the polybutylene pipe in my house and paying excess water bill that were the result of leaks. I have a friend whose entire first story was destroyed by a leak in this pipe that occurred when they were away on vacation. Unfortunately my house wasn't built during the time covered by the class-action suit and it's not covered by insurance.
New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Super Contributor
Posts: 972
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

Tie downs are useless, even when they are secured to cement footings.

If you must get one, buy one from a northern manufacturer. Much better built. (Insulation, windows, etc.)

If you must buy one, either buy your own land, or get into a park with a lot of enforced restrictions.

If you must buy one remember you have minutes to get out in the event of a fire. Electrical fires in the ceilings are not uncommon.

I have lived in 2 of them. 1 old, used one in Fla. One brand new special order in Mn. Never again. Never.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 26,549
Registered: ‎12-17-2012

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

If you get a chance, rent one for a while and see if you feel safe and secure. It is different than a house, but if you prepare it for your needs it can and will work. If you buy property you have to make sure you have permission for a modular home and that you have water and sewer available to connect to. If you are looking at a retirement area, check restrictions on what you can and cannot do. There are pros and cons to every move.

Fate whispers to her, "You cannot withstand the storm." She whispers back, "I am the storm."

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,357
Registered: ‎03-23-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

Since we spend half the year in IL., NO. We are in the tornado built and there is a phrase that mobile homes are God's cruel jokes.

I have seen some though that are beautiful but, they came with high HOA fees. You don't own the land so, that kind of bothers me. They have come a long way in terms of looks.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,225
Registered: ‎01-02-2011

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

On 7/5/2014 Gooday said:

Since we spend half the year in IL., NO. We are in the tornado built and there is a phrase that mobile homes are God's cruel jokes.

I have seen some though that are beautiful but, they came with high HOA fees. You don't own the land so, that kind of bothers me. They have come a long way in terms of looks.

We thought about buying one in AZ for snowbirding but the high monthly fees discouraged us.
Super Contributor
Posts: 373
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

You'll also have the expense of rent space that can go up each year
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,019
Registered: ‎08-08-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

My mother started out her married life in one in the 1950's and bought one again after retiring, and still lives in it today. In between she had a beautiful brick home in a lovely neighborhood.

I wouldn't recommend it for most parts of the country. Mom's is on a concrete and block foundation, many straps etc. but it is still a trailer. They new ones are lovely, but cheap. They don't take a lot of wear and tear, the supplies in most are not all that great quality. She chose to put all new house grade windows, doors in, a second roof on top of original etc. In the end, she could have had a really nice solid house with a basement for what she put into the mobile home.

Even with the solid foundation and insulation, pipes freeze easier than a house, and around here, it is hard to find service people to work on them (like plumbers, contractors etc.) My advice would be to consider a house or condo instead.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,071
Registered: ‎09-23-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

My area gets to 20-30 below zero pipes have never froze.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,462
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

Love mine, bought it new, paid cash & own the land. Mine has tie downs & a snow roof. Carpet, drapes & appliances are all included & you choose. Property taxes are a lot lower. I had a large douglas fir deck built & nice rock skirting put on mine. Owning the land means no park rent & no home owners association. My kids will inherit it and can do what they want with a new build, rental property or whatever they want to do.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Does anyone live in a mobile home?

I have read that the resale market on these is virtually nill and you would get pennies on the dollar if you wanted to,sell it later on.