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It's certainly not the mecca for retirees on low pensions or SS income it once was, that's for sure. But tens of thousands come into these communities and stay every year. What was a heaven for those with very little money is now a haven for those with mid-sized retirement incomes/net worth. There are other states where lot rents and living costs are do-able on low incomes/net worth but Florida is not one of them with a few exceptions.

Back in the early to mid 90's that was the norm. Today you have two basic choices. Lot rents $600-$1200/mo (or more) with very affordable homes or assessments (in Resident owned communities) of $75 - $400 (or more) with homes starting around $130K (for a fixer-upper).

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

If these surprise you I can't imagine your take on conventional homes. It wasn't long ago you could get a nice site built home in an HOA community for under $200K. Now you are lucky to find a starter model on a micro lot at the far end of the community under $400K.

Lot rents have become, mostly, beyond the reach of those with strictly SS income. But so have apartments, home rentals, and single family homes. BUT, while my lot rent has gone up a little every year, my grocery bill has skyrocketed. Why does no-one care about the cost of eggs? (An industry far more concentrated in corporate ownership than MHPs)

Thanks, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!

Thanks! Merry Christmas to you too!

Thanks! Merry Christmas to you too!

That would be a resident owned community that long ago paid off their mortgage. What are homes there selling for?

@RussellWatsonFMHL 250k - 300K, every year they get a little more expensive

@ Sounds right. And that is the trade-off . If you have the capital and there is a resident owned community in the area you want to locate, then you can get monthly payments that are very low.

Merry Christmas to you as well! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

The living room?

Phoenix, AZ

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you too!

Hmmm...I live in a community with over 300 homes - most pre-94. They have seen more hurricanes than most 55+ folks moving here will ever see and they are not only still standing, but they are in great condition. I am a few miles inland, which helps. We do get some occasional roof damage and I've seen carport damage in nearby communities. But the same has been true in Orlando, Lakeland, and similar. Now within a mile or less and right on the water (think flood zone) - There I'll agree with you unless you can afford a total loss. (which many can and it's a lot cheaper than a condo similarly situated).

@RussellWatsonFMHL look at all the damage from Venice down to Naples.

@@RussellWatsonFMHL Right. Hurricanes are real. But they are a distant threat. It's a matter of fate and chance. Your chances are usually good in Florida I'd say.

Yes, some communities got hit in those storms but others were virtually untouched. I teach the idea you can reduce hurricane risk buy locating in certain areas of the state so in a very general way I agree. And, there is no question you greatly increase risk of major damage in a hurricane that hits your area if you are on the water or within a very short distance; no matter what type of home you have. But there are beachfront communities in Brevard county that have been there since the 80's with minimal damage. It's a trade-off and each has to evaluate their needs and financial position vs. risk.

Today, $800 to as high as $1,600 or more is average for a nice resort community. That's nothing compared to California where lot rents are well over $2,000/mo.

@ with rents that high it makes the home worth little. They have shifted the value from the home to the park. Seems like there should be a spot where both do well? I know I would never pay those park fees.

I would generally agree although a smart shopper can often get more for their dollars than an uneducated one. Not everyone can afford a Mercedes Benz yet they (like me) find great value and utility in the lowly Honda hatchback. It's all about matching your dream to your financial situation and other needs.

No, folks don't have to....but it might be the right choice for you.

Yes because Park owners can raise lot rent for any reason as opposed to community owned raise when necessary

Actually the park owner can only raise the rent for reasons shown in the prospectus. That said, there are usually enough reasons that effectively the park owner can and will raise rent annually. But if that is a concern to you, you'll need to be careful picking a resident owned community also. What might appear to be an ideal situation where the community never raises rents may in fact result in huge assessments at some point when the unmaintained infrastructure collapses. Land lease parks tend to be much nicer looking and are updated more often than resident own communities because, as you point out, often community owned parks place their emphasis on minimizing expenses so as to not have to raise assessments.

@@Sanholomc Park owners cannot raise for any reason; only those found in the prospectus. And, residents have a path to oppose those increases. Resident owned communities are run by a board of directors & an HOA. Unlike land-lease communities, if the sewer system fails, the HOA issues an assessment for repairs. So it's not black & white.

LOL, I can't disagree there!!!!

Well, that depends upon your financial situation and beliefs about money. Personally, I fail to see the value in driving a Mercedes when a Honda does the job just fine but that me. It's all about finding your dream that meets your needs.

I'm not aware of any taxes or fees specifically directed at citizens of other countries. We have a lot of Canadians in my park. As for buying a mobile home in Florida, there is a lot more one should consider than price. That is why I built the MH buyer program. If all you are interested in is land-lease communities, you can start with my book, available on Amazon and elsewhere: Retirement in Florida - Manufactured Homes & The Land-Lease Option amzn.to/4dwnar8

Well, you can always move. Same with Barefoot Bay, where you have no lot rent and own your land. Don't like it...move.

Yup, at least in land-lease parks there's little chance of an assessment.

I'm sorry but I don't know any real-estate attorneys. Best I can offer is to Google it and use "Real Estate Attorney Near-by" as a prompt. Sorry to hear of your difficulties.

Where do you rent?

What makes you think that?

No, sorry, I haven't visited St. Pete yet. I hear it is a beautiful area. How do they like their community?

It works for some, and not for others. We each have a unique set of financial goals and resources. What is your dream home?

Not sure what it is today. I saw some current lot rents in Tanglewood listed at $890 - $1100. You can see some current listings with lot rents here: www.adamscameron.com/s/fl/sebring-city/tanglewood-subdivision/

That could happen if you don't pay your bills. Best advice is to do your financial planning in advance and determine if you are able to afford it before you buy.

Depends on the type of park. In this park it is ELS.

That varies widely from park to park. As a very general rule most allow up to two pets. Some restrict dog breeds, Some have weight limitations.

No, there was no flooding in this park or in nearby parks.

That house has been there through more hurricanes than anyone 55+ is likely to see in a lifetime....

That's one way to look at it. Another is you are getting a comfortable place to live, heated and air conditioned, in a safe community with three clubhouses, three pools, and a boatload of other amenities; along with as many new friends as you care to make, for less than half what it would cost you to rent a similar size apartment. It's all a matter of perspective.

You can buy homes on private land that have no lot rental fees. Sounds like that's a better fit for you.

It doesn't make sense for everyone and clearly you have decides it makes no sense for you.

I'm sure there are many that would agree with you. We each have our own beliefs about the use of money.

Well, I think you can find them down in the Everglades national park, if that's what you are looking for.

@@RussellWatsonFMHL Enjoy the dry humor… 😆

That is a risk in land-lease parks that ranges in likelihood from 0.001% to as high as 90% or greater. Evaluating that risk is important and something we cover in MH Buyer.

Glad I could help!

The lot rent is in the video. Homeowner's Association fees in these types of communitities typically run $10-$35/year and are voluntary. The HOA has no say over what you do with your property.

@@RussellWatsonFMHL oh and buy the way a mobile home park with a hoa cost is between 100 and 300 a month

If you are speaking of a Deed Restricted HOA subdivision then that's about right. Some are much lower.

LOL, that's a common joke. There are over 700 homes in that park with several thousand similar in nearby parks. Most have been there since the late 1980s and have seen more hurricanes than anyone purchasing one today is likely to see in their remaining lifetime. BTW, if you are one of the few left in America that trust TV news for your info God bless your optimism.

@@RussellWatsonFMHL DO NOT ACCUSE ME OF BEING A LIBRAL THATS REAL BAD FOR YOUR BUSNESS

I merely said I thought you were optimistic. The word libral does not appear in my reply to your comment.

Thanks, I visited that beach and thought I mentioned it. Oh well, food for thought for the next video. I may do another on a home in that community and I'll be sure to include the beach with perhaps a drone shot. I'll check on that dock this week as I'm having dinner nearby at Meg O'Malley's.

Glad you liked it!

Good that you know your needs, now go find a dream that matches them.