The Story

Buying a mobile home is, in many ways, different than your regular real estate purchase. One of the vital aspects to inspect is mobile home plumbing, as understanding this part of the home can help you save a lot of money. 

What Should I Look for in My Mobile Home’s Plumbing?

To be able to dive into little details of mobile home plumbing, it is crucial to understand the basics. These will include piping materials, the location of the pipes, venting procedures, and the most common plumbing issues found in mobile homes. 

Awesome! Where Do I Start?

You can learn more about mobile home plumbing by heading to the MHVillager below.

Mobile Homes aren’t for Everyone, oh wait, they are!

We often look to celebrities for inspiration. They set the standard to which we tend to judge our lives and level of success. We also just like a good bit of gossip from time to time because it’s entertaining. Celebrities draw our attention whether there’s a scandal, breaking news, or just something that goes completely against our preconceptions.

The super famous and ultra wealthy live in mobile homes? What? Why? It’s true! There’s a myriad of reasons behind each of these 8 famous people’s decisions to live in a mobile home. Sit back and read about why those at the top choose to live in a humble home.

Celebrity 1 – Kid Rock

Kid Rock starts out our list of celebrities as the man most at-home in a mobile home. Kid Rock is known as an outgoing, in-your-face personality and he embraces things that allow him to live how he wants to live. This isn’t a choice made out of financial necessity as he’s worth $80 million. Instead, the reason he lives in a mobile home is that it suits his needs best when he’s not on tour. He finds a mobile home to be the most practical option for him, in the same way he considers his private jet a necessity.

“I live in a double-wide trailer. It’s not like I require a lot. You know, I’ve learned to downsize through the years and it really made me more happy. I’ll sell everything and live in that double-wide but I’m not givin’ up that airplane”

Taken from an interview with Dan Rather

According to Kid Rock, the things that make him happy in life are never going to be found in a house or mansion. The number of bedrooms, the size of a pool, and even mansion-tier accessories like a movie theater mean nothing if you’re the only one using them. Instead, he finds that the things which make him happy are his land and his flexibility. With a mobile home he was able to find a piece of land perfect for him and instantly start living his best life.

Source: CountryMusicFamily

Mobile Home Resident No. 2 – Pamela Anderson

Of course, this is Pamela Anderson and you probably know she’s not known as the quaint lady with a happy, unassuming relationship and small home. She ended up selling her mobile home, renting out the mansion, and moving to France to be with the French footballer Adil Rami.

Her life was what many would consider picturesque in that mobile home park. Unlike the reported nature of her other relationships (including with the first person on this list – Kid Rock), her time with the electrician was legitimately romantic. Her kids were even the same age as those of the electrician. How did this man come to meet this superstar? He picked her up in his golf cart! Yes, for a time she even indulged in the park cultural phenomenon of golf cart travel after being introduced to the convenience by that fateful ride.

Source: The Things

Celebrity 3 – Matthew McConaughey

We’re back to diehard mobile home residents with this superstar! Matthew McConaughey is a household name and celebrity of the highest caliber. He was also a mobile home resident full-time between 2004 and 2008, living in an Airstream trailer. You read that right, he didn’t even have the luxuries of a proper mobile home as he was actually living in a trailer – for four years!

According to Architectural Digest, McConaughey’s Airstream was used for everything from parties to conducting business. The actor lived in it full time from ’04 to ’08 in a Malibu RV park next to a world-famous surfing spot. Ever since then he has used the Airstream as his primary residence on the road. Like many Americans, McConaughey embraces the freedom and flexibility that a brick and mortar home just can’t offer. Also, just like with Kid Rock, the Airstream more than met McConaughey’s needs. If he wanted to go to a crazy Hollywood party he’d probably let someone else deal with the mess and property damage.

Source: Architectural Digest

TV Superstar and Number 4 – NIA PEEPLES

Nia Peeples, best known for her role in Pretty Little Liars, lives in a double-wide mobile home. You absolutely need to watch the video your of Nia’s home in Malibu. Not only does her home rock, it will hopefully give you ideas and show you what can be done in your mobile home. What if you don’t know anything about mobile homes? Well, this is one! This isn’t even anything fancy, the layout and structure are exactly the same as what you’ll find in any park. Nia gives a perfect glimpse into the ideal mobile home lifestyle and what we can all achieve with a little creativity and dedication.

Source: The attached video! Watch it and you won’t regret it.

5 – Tom Shadyac

Tom Shadyac is a well established director with pictures under his belt including Patch Adams, The Nutty Professor, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and Bruce Almighty. He made it big in the industry and for a number of years he lived like it. Tom had a big, multimillion dollar mansion and everything else one gets when the cash comes flowing in.

Why He Downscaled Despite Celebrity Status

You see, back in 2007 Tom had a bike accident the left him in excruciating pain for months. He found himself standing in his giant mansion in pain and no happier than he was before he was rich. Living life as a stereotypical celebrity was leaving Tom feeling empty. To him, all the normal measures of success were just cultural constructs that have no real value. A mansion is just a big, empty void that sucks the life out of you.

A decade ago Tom had an existential awakening that made him realize what he wanted out of life. Instead of living in a community of closed-off mansions where everyone is standoffish and competitive, he wanted to be part of a community. He said that the culture of measuring our self worth from what material things we have is awful.

“We have a term for something in the body when it takes more than its share,” “We call it cancer.”

From the documentary I Am

This director of multiple critically-acclaimed movies decided his best life was in a mobile home. Tom Shadyac believes that being a celebrity should be about celebrating talent. According to him, the problem is when people are put on a pedestal they get in the way of their “authentic selves.” To save his integrity and mental state a mobile home was the only option. Tom also rides to work on a bike and spends his days pursuing his passions and not cultural status symbols.

Source: Oprah Interview

Celebrity 6 – David Arquette

David is an established and the former husband of Friends star Courtney Cox. From around 2012 to 2017 he was also a mobile home resident, living (as with many of the people on this list) in a Malibu mobile home park. David’s home is a doublewide with an open layout, industrial style exterior, and a 1.8 million dollar price tag.

So many celebrities choose to live in a mobile home because they meet their needs perfectly. Celebrities share a lot with retired people due to constant activities, having a fluid schedule, and often only needing to live with their partner or nobody else at all. A mobile home is also small enough that it feels like a home but still offers the freedom not afforded by an apartment. You can turn a mobile home into a personalized haven in a way that would be impractical and excessive with anything else.

Source: Architectural Digest

Famous Billionaire and Number 7 – Elon Musk

Elon Musk, love him or hate him you have to admit he has a peculiar way of doing things. Elon’s futurism is sometimes misguided but we think he hit the nail on the head with his house. The tech billionaire and rocket magnate lives in a $50k tiny, prefabricated home in Texas.

The home he now reportedly lives in is a 375 square foot prefabricated home made by Las Vegas startup Boxabl. Their homes boast high 9’6″ ceilings, full-sized kitchen with all appliances included, large bathroom amenities, a washer and dryer, climate control included, and full LED lighting. These homes are definitely plug-and-play because you literally only need the land and water/power hookup. More impressively, these homes are designed with industry-leading insulation and other power saving features. There’s also a two-storey model!

If you want to live like a billionaire it’s only $250 per month. You can exceed Elon’s lifestyle because you have the opportunity to move into a resort lifestyle community. Imagine the chic lifestyle of a billionaire and the amenities of a resort. This author knows what they’re doing when they retire!

Source: Business Insider

Celebrity 8 – Minnie Driver

You might know Minnie Driver from Grosse Pointe Blank or Good Will Hunting but did you know this singer and actress lives in a mobile home? Minnie is yet another celebrity on this list that lives in Malibu on the more humble side of things. She bought her home by the beach over twenty years ago. After years of living in a normal mobile home Minnie decided to upgrade her house. She went to interior designer One Kings Lane for help and it really paid off!

This London-born academy award nominee chooses to spend her free time in a home not too far off from what you can have, even after the New York designer’s overhaul. This article from One Kings Lane documents the remodeled state of Minnie’s home and offers some inspiration.

We don’t want to say the New York decorator didn’t do an impressive job – they did – but we will say you can attain this look on a tight budget. Open floorplans seem to be here to stay; aside from the removal of maybe a wall or two all you need is light colored paint and some finds from a local thrift shop. You can achieve that Malibu look on a retirement budget and afford to life like you’re in Malibu too! After all, the sunshine is free in Florida.

Source: One Kings Lane

More Articles from Integrity

Want to See our Sources?

We couldn’t have made this list without the help of some other wonderful sites. If you want to see what they had to say about celebrities living in mobile homes then give them a visit.

House Beautiful, MH Living News, and US Mobile Home Pros

Here’s Some Things You Need to Know Before Going Away

Here are some essential considerations to keep in mind this summer if you’re heading north or going on vacation:

Have Someone Looking Out For You

Extended stays away from home are easier and safer than ever when you live in a mobile home park. These parks are communities where it’s not uncommon for a sizable amount of people to go north for the summer. Also, they are real communities where people build friendships and look out for each other. The number-one thing to do is tell family and close friends about your trip.

Find someone you trust that lives in Florida year-round to look after your property. This doesn’t entail they live in your home or take up a sentry position, they just need to know that if they notice any changes that they should call you.

Landscaping is Important!

Seedy types look for homes that they know are empty, so make sure your property doesn’t look abandoned. The most recommended thing to do is hire a trusted (i.e. an established company) landscaping service to do regular maintenance on your home. A professional landscaper’s presence both serves to keep things looking kept up as well as maintain a level of activity while you’re away.

We know that the landscaping option isn’t available for everybody, whether due to cost or just not having time to set it up. Don’t worry, you can do an overly-enthusiastic trim before you go so things look only slightly overgrown when you come back. Your property might not look as good as the community clubhouse, but it also will be far from the worst when fall comes around.

Make Sure Nothing Builds Up on the Porch

Newspapers, pamphlets, and even forgotten late-night Amazon purchases all tell a person of dubious character one thing, and it’s not that you don’t care about your mail. Make sure you cancel your subscriptions while gone so newspapers don’t build up and your mailbox isn’t packed.

If you want to go a step above, ask that kind soul that’s looking out for your home to go over once in a while to pick up loose promotional detritus. You could also ask your landscaper if they’ll clean up this material in the event you have one.

Run Lights on Timers and Sensors

Hopefully you’re familiar with running lights on wall-mounted timers. If not, the idea is straightforward: a little outlet-mounted timer is plugged into your lamps and turns on and back off at pre-specified times. These timers can be purchased very affordably at Walmart and any reputable hardware store; one lamp per larger, windowed room should do the trick.

Motion detectors on outdoor lights are a must-have in our opinion. You might have discounted the idea because they’re generally expensive or finicky, but now you can buy an LED security light kit for under $40! These kits are relatively easy to put up and draw attention to your home whenever something is snooping around. More often than not you spook stray critters, but that’s not exactly a bad thing either.

Make Sure your Air Conditioner is Working

While it’s tempting to turn everything off and not pay a dime to the power company, it’s best for your home that you have the AC running (plus you want those lights mentioned above). An air conditioner does a lot more than cool a home, it also filters the air and removes moisture. It would be senseless to keep your home comfortably cool the entire time you’re away. It is paramount that your thermostat is set somewhere in the mid-80s so the system kicks on while away.

Storms Still Happen While You’re Away

Florida is the thunderstorm capitol of the US and it’s not uncommon for surges to trip breakers and take out unprotected devices. It’s best practice to unplug everything not in use. Doing this drastically lowers the chance of electrical fire and, more likely, something wasting expensive electricity. Unplug your TVs, computers, and appliances and keep rechargeable devices off their chargers. Also, back up your data as a precaution.

Clean out Fridges and Freezers

Power goes out occasionally, and more occasionally it can be out for a long time. Would you rather have to buy a few groceries when you return or have to kill the monster that’s grown out of your forgotten leftovers marinating in a warm fridge? I think you can agree it’s best to toss the half-used mayo.

Modern appliances are as sensitive to power surges as computers. Having your fridge or even freezer unplugged and cleaned-out will protect them for years to come.

Keep Your Valuables Safe

Having a safe deposit box for jewelry and other precious objects is recommended. While you cherish your family photos and keepsakes, criminals only want what they can pawn. It’s likely you’ll find that you don’t need a big deposit box to protect your stuff. Plus, not having such things in your home can act as a deterrent.

Inspect Everything

Lock all your doors and windows before you go and double-check them. Test all the locks and replace broken ones. Make sure your things like sheds and outdoor storage containers have locks on them too.

If you have further questions or want recommendations for the Bradenton/Sarasota area, feel free to contact us here.

Sell Now: The Chance of a Decade

Your Home May Be Worth More Than You Think

Are You Thinking of Selling?

Does this scenario seem familiar: you check your home’s value and see it’s worth 50% or more than it was just a few years ago – you’d love to sell but there’s nothing on the market left for you? The housing market has been in a stir this past year and prices have rocketed. Now is the best time possible to sell your home but you simply can’t go homeless! The solution is simple – expand your search and consider better alternatives.

If you’re one of the 3.2 million Americans who’ve recently retired (CNBC, 2021) or are looking to retire then it’s likely that the time has come to downsize. Most people have found themselves over the course of their working lives in places that aren’t ideal retirement spots. Now it’s time for a fresh wave of people to take up professions and move into our cities and suburbs and housing prices reflect it.

Maybe you’ve considered moving to a more retirement-centered locale or perhaps the idea is new to you. Either way, moving can offer you a better quality of life and the profit from that home sale can really grow your retirement nest egg. If you’re close to meeting your retirement goals but aren’t there yet, the sale of your home might propel you financially years ahead – years you get to enjoy doing what you love.

Let’s Look at the Numbers

According to Business Insider the average home value in the US has jumped up 14.9% in the last year, marking the 114^th month in a row that values have increased. The pandemic has thrown gasoline on this fire as homes have been in short supply, resulting in increased prices. A sign that the market is as competitive as ever is the declining number of first-time buyers, who over the last two months have decreased from 33% of the market last year to under 29% now. Simply put, first-time buyers can’t keep up and there is a housing shortage.

This is Where YOU Come In

It’s safe to assume that you are an older, well-established person since you’ve made it to this part of the internet. As a mature, financially savvy person you must see the opportunity in front of you – sell now for a return 50% or greater than you could have ever predicted. You can put it away, increase your monthly payout, put it into a hot new company, or buy that dream boat and go fishing every day. The only thing holding you back is your resolve and having a place lined up.

This is Where WE Come In

Do you know what market is still untapped by this housing boom? Mobile Homes always follow market trends a little later than their counterparts in the suburbs. The largest demographic of mobile homeowners is impervious to market fluctuations so when prices are high mobile home creep up. However, when markets inevitably flounder mobile homes hold stronger than ever because very few owners are liable to loose their source of income, you know, being retired.

Here’s the Plan:

You should do some market research on your home. Look at comparable homes in your area and talk to a realtor to see what you can do to make the most of this market boom. Before even putting the home on the market look into the fabulous resort lifestyle parks in Florida. Brand new mobile homes are half the price of their traditional counterparts and are in modernized, company-run parks that offer amenities equivalent to a resort – read more here! Contact us here to start your hunt for a mobile home so when it’s time to sell there’s a plan and a destination.

Where Our Data is From:

Hartmans, A. (2021, September 25). The housing market is cooling down but not for a good reason: first-time homebuyers have been priced out. Retrieved from Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-softening-home-prices-unaffordable-realtors-association-report-2021-9

Kate Dore, C. (2021, May 9). The pandemic drove these Americans into early retirement. What to know before making the leap. Retrieved from CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/09/the-pandemic-drove-these-americans-into-early-retirement.html

Conventional Wisdom is Wrong on This One.

The old status quo of mobile homes losing value over time is no longer the case – here’s why.

In days gone by it was expected that a mobile home was a tradeoff of long-term returns for an obtainable retirement. No longer are the days of 1960s trailers lined up in some desolate lot off a highway! The modern mobile home has finally caught up with its brick-and-mortar counterpart in ability to appreciate in value.

According to the Urban Institute, a D.C.-based think tank, manufactured homes have appreciated an average of 3.4% compared to traditional homes at 3.8%. However, while the appreciation rated have close-in on each other, the number of new mobile homes has declined since the 70s. That’s actually a good thing.

The Market Meeting Demands

Hopefully we’re all acquainted with supply and demand and how they affect pricing. If you’re unfamiliar or want to brush up on this economics basic then go here.

The supply of new mobile homes has dropped annually from the late-seventies to the present day. While that initially seems like bad news, it’s good because it shows the market maturing. Manufactured homes are built better than in the past and thus cost more. Plus, the average buyer now demands a lot more of a mobile home park. Simply, the product has changed from a lower-quality alternative to one on-par. All the while, regular homes are just made more cheaply. If you want to know more about this, read here.

The increase in price has lowered low-income demand which has in-turn gentrified the market. The 55+ community of the modern age is made up of mostly middle-class people from northern climates, retired people who’ve downsized, and working people established in their career.

The lowered supply has had another benefit of bringing supply an demand into a sustainable equilibrium. Nowadays, the prohibitive cost of a new mobile home means buyers are looking at ones already on-site. This, coupled with superb build quality in the last few decades, has meant buyers are more confidant than ever.

The Old Woes are No Longer a Problem – or Never Were in the First Place…

Bad Weather isn’t That Bad Anymore

If you’ve been around long enough the name Hurricane Andrew might stand out. This 1992 hurricane battered Florida among other places and leveled a lot of homes – both mobile and traditional. In response, the State of Florida enacted numerous new building codes that culminated in Florida having the strictest codes by 2002. These codes apply to mobile homes too, and the industry stepped up.

You can read here about how codes have improved home safety, but rest assured knowing that by hurricane Irma in 2017 most mobile homes received minimal or no damage. The codes have worked and a modern mobile home is as sound as ever.

Rent’s Due!

Another woe of mobile homes tossed up by the uninitiated is lot rent. Many homes are situated in parks that own the land and charge a monthly rent for land, utilities, park services, clubhouse membership, etc. What the pop journalists of the internet don’t realize is that lot rent works for you in the long run.

Mobile home parks are competitive… very competitive. They know that if you want to, you can sell your home and buy a new one fast. If you want to move to a different park it’s likely you will, losing your old park a revenue stream to a more affordable one. Hey, this sounds like economic competition!

Indeed, mobile home parks compete with each other to offer the most amenities at the best price, and since you’re living there they can’t cut corners like certain retailers nowadays. Lot rent is always going to be manageable because the 55+ market has a large group of fixed-income individuals. You can’t turn away retirees and run a mobile home park, can you?

Wait, Rent is Behind That Home Appreciation?

The value of your home is positively affected by your community having a rent. Rent directly goes into maintaining your community and adds a barrier of entry to certain uncouth types. Those that don’t have their stuff sorted out, even after 55+ years on this earth, won’t be your neighbor.

The well-managed and well-invested-in communities that charge a lot rent preserve the quality of the environment your home exists in. When future buyers go by your home to check it out, they’ll see manicured landscaping and clean homes and think that’s the place they want to be. As long as you can keep the home together, you won’t be dissatisfied in the long run.

High-Value Communities Around Here

The Florida Gulf Coast down near sunny Sarasota has the best mobile home communities in the nation. The competitive nature of the area combined with a long established presence of the mobile home community means prices are low and quality is high. We’ve hand-picked the communities below for their exceptional resort amenities at a bargain rate. You’re sure to be excited by the value in these parks!

Staging is one of the best ways to get the highest offer possible when selling your home.

What is Home Staging?

Home staging is the process of making your home look picture perfect prior to listing.

Staging generally entails:

• decluttering
• removing pets during showings and in photos
• cleaning the home
• basic repairs
• increasing curb appeal
• depersonalizing the home

Basic staging can be done without the assistance of a staging company (rearranging furniture, removing clutter, etc.) however, hiring one can be beneficial in getting the best possible result. If your home is empty, staging companies can even bring in furniture and decoration.

What are the benefits?

The National Association of Realtors has collected and published data on the benefits of home staging. According to their data, 47% of agents stated that staging has an impact on most buyers’ opinions of a home. 82% of agents stated that staging has made it easier for buyers to visualize the property as a future home.

Staging resulted in a higher dollar value offer in 49% of cases, while it resulted in no change in 26% of cases. The agent was unsure 25% of the time.

The length of time prior to home sale was affected the most. Over 50% of agents said they saw a decrease in time on the market in a home that has been staged.

At the bottom line, buyers are most likely to purchase a home that they can imagine themselves living in.

What are the next steps?

Data suggests that now is an advantageous time to sell your home in Florida! Staging your home has a high probability of getting you higher offers and/or a quicker sale for your home. If you do choose to stage your home, there are many companies located in Ellenton, FL and the surrounding area that can get you the results you’re looking for. Talk to your agent and let them know you’re thinking about home staging. Don’t have an agent? Check out our list of helpful and professional agents at Integrity!