Trailer Trash Park Into Elegent Modular Homes
In my present holiday sweep thru the San Fernando, I came upon a very Trailer Trashy Park in the North West part of the valley. You know the type. Trailers about to fall apart. The inhabitants look like refuges from a Lil Abner Cartoon. Tobaco Spitters, Old motor cycle types with dirty beards and extended guts and a large lack in personal hygean. All the bikes have tiny front wheels mounted at the end of long extenders. The garbage lot is loaded with empty bottles of really cheap wine and all the beer bottles were reinforced with alcohol.
The owner is an elderly type who holds in his hand a writ of possession on all of the trailer sites and strangely enough all this motly crew are ready to leave. How this was arranged I know not. I think he bought them all out of their rental agreements.
In any case his life on earth is limited and he leaves in a few days for a horspice where he can spend his last days suitably sedated with cool smokes and happy shots. He has only one Trust Deed and that a PMTD very small amount.
I wonder if this is not the moment to purchase this lovely blot on the landscape and convert it into a small garden spot in which a Modular home manufacture could place about 40 really nice homes. Small gardens, tiny picket fences etc etc. The area is right and the only drawback I can see is a rather noisy mule whose hee haws protest his mixed heritage. Other then that it looks like a winner.
An old glacier sailed through the area and left some interesting hills of heavy carved stone and the slight mesa on which the park sits gives a view of sorts into the south. At night the lights of the valley create a nice platform on which to view the stars above.
The modulars would fullfill a demand for temporary furnished homes in a slightly rural but close in location. The price seems way below market and the PMTD is assumable held in a retirement trust.
So tell me guys and girls, is this worth doing? I know I am really busy but this looks like a little task.
The owner and I get along. Seems he was the first American soldier to swim across the Rhein to invade Germany proper. I think he was a little stoned then as god knows he is now. We are now friends both old and worn. He liked my sketches of the future development I think it was something he wanted to do all of his life. But time and booze took their toll and he never quiet made it. I think he would like to have it done. I promised to sprinkle his ashes over the ladies john.
Advise.
Lucius
Modular is obviously a step up from mobile home, but would modular seel in the area.
Also there's the zoning issue(s).
Perhaps condos / townhouses?
Lucius
Interesting idea...
Like cjmazur said, modulars are a step up from mobile homes. I've seen modulars that look nicer that stick built homes. Are they too much of a step up for that market?
You might want to look into manufactured homes. You can customize them as little as you want making them be just one step up from mobile homes. Or you can go all out(stucco, garage..etc) and make them look really nice. A manufactured home would allow you customize a home for what that market desires.
Obviously cost would pay a large role. What is your price range the homes?
How close is the nearest stick built home?
Are utilities in the area?
Mike
It has been done successfully here in Florida, but as stated above watch your zoning. The developers here will only do it with double wides as the easement requirements are more on a permanent building than a mobile home. Also they were giving the mobiles away to either scrap yards or anyone that could haul them as the cost to move them were usually more than there worth. It can even be done with a partnership agreement with the modular manufacturer, where you sell the land and they sell the homes, if cash is tight. Dont forget though as you sell the houses, make sure to have the plots re-appraised as the value will go up as you are selling them.
Good Luck,
Kyle
Lucius,
I know you promised not to talk about containers anymore but this strikes me as the perfect location for your container housing deal. After all if its already approved for mobile homes what is the actual difference between that an container houses? A close review of the local code may let you do your container houses in the MH park without any other approvals. That would avoid a major hurdle in the container housing biz plan.
BTW there is a company here in the chicago suburbs which is selling modified containers as office space and other uses. Can't seem to find the link right now but you should be able to Google them.
Mark
Many many thanks. My god what a fund of knowledge. I printed out all of your replies and postings. You have made me pause. I have gathered the property and of this date I have asked for deed to be drawn. In view of the owners condition I am recording at once and then do a clean up in an escrow with help from the title company.
The rest I am halting on and will begin the research into all the items you have all brought up. Zoning, requirements of planning etc. Modular, now why did I not think of that. I think that is probably the way to go. Thanks, now do not go anywhere there will be more questions.
Still have to figure the status of all the sites. Should just leave them and install the modulars or should I try for some form of Cluster Solution, or a Condo with shared common facilities and grounds.
As to arch treatments. Wide open. The hills and rocks do not seem to care The subdivisions near by are mostly very boring and conforming and right now expensive. No competition.
Thanks again, start tomorrow.
Cheers Lucius
The other idea (?) is to lease the land under then container/modular/whatever. That we you (your estate?) owns it in 50 or 99 yrs.
The other idea (?) is to lease the land under then container/modular/whatever. That we you (your estate?) owns it in 50 or 99 yrs.
LUCIUS --
The main question ... are they trailers, RV, mobiles, manufactured homes, modulars ??
Sounds like the park you are looking at are probably old mobile homes or are they even old RV's?
If these are just old mobile homes ... then your job on converting to new MANUFUACTRED HOMES will be easy.
Your use of the word or term MODULAR has been grossly overused and does represent a different type of home than I am sure what you were planning to put in this park.
The State Department that regulates parks is Housing & Community Development (HCD). You will need to call the Sacramento Office that handles codes & regulations.
Lucius ... it would be best to call HCD 916-255-2532 on the reguirements on taking out old mobile homes and placing new manufactured homes on the same lot.
There are 14, 16, 20 24, 26, 28 wide homes now building built. First measure the lot size and check on the amp breakers. Most old parks are only 50 amps and others are 100 amps. Even new manufactured homes can be de-amped down to 50 (no AC only swamp coolers, no electric stoves, only gas stoves, no electric clothes dryers, only gas dryers).
Pulling out old mobile homes and replacing with newer manufactured homes is done every day. A lot of park owners are buying repos versus buying brand new. In your area ... the best place to locate repo manufactured homes will be Las Vegas, NV.
You have an excellent idea ... so move forward and get checking on this info with the state and get your offer accepted with the seller !!
Cheryl Lopez [ Edited by cheryllopez on Date 06/03/2004 ]
These are the diff that I have run into. again the terminology is not very accurate.
Manufactured = built in a couple (2) pieces, assembled on site (bolted together)
.
Few selection on floor plan / size / basement or not
local Code issues
Modular or panelized = built in many "panels" that are delivered to job site and then assembled. sorta like a 8'x16' section of wall (pretty cool)
Stock plans
build to suit from any plan you submit
lol here in florida its a lot easier
Wheels or attached to the concrete slab. It is considered permanent if the foundation is permanently attached, mobile if the skirting is raised and you see a wheel base.
All documents signed and escrow opened and title company did a quick courthouse search, just in case. Called the PMTD holder and informed them of title transfer. They are happy. Would even be interested in furnishing additional fundage if required. Contacted the State Offices, got an education. Should be in the mail next few days.
So I took a nice long www.breath.Got the now prior owner into his Hospice. Nice room lots of funky music, unlimited drinks left him smoking a joint that looked like a cigar. You could get a contact high from across the room. I think he is going to have a very happy journey into his next dimension. The night nurse looks like she was imported from Vegas. Every button strained and I just hope someone sends me there when and if.
Local plan checker arch engineer will be on site tomorrow to look, sniff and suggest.
I will be in Kern County looking at the part they do not talk about. Sand, Rocks, Coyotes and plants with spikes. I seek a quiet area unknown to active would be urban planners. There I will build and experiment on houses of many colors, shapes and sizes. Also with a lack of water on sites what do you do have it transported and stored in a big tank?
Anybody had experience in this?
Cheers Lucius temporary, acting unpaid desert rat. Romel move over.
Well, Lucius, glad to see you safe from the clutches of the executive suites yupppies at least. The coyotes have more humanity.
What about price? I priced them in my area and they cost much more than mobile homes. I can buy a fairly nice house for what they cost!
Steve
cjmazur,
You have of course read my mind. Ever since I studied what Henry the 8th did and his daughter Eliz perfected, the long term lease has filled my mind. I find it used throughout our American History, but no where what should have been done. I seek to correct but I will take a lesser amount. Even as low as 50 years. So long as I have a recorded option to purchase at a price negotiated at time of contract.
Price of new housing. I am researching what is the best deal price wise and which will create something I think would be attractive and saleable.
Cheers, Lucius. How do you get a Coyote to sign a Quit Claim Deed? Does the Rule of Inverse Possession apply to animals? If I teach him to shake hands does that make him a member of society? Can he evict me? Squatters Rights, does it apply?
LUCIUS --
You are welcomed about the info to contact "the State Offices" !!
I knew you would be in for an "education" of all about parks.
CHERYL LOPEZ [ Edited by cheryllopez on Date 06/13/2004 ]
Have you checked with the county
regarding the sewer/septic system?
I understand there are major
restrictions as to the number of
units that can be attached to
the sewage system.
Just a thought.
Good luck,
Bukzin