The headline painfully from KTVU suggests a step down. “Moving into mobile homes to stay in Silicon Valley.” But if a reader gets passed their headline, something else may discovered.
The unstated paradigm is in the Fox 2 report is that something is wrong with mobile home living, and that people who select that option may be ‘trailer trash.’ It’s a vexing topic MHLivingNews has tackled for several years.
https://www.manufacturedhomelivingnews.com/taking-on-the-trash-talk-are-people-defined-by-their-housing-choice-video-photos/
Here below is the local media’s unedited article, with commentary and analysis that follows. The first three photos were pat of the original article, by Azenith Smith, who’s photo is the top featured image.
Moving in to mobile homes to stay in Silicon Valley
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (KTVU) – A South Bay realtor is calling it the best bargain in Bay Area real estate. Realtor Cheryl Rivera Smith said mobile home parks are becoming an attractive alternative for homeowners who want to stay in pricey Silicon Valley and more of her clients are moving into them.
65-year-old Cindy Boone recently sold her home, a mile from Google. She bought it in 2003 for $485,000 and sold it for $1.8 million.
Looking to downsize, she told her realtor to look at Sunset Estates in Mountain View, which is a mobile home park for seniors. At first her realtor was skeptical until they saw the manufactured homes.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” said Cheryl Smith. “I was so amazed at the finishes.”
“I fell in love with some of the homes,” said Boone. “It made so much sense since they were so much less money.”
Boone ended up buying a manufactured home for $243,000. She remodeled it with new granite countertops and appliances for another $70,000. She pays $1,400 in rent for the lot. Smith said a traditional home in Mountain View with the same square footage costs $2 million.
“I think it’s the deal of the century,” said Boone. “I’s great.”
“I think it’s probably a wave of the future in places where people can afford the real estate that’s underlying these homes,” said Cheryl Smith.
Rick Smith of the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors said mobile homes aren’t for everyone.
“It’s the best bargain in Mountain View if you are okay with mobile home living,” said Rick Smith.
He said mobile homes don’t appreciate at the same rate as single family homes and some parks have restrictions with guests or parking. Also, since you don’t own the land, there are risks involved.
“Space rent can go up,” said Smith. “You don’t have a secure position at the park if the owner of the mobile home park or manufactured home park decides to sell.”
At Sunset Estates, Cheryl Smith the park owner is looking to invest in the future and for some, like Cindy Boone, it’s a perfect fit.
“I definitely didn’t want to go out of the Bay Area,” said Boone. “I like the Bay Area. I want to stay up here. I feel very fortunate to be able to do that.
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They are located on the map, as shown above.
The photo above and the pair that follow are from their Facebook page.
There is little doubt that millions of people who would look at those photos, could be impressed at the price difference between modern manufactured homes, and conventional housing.
But professional experience with thousands of real consumers, prospects for manufactured homes, reveals a common question. “It seems too good to be true. What’s the catch?”
That’s the likely reason why MHVillage’s conversion rates – or that of Clayton Homes, for that matter – are so low.
Savvy shoppers want to understand the facts behind the realities behind those pretty pictures. They want to know about things like windstorms, fire safety, durability, and resale values. If the home is in a land-lease, there are another set of concerns that surround that opportunity.
The industry must arguably recognize a few painful realities of its own.
- What do people think, and why?
- How did the industry get to such a low point?
- What’s the solution?
Understanding, education, and new structures that supplant the old ones that led us into the current situation. See the related reports, linked below.
It is good that there are more stories that are looking favorably at manufactured homes. But there are still underlying issues that must be addressed. “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (News, analysis and commentary.)
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Related Reports:
Affordable Housing Focus Group – Comparing Housing Options – Conventional Houses, Condo, Rentals, and Manufactured Homes – Up for Growth, National Association of Realtor, Studies – manufacturedhomelivingnews.com
The Up for Growth National Coalition just published a new report that says the affordable housing crisis is more serious than many realize, and is growing. While their estimates differ, they come to a similar conclusion as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Lawrence Yun did.
“’Trailer Trash’? Watch Who You’re Insulting When You Throw Around Those Words” – Buffalo News
“Fixing Our Industry’s Terrible” Public Relations, a Proven Strategy
Warren Buffett Would be Okay With Clayton Homes Losing Money, Says Kevin Clayton – But Why?
