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View Full Version : Would you buy a manufactured home in a mobile home park?



jp1
10-29-19, 10:57pm
A year ago I watched this video and was intrigued.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z4vz5Ms0rE

A company has started putting high end manufactured housing in an older mobile home park in a prime neighborhood of Palm Springs. Last weekend we were down there on vacation and I suggested to SO that we take a look. The homes are really nice and obviously well built. They currently have four models they are selling, ranging from a 600 sq foot 1 bed/1 bath for $150k to a 1000 sq foot 2 bed/2 bath. All of them have a lot of outside deck space and a covered parking area that can hold 2 cars tandem.

There are issues we'd need to sort out from a practical standpoint (not least of which that SO still needs to be in San Francisco for work, so we'd have to be bi-home-al and also factor in the cost of him commuting weekly between Palm Springs and SF.) (since I work from home I could simply move down there and go on with my life occasionally coming to SF on the company dime when I need to be here for work meetings and the like.) Ignoring all that for the moment my main concerns are the big picture financial issues which seem to center around 3 things that I can think of:

1. Although the mobile home park is in a prime location and is definitely going upscale as a result of this company's efforts to replace the older old-school mobile homes (currently around 50% replaced), it's still a mobile home park. And the company selling the new and improved homes is not directly affiliated with the mobile home park owner, so presumably has limited control over what the park owners may or may not do. How significantly will that effect our resale value?

2. The park itself (again, not affiliated with the sellers of these homes) has a 65 year lease. We'll be long dead before that ends, but at what point do home values for homes on rented land begin to lose value? If we move there and like it I expect that after 10 years or so we'd probably view it as our forever home and this question would stop mattering since we don't have any kids that we need/want to pass assets on to.

3. How nervous should I be that we'd be buying an expensive asset that relies on a rented space to place it. Current rent for a spot in the park is $686/month, going up 5% on january 1. That seems reasonable for now, especially since water/trash/sewage/pool and other common space is included in the rent. But should I worry that they may double that rent next year or the year after? What do we do then?

This is the link to the company that is selling the homes: https://www.palmcanyonmobileclub.com/

At the end of the day the home itself, as well as the park, seemed quite nice. Public spaces like the pool area have all been recently redone and are finished. And overall this seems much preferable from a lifestyle standpoint, at least in my mind, to purchasing a similar size/cost condo in Palm Springs. If I weren't nervous about dropping $250k of our assets into this and potentially not being able to come close to being made whole by selling I would totally do it. But I don't want to be stuck a few years down the road with an asset that isn't worth anywhere near what we paid for it.

Everyone's thoughts/experiences will be much appreciated.

bae
10-29-19, 11:42pm
My father lives in Palm Springs.

He had rosy visions of what it would be like...

Have you lived there before year-round? It's pretty brutal for part of the year.

iris lilies
10-29-19, 11:53pm
I have these random thoughts:


As we enter our senior years and are not working for money we do have to keep a eye on rising costs of living. Doh, No great wisdom there.But there are always costs associated with real estate, costs that rise whether it is real estate taxes, condo fees, rental fees. $686/month doesnt seem like a lot to me when I compare condo fees in my city for similar sq footage. I mean $686 is more than the kind of fees I’ve been looking at which is more like $500 but you are in California after all. Of course you don’t have snow removal and apparently no grass cutting, but there are pool maintenance costs and roads.

I watched a tv show about million dollar properties in London, and one potential million Dollar apartment had a lease that ran out in 19 years. Because that wasn’t a very long time when compared to the standard 60 year lease, the real estate agent would only listed it for $600,000 rather than $1 million that a neighboring property got. So yeah, I definitely think that uncertain ground under your home would affect the price. The question is really in 10 years 15 years how uncertain is the lease? There’s no way to know that.

iris lilies
10-29-19, 11:57pm
Two sets of friends have moved to Palm Springs. Two of the guys were already from California so they were used to dust and heat, but the other two were not. I haven’t heard how much they like it.

Yppej
10-30-19, 5:37am
I would never buy a mobile home unless I own the land it is on. You are purchasing a depreciating asset and have no control over rental costs. Watch John Oliver's piece on them from this April.

iris lilies
10-30-19, 7:41am
I would never buy a mobile home unless I own the land it is on. You are purchasing a depreciating asset and have no control over rental costs. Watch John Oliver's piece on them from this April.

I think mobile homes and manufactured homes are a little different in warm climates than out where you are. It is a common type of housing in the sunny West and South, but yes, mobile homes do depreciate. Not sure about manufactured homes.

Gardnr
10-30-19, 10:31am
I would never buy a mobile home unless I own the land it is on. You are purchasing a depreciating asset and have no control over rental costs. Watch John Oliver's piece on them from this April.

Ditto: Mom had a fixed income. Her rent would go up. The fees to cover water cost and lawn mowing would go up. All on top of depreciating value. That said, it was her final home and she loved it. She had good neighbors as it was a 55+ community. She coped with the rising costs and she was happy to be there.

So I think it depends on your circumstance and what you need from the investment of your capital.

JaneV2.0
10-30-19, 11:01am
I'd be wary of arbitrary space rental charges--and having the land sold out from under you, which happens. I do like the idea of having stand-alone housing with minimal upkeep.

Teacher Terry
10-30-19, 11:06am
I wouldn’t want to live there during the summer. Here they put manufactured homes on land you own. Only mobile homes are in parks and the rent goes up every year and they depreciate. The manufactured homes here don’t depreciate.

SteveinMN
10-30-19, 11:08am
mobile homes do depreciate. Not sure about manufactured homes.
I'm unfamiliar with specific laws in California, but in most localities, manufactured homes are treated pretty much as mobile homes are. The fact that some manufactured homes are far more grand than stick-built homes is immaterial to most lawmakers and code-setters.

For this reason and for the "it's-only-a-mobile-home" stigma that still exists in many places, appreciation in manufactured homes is not a lock as it has been for traditionally-built houses. Some houses will appreciate based on quality, location, and the setting (for instance, some manufactured homes can be built over a crawlspace or basement). Others will be viewed as mobile homes sans wheels and will not appreciate.

Without owning the land beneath the home and without being able to sign a lease that runs for multiple years (the way commercial real estate writes leases) I'd be reluctant to pursue this opportunity. One other consideration -- around here, mobile home parks are being legislated out of existence. They're not making any more of them and the ones which still exist are considered non-conforming and restricted on growth and other zoning changes. Yes, you may be able to move the home elsewhere on its own wheels, but to where?

pinkytoe
10-30-19, 11:09am
We have considered it but are leery of not owning the lot. Pros are usually tight communities who look out for each other and low maintenance. I have read several articles that investors are buying up mobile home parks. Not sure I would believe in the 65 yrs as even the owners would be gone by then if not before.

Teacher Terry
10-30-19, 11:14am
A park here got bought and people had to move their homes which isn’t easy or cheap to do.

jp1
10-30-19, 11:38am
It's interesting the stigma that manufactured homes have. The reality is that these houses are built to standards comparable to stickbuilt houses with 2x6 studs, lots of insulation, decent quality cabinetry, and layouts that make them not seem like they came from a factory. But at the end of the day I just don't think I can get past the uncertainty about renting the land. Moving the thing would be expensive and require finding/buying land where we can resettle it, an expensive and dreadful chore. It's too bad because the houses were great, community seemed pretty nice, the location great, having a little outdoor space but minimal maintenance.

jp1
10-30-19, 12:03pm
My father lives in Palm Springs.

He had rosy visions of what it would be like...

Have you lived there before year-round? It's pretty brutal for part of the year.

We've received mixed reviews of the weather from friends who currently or used to live there. I don't think I'd particularly enjoy the summer months, but then I also don't enjoy winter months most other places, and I much prefer too hot if I have to choose between too hot and too cold/wet/gray. If I were moving somewhere strictly based on weather I'd move to San Diego.

bae
10-30-19, 12:38pm
... I much prefer too hot if I have to choose between too hot and too cold/wet/gray. If I were moving somewhere strictly based on weather I'd move to San Diego.

Dad moved to Palm Springs from San Diego.

"Too hot" doesn't express the fullness of the horror :-)

iris lilies
10-30-19, 12:43pm
Well San Diego aint everything.

My neighborhood recently saw a retired couple move from San Diego back to, well, my neighborhood. The man of the house was the 3rd neighborhood President, way back in the 70’s. They bought a Victorian house to fix up. Like, they hadn't already done that before. And here.

some people (like me!) like doing the same thing again and again.

lmerullo
10-30-19, 12:47pm
I live in Florida, so it's not California.

I have stayed in the off season in a resort in transition from RV park to Park Model homes. There's been four park ownership sales in six years. There are continual improvements. However, the rent has increased a steady bit over the years, so the easily affordable has become a stretch for the longer residing residents which then results in unit sales - often at low prices just so the owner can get out quick before another payment is due. $1000 rent at 5% annual increase easily becomes $1600 in ten years span.

Normally the new ownership is only required to honor the terms of the old owner until the end of the homeowners lease - so you may find a new corporate owner and all you'd thought would remain is changed with ~ 1 to 11 months notice.

Insurance is a niche market for manufactured homes. Which results in higher prices. Not every insurance will write for a manufactured home.

One pays a tangible tax and gets a sticker much like a boat registration. You don't pay property taxes, since you don't own the property. Service, therefore, may be privately provided and not from the local government. (Our local park has their own water and sewer company).

KayLR
10-30-19, 1:00pm
https://www.columbian.com/news/2019/oct/25/cascade-park-estates-tenants-plead-for-help/

This type of greed is what would stop me.

Teacher Terry
10-30-19, 1:01pm
San Diego weather is lovely. But it’s way too crowded for me. IL, maybe your neighbor missed his friends and family. The old homes by you are great but I wouldn’t want to live in a unsafe neighborhood especially as a senior.

iris lilies
10-30-19, 1:39pm
San Diego weather is lovely. But it’s way too crowded for me. IL, maybe your neighbor missed his friends and family. The old homes by you are great but I wouldn’t want to live in a unsafe neighborhood especially as a senior.

”Safe” means many things to many people and some of us are tougher than others. No shame in that. And truthfully, this neighborhood is “safer” now than when Jerry renovated his first house 40 years ago. Then it was a red light district with hookers, drunks, boarding houses as his neighbors.

And in a way, the support of city fathers has come full circle since Jerry’s initial buy in the 70s. Back then, City Hall considered our neighborhood a shxt hole and city services were hard to get. That is what made people here tough, fighting for our neighborhood.

In today’s environment the city prosecutor considers the concerns of middle-class folks here in their faaaaancy Victorian mansions to be of no value. No service for us! So what goes around comes around.

JaneV2.0
10-30-19, 1:53pm
https://www.columbian.com/news/2019/oct/25/cascade-park-estates-tenants-plead-for-help/

This type of greed is what would stop me.

Likewise. Vultures.

jp1
10-30-19, 2:07pm
https://www.columbian.com/news/2019/oct/25/cascade-park-estates-tenants-plead-for-help/

This type of greed is what would stop me.

That situation is exactly the potential problem I would fear. Moving a manufactured home is expensive and a major project. The park owners know this, which presents an easy opportunity for them to exploit the residents.

Tybee
10-30-19, 2:58pm
Can you find a co-op park? I know they exist in FLA

JaneV2.0
10-30-19, 3:05pm
There's a mobile home park up here where residents own their lots. It has a lovely setting and amenities. I could buy into something like that.

iris lilies
10-30-19, 3:47pm
Likewise. Vultures.

Remembering that our friends in Palm Springs experienced a snag in their mortgage closing due to their land lease (for their stick built house in a conventional subdivision) I poked arpund the internet on this topic.

What would you say if you knew that each lease holder, each landlord, made over $1.5 million annually for their Palm Springs holdings?

Would it matter if you knew the land holders were Native Americans? I mean, in identity politics I dont know what makes a difference.

This article from 1981 estimates each member of the tribe’s take to be (adjusted for inflation to 2019 ) $1,670,365.

That is some powerful victimization taking place there.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/realestate/1981/05/30/in-wealthy-palm-springs-indians-hold-all-the-oasis/74a2632f-fb11-472d-816c-3bcc1eff7b6b/

JaneV2.0
10-30-19, 4:33pm
I had a quilting acquaintance who leased land, on which their purchased house sat, from Native Americans. (I believe it was in Stanwood, WA.) I wouldn't have, because of jurisdictional uncertainty.

catherine
10-30-19, 5:11pm
When we were looking at properties on Lake Champlain, many of the properties in one of the surrounding towns were on leased land. At first I thought that was fine--the houses themselves were a little cheaper, but then my very risk-averse son sent me an article about people who were evicted from homes they'd had for years because the lease expired and the landowner either just wanted them off, or the owner didn't fulfill township obligations on the property.

One house we loved was on leased land, but it was only a 5 year lease on a little island that was basically owned by one family! Talk about a lord of the manor/serf relationship. The "lord of the manor" of this island had been interviewed and when asked about the short-term lease, he admitted he could kick people off, and he said in a very flip way, "They're welcome to take their houses with them."

We decided that we were not at all interested in investing in a home on property that doesn't belong to us.

jp1
10-30-19, 9:52pm
Remembering that our friends in Palm Springs experienced a snag in their mortgage closing due to their land lease (for their stick built house in a conventional subdivision) I poked arpund the internet on this topic.

What would you say if you knew that each lease holder, each landlord, made over $1.5 million annually for their Palm Springs holdings?

Would it matter if you knew the land holders were Native Americans? I mean, in identity politics I dont know what makes a difference.

This article from 1981 estimates each member of the tribe’s take to be (adjusted for inflation to 2019 ) $1,670,365.

That is some powerful victimization taking place there.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/realestate/1981/05/30/in-wealthy-palm-springs-indians-hold-all-the-oasis/74a2632f-fb11-472d-816c-3bcc1eff7b6b/

That's fascinating! And not something I was at all aware of since our casual look at the homes in this mobile park was our first foray of any sort into the possibility of moving to palm springs. It's kind of crazy to think that literally half of the buildings in palm springs are on land lease land like this. Now I feel compelled to dig through real estate listings to see if there's a premium built into the price for fee simple houses there vs. those that are on land lease land.

SO is not particularly freaked out by the land lease aspect of this, but he has a different relationship to money than I do. It's a shame we both liked the homes so much. I'm probably going to have to be the bad guy that says no, we're not buying into this.

Tybee
10-31-19, 7:53am
This park in Palm Desert might not be to your taste, but it is a co-op where you co-own the land:

http://palmspringsmobilehomesforsale.com/mobile-homes-for-sale/desert-hot-springs/dillon-estates/

We went to a conference once in Palm Desert and I did get sun poisoning and almost died from an asthma attack from the dust. If you have any kind of respiratory problems, be aware that it may be problematic.

iris lilies
10-31-19, 8:16am
This park in Palm Desert might not be to your taste, but it is a co-op where you co-own the land:

http://palmspringsmobilehomesforsale.com/mobile-homes-for-sale/desert-hot-springs/dillon-estates/

We went to a conference once in Palm Desert and I did get sun poisoning and almost died from an asthma attack from the dust. If you have any kind of respiratory problems, be aware that it may be problematic.

That’s where one set of our friends live, Palm Desert! And they have a house cleaning business. That dust is good for business.

yes it is my idea of hell.

catherine
10-31-19, 8:33am
That’s where one set of our friends live, Palm Desert! And they have a house cleaning business. That dust is good for business.

yes it is my idea of hell.

Doesn't sound appealing to me, either! As I get older, one of my "must haves" in a place to live is, I do not want to be dependent on air conditioning--for many reasons. And it sounds like SoCal desert towns like Palm Springs would definitely fit into that category.

ApatheticNoMore
10-31-19, 12:00pm
Hot and not getting any cooler. But the price does make me consider for one moment, it's affordable, but yea maybe for a reason.

JaneV2.0
10-31-19, 12:08pm
If I had a spare lot somewhere, I would definitely consider a manufactured house; I've seen some impressive ones. (Also, I'm fond of places that look like vacation homes.)

jp1
10-31-19, 12:19pm
Yes, one of the model homes we looked at had a laundry room that was also passage to the car port. I commented that it was cool that the house had a mud room. SO said, "actually, here it'd be more of a dirt room."

Teacher Terry
10-31-19, 12:32pm
Being dependent on A/C is no different than needing heat. Since I hate heat and have asthma it wouldn’t be for me.

mschrisgo2
10-31-19, 2:14pm
Interesting... I watched the video in its entirety. I have been keeping an eye on this market for about 15 years, and lots of factors changed it about 8 years ago.

My first reaction is that these homes are way over-priced. Yes, Silvercrest is a quality builder, but so are several others. In fact, the industry standards are so high now that when you line up several from different manufacturers side by side, anyone is hard put to tell the differences. California has enthusiastically embraced the HUD building standards for the last ten years or so, and it really shows. These are $100K homes being sold for $200K.

As for being in Palm Springs, I know several people who have vacation/party homes there. None of them would want to be there year round. The heat and dust in the summer can be brutal, but so is the cold in the winter. Yes, it’s generally sunny, but that area also contains California’s largest WIND farm...

As for the homes themselves, I actually felt myself wince at seeing the flat carport roofs. A flat roof is Never a good idea, needs to be able to drain rain and snow. The “shed” roof on the home is very practical and an interesting architectural feature. Floor plans seem very livable.

Homeowners insurance in California is a big question for everyone right now, with our 3 years of terrible wildfires.

Leased land... oh my. There are so many variables and so many different ways to look at it. I live in a smallish family owned park on the Sacramento River. All 5 of the principals grew up here and still live here. And it’s on the river and use is controlled by the coastal commission. They have not been allowed to expand, though there is land to expand upon. No other development would be allowed, so they are not going to sell it to some developer to build million dollar homes, as what is happening at a crazy rate in Washington state.

Individual units actually increase in price here, i.e. a 44 year old single wide with an attached sun porch just sold in 2 days, all cash, for $210K. The new owners had insulation put in and sheet rocked all the exterior walls, and vinyl plank floor installed throughout before they moved in, another $15K.

mschrisgo2
10-31-19, 2:16pm
Oops! I see I lost the rest of my post. I’ll be back...

jp1
10-31-19, 3:31pm
This park in Palm Desert might not be to your taste, but it is a co-op where you co-own the land:

http://palmspringsmobilehomesforsale.com/mobile-homes-for-sale/desert-hot-springs/dillon-estates/

We went to a conference once in Palm Desert and I did get sun poisoning and almost died from an asthma attack from the dust. If you have any kind of respiratory problems, be aware that it may be problematic.

THanks. I will look into it. We're not wedded to living in a mobile home park, let alone this one, per se. Although having visited one now, I do like the neighborhood feel and this one appeared to be well maintained and generally like it might be a nice place to live. My main interest in looking at those homes was that the video I'd seen showed houses that I found attractive. As someone else mentions further downthread, they seemed to be overpriced. I'm guessing that's because the company selling them at the mobile home park has some fairly high expenses that need to be factored in. If nothing else they are renting five lots and have money tied up in five units that are the model homes and sales office, not to mention the lots that they are currently building homes on but haven't yet sold. THey've only sold 100 or so units, so this is a pretty big overhead for them. It might make more sense financially to buy a space in the Palm Desert location and then approach Silver Crest or one of the other manufactured home companies and buy direct.

mschrisgo2
11-1-19, 3:27pm
So the rest of what I was going to say...

I love where I live. I can have 3 dogs here, and no one fusses about an occasional foster. I have plenty of outdoor space for my potted succulents, and roses and hibiscus. Love being on the river, and all the birds and wildlife, good walking and exploring.

I see myself living here for another 12-15 years, but probably not too far into my 80s. But then, life and the world changes, and there are new options. The concept of “ final home” is not one I’ve ever entertained.

Tybee
11-1-19, 7:32pm
That sounds so nice, mschris. I also like the original poster's original development. My dream version of this would be a co-op park in Florida on the water, well landscaped and old with a community pool and maybe a tennis court. But only if I lived alone, and had a smaller dog.

beckyliz
11-7-19, 5:11pm
No - I live in tornado alley.

jp1
11-7-19, 10:35pm
No - I live in tornado alley.

If palm springs was tornado prone I wouldn't either. But since the most likely "bad scenario" here is earthquakes a manufactured home actually seems like a good choice. After all, if it can withstand the bouncing around that comes with being dragged down the highway from the factory to the home site surely it could withstand a little shaky shaky from an earthquake.

JaneV2.0
11-8-19, 12:10pm
My friend/relative just mentioned a manufactured home was for sale in their neighborhood. I was tempted. The idea of spending so little to have a nice private place is fun to contemplate.

happystuff
11-24-19, 10:34am
My friend/relative just mentioned a manufactured home was for sale in their neighborhood. I was tempted. The idea of spending so little to have a nice private place is fun to contemplate.

I seriously thought of buying one that went up for sale a couple years ago. Both timing and financial situation would not support such a purchase then. But, I am seriously thinking of starting to look around again.

catherine
11-25-19, 4:18pm
Anyone have ideas for a good deal for BIL? Sorry to perpetrate the saga, but he is down to about half of his ingoing stash before he left for CA. At that rate, he's going broke even faster than I thought. It's only been 7 months. What would you do with 50K if you were BIL and had no skills and no job and were about to be 57 years old? Not to hijack the thread--I'm thinking specifically of places where you could get a manufactured home for a cheap price and low HOA fees.

I've ignored him for 7 months, but now I feel it's in my best interest to "suggest" alternatives to San Diego. His SRO place is forcing him to sign a 6-month lease, which will completely render him destitute.

Tybee
11-25-19, 4:24pm
Would he be open to Florida, or only CA? I don't know anything about CA, but Florida looks promising.

iris lilies
11-25-19, 4:31pm
He needs to get out of Southern California. Places in New
mexico and texas would be more affordable and still mild-ish weather, tho hot summer.

He doesnt get to live in San Diego, he didnt pay the dues.

But he doesnt have the brain power to think this dilemma thru so you will do it for him? Then he can blame you when he is unhappy and poor, because it WILL happen. $50,000 is peanuts. Sooner or later he will be destitute.

catherine
11-25-19, 4:31pm
Would he be open to Florida, or only CA? I don't know anything about CA, but Florida looks promising.

I've pushed Florida for the past 3 years. Seems much more suited to his personality, capabilities (golf cart boy/pro shop worker), and financial situation.

JaneV2.0
11-25-19, 4:44pm
I'm sorry, Catherine, that you're caught up in this. Some people are just feckless.
I have no good ideas.

mschrisgo2
11-25-19, 4:53pm
Catherine- Indiana? All I know about it is that mobile homes are very inexpensive there, and there seems to be lots of golf carts there, lol.
(I’m in a couple of Facebook groups for remodeling mobiles, and golf cart maintenance)

Your BIL is in one of the very most expensive places in an extremely expensive state. If I didn’t have a great deal where I am, I would be moving out of California. Our real estate, taxes, and gasoline are the highest, by far, in the country.

And mobile home prices are ridiculous too. A 49 yr old single wide down the street from me just sold for $84k. Totally insane, could buy a new one for less than that.

JaneV2.0
11-25-19, 5:40pm
There are mobile home parks in California where units cost millions (?). I know this 'cuz I saw it on the teevee.

https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-trailer-park-malibu-multimillion-dollar-mobile-home-2019-9

Tybee
11-25-19, 5:41pm
He should look in the area around the Villages and Orlando because of access to golfing jobs.

Teacher Terry
11-25-19, 6:05pm
Catherine, sorry to hear this.

Tybee
11-25-19, 6:12pm
This is a nice one--maybe he could rent out one bedroom.

https://spacecoast.craigslist.org/apa/d/melbourne-double-wide-mobile-home-newly/7008488451.html

sweetana3
11-26-19, 5:35am
The Villages area is unfortunately not a low cost area but I agree with Florida.

catherine
11-26-19, 8:59am
The Villages area is unfortunately not a low cost area but I agree with Florida.

Yes, I checked into it upon Tybee's advise and they start at $160.

Tybee
11-26-19, 9:29am
Yes, I checked into it upon Tybee's advise and they start at $160.

No, I did not mean in the Villages. I meant move to a mobile park community near the Villages. Sorry, I was not clear. I read the book about the Villages and I envisioned looking in the surrounding area within half an hour of the development. In the book it mentioned service workers living commutable to the Villages itself.

I found this one, east of the villages, for example:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/166-Azalea-Dr-Fruitland-Park-FL-34731/2083470222_zpid/

It is a sixteen minute drive to the Villages.

With two beds and two baths, he could rent one out, perhaps. Lot rental is only 255/month.

catherine
11-26-19, 9:54am
No, I did not mean in the Villages. I meant move to a mobile park community near the Villages. Sorry, I was not clear. I read the book about the Villages and I envisioned looking in the surrounding area within half an hour of the development. In the book it mentioned service workers living commutable to the Villages itself.

I found this one, east of the villages, for example:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/166-Azalea-Dr-Fruitland-Park-FL-34731/2083470222_zpid/

It is a sixteen minute drive to the Villages.

With two beds and two baths, he could rent one out, perhaps. Lot rental is only 255/month.

That's exactly what I was thinking about!! He could plunk down 30k and own the darn thing and only have to worry about utilities and HOA fees.

DH has suggested things like that, and he says "But if I put 30k on a house, I only have 20k left" and my thinking goes, "what happens when you have 0 left and still no roof over your head??" This is the kind of dysfunctional financial awareness that he has. I do think in the back of his mind he can couch surf with his brother, SIL, niece and nephews for the rest of his life if things get really bad.

I may actually try to talk to him today and send him that link, just as an "oh, someone I know has a place like this....gee, and it's only 29k to OWN it!" Something like that.. I really think it's time for THE TALK--even though he probably won't hear me.

iris lilies
11-26-19, 10:08am
Have you told him, clearly, that there is no place for him with you? I mean, having a specific conversation with no wavering, that he may not stay with you? That doesn’t mean that he will believe the message but if you say it very clearly, your conscious can be clear.

The reason I ask this is because it wasn’t all that long ago that you were planning a house move from New Jersey that included your brother-in-law, that was just a few years ago so He may have the idea in his mind of an atmosphere of welcoming.

Also if he says only have $20,000 left after buying a place, do you ask him “what happens when you have zero left?” I mean have you talked about it? That is, if you are going to get involved which I’m not saying that you should.


I think that whatever happens he’s going to end up with zero dollars.

catherine
11-26-19, 10:28am
Have you told him, clearly, that there is no place for him with you? I mean, having a specific conversation with no wavering, that he may not stay with you? That doesn’t mean that he will believe the message but if you say it very clearly, your conscious can be clear.

The reason I ask this is because it wasn’t all that long ago that you were planning a house move from New Jersey that included your brother-in-law, that was just a few years ago so He may have the idea in his mind of an atmosphere of welcoming.

Also if he says only have $20,000 left after buying a place, do you ask him “what happens when you have zero left?” I mean have you talked about it? That is, if you are going to get involved which I’m not saying that you should.


I think that whatever happens he’s going to end up with zero dollars.

I have told him, in that I've impressed on him that this is a VERY SMALL HOUSE. I might not have said, "which means you can never live with us"--maybe I'll try to be that straightforward in "the talk"... (I don't remember the move that included him--unless it was a long time ago, when I thought I could buy a 3 unit place for DH/me; BIL; Tenant. That was ages ago.)

I truly don't understand him. Three years ago he was having a nervous breakdown because he was broke, so we sold the house, he got the money, and so why did he not learn from that lesson? Why did he spend 7 months in a high-rent area without even lifting a finger to get a job to replace the some of the money he's tearing through??

JaneV2.0
11-26-19, 10:40am
I think you have to be very specific, and repeat the message often. And it probably still won't land.
Do you suspect your husband will support you, or just build a MIL dwelling on the property?

catherine
11-26-19, 10:51am
Do you suspect your husband will support you, or just build a MIL dwelling on the property?

haha! I'd almost be happy with a MIL dwelling! But there's no room for that in our yard. We already have 3 outbuildings and my son's tiny teardrop camper. Re DH support--the bad thing is, the last thing his dying mother said to him was "Take care of your brother." His brother drives him crazy, and intellectually he knows that he's not responsible, but I think there's still that piece of him, "But he's my brother!" So, we'll see.

Teacher Terry
11-26-19, 11:58am
Yes you will need to be very blunt with him saying that your house is so small it barely holds the 2 of you. Someone has always rescued him.