So I am about 2 years out from getting out of the military, but would like to start planning accordingly.

My plan is to buy approximately 100 acres in the vicinity of Lincoln County, GA and I would like to throw a Mobile home on it while I pay the land off. For mobiles, I would like to stick with a budget at 50k or less, as when I get the land paid off and that I want to build a house. I am not against buying a fixer up mobile home, but I just don't know enough about them. I am a homegrown redneck that was born in the country in upstate NY and raised in Georgia. Any tips or recommendations would be helpful.

 

It generally costs about $5k -6k to have a mobile moved and set, plus plan at least $15k for well and septic. Check the laws where you want to actually move to, I am not sure with the specifics of that area but here in WA in most counties you can move a used mobile within the county, but if you bring one in it has to be to current code.

 

You might try to find a company that deals in repos. They may be set up to sell you the trailer and drag it where you want it and do all the septic and everything else as a package deal.

 

Depending on whether you want a single wide or a double wide, you may be able to purchase a new one for less than your budget. You definitely want to buy one with plywood floors. There are a lot of mobile homes out there that are not built very well. The best built mobile home out there is built by Franklin Homes in a Russellville, AL. It is pricey, but will last a long time and hold its value. Fleetwood also builds a good home, but isn't quite as flashy as the Franklin. Another suggestion I have is to either pour a concrete slab or concrete runners to put the house on. This will prevent problems with settling. When looking for a mobile home, pay attention to the fit and finish closely. You will also want to make sure you buy one with real wood cabinets instead of particle board because they do not hold up. I would also suggest staying away from a fireplace in a single wide, as this drives insurance prices through the roof.

I know a lot about the mobile home industry because my dad and uncle started and owned two dealerships, with the first one opening in 1974. I have seen a lot of different models and features over the years? I worked there in the sales and service departments growing up, so I have a good background in the industry. We sold the dealerships last year since my dad and uncle are both gone now. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

 

Mobile homes suck. I mean no offence but if you're buying land and starting a family why drop $50,000 on something you're going to throw away?

I'd spend the money building a nice big garage and live in there till the house is done.

Something else you can do is get a used camper, set it up on some blocks, and build yourself a little add on for extra space. Used campers are cheap and easy to move if you have a truck.

 

Rainbow stu has a great idea. You would have to put in a well and septic, so simply build a small dwelling you can add onto later. That way you will have what you need, and can expand the floorplan later. No use throwing away the cost of a mobile home you will not be able to recover later. You can even check into log cabin kits.

 

This should be your first step.

Additionally, does the area have municipal water and sewage that you can tie into? If not, the land must perk before you can do anything anyway.

You're retiring or leaving the military, thank you for your service sir. Have you contacted the VA? They may have some insight for you so don't cut them out of the loop.

 

how much is 100 acres going for in georgia?

 

I think the problem he is facing is that you can't build a permanent structure on the land until you have the land paid off. I do agree that it would be wiser to buy a used one if you're not planning on living in it forever.

 

People build on land that is not paid off all the time.

 

No problem here in Pennsylvania building on land that is not fully paid off. Done all the time.

 

Ok, sorry about the late response, but I will try to address each post.

Depending on where you are at in Georgia, it can range from 1500-5000 per acre, with the Median where I want to live being in the 2300 per acre range.

Ford Coastie, I will definitely PM you for more questions I have.

I have done more looking and I guess 50k is a little ambitious for the mobile home, but I am not sure yet, just depends on what I can find for the price. I am NOT against, buying a crappy one and making it nice. Also, the reason for not building the house directly when building the land is because of cost. I will be dropping 250k+ on land. I guess the way I do finances I want to get one thing paid off so the payments don't stack. Anyway it goes, I am clearly in the research stage, and am not set on any way, because like you guys probably know, I don't know much about this area. So thank you for all the information and input from everybody, it definitely helps put things in perspective.

To those who thanked me for my service, I salute you. It is your appreciation that makes what I do worth every minute.

 

I'd say spend a little less on land, then build a pole barn with a small apartment in it. You'll be many dollars ahead in the long run. With the pole barn, you can shop smart for house materials and store them in the pole barn out of the weather until they are needed.

Mobile homes are just tornado magnets, plus they're expensive to heat and cool.

Jason

 

Well, if you go with any mobile home pour a full concrete slab for the unit to sit on. This creates a great moisture barrier and removes opportunity for critters to burrow under your home. In addition, I would foam the under belly for energy savings and helps keep the bugs out.

Good luck to you and thanks for your service.

 

I work for folks all the time who live in an RV while they build their dream home.

Steve