Would you buy an old modular trailer?

[cdmaze]

Not that we can move, but there is a house for sale across from my parents. It's a 30 year old "modular" (ok, it's a trailer).

It's in pretty good shape- but with all the crazy 70's kitch built right in- paneling, orange countertops, mushroom motif wallpaper, yellow drapes! Whoo-hoo!

The property is gorgeous- a hilltop with a mountainview- plus the proprty is pretty flat, has a barn, in ground pool and a spa on the deck. And, it's a stones throw from my parents house. (who we are very close to)

The price is ok...and the house outsizes our house by 700 square feet!!

Supposedly it is in good shape- it was kept very clean and well maintained (although...out dated)

I kinda feel like it's the ultimate in recycling to refurbish a place like this.

What do you mamas think?

(btw, dh would be furious if he knew I was thinking about this...I'm supposed to be content right now.....)

[Ann-Marita]

I'd jump at it! Mushroom wallpaper can be replaced! But a location like that can never be replicated.

Even if the trailer isn't what you would want for the long term, you could live in it while you build your new straw-bale house. Oops - that's my dream, not necessarily yours.

But you get the idea.

[cdmaze]

Thats sort of my idea too... but the price would have to come down and pigs would have to fly to get dh to even talk about it.

I just wanted to see what other people thought (I always get good objective opinions here!)

[HappiLeigh]

I would probably look at the price as if it does not include a building on it. Like, would this property be worth the price if it were just the property (and barn and spa)? Modular homes certainly are fine and can look terrific when kept nicely, but can't be counted on to last since they are not generally made with materials meant to stand the test of time. But if you could get it for a price that seems reasable to you just to have a lot near your parents, with a nice view, then I would say go for it! (And then even if you can fix up the home and have it last many years, it is just a bonus!) Good luck deciding!

[annethcz]

Originally Posted by HappiLeigh

I would probably look at the price as if it does not include a building on it. Like, would this property be worth the price if it were just the property (and barn and spa)?

Also keep in mind that trailers are notoriously hard to fix up. The materials used to make trailers/mobile homes are different than the materials used for stick-built homes. So if something breaks, or is ugly, or need to be replaced, it might be VERY difficult to replace. Not only are trailers made with different sized wood, but also things like pipes are made on a smaller scale and can't easily be replaced with standard-sized materials.