Identifying and Evaluating Used Mobile Homes

In today’s lesson you will become more comfortable and confident identifying and evaluating used mobile homes simply by the home’s physical appearance. It is important for you to be able to know what you are looking at even while driving by the mobile home quickly.

Here are some things to consider.

1. Width of the Mobile home:

Mobile homes are made in sections. Singlewide mobile homes are one complete section with a width less than 18 feet wide (typically 12 feet to 14 feet wide). Doublewide mobile homes are comprised of 2 singlewide sections and in general are wider than 20 feet.

A common rule is that the narrower the mobile home is the older it may be. In today’s modern world we are accustomed to large spacious areas and great rooms. A mobile home less than 12 feet wide can typically be more difficult to resell then a home 12 feet or wider.

1950s Typically singlewide sections are 8′-10′ wide

1960s Typically singlewide sections are 8′-12′ wide

1970s Typically singlewide sections are 10′-12′ wide

1980s to Present Typically singlewide sections are 12′-18′ wide

2. Pitch of the roof:

A not-so-commonly known trick is that a mobile home with a pitched roof was built during the year 1982 and newer. Flat or curved roofs (or very very slightly pitched roofs) are typically built pre 1982. This rule is only for Singlewide mobile homes, almost all doublewide mobile homes have pitched roofs.

Do not be fooled by a “Roof-Over” roof. These are entire metal roofs that lay on top (or cover over) a mobile home’s existing roof to protect it – whether pitched, curved, or flat.

3. Siding on the Mobile home:

Take notice of the exterior of each mobile home. A mobile home’s exterior can tell you much about the age of the home? Is the exterior wood, vinyl, aluminum or other? Do the panels on the home run horizontal or vertical? Would you know the difference??

Aluminum siding: The panels of aluminum that make up the exterior of these homes runs vertical. These vertical metal sheets tend to rust, ding, and dent over time. Aluminum siding was most popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

Vinyl siding: The panels of vinyl that make up the exterior of these homes run horizontal. This is a much more modern look. Vinyl siding can come in many colors and textures. A quick face-lift for an older mobile home is to reside the aluminum with new vinyl siding. The cost to vinyl side a singlewide mobile home depends on the size however $2,500 is a rough estimate, including labor.

Other: Wood, faux stone, logs are all examples of newer looking mobile home exteriors. However wood covered mobile homes have existed for at least 40 years. Wood panels run vertically and are prone to wood rot and termite damage.

4. Skirting on Mobile Home:

The skirting on a mobile home not only adds or subtracts from the home’s overall appearance, it also is intended to allow air circulate underneath the home to prevent mildew and mold. The absence of complete skirting can lead to animals living under a home, animals chewing on a/c ducts, plus it just doesn’t look good.