Why Choose a Mobile Home to Be Moved?
Used mobile homes for sale to be moved offer an affordable path to homeownership across Texas. As traditional home prices climb, these pre-owned manufactured homes cost significantly less—often half the price of new models. You can find quality single-wide and double-wide homes from trusted manufacturers and place them on your own land, giving you flexibility and control. Please note that while we are experts in used mobile homes, Manufactured Housing Consultants does not sell land; our services focus on helping you find and finance a home to place on property you own or will purchase in the San Antonio area or your chosen Texas location.
This approach is a practical solution for many Texas families, but it requires careful planning. Here’s a quick overview:
Where to Find Them:
- Manufactured housing dealers like Manufactured Housing Consultants in San Antonio
- Private sellers
What to Expect:
- Price Range: $20,000-$50,000 for most used homes
- Moving Costs: $3,000-$10,000+ depending on distance and size
- Repair Budget: Plan for 10-30% of the purchase price for potential repairs
Choosing a used mobile home that needs to be moved offers several compelling advantages:
- Affordability: With average prices between $20,000 and $50,000, these homes are a fraction of the cost of site-built homes.
- Location Flexibility: Purchase a home you love and transport it to your dream plot of land, whether it’s a rural acreage outside San Antonio or a family property in Von Ormy.
- Customization Potential: Used homes are a great canvas for renovation. While many are sold ‘as-is,’ this allows you to create a personalized space at a lower overall cost.
The journey can be broken down into four key steps:
- Find: Locate the right home for your needs and budget.
- Inspect: Evaluate its condition to ensure it’s a sound investment.
- Finance: Secure the necessary funds for the purchase.
- Move: Arrange for the professional relocation and setup of your new home.
With guidance from experienced dealers like Manufactured Housing Consultants, thousands of Texas families have successfully made this transition to affordable homeownership. We’ll guide you through each step to ensure you make informed decisions.
Your Guide to Buying Used Mobile Homes for Sale to be Moved
Buying a used mobile home for sale to be moved is an exciting step toward affordable homeownership. But it’s also a journey that requires careful planning and smart decisions. Let’s walk through everything you need to know about finding, inspecting, and financing your future home in Texas.
Where to Find Your Perfect Home in Texas
Your search for the right mobile home in Texas begins with exploring your options. Dealer inventories are an excellent starting point. At Manufactured Housing Consultants, we offer a large selection of pre-owned manufactured homes in San Antonio and across Texas. Many are inspected and refurbished, and you can browse our pre-owned manufactured home inventory online.
You can also find homes through private sellers. These situations often arise when mobile home parks close or owners need homes removed from their property quickly. While these homes may seem like a bargain, they often require significant renovation and are sold ‘as-is’ with no guarantees. Pursuing this route means you will be responsible for verifying the home’s condition, handling all paperwork, and arranging financing and moving on your own, which can be a complex process.
Before committing, ask the seller key questions: What is the home’s age, model, and condition? Is the title clear? Why is it being sold, and what is the moving timeline? Are appliances included? Has it been moved before? Knowing these details helps you make an informed decision.
The Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
A thorough inspection is critical, as most used mobile homes are sold ‘as-is.’ Budget 10-30% of the purchase price for potential repairs. While hiring a professional inspector is highly recommended, here is a checklist for your initial walkthrough:
- Structural Integrity: Look for sagging floors, bowing walls, and water stains on ceilings, which indicate leaks.
- Frame and Axles: The steel frame is crucial for moving. Inspect it for significant rust, bends, or cracks. Ensure the tongue (hitch) is intact.
- Roof and Siding: Check for missing shingles, soft spots on the roof, and cracks or holes in the siding.
- Plumbing and Electrical: Test faucets and toilets for leaks and proper function. Check outlets and light fixtures for issues like flickering lights or burnt outlets.
- Underbelly: Inspect the belly wrap for tears, which can lead to pest and moisture problems.
- Windows, Doors, and HVAC: Ensure windows and doors seal properly. Test the heating and cooling systems if possible.
- HUD Labels: Locate the HUD Data Plate (usually inside a cabinet) and the red HUD Certification Label (on the exterior). These are essential for permits, financing, and confirming safety compliance.
A professional inspection provides peace of mind and can save you from costly hidden issues.
Dealer vs. Private Seller: What’s Best for You?
When searching for used mobile homes for sale to be moved, you’ll encounter both dealers and private sellers. Understanding the pros and cons of each helps you choose the right path.
Feature | Dealer (e.g., Manufactured Housing Consultants) | Private Seller |
---|---|---|
Certified Homes | Often offer habitability-certified, inspected, and sometimes refurbished homes with quality assurance and transparency. | Homes typically sold ‘as-is’ with no guarantees—condition varies from project homes needing major repairs to well-maintained units. |
Financing Assistance | Provide guidance on financing options including chattel mortgages and personal loans, working with various lenders to accommodate different credit situations. | Buyer handles all financing independently, which can be challenging for used mobile homes. |
Paperwork Handling | Handle complex titling, sales agreements, and necessary paperwork, leveraging decades of Texas experience. | Buyer steers all legal and administrative paperwork, including title transfers and sales taxes, which can be complicated and error-prone. |
Delivery Coordination | Often partner with experienced delivery companies and can coordinate the entire moving process from de-setup to transport and re-setup. | Buyer finds and hires licensed movers, coordinates schedules, and manages all transport logistics. |
Local Expertise | Possess in-depth knowledge of Texas regulations, zoning, and permit requirements in San Antonio, Von Ormy, and across the state. | Seller may have limited knowledge beyond their immediate experience; buyer researches all requirements independently. |
Support & Warranty | Offer ongoing support, guidance, and peace of mind with commitment to customer service. | No post-sale support or warranty—once the sale is final, all issues become the buyer’s responsibility. |
Price | Prices may be slightly higher due to refurbishment, certification, and included services, but offer greater value and reduced risk. | Potential for lower initial purchase price, especially for homes needing significant work or quick removal. |
Transparency | Provide upfront, honest, transparent pricing with all necessary information about a used home before purchase. | Information from private sellers can be subjective or incomplete; buyer must independently verify all details. |
For first-time buyers or those seeking a smoother process, a reputable dealer like Manufactured Housing Consultants offers significant advantages. We help you avoid costly mistakes, handle complex paperwork, and ensure you get a sound home. With over 25 years of experience in San Antonio, Von Ormy, and throughout Texas, we simplify the journey to homeownership.
Financing Used Mobile Homes for Sale to be Moved
Financing a used mobile home for sale to be moved differs from a traditional mortgage because the home isn’t yet on a permanent foundation. Lenders consider these higher-risk loans, but options are available.
- Chattel Mortgages: This is the most common loan type for manufactured homes not attached to land. It’s secured by the home as personal property and typically has shorter terms and higher interest rates than traditional mortgages.
- Personal Loans: An unsecured loan option where your credit score is the primary factor in determining eligibility and rates.
Your credit score and ability to make a down payment are crucial for securing favorable terms. Even with credit challenges, solutions exist.
This is where Manufactured Housing Consultants can help. We specialize in financing used mobile homes and work with a network of lenders to assist buyers in various credit situations. With over 25 years of experience helping families in San Antonio, Von Ormy, and across Texas, our team guides you through the process. Our dealer-assisted financing has made homeownership possible for countless Texans.
From Purchase to Placement: Moving and Setup Logistics
You’ve found the perfect used mobile home for sale to be moved, secured your financing, and now comes the exciting part—getting your new home to its forever location and making it move-in ready. This phase requires careful coordination and a solid understanding of what’s involved, especially when working within Texas regulations.
Understanding the Moving Process and Costs
Moving a mobile home is a complex job for licensed professionals. It’s not a DIY project.
Hiring licensed Texas movers is essential. They have the insurance, equipment, and expertise to handle disconnection, transport, and re-setup safely and legally. They also manage the necessary permits for transporting oversized loads on Texas roads.
Moving costs typically range from $3,000 to $10,000+, influenced by:
- Distance: Moving across San Antonio is cheaper than across Texas.
- Home Size: A single-wide is moved in one piece. A double-wide must be separated, moved on two trucks, and rejoined, increasing the cost.
- Other Factors: Difficult terrain, utility hookups, and transport permits also affect the final price.
Before the move, site preparation is key. This involves clearing and leveling the land, installing the foundation (e.g., concrete runners or a pier-and-beam system), and ensuring utility access points (water, sewer, electric) are ready. After placement, licensed professionals will complete the utility connections.
It’s important to clarify that while Manufactured Housing Consultants does not perform the physical move or site preparation, we help coordinate these critical services. We can connect you with licensed, reliable movers and contractors in the San Antonio area and throughout Texas that we’ve worked with for over 25 years, ensuring your project is in capable hands.
Navigating Texas Zoning, Permits, and Final Setup
Handling the paperwork is as important as the physical move. Texas regulations vary by location, so understanding them is crucial.
- Zoning Regulations: Before buying land in San Antonio, Von Ormy, or elsewhere, verify with the local zoning department that manufactured homes are permitted. Some areas have restrictions on placement, foundation type, or aesthetics.
- Local Permits: You will need several permits, including those for moving, building/foundation, electrical, and plumbing. Each ensures your home meets local safety codes.
- Foundation Requirements: Texas often has specific mandates for foundations to ensure long-term stability. The type required depends on your location and soil conditions.
Our local expertise at Manufactured Housing Consultants is invaluable here. We guide Texas families through these regulations to avoid common pitfalls. For state-level details, the Texas manufactured housing regulations website is a great resource.
Final setup includes installing skirting, building steps, and passing a final inspection by local authorities before you can move in. Choosing a used mobile home for sale to be moved is a smart path to affordable homeownership in Texas. It requires planning, but the reward is a home of your own at a fraction of the cost.
Explore our inventory of used mobile homes for sale to be moved and take the first step toward your affordable Texas dream home today!