Goin’ Mo-bile!

Mobile as a Mountain, heh, heh

Mobilehomes are massively misunderstood by most. Many decades of history have failed to distinguish them from trailers and motorhomes, and now manufactured homes add to the confusion.

First, mobilehomes are not mobile. Typically they are parked, the wheels removed, a skirt placed around the base … and then they never move again until they go to the junkyard. Trailers are towed behind a car or truck for true mobile living or weekend vacations. Motorhomes are self propelled (duh!), and manufactured homes are often indistinguishable from single family homes.

Spring Valley, Lakeside, Santee and El Cajon have a number of mobilehome parks–planned communities of maybe 100 units with amenities similar to a condo development (pool, clubhouse, etc). Visit and you’ll find mostly retired folks whose children have moved on.

Like any housing mode that survives the test of time, mobilehome living offers advantages and disadvantages. Mobilehomes are typically far less expensive than homes attached to a single lot. The amenities are attractive to those who like the option of a social environment. There is a closeness among neighbors that few other options offer. Residents have a bit of land for gardening, a private parking space right next to their front door, and they don’t require an elevator to get home. OTOH, even when the house is payed for, residents continue to have to pay rent. Usually they have no control over the cost of rent and this has sometimes been a problem in Spring Valley when rents go up dramatically.

Mobilehomes might not be the best investment for most of us but the seniors and others who fill the mobilehome communities aren’t stupid. Many of them have probably made a smart move. I leave it to you to evaluate the economics- you may know someone for whom this lifestyle is ideal. Let’s have a look at some current listings…

1120 Pepper Drive, El Cajon

Includes a 3rd potential bedroom, parking for 2, carport, central air…

9902 Jamacha Blvd

Price reduced on this new home with warranty.

There’s much more to consider with mobilehomes. They are difficult to resell. There are few spaces available in California and the number decreases as property values rise and more profitable use of the land is discovered. A few mobilehome parks are owned by the residents who control costs somewhat and have more to offer when they want to sell their unit.

You can follow my East County blog or here, and Carol’s Hillcrest, North Park and Ocean Beach blog. You’re at Redfin, the unbiased source for local real estate information.

[data from generally reliable sources, please comment on any errors!]