Does the myth that mobile homes depreciate in value keep you from investing in them? Well Lamar Jackson Youth Jersey , they do lose value in a park, on a rented lot. Mobile homes with real estate, however, are an entirely different investment.
My mobile home doubled in value in the twelve years I lived in it. The home deteriorated a little (don't all houses?), but the value of the land continued to rise. Also, by renting rooms, I took in far more money from my home than it originally cost, and I was living in it!
Forget your prejudices and look at the numbers. In this town Jaleel Scott Youth Jersey , for example, a two bedroom house rents for $800month, and costs about $120,000. A mobile home gets $500month, but you can buy one on real estate for $50,000 or less. The cash-on-cash return on investment is obviously higher with mobile homes.
What about the long term return from appreciation? House rentals here typically have negative cash flow, while mobile home rentals at least break even. Investors prefer houses anyhow, believing they'll build equity faster Kenny Young Youth Jersey , but is that true?
Faster Equity With Mobile Homes
Buy a house for $120,00. Put $20,000 down, and you'll have a $100,000 mortgage loan. Amortised over 30 years at 6% interest, you'll have a payment of $599.60. Of the first payment, $500 will go towards interest, $99.60 towards principal. In other words Anthony Averett Youth Jersey , you only built equity of $99.60. I'm ignoring appreciation, but only for the moment.
Second scenario: Find a nice mobile home for sale, and borrow only $30,000, at 8% interest, amortised over 10 years. Note the higher interest - this is always the case with "factory built home mortgages." The shorter term is normal too, so you'll be done with payments in 10 years instead of 30.
Now, despite higher interest and a shorter term Orlando Brown Jr. Youth Jersey , the payment will be only $363.99. The first month, $200 will go towards interest. That means the other $163.99 goes towards principal. You bought more house (built more equity) in this scenario.
A mobile home on land might appreciate more slowly than the "regular" house, but faster loan pay-down covers this factor. Pay less per month and build more equity! Don't expect your real estate agent to tell you this. Don't expect him to even agree with me after you explain it. I sold real estate years ago, and math skills were not part of the licensing requirements.