Four years ago I bought what has turned out to be a dilapidated 40 year old mobile home. The previous owners had spent a few bucks putting bandaids on it to make it appear in better shape than it was Particle board floors that are sagging, electrical outlets that don't work, windows that won't close all the way and leaky plumbing are the major concerns. Then there is the mobile home park it is in, the rent goes up every January like clockwork, they spend our money on "improvements" that are of little value to the residents and now they are trying to force owners of older units to pay for a cosmetic face lift.

I now have an opportunity to rent a small house in the nearby town of Sanford, Fl. It is located just east of the Orlando/Sanford International Airport. The owner has just purchased it from a bank that had foreclosed on the property a couple of years ago. It has a large metal building on the property that he plans to set up a woodworking shop in. Not a business but rather his own personal plaything. He decided he wanted someone living in the house to ward off potential thieves and vandals. The deal he offered include a very good rent package that includes the electricity. He will renovate the interior to accommodate my mobility needs, install a larger main entry and build ramps so I can get my power chair in and out of the house. It is just big enough that I can set up a 1/32 scale slot car track in the living/dining area. There is also a second bedroom that will be my model building shop. It is on a quarter acre lot and is fenced in so my puppy can move around outside off her leash.

But I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling about the situation. The mobile home, while dilapidated is large and I have accumulated over the last 30-40 years a lot of stuff, some of it most would consider junk. I also own it and could probably work things out with the park management as mine is not the only old unit in the park.

If I move I will have to get rid of much of the baggage I have been carrying around with me. I know you can't take it with you when you die but I guess I feel I need to keep everything right up to my dying day or it won't count, kind of like the Pharaohs, I want to be buried with my treasures.

I guess I would be better off selling most everything on ebay and using the money to get newer stuff;). Deciding what to keep and what to get rid of is the hardest part. Whenever I start trying to separate what to keep from what to ditch the what to keep pile grows much faster than the other.

What to do, what to do. I've got to make up my mind this week or the deal will be off the table. I almost hope the owner will change his mind relieving me of the responsibility of deciding.

One other small thing my internet service would be with Brighthouse instead of Centurylink which I despise.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

My brother that has helped me out the most thinks it's a great idea as it will cut in half the distance from where he lives. My other brother probably won't express an opinion one way or the other. I could not convince the owner to give me more than a 24 month assurance which is the biggest minus factor.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

With the amount of work you describe that your current mobile home needs; if it were me, I'd move. If I couldn't sell some/most of my stuff, and I couldn't take it with me to the new place, I'd weigh the additional cost of a small storage unit for my things. My current storage unit is 7' x 10', and I pay $72.95 a month for it. It is in Woodland; which is about a two hour drive from where I live; however, it was the cheapest place I could find that I can afford on my fixed income. Anything closer to me ends up costing over $100 a month for a much smaller storage unit. Also, to be considered, find out how often the storage places raise their rents... My previous two storage places raised rent every year. My current place in Woodland hasn't raised the rent, (according to a friend who rents there as well), in YEARS... So, my stuff is secured, and will remain cheap to store for a long time to come.

If storage is not an issue, and you would rather part with things that are non-essential, then sell the stuff, and put the money towards moving expenses. It sounds like the new place offers you quite a bit; internet aside. Plus, you could look for internet alternatives like U-Verse or Verizon FIOS if either are offered in that location. I'd be happy to help you find out.

Good luck with whatever you decide.


TL

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TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

I think the owner sees it as mutually beneficial. He came looking for me several months ago before he closed on the property. He is in his early 50's and has a home in an upscale neighborhood where they won't let him build a shop on the property. I think, once his shop is set up he won't be looking to flip the property any time soon. Moving his shop equipment is a bigger hassle than moving my stuff. At least that is what I am trying to convince myself.

When I lived in Orlando I had Brighthouse cable modem service which I liked very much. Where I am now Centurylink is through the phone lines as DSL with somewhat slower throughput. My current television provider is Direct TV which is only so-so. They advertise the new antennas aren't affected by rainstorms. But with the whopper thunderstorms we get around here I have lost service for as much as an hour at a time. Always when the storm is southwest of my house.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

When you say the owner won't commit to more than 24 months, do you mean rent control, or lease, period? I guess it's unusual to have a longer lease, anyway, but you need some peace of mind that he won't get tired of his hobby, or see an opportunity to sell it - of course even if he eventually sells it, the new owner might want to continue on with the landlord arrangement.

Your mobile home must be quite large if you wouldn't be able to move most of your stuff, and it's been your place for so long, I imagine you're attached to it. Even with the mobile home park fees going up, I would think it's cheaper than the house rent deal.

I'm leaning toward telling you to stay put.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

When you say the owner won't commit to more than 24 months, do you mean rent control, or lease, period? I guess it's unusual to have a longer lease, anyway, but you need some peace of mind that he won't get tired of his hobby, or see an opportunity to sell it - of course even if he eventually sells it, the new owner might want to continue on with the landlord arrangement.

Your mobile home must be quite large if you wouldn't be able to move most of your stuff, and it's been your place for so long, I imagine you're attached to it. Even with the mobile home park fees going up, I would think it's cheaper than the house rent deal.

I'm leaning toward telling you to stay put.

Don't forget all of the repairs he states are needed to the mobile home... He won't need to worry about those while renting at the new place.

Just my 2 Cents...

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TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

..
If I move I will have to get rid of much of the baggage I have been carrying around with me. I know you can't take it with you when you die but I guess I feel I need to keep everything right up to my dying day or it won't count, kind of like the Pharaohs, I want to be buried with my treasures....

I totally know what you mean. When I moved to Canada it just wasn't worth me shipping most of my accumulated junk. I didn't even realise how much stuff I had as it was packed away in closets, under beds etc..

At first getting rid of things was hard (emotionally at least) and I really had to make tough choices. In the end it was extremely liberating. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I sold things on ebay. I sold things at garage sales, I gave things to charity and in the end I dumped stuff in the dumpster.

Of course when me and my husband moved in together he bought his years of accumulated junk which I am simply itching to get him to sort through and get rid of. It is a burden to have too much stuff and it ties you down. I also don't see why he needs to keep broken radios from the 80s or CRT computer monitors stuffed in the basement.

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Reality Internet Personality

When you say the owner won't commit to more than 24 months, do you mean rent control, or lease, period? I guess it's unusual to have a longer lease, anyway, but you need some peace of mind that he won't get tired of his hobby, or see an opportunity to sell it - of course even if he eventually sells it, the new owner might want to continue on with the landlord arrangement.

Your mobile home must be quite large if you wouldn't be able to move most of your stuff, and it's been your place for so long, I imagine you're attached to it. Even with the mobile home park fees going up, I would think it's cheaper than the house rent deal.

I'm leaning toward telling you to stay put.

Don't forget all of the repairs he states are needed to the mobile home... He won't need to worry about those while renting at the new place.

Just my 2 Cents...

Well, that's true, good point. Just depends on how serious the repairs are needed and the cost.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I forgot to mention that I currently rent a space essentially a 40' x 13.5' garage where I have my two slot car tracks. When I did this three years ago it was my hope that a core of local racers would form a club and help me pay the rent. But the place lacks air conditioning and the driveway outside is not paved creating a dust problem. For whatever the reason is only a very few friends come and paly on a regular basis, what with all the other things to do I guess they just don't have the time. Since I can't even get my friends to come race for free I know they won't help with the rent.

So my current monthly living expenses are $420 lot rent, $375 garage rent, $200 summertime electric bill, $25/mo gas (not car fuel), $40/mo utilities, $160/mo. TV and internet service. Total $1220/mo max.

If I move, $575 house rent, $120 cable TV and internet. Total $695/mo every month.

In 12 months I turn 66 which will be the end of my disability insurance checks as they only pay up to retirement age. I will be loosing $1069/mo. at that point. Some time in the next five years or so I figure I will be forced to move into an assisted living facility. I won't go easy but I'm afraid my doctor and my brother will team up to make it happen with or without my liking it.
From that point on I will be counting the days until I die.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

I forgot to mention that I currently rent a space essentially a 40' x 13.5' garage where I have my two slot car tracks. When I did this three years ago it was my hope that a core of local racers would form a club and help me pay the rent. But the place lacks air conditioning and the driveway outside is not paved creating a dust problem. For whatever the reason is only a very few friends come and paly on a regular basis, what with all the other things to do I guess they just don't have the time. Since I can't even get my friends to come race for free I know they won't help with the rent.

So my current monthly living expenses are $420 lot rent, $375 garage rent, $200 summertime electric bill, $25/mo gas (not car fuel), $40/mo utilities, $160/mo. TV and internet service. Total $1220/mo max.

If I move, $575 house rent, $120 cable TV and internet. Total $695/mo every month.

In 12 months I turn 66 which will be the end of my disability insurance checks as they only pay up to retirement age. I will be loosing $1069/mo. at that point. Some time in the next five years or so I figure I will be forced to move into an assisted living facility. I won't go easy but I'm afraid my doctor and my brother will team up to make it happen with or without my liking it.
From that point on I will be counting the days until I die.

Bob, given the fact your income will be reduced, I think the move to the rental house makes sense. I'm trying to plan ahead, too. I don't want my mother in anything other than her home, and I will make sure she stays there, but your brother and doctor can't force you into anything, either.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I forgot to mention that I currently rent a space essentially a 40' x 13.5' garage where I have my two slot car tracks. When I did this three years ago it was my hope that a core of local racers would form a club and help me pay the rent. But the place lacks air conditioning and the driveway outside is not paved creating a dust problem. For whatever the reason is only a very few friends come and paly on a regular basis, what with all the other things to do I guess they just don't have the time. Since I can't even get my friends to come race for free I know they won't help with the rent.

So my current monthly living expenses are $420 lot rent, $375 garage rent, $200 summertime electric bill, $25/mo gas (not car fuel), $40/mo utilities, $160/mo. TV and internet service. Total $1220/mo max.

If I move, $575 house rent, $120 cable TV and internet. Total $695/mo every month.

In 12 months I turn 66 which will be the end of my disability insurance checks as they only pay up to retirement age. I will be loosing $1069/mo. at that point. Some time in the next five years or so I figure I will be forced to move into an assisted living facility. I won't go easy but I'm afraid my doctor and my brother will team up to make it happen with or without my liking it.
From that point on I will be counting the days until I die.

Considering what your financial future looks like and how much of a decrease in your rent it will be, I'd say you need to move, an opportunity doesn't always come around, so I'd get it done. Oh and you many need to dispose of the mobile home, if your mobile home 'statement of ownership' goes thru the local DMV, that would be easier than the what I have to deal with, the park here says they are transferring ownership of the park from the old owner to the new owner, the old owner lives in Florida and the new one lives in California, so until that happens I can't get this mobile home fully into this parks name. Good luck Bob, we are both going to need it.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

It's just titled through the DMV. On my last day here assuming I can't sell it I'm just taking the keys and the title down to the park office.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

I would say the +s outweight the -s.

First of he is willing to make the disability related upgrades and that is not cheap. Sure he can write this off, but not as a repair, but over a few years.

Secondly, a 24 mos lease is great.

Thirdly, your dog will be one happy puppy.

Fourthly, the reduction in income. (not sure, why you wouldn't qualify for Social Security.)

I too have a hard time parting with things. I made a conscious choice to declutter two years ago. I am halfway there.

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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Seti Ambassador
Not to late to order an Anni Shirt

I hated moving too.

While living in Sydney for over 40yrs, a move was usually done every 5yrs for me, but that is something that I don't have to worry about (these last 12yrs or this side of death).

Cheers.

It's just titled through the DMV. On my last day here assuming I can't sell it I'm just taking the keys and the title down to the park office.

Sounds like a plan bob, Me I plan to transfer the title when I'm out of here, I'll let the park sort it out then.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I am already on social security disability and next summer it automatically become social security retirement but at no change in income. The advantage of having been on disability is that when it switches I get credit for working up to my full retirement benefit age. The insurance check I have been getting was a private insurance package offered through where I worked which I paid into for 20 years before my hip gave out and I could no longer walk. The social security income is sufficient as long as I live a frugal life. As I don't have any great travel ambitions or other extravagant tastes I will get along OK sitting at my computer and communicating with my online friends.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Bob, My dad grew up during the depression. He saved bent nails as he might need them some day. So I grew up with that urge to save stuff also. My wife aslo hsa the pack rat urge. I have a 3 bedroom house that untill recently was just two, And that still not completly empty but you can walk in the room and see a lot of carpet and the futon. It was before what we called the junk room.
My wife and I both decided that enough crap that we will never use is enough.
I installed track shelving and put up 4 9 foot book shelves and filled them up with all the books I had on the floor.
We both hated to get rid of the stuff we though we needed. We are not done yet, but we are on the road to being clutter free.

If this is up for a vote. Id say make the move and get rid of the clutter.

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Old James

Good luck on the moving Bob!! My next (and hopefully) final move will be next year, I hate it too but the place I live now is way too small for two (almost teenager) daughters.

Having been a squatter, I was never sure of the place I stayed in the past, the cops could evict me whenever they wanted to and they had the right to do so as well :\ I left all of my stuff from my youth in a storage place but at one point my granddad decided to throw it all away because he was angry with me...

I'm leaning toward telling you to stay put.

Me too.

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

Good luck on the moving Bob!! My next (and hopefully) final move will be next year, I hate it too but the place I live now is way too small for two (almost teenager) daughters.

Having been a squatter, I was never sure of the place I stayed in the past, the cops could evict me whenever they wanted to and they had the right to do so as well :\ I left all of my stuff from my youth in a storage place but at one point my granddad decided to throw it all away because he was angry with me...

I'm leaning toward telling you to stay put.

Me too.

I moved so much as a child and had to part with so many precious things along the way that finally being able to settle in one place long enough to feel I have roots was so nice. :)

I dread the idea of having to move again and shed the things I've finally been able to gather - but no doubt I will have to oneday. It's made it really hard for me to even begin contemplating what advice to give you Bob.

I see pro's for both options - and certainly being closer to much-loved family members is a big one! But moving is considered to be third (after bereavement and divorce) for the stress it puts people through - so just on that alone I really don't envy you this decision.

Sorry I can't steer you one way or another :/ Good luck though - with whatever you decide :)

I keep vacillating in my mind about your situation, Bob. How are you feeling about it right now?

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place