A mobile home may not be the very first choice of home for many, but this isn’t to say that there’s no market for it. For one, many families love the idea of having a mobile home, especially those who have embraced the road trip lifestyle.
And for those who travel on the road regularly, a mobile home may be on their list of investments. Perhaps that’s what made you purchase your mobile home too.
Over the years, you may have enjoyed vacationing in, or living in, your mobile home. And perhaps now, life’s circumstances have changed, and you somehow see yourself settling down in just one place.
And in such a case, it might be time to let go of an investment that once was useful to you.
Selling your mobile home is certainly a big decision. That said, you have to be ready for the work that goes behind the scenes.
The crucial part of a successful sale of your mobile home may lie in your preparation. There are steps to help you out, and this article aims to discuss those.
Outlined below are some failproof tips on how to prep your mobile home for sale, particularly when you’re keen on selling your mobile home fast.
1. Collect All the Necessary Documents
Before you get busy with all the physical work of sprucing up your mobile home for sale, don’t forget one of the most important things to prepare: the documents.
No matter how physically attractive your mobile home is, if it lacks all the necessary documents to make it sale-ready, you may still have a challenging time selling it.
As a quick guide, some of the general documents you may need to prepare to include:
- Certificate of Occupancy: a type of documentation needed to prove that your home has complied with all the relevant regulations, which will deem the mobile home safe for use and occupancy.
- Transfer of Title: This is needed so you can sign over your existing title and transfer it to the buyer.
- Tax Records: This is to provide evidence that your mobile home has been compliant with all of the taxes at the time of selling the mobile home.
- Deed of Sale: This documentation proves that you’ve sold and transferred ownership to the buyer.
With that in mind, this list isn’t to be construed as exhaustive or absolute. And as such, it’s still best to consult your lawyer and the local authorities, so you’ll be certain that you have all the documents ready before selling your mobile home.
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2. Inspect Your Mobile Home
Aside from having professional inspectors take a look at the technical matters of your home, it’s also best to run your own inspection as well. One of the points of inspecting your home is to gain an outside perspective of its features and condition.
If you can bring a family or a friend you trust enough to give you an honest insight, consider doing so as well.
Comb your mobile home from top to bottom, and look through all the nooks and crannies. That way, you can identify any potential problems that you’ll have to fix first before putting your mobile home up for sale.
While you’re at it, you can be on guard for the following common problems:
- Loose or damaged roofing
- Damage to the paneling and sides
- Loose fixtures
- Worn out paint
- Weathering on window sills and doors
3. Call An Agent
A successful sale entails a lot of planning and preparation, and it’s not something you can wing easily, especially if you don’t have enough experience in the matter. As such, you may need to call for the assistance of professionals.
Ideally, there are fees to be incurred when seeking a professional’s service. However, those fees are often worth it when you’re in the hands of a good agent. You don’t just get to sell your mobile home, but you can do it fast.
Apart from physical sales agents, doing your research about different sites or platforms where you plan to market your mobile home can also be of help.
4. Add Some Price-Adding Features
If you’re looking for a way to maximize your mobile home’s selling price, you may have to add features that could help increase its value.
Like ordinary homes, having a nice deck or screens on your windows, for instance, can help raise your mobile home’s value. Its marketability can drastically improve as well.
Along with those external features, some internal features that can contribute to this are:
- New lighting fixtures
- Hardwood cabinets
- Energy-efficient windows
- Energy-saving appliances
5. Improve The Curb Appeal
Just like regular houses, mobile homes have curb appeal, too. It refers to your mobile home’s exterior finishes. First impressions are lasting, and that certainly holds with mobile homes.
You can get more potential buyers to look at your mobile home when the exterior itself is attractive.
Here are some tips you can do:
- Display fresh and new potted plants in the entryway
- Power-wash your exterior
- Purchase a new welcome mat
- Wash all the front windows
6. Declutter and Organize
Your potential buyers may not be able to appreciate the beauty of your mobile home’s interior and exterior if there’s visual nuisance around in the form of clutter. Mobile homes are compact, so you’ll have to be very intentional with the items you place inside.
It would be advisable not to keep anything more than is necessary, particularly furniture, pillows, and even decorative items.
When decluttering your home, consider asking the following questions:
- When was the last time this item was used?
- Is there anyone else who can make better use of those items?
Moreover, check on your mobile home’s cabinets and see if there’s anything you can do to maximize small space storage. Is there still a lot of vertical space you’re wasting? Is there a need to re-do your organizational systems?
Having ample storage space could always be a plus factor for many buyers. It may ensure that they won’t feel too cluttered or tight in your mobile home.
Conclusion
Preparing your mobile home for sale may not be that different from an ordinary house for sale. The difference, however, lies in the fact that more effort might be needed in prepping your mobile home. After all, the market isn’t as extensive as those looking for fixed homes.
That said, don’t rush the selling process. The whole premise is to get your mobile home ready into one that resembles something your buyer would be willing to spend their money on.
And when you are satisfied with the condition and looks of your mobile home, you can feel more confident about a successful sale.
