Should you buy a mobile home with cash or not? Many people have their reservations when it comes to mobile home cash purchases, but did you know that buying a mobile home with cash has many benefits, one of which is higher negotiating power?
Our guide on “Buy a Mobile Home with Cash” gives you a rundown of what you need to know when buying a mobile home with cash. In this article, we will explore the benefits and considerations involved in purchasing a mobile home with cash.
Advantages of Buying a Mobile Home Outright
Ever heard the phrase “Cash is King?” It simply suggests that using cash as a form of payment, especially during buying and selling, will give you control of the purchase process since you have financial flexibility in your favor. Now, you are probably thinking, what does this have to do with buying a mobile home? Let’s find out.
Financial Freedom
Cash transactions remove long-term financial strain during purchase. Generally, most homebuyers will consider getting a mortgage loan to buy a mobile home. However, the drawback to this decision is that they, in turn, incur monthly mortgage payments, and defaulting on your mortgage payment could lead to a negative impact on your credit score, reduced equity, and possible foreclosure.
When you buy a mobile home with cash, you won’t have to take out a mortgage, pay monthly mortgage payments, or worry about mortgage interest rates or potential foreclosure risks. So, what does this mean for your finances? Without the burden of mortgage payments, you can spend your money as you like.
Potential Cost Savings
As mentioned earlier, when you buy a mobile home with cash, you also reduce the burden of paying mortgage interest. Generally, mortgage interest rates can range as high as 9% depending on your individual circumstances, from your creditworthiness to the down payment amount you pay, loan type, and prevailing market conditions. Without these mortgage interest rates in the purchase process, you can save in the long term and lower your monthly expenses.
More than this, you can avoid hidden costs attached to buying a mobile home. For instance, you won’t have to pay a loan origination, appraisal, or concluding fee involved with getting a mortgage. That’s not all! Buying a mobile home outright also helps you negotiate a better deal, which means you get to spend less than you expected. How? Let’s compare two people in the market for a Class A mobile home.
Person A has the cash to make immediate payment, while person B wants to opt for financing. Sellers will be more willing to sell to Person A since they can make immediate cash payments. Plus, due to the hassle-free and quick ash payment option, sellers will be open to negotiating a lower purchase price, resulting in additional cost savings. In fact, most sellers offer additional incentives like home improvements or appliances. Hence, you gain better overall value for your investment.
Additionally, mobile homes typically have lower maintenance and utility costs compared to traditional homes, as they are smaller and often designed to be energy-efficient. More than this, you can rest assured of lower property tax obligations, especially if the mobile home you buy is a pre-owned or repossessed model. Property taxes are often determined based on the assessed value of your home. So, due to its small size and landscaping components compared to traditional homes, your property tax rates won’t be on the high side.
How to Buy Mobile Home with Cash
If you are considering this payment method, you want to do it the right way.
1. Do Your Market Research
To purchase a mobile, you need to first estimate the value of your property so you can carefully prepare for the transaction. Market research is an essential process that helps you understand the market price of mobile homes in your region. It also helps you identify reputable dealers offering reasonable prices for mobile home purchases.
2. Evaluate Your Financial Situation
Buying a mobile home with cash does not typically mean you have to pay with physical cash. Instead, you make payments directly from your cash savings. Before you make a cash purchase, consider the amount you have in your savings to determine your net worth and create a budget. When you know your net worth income and create a personal budget, you ensure financial stability in the long run, even when you spend a few dollars from your cash savings.
3. Determine the Type of Mobile Home You Want and Inspect It
Do you want a pre-owned or repo mobile home? Are you buying the mobile home for personal use or family purpose? Do you want one with a small floor plan and layout? Depending on your preferences, mobile home purchase prices will vary. On the other hand, most mobile homes may require necessary repairs. You don’t want to make less-than-worthy investments when you can negotiate a purchase price based on the inspection.
4. Negotiate the Price and Sign the Contract
Remember that with cash in hand, you have increased negation power. So, once you finish the inspection, consider your findings and negotiate with the seller or dealership to secure the best price for the mobile home. As mentioned earlier, sellers find cash offers more attractive, so they will be willing to negotiate with you when you make a cash offer.
Also, consider hiring professional manufactured housing consultants or legal experts if the negotiation pulls through. You want to ensure that you initiate a bargain that benefits you, especially when signing the paperwork, and these professionals can help you out.
5. Arrange Payment and Obtain Documentation
Once you sign the contract, it’s time to make your cash payment. Schedule a meeting with the seller or dealership to exchange the funds. You can either opt for cashier’s checks or bank transfers when dealing with large cash transactions. Regardless, ensure you have a receipt to confirm the payment. Then, collect all the necessary documents, from title to warranties and maintenance records, and your cash transaction will be complete. Don’t forget to arrange for transportation and installation after completing the process.
For more information on buying a home with cash, especially for first-timers, read our article on “Mistakes to Avoid When Buying First Mobile Home.”
Conclusion
Buying a mobile home outright lowers your monthly expenses, helps you save costs, avoid mortgage expenses and negotiate better deals with sellers. However, to navigate this process successfully, ensure you do your market research, evaluate your financial situation, schedule inspections, carefully negotiate the purchase price and engage legal and financial professionals when necessary. Remember, cash purchases can be tricky, but you can maximize benefits and make informed decisions with proper planning.