How to Buy a Mobile Home in Palmetto, Florida

Buying a mobile home can be a good investment.

Mobile homes are built to meet government standards for safety. A mobile home provides a relatively cheap alternative to purchasing more expensive traditional homes. Palmetto, Florida, is populated with a number of retirees and families living in these homes.

Location

Palmetto, Florida, is a small retirement community located within boating distance of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. More than 20 different mobile home parks are located in Palmetto, and each has its differences. Research lot rents and available utilities before making a final decision. If you prefer to avoid living in mobile home parks, a limited area of real estate is available for sale.

DMV

A mobile or manufactured home is considered a motor vehicle in Florida. The Division of Motor Vehicles requires a title and/or a registration for the mobile home. If the home is a "double-wide" model, or built in two different sections, each section will require a title and registration, and they need to be renewed each year.

Real Property

A motor vehicle does not qualify you for a home exemption for tax purposes. To make a mobile home qualify as "real property," the home must be permanently affixed to the property with a permanent foundation. Once this is done, the home can be taxed in the same way as conventional homestead taxes are paid on traditional homes.

References

• Florida Manufactured Housing Association: Myths Vs. Facts
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Mobile Homes