There are many reasons why you may want to buy a used mobile home as opposed to a new one. Obviously, many used mobile homes will be considerably cheaper than their new counterparts. You may not have the financial means to purchase a new home, or even if you do, you might feel the extra expense is unjustified. However, whatever your reason for choosing used over new, the good news is that there are many used mobile homes that rival the comfort and luxury of new homes. The important thing to do before you buy to ensure that your mobile home is an incredible find instead of a disguised dump is to do a little research and thoroughly investigate the home.
Before you buy your used mobile home, or even start looking, decide on what criteria will be most important to you when making the final decision. Think about cost, the layout of the home, energy efficiency, décor, and surrounding environment. Realize that some of these things, like décor, may be relatively easy to change (although with some expense) while others, like the environment or layout, will be much more difficult. Consider how much work, if any, you are willing to put into improving your home should you decide to purchase a fixer-upper because of the lesser cost.
It is also important to consider who is selling the used mobile home. You will generally have the choice of licensed dealers, real estate brokers, or current owners. Make sure that the seller is both credible and reliable, and see if any help with future service issues is available. Ask for references and do not be afraid to ask them serious questions about the mobile home. They are the ones under scrutiny here, not you. A good seller will be able to provide you with extensive information about the home, answer all your questions, and explain to you certain legalities that may be important when owning a mobile home.