Advice for Removing or Selling an Old Mobile Home

Advice for Removing or Selling an Old Mobile Home

Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 3 votes

Hello!

My family has a mobile home that is in bad shape and has issues with mold and a caving floor (water leak) and roof (tree damage) in certain areas. The mold got to a point where anyone that was in there for any amount of time would start feeling ill. Ever since we left years ago, the home has been vacant. If we sell it, it is not suitable for someone to live in. I don't know if there is an issue legally speaking with selling the house in this condition. At this point, we are looking to remove the home from the two and a half lots it sits on and either lease the lots or sell them. We had briefly considered trying to see if the home could be repaired and have mold remediation to rent it out, but the neighborhood has gone down in quality over the years and we are hesitant to have responsibility over upkeep of the home. With this information in mind, I have a few questions:

1) Does anyone have experience removing and disposing of an old mobile home? What types of companies do this? I tried to look up something like this on google, but I wasn't very successful.

2) The mobile home park is not connected to city utilities, so it has well water and a septic system. If we remove the home and have someone lease the lots, we are responsible for the upkeep of these, correct? Are there any issues that we should be aware of if this is the case?

3) Is it possible to sell the home and lots as is? I imagine that the sell price would be greatly reduced with the home in its current state, but are there any issues with selling a home with damage and mold even if we told all of the issues we are aware of to potential buyers?

I'd appreciate any advice! Thank you!

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Real Estate Investor · Ste. Genevieve, MO · Member since 2009 · 363 posts · 944 votes
6y

Demolish it on-site. It will cost you about $2,000. Any other direction you go you will have liability exposure -- if you try to pull it out it may break apart in transport and if you sell it you may get sued for it being tainted with mold. You can never remediate the mold enough to satisfy a personal injury lawyer, and in most states you can't sell a mobile home "as is" with the problems you are describing due to the "habitability warranty". You can find someone to demolish it if you Google up "demolition company" in your area, or just call your local mobile home park retailers.

As for the lots, yes, if you rent them out you will be responsible for the water, sewer and any other utilities. Personally, if there is any market at all, I would sell the lots off as it sounds like a lot or risk (well or septic failure) for not a lot of money.

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  • Real Estate Investor · Ste. Genevieve, MO · Member since 2009 · 363 posts · 944 votes
    6y

    Demolish it on-site. It will cost you about $2,000. Any other direction you go you will have liability exposure -- if you try to pull it out it may break apart in transport and if you sell it you may get sued for it being tainted with mold. You can never remediate the mold enough to satisfy a personal injury lawyer, and in most states you can't sell a mobile home "as is" with the problems you are describing due to the "habitability warranty". You can find someone to demolish it if you Google up "demolition company" in your area, or just call your local mobile home park retailers.

    As for the lots, yes, if you rent them out you will be responsible for the water, sewer and any other utilities. Personally, if there is any market at all, I would sell the lots off as it sounds like a lot or risk (well or septic failure) for not a lot of money.

  • Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    Thank you for the feedback! I will look for a company that provides demolishing services in the area. I will have to look to see what we could get for the lots on their own and will go from there. 

  • San Antonio, TX · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Obie Gutierrez If the home isn't habitable and it's a health hazard with the mold, it's best to demolish the home and remove it from the lot. You don't want anything to come back to you in the future if there are issues. Regarding the lot, if you plan to lease it out then yes you'll be responsible for making sure the connections (i.e. water, electricity, etc) are properly working and doing the upkeep. Best of luck! 

  • Member since 2018 · 33 posts · 26 votes
    6y

    Where are you located? I have demolition & disposal services available in Virginia and a few other areas.

    Thanks,

    Tom Gardner

  • Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    Thank you for the feedback, Rachel! I had a feeling that I wouldn't be able to sell as is, but it is good to get confirmation.

    Tom, the property is is the southern most tip of Texas. Do you provide services in Texas? If not, is there anything I should look out for in a demolition company? Do these companies typically provide disposal services, or do I need to coordinate that as well?

  • Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    Also, do I need to get any permits from the city/county before this can be done? Thank you!

  • Greg H.Pro Member
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    Broker/Flipper · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    There is no reason you cannot sell the property or offer it to someone for free in order to save/make money.  As long as you disclose any known issues, there is no problem.  Someone might want it for parts or even a hunting cabin in South Texas

    Since you say it is on lots, I am assuming it is real property so it would be sold just like a home with a little extra paperwork(Statement of Location)

  • Member since 2018 · 33 posts · 26 votes
    6y

    Sorry, nothing in Texas. Typically when I’m quoting a job it includes  everything. Dump fees permits all inclusive. We just did a double wide job site trailer that was the bank branch while they were building the new branch. And it was $6,500 all in. 

  • Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    Greg, so there wouldn't be liability on our part if we disclosed everything and sold as is? Should there be paperwork signed by both parties (seller and buyer) stating all of the issues if that is the case? Is that already included in any paperwork when you sell a property? 


    Thank you for the information, Tom! I'll make sure to ask any company I call if that is all included.

  • Investor · Edison, NJ · Member since 2015 · 15 posts · 7 votes
    6y

    @Obie Gutierrez You may want to check with the township if they require a permit to demolish the house. They may also want back taxes if any to be paid before you demolish. 

  • Greg H.Pro Member
    Moderator
    Broker/Flipper · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Obie Gutierrez:

    Greg, so there wouldn't be liability on our part if we disclosed everything and sold as is? Should there be paperwork signed by both parties (seller and buyer) stating all of the issues if that is the case? Is that already included in any paperwork when you sell a property? 


    Thank you for the information, Tom! I'll make sure to ask any company I call if that is all included.

     Not at all!! If this is real property , a seller's disclosure is required which you can clearly outline the issues.  If personal property, just outline and get the buyer to sign

    Even giving it away for free is a victory versus paying

  • Greg H.Pro Member
    Moderator
    Broker/Flipper · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Arun Sriram:

    @Obie Gutierrez You may want to check with the township if they require a permit to demolish the house. They may also want back taxes if any to be paid before you demolish. 

    South Texas is the equivalent to the wild west.  No one would question a permit nor would require back taxes as the city/county is not the tax collector

  • Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    Arun, all taxes are current, so hopefully there are no issues there. I'll be sure to look into the permits, thank you! 

  • Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 3 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Greg H.:
    Originally posted by @Obie Gutierrez:

    Not at all!! If this is real property , a seller's disclosure is required which you can clearly outline the issues.  If personal property, just outline and get the buyer to sign

    Even giving it away for free is a victory versus paying

    Thank you for the information! Honestly, I am unsure if it is considered real or personal. How would I be able to determine that? Is the house considered personal, and the land real property or do they both go under one category since they are together?

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