Buyer a trailer home in a Lake Community? (Chicago, Elgin: how much, mobile home)

[Windy5555]

I am just getting started thinking about purchasing a trailer type home in a summer/campground community, somewhere in lower Wisconsin or Fox Lake for summer weekend getaways from Chicago. Does anyone have any recomendations for communities or places to look for something like this?

[linicx]

I know little of Wisconsin except Door County where I did spend some time one year. It is a summertime playground on Green Bay. I believe the whole county is the thumb.

I think Fox Lake is gorgeous, but I would probably look at Rockton, IL., near the WI border, for a number of reasons, the #1 reason being lower cost.

Been there done that. Before you ever buy a used mobile/trailor.. you need to ask some questions.
1. Age and Manufacturer.
2. Who financed it
3. Who insured it and for how much.
4. When was the roof re-sealed last?
5. Do you see aluminum colored wiring in the electrical panel?
6. How thick are the side walls.
7. Is it tied down. Where are the wheels, tires and axels.

Know the manufacturers. The southern builders do not insulate the same as northern builder such as Wick Homes. A southern build in Wisconsin does not heat or cool well.

It is generally difficult to finance any mobile home and it is expensive to insure. Mobile homes de-value faster than the new car you drive off the showroom floor. Roofs leak. Unlike framed houses, if one loses a roof on a trailor the inside is often lost too. This is why you are on the roof every year looking for problems. Tar seals the leak. The silvercoat reflect heat in the summer. A pitched, shingle roof is always better than a flat surface roof. Chances are if you see it a flat, black roof, the surface is not rubber - but there are exceptions. Aluminum wiring is shiny and looks like aluminum foil. It is illegal to use it in mobile homes.

The side walls are important for much of your inflation is in it. The 3-4" side wall, is not as well insulated as the 6-8" side wall. In Northern states you want that nice thick side walls. Your next problem is repair. Do you see hex head screws or phillips? If you see hex head you can just about bet it was built to the common housing standard. Ceilings are lower, sinks and toilets are smaller and you can't buy a replacement at Lowe's.

Tiedowns are not expensive, but it is time and labor intensive to install by yourself. High winds can cause all kinds of damage to a trailer that is not tied down as soon as it is in place and all the utilities are hooked up. Before you ever move a trailer make sure you have utilities on the lot, or to the lot - and you are allowed to connect to it. The other option is to dig a well, install a septic tank and lines, set a light pole and call the electric company. BE AWARE most counties require a perc test for the septic and will only allow it on a certain size lot. Do not be surprised to learn you must buy one or more acres to accomplish what you want. In the end you may learn that buying a small cabin on a small lot may well be a better fit for your situation. .

[Windy5555]

Thanks a ton for all the info, I am now re-thinking this idea, haha.

[studedude]

You might look at Lake Holiday in Dekalb county. It's not the chain but a good sized lake with boating and fishing. You might be able to find a forclosed home for the same price as a trailer.

[jbanya]

like this?
http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...l_PhotoGallery

[linicx]

This $15K, 2 bedroom/1 bath, 16x56 (or smaller) older home makes perfect sense for a single person who visits infrequently. Without seeing the inside it looks like a well-kept unit. It is small enough that one person can vacuum and clean the inside very quickly. Also the lot is less than 1/4 acre, so it will be a breeze to mow and trim with proper tools.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...3_M72437-12664