The most recent federal data indicates a marked upswing in the U.S. economy since the start of the year, with the government reporting robust hiring figures, the rate of inflation slackening and unemployment at its lowest level since 1969. These developments have already led the Federal Reserve Board to rethink its strategy of dramatically hiking interest rates to ward off the threat of recession.

This last is particularly welcome to anyone considering jumping into the housing market this spring, and that includes potential manufactured home buyers. It’s worth noting, however, that no matter the state of the American economy, there are several concrete steps anyone looking to purchase a manufactured home can take to ensure they get the most for their money.

Know What You Want: A crucial first step is to sit down and determine just what you are seeking from a manufactured home and how much money are you comfortable spending. Take the time to research a wide range of manufacturers to determine what they have to offer and to identify the floor plan and features that work best for you.

Go For the Upgrades: While upgrades certainly will increase your prospective unit’s price, it’s worth noting that smart upgrades pay for themselves very quickly. These include shingled roofs rather than flat ones, upgraded insulation, exterior wall studs 16 inches apart (as opposed to 24 inches) and virgin vinyl siding rather than metal or hardboard.

Study the Market: Once you’ve determined what you’re looking for in a manufactured home, it’s time to cross-reference that information with what similar units are going for in the area you want to live. This research also will give you a pretty good idea of the stock available at local dealers and enable you to identify truly competitive quotes more readily.

Call an Escrow Company: Hiring an escrow company that specializes in manufactured housing will make it easier for you to navigate the entire buying process. Manufactured home escrows are vastly different from standard escrows and the company’s experience and expertise could prove invaluable. In addition, an experienced firm has inside knowledge regarding the range of dealers, private property sales and Realtors in your area. This insight might save you thousands.Apprise an Appraiser: It always smart to know what you’re buying for you buy it and manufactured homes are no different. Once you have identified the unit you want, hire an independent firm to appraise its true market value. You can also check the “blue book” value for similar makes and models.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Ready to Buy? How to Save Money on Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Ready to Sell? Here’s How to Maximize the Price of Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.

What a Drip: Everyone knows running water is much less likely to freeze than still water. Given that, if your manufactured home experiences freezing temperatures, consider letting the faucets drip a little. The dripping won’t run up the water bill significantly, and that little movement of fluid can prevent pipes from freezing or bursting.

Caulk Talk: Caulk is an essential and inexpensive tool if you’re looking to keep the heat in and the cold out. Simply apply caulk or weatherstrip seals to any gaps you discover in windows and doors. If caulking and/or weatherstripping doesn’t solve the problem, the window or door in question may need to be replaced.
 
No Shirking Skirting: Skirting helps manufactured homes retain heat and prevents snow from building up under the unit. After all, it’s a lot harder to warm a home that’s sitting on a pile of snow, so all exposed areas should be skirted. Metal, vinyl and specialty plastic skirts are common, but make sure you use a material that’s appropriate for your climate. For instance, vinyl skirting may not hold up as well in high winds and is susceptible to impact damage.

Circulation: To be clear, no one is saying you need to have all your closets and cabinets open at all times, turning the home into an obstacle course. But by exposing spaces that don’t have vents to circulate heat, you keep the walls and floors heated everywhere in your unit. This better protects pipes and enhances your home’s overall coziness.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Tips for How Best to Winterize Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.

With a little advance preparation, you can reduce the risks of injury or property damage. Use our checklist to create an evacuation plan, emergency kit, and establish a basic understanding of what disasters your community may face. Severe weather can be stressful, but keeping your cool and having a plan can help you maintain your peace of mind.

What Severe Weather Should I Prepare For?

The most common types of severe weather are:

1. Severe Thunderstorms
2. Flooding
3. Tornados

Severe Weather Preparation Checklist

Create an Emergency Kit: A basic kit of disaster supplies should allow you to get by on your own for several days. It should be able to fit in one to two convenient containers, such as plastic bags or a duffel bag. Your kit should contain:

• At least one gallon of water per person, per day, for both drinking and sanitation
• At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food
• A battery-powered or hand crank radio to keep track of weather bulletins
• A flashlight
• A first-aid kit
• A whistle to call for help
• Medication
• Pet supplies
• Blankets
• Important documents (birth certificates, social security cards, etc.)

You may also consider including a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery, dust masks, plastic sheeting for sheltering in place, and local maps. Download our printable emergency evacuation checklist here. 

Install Permanent Shutters: To protect your manufactured home, we strongly recommend installing permanent shutters on your windows. By giving your windows an extra layer of protection, you can prevent glass from breaking and wind from entering your home. Track-and-bolt shutters, steel shutters or aluminum shutters are affordable, permanent and add to your home’s security against severe weather.

In a pinch, plywood nailed over your windows can work, so long as it’s properly fitted. You may want to consider cutting and fitting plywood to your windows in advance to ensure a secure fit. You can install the plywood with a hammer and nails before a storm. 

Plan for Shelter & Evacuation: In case of emergency, what’s your exit strategy from your manufactured home? 

If you have enough time to find somewhere else to stay, designate a friend or family member’s home where you can sleep for a few nights. Remember to make plans in advance for how any pets you have will be cared for.

If you’re caught before you have time to get to a friend’s house, it’s critical to choose a shelter and low ground in case of severe winds. During tornados, winds can lift even the most securely tied mobile homes, so choosing a safe place to take shelter is key. And remember, never attempt to shelter underneath a mobile home.

Your shelter should be a designated storm shelter within your community, or an office or community building. Make sure to time how long it takes to get from your manufactured home to your shelter so you’ll have plenty of lead time to evacuate before a storm arrives.

During severe weather, most people are injured by flying debris. If you can’t get to shelter in time, make sure you know of a nearby ditch or low ground. As a last resort, you can lie down on low ground and cover your head to minimize your risk of being caught by flying debris.

Severe weather can be frightening, but when you make a plan for your manufactured home in advance, you can face weather emergencies with confidence.

The post Is your manufactured home ready for severe weather this summer? appeared first on Other CMS.

Originally the passion project of real estate investor and founder Matthew Davies, Harmony Communities launched in 2009 as a vehicle to address the housing shortage on the West Coast. Although our company has seen unprecedented growth, our mission and vision have remained the same: to provide safe, beautiful, sustainable housing for low-income citizens and families. Harmony does this through our manufactured housing communities, which are constructed and curated to be more than just places to live – they are long-time homes as well as supportive communities. According to Dolly Zack, Community Manager at the Santa Nella Mobile Home and RV Parks, even our staff form bonds with the park residents. “There are a lot of nice and interesting people who come in, and you really start to become their family,” Zack says.

Aside from striving to make our communities welcoming as well as aesthetically attractive, we take tremendous pride in our commitment to the highest quality service. According to our Operations Manager Sherrie Johnston, Harmony’s core values can be summed up in three simple words: quality, integrity, and teamwork:

• Quality: The quality of our service is second to none. We don’t cut corners, and we take pride in the communities we manage.
• Integrity: We create clean, safe environments for our residents, and we consult with professionals on a constant basis to ensure we are providing the best housing we can.
• Teamwork: We truly care about our employees and want them to succeed. We celebrate together and have fun, and we keep one another accountable.

In the coming years, our team intends to continue this legacy. “We want to continue to acquire new communities and broaden our portfolio as wide as we can,” says Johnston. “We want to continue to improve the quality of the service we provide.”

Please join us in celebrating Harmony’s milestone 30^th park, as well as the continued success of our service and mission in the coming years.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Celebrating Harmony Communities’ 30th Park appeared first on Other CMS.

Mapping out and scheduling a year’s worth of home maintenance tasks at once – as a January resolution – can help ensure these tasks will be completed and that your home will be protected. 

There are many tools and planners on the internet to help you do this. In addition, we offer some ideas for month-by-month maintenance below. While not an exhaustive list of everything you must take care of as a homeowner, we hope these ideas will inspire you to make regular home maintenance a goal for 2020!

January

There’s no better time than at the beginning of the year to do the most important task there is to home maintenance: safety checks. These include:

• Radon. January is National Radon Action Month, and all homeowners must check for Radon, preferably every year. One in every fifteen homes has elevated levels of this colorless, odorless gas. Toxic to humans, this gas causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Test kits are very affordable and easy to use, so there’s no reason not to test. A useful resource/information kit on radon can be found here.
• Smoke Detectors: According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least once a year (preferably twice). January is the perfect month to do this, as well as checking that you have the recommended number of fire alarms in your home. The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code requires that, among other things, at a minimum, alarms be installed inside every sleeping room as well as outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Read up on the requirements to make sure you keep your family safe.
• Check for Dryer Lint. While lint may seem innocent, it is highly combustible and is a leading cause of fires sparked by washer or dryer machines in homes, fires that kill or injure hundreds of people each year and cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Most people think to check in the trap door inside their dryer for lint, but many neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer.
• Make sure your house can breathe. Bathrooms that aren’t vented to the outside (or vents that are covered over with shingles) can make your home a prime candidate for mold.

Finally, January is a great month to check over important paperwork, like your Homeowners Insurance Policy. If you have made any improvements to your home over the past year or have added structures or inventory such as new jewelry or electronics, these items should be included in your insurance portfolio.  

February 

Check for Leaks: The cold will enable you to check more effectively for leaks in your home. Check around windows and in other areas; if you feel cold air coming through, you may need additional insulation, or you may need to think about replacing your windows with more energy-efficient ones. Apart from anything else, properly insulating your home will save you money on heating bills. February is also a good time to check for water leaks that might be going undetected. Leaking water, if left unchecked, can cause extensive and costly damage. Check your showers, baths, and toilets for leaks and re-caulk as needed.

March 

Take advantage of the continued cold weather to finalize indoor maintenance on your home before spring. March is a great month to do routine maintenance like deep cleaning your dishwasher and other appliances. (Depending on your dishwasher model, simply running an otherwise-empty cycle with a cup of white household vinegar in the top basket may help to remove lime buildup and improve functionality). 

Another idea for your March checklist: Build a home emergency preparedness kit. A fun project to do with family or friends, this involves pulling together necessary items like flashlights, batteries, toilet paper, and a first aid kit. This can also present a good opportunity to discuss your family’s plan for what to do in case of an emergency. 

April 

The spring is a great time for decluttering. As mobile homes and tiny homes offer smaller-than-average dwelling space, decluttering is critical, so you have room to live and to move. 

As the weather is getting warmer and pollen season subsides, April is also the perfect time to begin outdoor projects, and power washing the outside of your home is a good place to start. The siding of your mobile home can accumulate dirt, grime, and mildew over winter months and even the smallest amount of dirt can show. Given that your exterior is the first thing people see, this work is worth your attention.

May

May is a great time to service your air conditioning unit! Having an A/C unit quit on you during the height of summer is no fun. Not to mention the fact that without proper service, a unit can get damaged, leading to costly repair bills and high electric bills due to poor performance. Before the intense heat arrives, make sure that your A/C has been serviced by a professional HVAC company.

June 

Summer is the perfect time to tackle outdoor jobs like planting or improving your landscaping, and for sprucing up your deck by pressure washing or repainting and re-sealing to avoid water damage. It can also be an opportunity to install tie-downs and anchors for your mobile home – if you don’t already have them – to protect you from strong winds and weather conditions that might come in the fall. (If you already have tie-downs in place, summer is a great opportunity to ensure that these elements are sound). Before beginning this process, it is wise to consult with a professional installer or building inspector. 

July

Insects are most active during the summer months. Keep an eye out for pests like termites and carpenter ants; these and other insects can threaten your home by burrowing through wood and causing significant structural damage. At Harmony Communities, we are available to help our residents tackle issues like these. If you see or suspect insect infestations, please contact your community manager right away.

August

Before the fall brings rain, leaves, and wind, August is a good time to check over your roof. Your roof is subject to wear and tear which can lead to larger issues in your home, like the development of mold or water damage. Because your roof is such an important part of your home – literally, everything resides under it! – it is important to pay regular attention to it. Check your eaves and gutters for leaks and standing water. Clear leaves and debris from gutters. Look for any loose or missing shingles and replace them; doing so will save you money by preventing damage from weather or storms.

September 

Generally speaking, September is the best month in which to plant trees (after the hottest days of summer are gone and before any risk of frost), and one of the easiest ways to save on your energy bill each year is to plant a shade tree or two on your property. Trees on the east and west sides of your home can provide morning and evening shade to cool your home in the summer, and a buffer against cold winds in the winter.

Be careful, however, not to plant trees too close to the house where they could fall on the roof and cause damage in a storm. In addition, be sure to check with your property manager before doing any major planting (and of course, many of Harmony’s communities already have plenty of shade trees, providing energy efficiency).

Indoors, there are many simple things you can do to make your home more environmentally friendly that are relatively inexpensive and can save money on energy costs in the long run. Replacing alkaline batteries with rechargeable batteries saves you money and helps the environment. Installing long-lasting compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs or light-emitting diode bulbs (LED) instead of incandescent bulbs, and replacing faulty fixtures with water-saving, low-flow alternatives can save money on utilities and increase your home’s efficiency.

October 

Take advantage of the relatively mild fall temperatures to inspect the outside of your home and touch up any exterior damage. If needed, add some new caulk, and even consider refreshing your paint; this will make your home feel newer and look cleaner. 

October is also a good time to look for signs of foundation damage, such as cracks in the foundation or gaps between bricks. In addition, checking the skirting around the bottom of your home and repairing any damage is one of the best defenses against frozen pipes when the cold of winter hits. Consider also examining the underlayments (plastic vapor barriers that fit snugly under your home and keep moisture and pests out as well as the climate-controlled air inside). Torn underlayments can let moisture and cold airflow in, and can lead to mold, damage, or burst pipes in the winter.

November

November is a good time to reinspect your roof, ensure your gutters are free from leaves and other debris that have fallen during the year; excess debris can trap water and lead to ice dams around your roof during colder weather. Rake your yard to keep your grass from dying and take time to collect debris or trim bushes away from your house, as these can act as a pathway for insects or small animals looking for warmth. 

December

Winterize your home. If you have screens on your windows, remove them so snow doesn’t get trapped and damage your window frames. Consider insulating your pipes to help protect them from bursting. If you can’t add insulation, keep an eye on the weather and let your faucets drip slowly when temperatures drop particularly low.

Never take the needs of your home for granted. Make a new year’s resolution to have a comprehensive home maintenance reminder checklist so you tackle important issues throughout the year and don’t wait for them to become costly problems. If you do, you’ll be providing a safe, clean, and healthy living environment for you and your family.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post New Year’s Resolutions for Home Maintenance appeared first on Other CMS.

Mobile homes sit above ground and do not have a basement where pipes can be insulated from the cold. Depending upon its foundation type, a home that sits above ground can face a higher risk of pipes freezing. Newer homes, such as many of the ones that reside on a property managed by Harmony Communities, tend to fare better due to frost-resistant foundations. 

However, during very cold temperatures, nobody is immune to frozen pipes. And as damage from burst pipes can cost you a great deal of time and money, it is important that mobile homeowners and tiny homeowners take special precautions as well as understand what to do in the event that their pipes freeze.

Steps to Prevent Freezing:

• Robust and intact skirting around the bottom of your mobile home is one of your best defenses against frozen pipes. Unless your home has a foundation, you will have skirting around the bottom. Checking your skirting thoroughly before very cold weather hits, or before you go on a winter trip, is imperative. Unfortunately, skirting can often be compromised by lawn maintenance issues, shrub overgrowth, kids’ soccer balls, digging pets, and/or varmints looking for shelter. Any opening in skirting allows cold air to flow under your home and greatly increases the risk that your pipes will freeze. If your skirting is broken or worn, it might be time to replace it. Certain types of skirting are better than others; some is made with built-in insulation, which can make protecting your home from the cold even easier. Consider investing in high-quality skirting; it will be worth it in the long run. 
• It is important that underlayments are intact. Underlayments are plastic vapor barriers that fit snugly under your home, keeping moisture and pests out as well as the climate-controlled air inside. Torn underlayments can let moisture and cold airflow in. In addition, your underlayments should enclose insulation that also maintains warmth below your home in the winter months. If your underlayment is worn, your insulation might be as well. Ensuring your underlayment and insulation are in good working order will help to ensure that your home is ready for the winter months. 
• Consider water pipe insulation. Insulation sleeves for your pipes can be purchased at any hardware store. Placing sleeves around any pipes that could be exposed to the elements will help prevent freezing. Make certain the insulation fits as snugly as possible to prevent any wind from passing through to the pipe.
• A freezing level warning light can make for a good investment; this will tell you when temperatures are dropping to the level that might freeze pipes. Or simply watch the weather forecast; you especially should be concerned when temperatures are expected to drop into the teens or lower. If a particularly cold spell is on the way, you can leave one of your faucets on enough to drip. This will relieve pressure on the line; flowing water is much less susceptible to freezing. To ensure you are not wasting money on water, consider this only on the coldest nights of the year, and you can always place a container below the drip and use what you collect to water plants, make tea, etc. 

What to Do if a Pipe Freezes

If your pipe has already burst, unfortunately, there is not much you can do except to call a plumber. Your Harmony Communities office manager should have recommendations for reliable plumbers in your area. 

If you are lucky to have caught the pipe before it has burst, the first thing you should do is to open the water tap; this will allow the pressure in the pipe to release and will reduce the likelihood of that frozen section causing the pipe to burst.

Finding a frozen pipe can be tricky. In a mobile home, it is most likely going to be under the floor. It may also be closest to any compromise in the low wall or floor of the home. In other words, you could have an undetected draft that needs fixing. Once you have access to the pipe, a cool laser pointer temperature detector can be run along the pipe and will reveal where the temperature is near or below 32 degrees, or simply using touch – your hands – should tell you when you reach the frozen spot. 

Once you have found the frozen spot, wrapping the pipe with a warm towel is one option to help it thaw. Have patience and thaw the pipe slowly. The act of thawing the water too fast can lead to a sudden rush of pressure that can burst your pipe.

Heating the space near the pipe (such as inside a cabinet) using a space heater may also be an option; warming ambient air will help to thaw the pipe. However, do not use an electric heater or other devices – such as a hairdryer – directly under or close to the pipe; leaking water can cause an electrocution hazard. You can also let the heat of your home get to the pipes by opening cabinets or crawl space doors. Again, always open the faucet before thawing. 

An Ounce of Prevention…

If it appears there could be a broken pipe, turning off the main water valve to the home – if feasible – can relieve pressure and stop a burst pipe from becoming a major flood. Then call a plumber. 

As unfortunate and costly as this situation may be, take comfort in the fact that most standard homeowner policies provide coverage for burst pipes. This means your policy may cover the repair of the pipe as well as any repairs needed to damaged walls, furniture, and rugs.

Of course, the best scenario is to prep your mobile home to reduce the risk of frozen pipes in the first place. Nobody wants to come home to a burst pipe! 

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Protect Your Pipes During the Holidays and Winter Months appeared first on Other CMS.

Though not required by law, some property management companies require homeowners to insure their homes whether they occupy or rent them. Additionally, if you plan to mortgage your home or move it to a mobile home park, there is a strong probability your lender and/or landlord will require you to have the proper coverage. 

Homeowners’ insurance can provide coverage for both your home and your property should it be damaged or destroyed. You will pay a premium each month which will vary based on the benefit amount you choose – that is, the amount your insurance company will pay you to cover damage to your home.

Many insurance companies include liability protection, meaning that they will defray the cost of any legal dispute arising from someone suing you for an injury sustained on your property. In terms of natural disasters, some companies exclude different types of damage – like fire or flood damage – in certain high-risk regions.  

Types of Coverages

• Dwelling: This coverage helps the insured rebuild or repair the physical structure if it is damaged by a covered issue. For instance, the home would be covered if a fire burns down an exterior wall (assuming that fire coverage was included as a peril that would trigger coverage in your policy). This type of coverage can also protect a deck, roof, or covered patio.
• Liability: If someone is injured on your property, for example, struck by a fallen tree, he or she could potentially hold you liable for any injuries sustained. Adding liability coverage your policy will cover the fees of your legal defense and could even help you pay damages if needed – only up to the coverage limit stated in your policy.
• Personal Property: If your personal items are damaged or stolen, this policy might cover a percentage of their value. However, in most cases, you would need to first satisfy a deductible amount before your policy will pay out.
• Other Structures: If your property includes structures that are not permanently attached to your home, like a shed or garage, this type of coverage may cover those as well.
• Additional Living Expenses: If a covered loss renders your home unlivable, this provision in your policy would compensate the insured for any additional expenses they incur from having to live elsewhere. For instance, if your home burns down and fire damage is included in your policy, your insurer may pay for you to stay in a hotel temporarily while your home is repaired. Keep in mind that you may be responsible for paying any overages (amounts your policy doesn’t cover).

Tips for Purchasing Homeowners’ Insurance

• Gather and compare multiple quotes: Before settling on an insurer or policy, it is important to shop around. For the harder to insure home, independent agents can help steer you in the right direction when shopping for homeowner insurance. Be sure to ask questions about what your policy options cover, especially regarding the basis of a claims settlement. In other words, confirm whether the coverage on your home includes replacement cost for both total and partial losses, or actual cash value on partial losses. Also, ask how the value of your home is determined and whether it is likely to depreciate over time.
• Consider different coverage levels: In many cases, more coverage may not increase your monthly premium substantially. As such, do not immediately shy away from a larger coverage amount believing it will cost you more. When you choose your coverage amount, consider factors like the value of your mobile home, the personal property you would like to protect, and how much you would need to protect yourself in the event of a legal claim.
• Confirm wildfire coverage: In many high-risk areas, fire damage is not covered. If you live in an at-risk area, be sure to ask your insurer if fire damage is included so you can ensure your home will be covered in the event of this type of natural disaster.

Think of your homeowners’ insurance as an investment in your home, your safety, and your security. While it can be difficult to imagine catastrophic events – or even minor inconveniences, like leaks and power outages – wreaking havoc on your home, it is best to put a plan in place before those events occur so you can ensure long-term safety.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post The Critical Importance of Homeowners’ Insurance for California Mobile Homes appeared first on Other CMS.

The Rules 

In California, mobile homes were once taxed as vehicles. But after the law changed in 1979, mobile homes sold after July 1, 1980 were subjected to property taxes rather than vehicle license and registration fees. Each county calculates and collects property taxes and subjects them to state regulations and restrictions. 

There are some differences, however, based on where your mobile home is located. If you own the underlying land, you’ll be charged property taxes. On the other hand, if your home sits on rented land or in a mobile home park, you’ll be liable for taxes based on the value of your home’s structure, rather than for the value of the land on which it sits.  

In addition to property tax, mobile home owners are also charged use tax in cases where sales tax would apply. Use tax refers simply to a tax the government imposes on property owners for the use and enjoyment of their property. Typically, use tax is assessed and paid separately from typical property tax. 

The Exceptions 

Generally, sales and use tax do not apply to the sale of used mobile homes that are considered real property in California (and would otherwise be subject to property taxes). According to the State of California, a “used” mobile home is defined as one that has been “previously sold and registered or titled with any of the following: 1) the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) or with an appropriate agency or authority; 2) any other state, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States; 3) a foreign state, province, or country.” A new mobile home does not fit this definition and thus does implicate sales and use tax.  

Conversely, property tax applies to used mobile homes that are located on a permanent foundation IF they meet the following requirements: 1) The home was originally sold new on or after July 1, 1980, or 2) it was originally sold new before July 1, 1980, and later transferred to the property tax rolls. 

There are a few other exceptions, for instance, if you buy your mobile home from a family member, you may be exempt from paying tax. If you claim an exemption in this situation, you will need to provide proof of your family relationship with the seller when you register your mobile home. 

If you’d like to learn more about your tax liability for your used or new mobile home, be sure to reach out to an experienced accountant or attorney. If you’d like to explore how Harmony Communities can help you find a place to call home, we would love to hear from you. 

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful. 

The post Sales and Use Tax for the Sale of Pre-Owned Manufactured Homes appeared first on Other CMS.

While sinking some money into preparing your home for sale is inevitable, it doesn’t have to bankrupt you. There are some inexpensive tweaks you can make that will go far – from simply cleaning up to create more curb appeal, to buying a few cans of paint. Here are five ways to not only prepare your mobile home for sale but also to increase its appeal andits value to your prospective buyers.

#1: Cultivate curb appeal.

Freshening your home’s exterior is one of the most effective ways to sell, as it creates a powerful first impression for your prospective buyers. The best way to do this is to clean up your exterior with a coat of paint, preferably in a neutral tone. However, if this isn’t in your budget, invest in a good power wash to ensure the home is clean and presentable. At an absolute minimum, be sure to inspect the exterior of your home for any rot, mold, or mildew, and address it by either cleaning it off or hiring someone to remediate it.

#2: Invest in simple landscaping.

For similar reasons, landscaping makes all the difference when it comes to selling a home. While you don’t necessarily need to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars into a professional landscaping service, you canrake leaves, mow the lawn, pull weeds, plant flowers, sweep the walkway, clean off (or repaint) your mailbox, and add window boxes. It doesn’t have to be expensive or upscale (no need for up lighting or cascading fountains!) – what matters most is that it is clean and presentable.

#3: Give it a deep clean.

Few things are more off-putting than stepping into a dirty, messy home (or one with a lingering odor). Invest in a thorough deep clean or do it yourself if you’re confident you can tackle it. Aside from dusting, vacuuming, clearing clutter, and ensuring the bathrooms and kitchens are sparkling, have your carpet and windows professionally cleaned to remove any stains and grime. Even if your home isn’t entirely updated inside, if it’s clean, your prospective buyers will be able to picture themselves living there and making the upgrades they want. Don’t distract them with filth, smells, and mess. 

#4: Commit to simple upgrades.

Keep your space looking fresh for your prospective buyers by making small, inexpensive upgrades. Here are a few ideas:

• Floors: Replace carpet with laminate flooring in a trendy, dark-brown color.
• Kitchen: Paint cabinets a fresh white or a cool gray, and change out the cabinet pulls to create a more contemporary look.
• Bathrooms: DIY a trendy tile floor and swap out bulky medicine cabinets with open-shelving made out of reclaimed wood.
• Fixtures: Replace dated light fixtures with more contemporary ones, preferably in a light color, as lighter colors tend to make rooms appear larger.

#5: Stage it.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, stage your home to create maximum appeal for your prospective buyers and to encourage them to make the best offer possible. Staging your home for sale is about more than just shuffling furniture around. Here are a few tips to get your home ready for that first showing:

• Hang mirrors to create the illusion that your rooms are larger.
• Add fresh flowers or green plants to create a fresh, homey feel.
• Light a scented candle.
• Hide any pet beds, food bowls, and toys. Some people may be turned off if they see evidence of an animal living in the house.
• Hide any dirty laundry baskets and make sure all dishes are in the dishwasher or put away – not stacked in the sink.
• When it comes to arranging your furniture, focus on appearance rather than functionality. For instance, even if you like placing your recliner two feet from the television, this probably won’t look very appealing to an outsider. Consider arranging your furniture in a way that draws the eye outward and upward to create the illusion of space – even if this arrangement isn’t functional for your family. Remember: selling a home is temporary, so make the adjustments you need in order to make your space presentable.

While you’ll likely spend some money and time preparing your home for sale, these simple tips can make the process as simple as possible while increasing your home’s value and appeal. By implementing these small steps one by one, you will ensure your mobile home attracts the right owner who can enjoy it as much as you have.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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