Florida Used Mobile Homes

13 years ago

Typical Cost of Buying a Used Double-Wide Mobile Home in Florida

Many retirees and others seeking to reduce their living expenses are looking at used mobile homes in Florida. With the recent economic downturn, the large (900 Ã¯Â¿Â½" 1400 plus square feet) double-wides have become real bargains.

The typical home is one which was built in the 1980's, so it has many of the latest wind-safety features, but likely not to standards introduced after original manufacture. Most are 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, and usually come with a Florida room and carport, plus tool shed for storage. Some are located in 55+ adult parks, while others are on their own land, or in some kind of shared ownership situation.

These nicely furnished homes are typically available for between $6,000 and $11,000 for the used homes mentioned above. Titles in Florida are the same as an automobile, except with the double-wides there are two titles. Cost of all title, sales tax (varies somewhat from county to county), and recording fees, will usually run less than $750 for a one-time cost. Annual follow-on costs for tags to place in the window are only slightly over $100, and there are no taxes for mobile homes placed on a rented lot (which most are).

Many homes are available totally furnished, thus making it easy to move from the north to Florida living. Bring your clothing, personal effects, and toothbrush. Once the home is owned, monthly costs average approximately $800 per month, which includes lot rent (lawn mowing and trimming is normally included in lot rent), property insurance, electric, television cable, Internet connection, and water/sewer.

Amenities abound as most facilities are geared toward retirees and their needs. Such things as golf courses, tennis courts, bocce, shuffleboard, swimming pools, and all kinds of interior features like gyms, auditoriums, card playing areas, exercise equipment, woodworking shop, ceramics, library, pool tables, ping pong, and much more. Most parks are located near shopping, beaches, highways, fast food locations, and entertainment as well.

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Comments (3)

floridabound
13 years ago
How long do mobile homes last? These homes built in the 80s are almost 30 years old.
Yorkies2
13 years ago
Taken care of, they will last as long as a stick built. Mine is a 1971. We have replaced the water heater and all faucets. We have painted and will replace the windows with double pane real soon. We don't need much in the way of heat as we are in Arizona. We have used a water cooler placed in a window for cooling this past two years. It's much cheaper to run than an airconditioer. It works well.
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coolvt
13 years ago
Like any mobile home, the value is hugely affected by the park that it's in AND the park rent and location. Take 2 homes that are the same. Put one in a park in a great area with reasonalble rent and a 30 yr. old home might be worth $50,000. The same home in a bad area and it's worth $2,500.
Another thing to watch for in Florida is the park going up for sale. About 1/2 the parks that sell there (in populated areas) are closed and redeveloped for other uses. When a park closes, the owners have 1 yr to move their home or it is junked. To move that $10,000 double wide will cost more than it's worth.