1. What amenities are available in or near the park?

Common amenities include bathrooms with hot water, playgrounds, swimming pools, and laundry facilities. Some parks have access to features like hiking trails, water sports, fishing, and other activities. Families traveling with young children may also want to ask whether there is space available for riding bikes or tossing a ball. Travelers of all ages often what to know what restaurants are nearby.

If there’s a specific amenity you’re looking for, be sure to ask about it before you make a reservation.

2. Who typically visits your park?

Couples looking to get away might prefer an RV park that isn’t frequented by families with young children, while families traveling with small kids might want to be sure their children can run and play outdoors without disturbing other guests.

In addition, park spaces in some resorts may be occupied by full-time residents, so you might also inquire about how many spaces in the resort are used for short-term rentals.

3. What hookups are available?

Options include:

• Full hookups, allowing you to connect your RV to the site’s electricity, water, and sewer;
• Partial hookups, which connect to electricity and water (and are typically sufficient for smaller RVs);
• Dry hookups, which connect to electricity only; and
• No hookups at all, also known as boondocking (which is more common in undeveloped areas).

If the space only includes dry (or no) hookups, you’ll want to make certain the site has community bathrooms with hot showers on site.

4. Is the space pull-through or back-in?

Back-in sites provide a wide enough clearance to back your rig into place and connect with available hookups; pull-through sites allow you to drive straight in. Which space you prefer likely depends on how comfortable you are backing up your RV. Pull-through sites are most widely preferred, especially when towing a car behind the rig.

Note: If you will be towing a car, you might want to ask whether it will be necessary to unhook, particularly if you are only staying for one night and don’t need to use the car during the length of your stay.

5. Will a lot of campground traffic pass through this space?

Parks are typically heavily-trafficked, but depending on the number of spaces in the resort and the space’s proximity to the entrance and exit, you may experience more traffic than usual in certain spaces as people come and go. Many RV resorts are gated, so be sure and ask about that as well. Gates help reduce the amount of daily traffic the resort receives.

6. Does the space receive mostly shade or sun? Are there shady common areas available within the community?

This is fully a matter of preference, but it’s helpful to know before you go.

7. How close is the space to the water and other amenities?

Do you want a scenic or waterfront view, or are you looking for a space that offers privacy? Do you prefer to be close to the playground and pool, or away from the hustle and bustle? If you’re planning to use the community bathroom facilities, you might prefer to be close to the bathhouses, whereas if you are planning to use the showers in your RV, you might opt for farther away from this heavily trafficked area.

For requests such as these, it’s best to make your reservation early, keeping in mind that parks may be filled to capacity during the busy season.

8 . Are buddy sites available?

If you’re traveling with family or in a group where you intend to park two or more RVs close together, buddy sites allow you to park campers awning to awning and enjoy your combined spaces together.

One final word of advice: While online bookings are convenient, it’s best to call and talk to the community manager first about what you’re looking for and any special requests you may have. He or she knows the ins and outs of the community and can assist you with finding the right spot to suit your needs, to help ensure that you and your guests have the best vacation getaway possible.

Happy Camping!

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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 Eight Questions to Ask Before Renting an RV Space appeared first on Other CMS.

Here are five tips for designing a small outdoor space:

Tip #1: Use landscaping to either complement or mirror your home’s architecture.

Design your garden either symmetrically or asymmetrically to either mirror or complement the style of your home. Which option you choose is simply a matter of preference. Browse Pinterest for photos of yards you like or even walk around your neighborhood and see what appeals to you. You may begin to recognize similarities among the types of layouts that catch your eye. Then replicate that vision in your own yard.

Tip #2: Use containers and other elements to add a focal point.

Container gardening, hanging planters, and window boxes placed on deck railings are great options for adding color to a small space. Containers come in an assortment of colors and shapes, adding to the uniqueness of your outdoor space. Coordinate container colors and/or arrange containers in odd numbers to create a beautiful, easy focal point in your yard.

Emphasize your driveway and walkways leading to your porch or home by lining them with rocks or plant beds and incorporating focal points for interest. For example, a sculpture or flag adds a vertical dimension to your landscaping. Fountains serve not only as a focal point but add the element of sound.

Tip #3: Try creating a layered landscape.

Just as a forest includes everything from low groundcovers to ferns to shade-tolerant shrubs to tall overhead trees, your garden can also incorporate groundcovers, bulbs and crevice plants to create a beautiful layered landscape, while also maximizing your flower bed space.

Tip #4: Consider a themed garden.

For a unique and fun themed garden, choose plants in a single color or plants that all contain animal names (think: cattail, tiger lily, and lamb’s ear, for example). Just be sure that the plants you choose all have similar soil, water and light requirements to ensure ease in care.

Miniature plants like bonsai and fairy gardens are cute and on trend. While miniature plants like bonsai are typically kept indoors, they can be moved outside in the warmer months as long as they aren’t exposed to direct sunlight.

Tip #5: Leave some space.

When landscaping a small yard, remember to leave space. Overcrowded garden beds can result in plants receiving not enough water to thrive.

Bonus Tip: Choose plants/flowers for your garden that are easy to care for and will grow easily in your soil. Your local gardening supply store should be able to help you select plants that will grow well in your geographical area.

And remember, you don’t have to redesign your entire yard and garden at once. Start simple and then add plants and walkways as time and money permit.

A final note

Many communities have rules requiring that outside improvements be approved prior to starting work. Before you purchase any plants or pavers or hire a contractor to build that outdoor porch you’ve always wanted, check with your community manager first to find out what’s allowed in your community.

At Harmony Communities, homeowners don’t need to ask permission to do typical gardening in their own yards. Cutting down trees or installing a fence, however, does require prior approval. Permits are required for fences over 5 feet tall or when adding a deck or carport. Homeowners should turn in a copy of their permits to their property manager’s office.

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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 Five Tips for Designing a Small Yard and Garden Space appeared first on Other CMS.

We are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our parks in light of these concerns. For example, posters illustrating proper hand-washing techniques are being placed in the public restrooms that exist on our grounds.

We encourage residents to follow the CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others. This includes:

• Avoid handshaking. Use other noncontact ways of greeting instead.
• Wash your hands regularly upon entering your home and workplace, and before leaving.
• Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs and other high-touch areas.
• Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.
• Stay home if you or a family member are feeling unwell.
• For seniors and those with serious chronic medical conditions, take extra care to keep distance between people and avoid touching surfaces that others frequently touch, including elevator buttons and door handles. When it’s necessary to touch these areas, use a sleeve or tissue as a barrier between you and the surface.

Finally, we understand that many businesses and their employees are being hit especially hard during this time. If your family is experiencing hardship and having difficulty paying your rent, please contact us at (209) 932-8747.

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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 Harmony Communities Takes Steps to Protect Residents in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on Other CMS.

Nonetheless, all hope is not lost for mobile home owners who want to seek financing for their homes. If you own a mobile home, you can seek traditional financing for your home. Before doing so, however, it is important to understand your options and to apply for the most favorable type of financing. 

Types of Mobile Home Financing

There are two primary ways to finance a mobile home: with a traditional mortgage or through chattel financing.

Traditional Mortgaging

If you own the land on which your mobile home sits and if your home is permanently affixed to the land, you can apply for a traditional mortgage, much like you would for a site-built home. 

A mobile home mortgage is secured by the same protections as a traditional home, as well as consumer protection laws like various state foreclosure and repossession laws that don’t apply to personal property loans. You will also have the option to apply for an FHA loan or a loan backed by Fannie Mae.

When applying for a mortgage, the key is to find the lowest, most favorable interest rate available to you. In doing so, keep in mind that your first offer may not be your best. As such, it’s a good practice to shop around before settling on a lender. 

Chattel Financing

If your mobile home is not affixed to the land, or if you lease the land on which it sits, your home will be classified as personal property rather than real estate. If this applies to your home, you will need to apply for a chattel loan instead of a traditional mortgage, which only applies to real estate. 

A chattel loan involves a slightly different financing structure and will allow your lender to hold a lien on the property, much as it would if you were financing a motor vehicle. Also, chattel loans carry much higher interest rates, which can start at close to seven percent (and will be even higher if you have a low credit score). 

At the same time, however, these types of loans are generally assigned a shorter repayment schedule, which lowers the total amount of interest paid throughout the life of the loan. Also, your closing costs will likely be much lower, and you will be able to close on your property more quickly.

Know Your Options

Before you take the step into financing your mobile home, make sure you understand what type of financing structure will apply to your particular property. Always make sure to shop around to find the best rate available and find an advocate who can help you ensure you are taking the right step forward given your particular financial situation and goals.

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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 Mortgaging Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.