I once lived in a 30 year old mobile home, during superstorm Sandy a 12 inch thick tree fell on the roof, it broke in half because my mobile home was solid, i was very surprised at its strenght. But my brother in FLorida has been ordered to evacuate twice now, that is not the life for me, I am staying here in NY
I'm sorry. I've owned 2 mobile homes in Central Florida, but you couldn't give me one now for nothing. Between the weather, insurance, and rents, they just aren't worth it anymore, regardless of the year.
Don’t do it, I moved here from the southwest just over three years ago to be near family. I felt that for health reasons I needed to be near a close support group. That hasn’t really changed but financially it makes no sense for me to stay here. It’s been an expensive lesson; property taxes and homeowners insurance have increased far beyond what I was budgeting for when I moved down here.
I’m sure homes of all types saw damage in the path of the hurricane. Even worse for all the wealthy homes on the west coast beaches. My community, which was on the south side of the track, is all good although we lost power.
I live in one of these parks and like it. As I've discussed with you in the past, I'm also self insured. I've been following the St Pete area with those funky old parks along US-19 but now that the storm has hit, am wondering if manufacturers even still make replacement mobile homes in those old sizes. I guess Park Models would work but they're classified as RV's and probably aren't allowed. Do you have an opinion on this, perhaps for a future video?
Manufacturers make HUD certified Park models which are typically around 500 ft.² in single wide format and are suitable for manufactured home parks as well as often found in RV parks. Most manufacturers make single wide homes from 40 feet and longer. In fact, I just toured an absolutely beautiful two bedroom one bath single-wide at a Clayton Homes factory in Arizona that I thought was perfect for snowbirds or a young family starting out. At under 80,000 I thought it was a bargain for a new home with warranty. P.S. There is a ANSI Park model built as an R/V but it is not intended for full time occupancy.
@@RussellWatsonFMHL My unit is a 1970 40' unit and it's actually one of the larger units in the park. I'm sure we'll be hearing more about these units as these old parks replace their inventories.
You are welcome to join our inner circle and get our resource guide. The community lists will give you some idea. We cover areas more and less likely to be prone to hurricane in our MH new buyer program.
I like your content. However, in my humble opinion, this isn't a good time to be speaking about buying anything in FLA, right now. I'd say wait till things get back to some semblance of sanity.
I suppose if I was a salesman that might be true. But most folks looking to Florida Manufactured Home Living for educational content are thinking of a move months to years from today.
Do these parks or communities have standards as far as the age of the home. Maybe saying the home must be less than 40 years old ??? May be buying a home that in a few years won’t meet the parks standards???
I have heard of parks not allowing a home to be moved into a park if it is beyond a certain age. Once a home is in a park, as long as it is maintained in accordance with park rules, it stays. Some parks have right of refusal under which they buy and replace old or run down homes.
I once lived in a 30 year old mobile home, during superstorm Sandy a 12 inch thick tree fell on the roof, it broke in half because my mobile home was solid, i was very surprised at its strenght.
But my brother in FLorida has been ordered to evacuate twice now, that is not the life for me, I am staying here in NY
Yes, you pay a higher price to live near the shores - in Florida or elsewhere. Nothing wrong with NY if it works for you 😎
I'm sorry. I've owned 2 mobile homes in Central Florida, but you couldn't give me one now for nothing. Between the weather, insurance, and rents, they just aren't worth it anymore, regardless of the year.
No question this lifestyle is not for everyone. Hope you found something that meets your needs.
Stay safe Russ. Videos greatly appreciated .....
Thank you, I will
I really appreciated this video. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
With Hurricane Helene and Milton I’m now afraid to move to Florida. I was looking forward to it, but no longer. Uuggg
Same here. A lot of these homes, unfortunately are going to be destroyed over the next few days. Prayers for those who are affected.
Don’t do it, I moved here from the southwest just over three years ago to be near family. I felt that for health reasons I needed to be near a close support group. That hasn’t really changed but financially it makes no sense for me to stay here. It’s been an expensive lesson; property taxes and homeowners insurance have increased far beyond what I was budgeting for when I moved down here.
It's certainly not the cheapest place to live! But not everyone has the same income levels and resources.
I wonder how many of the older & Newer homes will be around after Hurricane Milton comes through the middle of Florida today?
I’m sure homes of all types saw damage in the path of the hurricane. Even worse for all the wealthy homes on the west coast beaches. My community, which was on the south side of the track, is all good although we lost power.
Watching from a 29yo home we bought new.
There are plenty of those and folks who are original owners in my community too!
Russ, did you and your family make it through Milton ok? I prayed for the entire state yesterday.
Thanks, our community is fine but lost power due to downed lines. Thankfully the generator runs the Keurig NP 😎
I live in one of these parks and like it. As I've discussed with you in the past, I'm also self insured. I've been following the St Pete area with those funky old parks along US-19 but now that the storm has hit, am wondering if manufacturers even still make replacement mobile homes in those old sizes. I guess Park Models would work but they're classified as RV's and probably aren't allowed. Do you have an opinion on this, perhaps for a future video?
Manufacturers make HUD certified Park models which are typically around 500 ft.² in single wide format and are suitable for manufactured home parks as well as often found in RV parks. Most manufacturers make single wide homes from 40 feet and longer. In fact, I just toured an absolutely beautiful two bedroom one bath single-wide at a Clayton Homes factory in Arizona that I thought was perfect for snowbirds or a young family starting out. At under 80,000 I thought it was a bargain for a new home with warranty. P.S. There is a ANSI Park model built as an R/V but it is not intended for full time occupancy.
@@RussellWatsonFMHL My unit is a 1970 40' unit and it's actually one of the larger units in the park. I'm sure we'll be hearing more about these units as these old parks replace their inventories.
Now is not a good time to be showing this with a Cat 5 storm baring down on the Gulf coast of Florida.
Weather happens everywhere. There are other areas in Florida to buy a manufactured home than in the usual hurricane areas.
@@marlafoit3079 name 5 of them
You are welcome to join our inner circle and get our resource guide. The community lists will give you some idea. We cover areas more and less likely to be prone to hurricane in our MH new buyer program.
@@RussellWatsonFMHL The Florida retirement dream is well beyond my reach. The middle class suffers yet again.
@@SB-mw1bg Sorry to hear that although I gotta say I live in a community full of what I would call middle class folks.
Is there a site one could go to that will list any manufactured homes for sale?
Sign up for my Inner Circle ( GoToInnerCircle.com ) and get my complete resource guide. It’s free!
The issue with manufactured houses is always do you own the land or rent the land/space?
Some folks like to lease a car, some folks like to buy. Each has advantages & disadvantages - that's why you need to make an educated choice.
There lot rent is ridicules more than my house payments were
@@johnhelems721 Land-Lease is not cheap, but it’s much cheaper than apartments or house rentals.
@@RussellWatsonFMHL plus you have no control over them raising it every year. I think the government should put a limit on how much they can charge.
@@johnhelems721 Well, I have the same problem with groceries, insurance, gas, and taxes. These are tough times for seniors trying to live on SS.
Everyone needs to own the land underneath their home.
I like your content. However, in my humble opinion, this isn't a good time to be speaking about buying anything in FLA, right now. I'd say wait till things get back to some semblance of sanity.
If enough people decide to sell as a result of the hurricanes, it's the perfect time.
I am sure this was filmed and shown on the and other channels ahead of Helene and Milton.
I suppose if I was a salesman that might be true. But most folks looking to Florida Manufactured Home Living for educational content are thinking of a move months to years from today.
There may be bargains but be leery of water damaged homes.
A 20 year old house is still pretty new.
Agreed!
There will be better deals soon but nobody will insure them. But there is no climate change issue 🤔
Insurance is certainly an issue. More on that in a future podcast.
Yes but you have to self insure and own your lot
What makes you think that?
Do these parks or communities have standards as far as the age of the home. Maybe saying the home must be less than 40 years old ??? May be buying a home that in a few years won’t meet the parks standards???
I have heard of parks not allowing a home to be moved into a park if it is beyond a certain age. Once a home is in a park, as long as it is maintained in accordance with park rules, it stays. Some parks have right of refusal under which they buy and replace old or run down homes.
What a horrible idea, paying for a 20 year old mobile home, and paying lot rent, no way**
It works for some, and not for others. We each have a unique set of financial goals and resources. What is your dream home?
Not.good for florida