More Wobbly Boxes

   First off, congratulations to Ranger, he was our 15th emailer yesterday! I will be making arrangements to get the book out to him, ASAP! 

   OK, I have another set of used mobile homes or “Wobbly Boxes” as I’ve seen them called over the years, to show you today.  Two of the homes are from my local area here in Seattle but a third came in from Sean, a reader in Arizona. At least the mobile home’s in Arizona, Sean didn’t actually say where he was? Again, these are just examples of what I’ve been talking to you about. I haven’t done my homework on these beyond exchanging an email or two.

   The most important thing to remember is that these homes are indeed available. These places are all still a bit older than I would like, ideally… However, if I was seriously looking for a place to call home on the cheap, I’d check on anything that looked even the slightest bit hopeful.

  I have copied the text from the corresponding advertisements, these are the sellers words regarding their homes, not mine! The ads are all fairly recent so if they sound interesting to anyone, I included the phone numbers so give the sellers a call.

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Example #1

 

#1

 

Nice 1971 Home, in a nice Senior Park (55+). Located on bus line… close to lakes & shopping. 2 Large storage buildings/workshops, 1 with roll-up door. $7,900

 

Features include:

 

Central Heat & Air
Extra Insulation under floor
New Vinyl Windows & Sliding Glass Door
New Vinyl Flooring bath, kitchen, entry
All Appliances including Washer & Dryer
3 Large Porches
Dish Network Satellite Dish, also Wired for Cable
Fenced rear Yard with Gate & Pet Door to kitchen (pets welcome)
2 Car deep driveway with Carport
6’ x 11’ Storage with Shelves, Work Bench & Outlets
Separate 11’x 16’ “out building” with roll-up door, work benches, shelves & outlets.

 

R/V Storage Space is available in park

 

Space rent of $330.00 includes water, sewer, garbage.

 

Owner Financing with Flexible Terms w/substantial down. Discount for “all cash offer”.

 

Call anytime 253-312-3334

 

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Example #2

 

#2

 

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms nice and pretty big extra wideshed, I added it for a wreck room. I’m trying to sell fast so I can get right again for the holidays that’s why it’s so cheap. Look, own your own home for $6,000 that’s a deal and for a nicer place you seen most mobile homes posted, most are really old looking, not this one! I’m also willing to work out deals depending on what you got? Like I will take $3000 cash and a trade for something like a nice running car or truck that’s deals right there so don’t wait soon will be to late who do this , I’d hurry before it’s to late call Jon (206)-403-7621

 

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Example #3

 

#3

 

Trailer for sale year is 1989
3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom
11,000 in payments
but 9,000.00 CASH!
OK condition
Needs work in kitchen and bathroom
Please contact Vanessa at (520) 336-8550

 

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   There you have it… 3 possible homes that could possibly be turned into productive homesteads. All of them could be had for cheap to free, depending on how good at dickering you are. I’m going to just give you my initial thoughts on these and the kind of actual purchase price you might expect for each of these homes…

 

#1- These folks said specifically that there would be a discount for cash… I’ve seen this ad on craigslist for a couple of weeks now. If I were going to make them an offer it would be no more than $5000, it might actually be no more than taking the title and paying them a couple hundred to leave the house clean when they left. It’s a 1971 and therefore could present some issues when getting it moved. It’s in a rural senior park so it’s probably quiet, a person so inclined could possibly just live in the home where it is and bank the rent/mortgage money while they save their cash for something better or to maybe move this home to some free and clear land! $330 space rent, including water, sewer and garbage – not to shabby?

 

#2 – I emailed this gentleman and he is very interested in dealing… This is a 1985 home and he claims that it has 2×6 exterior walls and is sheet rocked on the interior. If it wouldn’t be to far to move to my BOL, I would at least take a long look at this one… He apparently is in need of $3000 cash, from what the ad says, so that’s all I would probably have to pay. $3000 cash in hand and this guy would sign anything I asked…

 

#3- This is the home located in Arizona. I can see from the photo that it would be a fixer. This alone wouldn’t scare me away as long as it has a solid structure. Believe me going through a small home like this with new flooring and paint just wouldn’t cost much… For someone that was handy, a few thousand in fix up money could go along way. Plus, you would have the benefit of de-scuzzing the place at the same time. They have already played their hand and said that they are willing to deal. $2000 off the purchase price for cash would probably mean a cash buyer could get this one for $5000 or maybe even less since they admit it needs work? It’s a 1989, so this one is another I would definitely dig a little deeper on if it were located nearer to me.

 

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   In closing today, I want to remind you that I DO NOT advocate lowering your standard of living by living in a mobile home. I actually think that many of our lifestyles would improve if we had lower overhead. These homes can be fixed up VERY nicely and be quite comfortable. I realize this plan wouldn’t work for everyone but shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand because of any self imposed stigma associated with a “Trailer House”, I speak from personal experience here! I will continue to show all of you what the Prepper family is doing with our MOBILE HOMEstead and try to lead by example, showing everyone what’s possible!

 

Prepper