Mobile Home Dealers

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Mobile Home Dealers - what you need to know
The good and bad - tips, advice, and our recommended Dealer (click here)

Using a dealer to install a new Mobile Home is a must in many instances and is law in California. We highly recommend using one and not trying this complex task your self.

How Mobile Home Dealers can help you:

They know what is available and how to order a new manufactured home so that it will be what you want
They handle all of the legal title issues
They handle all of the measuring of the lot and park clearance
They coordinate the transportation, lot grading, installation, and final assembly

Using a Mobile Home Dealer is an absolute must for any one who wants to avoid trouble and lawsuits.

However, choosing a dealer is the key to a smooth process.

Here are some areas the dealer can be a hazard to you:

Not offering all of the upgrades that will make your new home the best it can be
Not listening to your wants and needs
Selling you rather than helping you
Taking a very long time to complete what they promise
Not taking responsibility for mistakes (having you pay for errors no matter who made them)

Choosing the right dealer

Most Mobile Home dealers will do an adequate job. Some are crooks, and very, very few are actually really good at what they do.

You must not just talk to any random Manufactured Home dealer. Just because they are in the business does not mean they will do a good job for you. Buyer beware is king here - so do you home work.

Here is what you need to make sure of before committing to buy a new home from a dealer:

Figure out what you want and make sure they know it - ask them for advice and recommendations, but also ask why they think so
Make sure they can commit to a time frame that will work for you
Make sure you have discussed a plan for errors and changes (who pays for what)
Ask for some referals - past clients who have gotten a new home installed by the dealer (call them!)
Get everything in writing

This is a big sale for them, they are making a lot of money. Make them work for it, but also you must be reasonable of your demands too, they cannot work miracles.

Click here to go to see who our recommended dealer is!

How the process works, and what to expect

First, you will contact a dealer either through an advertisement or a referral. Make sure they are very clear and explain the process to you upfront. You also should make sure you can pay for the new home, so get pre-qualified if needed.

Second, you will sit down with them and discuss ideas and wants that you have. They should put together some floor plan examples that can fit your needs. You will then narrow it down to one floor plan.

Next, you and the dealer will discuss moving walls and all of the dimensions. Pushing a wall here, adding a light there - it all makes a big difference when you move in. Also, now is the time for major upgrades, such as drywall, skylights, decks, awnings, etc.

A new home being installed

Construction zone - do not enter
This is a dangerous construction site - Do Not Enter

Then, the minor upgrades like cabinet hardware, light fixtures, carpet, paint colors, etc. Most of these can be changed down the road if needed quite easily.

When building a new home, there are always unforseen changes and issues that will come up - a lot of the time the color or texture ordered is not 100% exactly like the sample you picked, so a little flexibilty on your part is needed.

Here is the bottom line: Mobile Home Dealers can really help or hurt the process. Most know enough to do the job, but few are really looking out for you. Choosing the right one and doing your homework upfront is the way to avoid problems.