[ukusagirl39]

I have $3000 to put down and need a place. House or mobilehome in Florida. No more than 50 miles inland. Coastal area preferred. Must be 100k or less. No parks.

I am moving to FL at the end of February and would rather buy than rent. I am looking for something owner financed. Anyone know of anything????

It is frustrating. I have spent countless hours searching for places. Most of them are lease/option where a tiny portion of your rent goes towards a purchase within a few years and then you need to get conventional financing. I do not want that. I am willing to do a balloon if necessary but prefer to owner finance the whole thing if possible.

I need a minumum of 2/1 but prefer 3/2 or larger. I know these places are out there. It is just hard to find them from where I am. basically it is usually who you know. Any help or advice is appreciated.

[SoFLGal]

I just did a quick search in my area-Sarasota and Charlotte counties-SW FL and came up with 32 mobiles that are at least 2/1's and $100K or less and not in a park. Sometimes you don't know if they'll do owner financing unless you ask but I did notice one that had these comments in the listing:

Lovely 2/2 mobile home on canal in Charlotte County. Owner may consider owner financing. Water access to Charlotte Harbor, so bring your boat.

[skylinet]

Unless your credit is not in the best shape it might be easier finding a seller that will pay your closing costs (even if you have to raise the offer to include them). With 3000 saved you would only need another 500 to get FHA financing on a 100k property. Normally you get a higher interest rate from seller financing anyway so it would save you in the long run
Your best bet is to get a qualified agent in your area like SOFLgal to help you. They can update you as soon as properties come out for your situation.

[Lilybeans]

Owner financing is tough. Renting with a percentage going to the purchase price is sometimes possible. Sometimes you may get owner financing for a year or so, but generally an owner wanting to sell wants their money.

[Retiredcoach]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Owner financing is tough. Renting with a percentage going to the purchase price is sometimes possible. Sometimes you may get owner financing for a year or so, but generally an owner wanting to sell wants their money.

Lilybeans,

You are an absolute asset to this forum. Your philosophies may not always agree with mine (you do make some mistakes!), but your advice is always sage.

[mrs1885]

I honestly don't think you'll find what you're looking for for that. The coastal areas of Florida aren't cheap. Even a mobile - a small one - is going to be in the 100k area you're looking at. Have you looked at insuring a mobile that's near the coast?? Have you looked at property taxes? They're astronomical! And if you're looking at owner finance, they usually want a pretty big hunk down in cash.

Maybe you've looked and things have changed and Florida has become affordable.............. but I don't think so.

[JohnVosilla]

Originally Posted by mrs1885

I honestly don't think you'll find what you're looking for for that. The coastal areas of Florida aren't cheap. Even a mobile - a small one - is going to be in the 100k area you're looking at. Have you looked at insuring a mobile that's near the coast?? Have you looked at property taxes? They're astronomical! And if you're looking at owner finance, they usually want a pretty big hunk down in cash.

Maybe you've looked and things have changed and Florida has become affordable.............. but I don't think so.

I disagree. Maybe a few years ago but even Sarasota has many mobile homes with land that are quite affordable in the $30k's which is stunning considering the amenities you get in that community and limited supply of mobile home zoning in the city. Much more to choose from further south especially in Lee and Charlotte counties as well as in Brevard and Volusia on the east coast not too far from the water.