BUYING AND SELLING FAQ'S

At Puskas Mobile Homes, we understand that you may need to take possession of your new home in warm and sunny Florida ASAP.   For currently occupied homes, the average closing is around 30 days after the contract signing.  In some situations where the homes are vacant and the seller has already moved out, the closing can be done quicker.

Closing dates are flexible; your agent will assist you with that as part of the negotiation process. In some cases, the seller will request an extended future closing date, which is also negotiable. Most importantly, make sure your agent knows your particular requirements regarding a closing date.

This way, we will work to insure that your time is conserved and you will only view homes which will meet your individual needs and desires. In order to take possession, you must be resident approved by the community and have paid for the home in full by either bank wire or cashiers check or have been approved for financing.

Most mobile homes are priced at current market value. Some factors that will affect the price are condition, age, size, and location. If you find a home you like, it is best to promptly make a respectable offer. An offer much below the asking price can be considered insulting to the seller, and negotiations may then be stalled. Because some sellers wish for a quick sale, they may price their home at less than market value.

The home of your choice will not be taken off the market unless and until you make a deposit. Don’t lose out on the home by hesitating and allowing another buyer to make a deposit! We require a minimum $5,000 deposit on all homes, to indicate to the seller that you’re a serious buyer. 

If you’re unable to immediately produce the $5,000 deposit, we may be able to accept a smaller deposit and take the home off the market temporarily. This would be allowed with the stipulation that the balance of the deposit or full balance be made within a specified time frame. Your deposit will be returned if your offer is not accepted.

Further, your deposit is refundable if you are denied park approval or if financing is unavailable.  Ask your sales agent about time requirements that must be met to prevent the breach of contract and potentially, the forfeiture of your deposit.

Closing fees include: $395 closing transaction fee, 6% Florida sales tax, a flat rate county tax (usually $25 to $75), and estimated title transfer recording fee $475.   Any remaining collected funds unused in the title transfer recording will be refunded to the buyer. 

If you are a US citizen, we’ll need to make a copy of your driver’s license or state issued identification. All necessary sales and title documents will be supplied by your sales agent. If not a US citizen, two forms of picture identification are needed – driver’s license/government issued identification, and passport. The resident approval process with the community may require additional documentation, such as social security card, proof of income, etc.  If you have a pet, veterinarian records and a photo of your pet may be required.

The park approval process varies from one community to another, but your sales agent will assist you with this process. All the communities we serve will perform a criminal background check; some perform a credit check, while others do not factor credit history into consideration for resident approval. 

All potential buyers are required to complete and sign a community provided resident application, and pay an application fee. The application fees can range from $50 to $100. The average approval time is 5-7 business days. However, the approval time can take longer, due to the location of the buyer’s current home address, or additional documentation required by the community. 

You are not required to pay property taxes on leased land mobile homes because they are not considered “real property.” Each year, you will be required to pay a yearly registration renewal fee and display a sticker in your front window. This registration (similar to auto registration) expires on December 31 of each year.

Registration costs are as follows: $100 or less for single wide, $200 or less for double wide, and $300 or less for triple wide. You can expect a renewal notice in October or November from your county’s tax collector’s office. If you do not receive a renewal notice, you may renew in person at your local tax collector’s office, call the tax collector, or visit the tax collector’s website

Some mobile home communities have a “pass on tax” that is charged to the home owner. Depending on the community, this pass on tax may be paid monthly or annually. Some include this fee in the lot rent; others charge it separately. Pass on tax amounts vary by community.

Most of our listed homes are sold with furnishings because the seller has a second home in another location.  Some buyers often prefer to purchase a furnished home, to avoid the expenses of moving and purchasing new furnishings. If you choose to purchase a furnished home but don’t need the furnishings, you can make a charitable donation, contact a consignment shop, or check with the community manager about conducting a yard sale. Most communities have a bulletin board inside the clubhouse where items for sale or free can be posted.

Yes, there are lenders that specialize in financing mobile/manufactured homes on leased land. Several factors determine financing eligibility: age, size, location, purchase price, etc. The buyer must meet lender requirements: credit score, debt to income ratio, etc. Whether the buyer plans to occupy the home full or part time may also affect financing eligibility. 

Mobile homes are one of the most comfortable, cost effective housing options available today. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to thoroughly inform your Mobile Home Spot agent of your preferences. All of our agents are experts on the communities they serve, so we will make every effort to find the perfect home for you as soon as possible. Additionally, all parks perform background checks, and some perform credit checks.

If the agent is fully familiar with any factor that could negatively affect your potential park approval, she will be able to assist with the park approval process as much as possible. As you advance with your home search, it is best to realize that all homes we list are pre-owned. In many cases, this will require you, the buyer, to imagine what each listed home potentially offers you, often after cleaning, updating, and tune up tasks are completed.

Don’t let a less than perfectly clean home with dated appliances turn you away. Many of our sellers are elderly, and their preferences and standards may not match yours, so try to overlook relatively minor deficiencies.

Yes, there are several local companies that specialize in insurance for mobile/manufactured homes. Several factors such as age, location, and size will help determine policy rates. Check our site for a list of local companies that offer mobile home insurance, or feel free to conduct your own internet search for more companies. 

Please call Puskas Mobile Homes today at 954-600-1735 or  954-675-1115.  If the home is unoccupied, we highly recommend leaving the utilities on, so potential buyers can “test drive” the home. If necessary, hire a cleaning service to clean and freshen up!  We also offer pressure cleaning and painting services to give you home the curb appeal necessary to sell quick.  We welcome your business, and will do our best to get your home sold for you as soon as possible!