Tiny House Living: Buying a Park Model

I recently received a letter from a follower about the best way to choose a park models. The writer had bought a lot in California and was thinking about putting a small house on it. Her inquiry went like this:

I am new to park models but recently obtained a lot in Southern California and have tried researching what the best manufacturer is but there seems to be limited information and most of the reviews are negative as to quality. Do you happen to have better info on which manufacturers are best and do most require you buy thru a middleman. Thank you.

It is a very good question don't you think. How do you make sure that the park model you buy is the best, the sturdiest and will fit your needs?

I have lived in the same park model for over 9 years now. It was built in 1987. In the world of park models, that is very old. But, fortunately, ours as a Cadillac in it's day. Even so, we do have to upgrade and repair a little all of the time. Here is how it works,

While the frame of a park model is very similar to a stick built house, the finishes are very light simply because it needs to be moved down the highway to be placed in it's location. When it is parked, the wheels remain underneath so that in the eventuality that it is sold to be moved, they can be remounted and used again. There are several reasons to leave the wheel underneath. In Arizona this affects the way your home is taxed. This type of home is not intended to be "permanent" in its location.

However, all the plumbing, electrical etc. is usually satisfactory and will last a very long time.

I do know that factories offer tours to prospective buyers.  I do think that seeing the structure in the stages of being built is a good idea if you are buying new. You might take a look at Park Models direct online. RVIA has a guide that could be valuable. I also looked at the webpage with the links for more information here or here.


But here is the deal...I think that buying a park model is very like buying a new car. The quality is dependent on the amount you are willing to pay and on what you can afford. AND once it is driven off the lot it begins to depreciate in value. The tweaks made to the model (added on porches, paint or decorations on the interior) can slow that depreciation process.

Buying a used model and having it moved may be a good choice. You can buy one for very little here in Arizona so I assume California is the same. Then you can use the amount you save to made the home just what you want. But you have to have the resources or ability to do that.

I am also a fan of the Tiny House movement. There are several builders including one in Portland that builds beautiful little houses. The TV show Luxury Tiny Houses is featured on DIY (I think).

As always, it is all about the research. Being well informed is a good thing. I have recommended that people simply rent a unit for a small length of time to get a feel for what they are in for. I love living in my tiny house and could do it year around.

Front porch was added after we purchased. It is decorated for Christmas.

We opened the wall between the bedroom and Arizona room
to make a large open private space.

We have removed the awning and repainted
the exterior, replaced the window and trimmed them out.
It has changed the character of the park model. 

Front porch at night.

Updated kitchen.

Every surface has been painted. We have since
put a dishwasher in where the small white cabinet
sits under the kitchen counter.

This can be a very inexpensive choice for living especially if you own your own lot. But anyone choosing to do this needs to see for themselves what it is all about.

The simple fact are:

• Yes you can skip the middleman and find a manufacturer that will sell to you direct.
• Finishes are not "cheaper" as such but they are designed for a movable unit. They require upkeep.
• Be careful about reviews. Unreasonable expectation are often the problem. Get some kind of guarantee from the manufacturer and be sure to choose one that has been around for a while. Here in Arizona Cavco is a well respected manufacturer...not perfect but someone like this business is probably a good place to start.

That is what I know. Good luck to all of you. 

b+

Links to other posts about Park Model Living.

Retirement in a Modular homes: Is "Affordable" Really a Trap?

You can't live on the view!  Be careful about where you
put your vacation home!

Moving or buying a retirement home? Buying a modular? Is it going to be put on leased land? Did anyone tell you what that really means?

For example:  Did they tell you that the piece of real estate you are placing your trail home, modular or park model on is land that is designated as land for transitional use? No. You need to be aware of what that term means.

In the world of land use planning, land that is not ripe for development can be used for non-permanent purposes until the time is right for something more lucrative. Storage unites, temporary structures, dog kennels, and RV resorts or modular unit communities are a few uses that land can be put to and yet be converted without a great deal of expense or up roar for the land owner. The golf course you built on may even fall under that designation.

I was talking to a friend the other day that had bought a modular home on leased land in a planned community. It was sold to people as an affordable place they could spend the rest of their lives. They bought the modular and paid the landowner a fee each year to rent the land.  After several years of living in the modular while paying their rent faithfully, the owner of the land gave them notice to vacate the land. They could not sell the used modular. The people lost their home to the bank. What had been touted as a solid investment turned to dust.

Did they know that this might happen? Maybe. But I think that they thought they could sell the modular if that day ever came. I don't think they realized the risk they were taking. This type of ownership allowed them to buy a home they would not have been able to afford otherwise. It was a very well-set and beautiful trap.

I have been on city planning commissions, sold real estate, been a land owner and currently own a park model in an RV restort. I am well aware of the risks that you could be taking. Talk to your real estate  broker about the chance that you could be caught in financial trap. Here are a few things you should keep in mind:

1. A modular, trailer house or a park model depreciates like a car. Never expect to get the money you invested back out of it. I think that if you cannot afford to walk away from it don't buy. But then that is just my opinion.
2. When you are renting land, the land owner can ask you to vacate the land with legal notice. You need to be aware of what it would cost to move the modular and if you can sell it.
3. All of the land that you rent is a possible transitional use. 
4. Even golf coursed that borders your land may be developed into something else. 
5. Do not assume that the land next to your house will be used for what it is being used for the day you buy. No one can guarantee that. 
6. Unless the contract you sign with your land owner is very clear cut, you may find that the rent on your land will increase with each passing year.  This can be a money pit you did not expect.
7. The land owner can and probably will have a great deal of control over what you do with that land.  Planting tree, flowers or adding to your structure may be under their control.

I am sure there are more cautionary notes. The idea that you can put a home on somebody else's land without any harm coming to you may be a myth. Beware! It can come back and bite you in a big way.  

I'm just saying!

b

How to be a Snowbird...answers and lists  (www.retireinstyleblog.com)

Apartment Therapy....Making My Tiny Park Model Kitchen Look Big!

Apartment Therapy...notice the tiny kitchen at the end of the room!

My Park Model Kitchen

I live in a park model in an RV Resort for 6-7 months of the year.  Most park models boast around 300 square feet of space.  As a result, every nook and cranny has to be used wisely.  We hang pots between the cabinets on a copper pipe and beautiful kitchen tools on the wall.  The small white table (Home Goods) fills the place where a dishwasher used to be.  I slide it out for more counter space when we entertain.   We try not to cringe when we think about putting our dirty clothes in the broom closet.  Life here is not perfect.

My kitchen is big enough for us and I do entertain occasionally for up to 20 people.  The kitchen works just fine.  But I always think of it as extremely small...until I make the occasional visit to Apartment Therapy. They show some beautiful small kitchens that make my kitchen look like a huge space.  As an example I give you the picture at the top of the page.

b