Buying land. Then get a Log Cabin, Motorhome, Trailer, or Other?

[CatLady]

I have been looking for months, and trying to be patient, but I need to get away from my current situation soon. Without rushing and settling for something.

I don't think I can get a loan at all. A friend might be able to lend me money which makes this all a bit easier.

Yeah, that is a small consideration... not wanting to build on land if it's not paid off. "Just in case." Obviously I would be planning to pay and not lose it, but it doesn't hurt to have backup plans.

What I want is not possible given my budget, unless I want to pay interest for a decade or two (and I don't), so I am trying to figure out the best way to cut corners. The best for me. I find that the options are hard to compare because what is "most comfortable" in the short term usually ends up being the wost option in the long term. A lot of apples and oranges comparison, and then you have different colors of apples and different varieties. Trying to avoid much moving and much living while construction is going on (me in one room, while they are hammering in the next room is not my idea of being comfortable). So that factor limits me.

 

[CatLady]

Thanks again for help brainstorming this out.

1) It seems if I pay cash for land that I like, (not feeling like I'm settling), then I won't have money to afford a trailer. So with the last thousands, the small FEMA camper makes sense, or a camper that's old but has more space. Living in that until I can afford to move in a decent trailer.

Or, instead of temp camper, temp living space in the garage/building. Obviously this makes sense when there's already a good building on the land which has water and electric in it or near.

Or, if I can find someone to lease me a decent trailer (or borrow from a friend), then I pay on it for 3 to 5 years, and not have to live in the smaller temp camper. The ones that are offering a lease purchase option are usually not as good but maybe I can get lucky (or if borrowing the money, I have more options).

2) If I find one I like enough for land contract. Preferrably already has living quarters but spending the cash to install septic, or move a trailer if needed.

But I have been looking, and as I said, so many are overpriced, or land not private, or have old trailers. (So I would need to get rid of the trailer in a few years which is a hassle -- well, perhaps I can keep the trailer as a storage building).

If I have to install a driveway too, electric, and everything that is getting too expensive so I am trying to find ones that have something on it already. Also since I would want extra storage space if I have a typical smaller trailer.

Also if it's developed with the trailer on it, I am not "owning" anything free and clear. Whereas if I moved the trailer in myself, maybe I own the trailer and am only paying on the land.

However that is focusing on the cons.... 2 seems better, if I can find it. Seems that quite a lot of people are looking for this. A decent liveable inexpensive place (usually a trailer -- more in demand than a cabin) on contract. Quite difficult to find one with land that's GOOD. You can find them with average land.

3) I may end up settling on the land. And somewhat on the trailer. But then both are paid off or are easy to pay in just 1 to 3 years. It would probably be better to settle on the trailer than the land. Which leads me back to option 1, with looking to pay cash for land.

 

[kyspartan]

i would buy the land and build a garage like this Plan 028G-0001 - Garage Plans and Garage Blue Prints from The Garage Plan Shop you'll be happier in long run, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[Skyco]

CatLady- be sure to check out regulations wherever you might buy land.
Some places do not allow mobile homes at all depending on zoning and some allow them but they can't be moved onto the land unless they are within a certain max age. Some places have no regulations at all. They may be grandfathered to stay where they are but can't be moved to another lot. IOW be sure you don't buy a older used MH then find it can only be moved off where it is to the dump.

Same thing applies to RVs, some places don't allow them as living quarters at all. Some places allow them with a time limit, some have no restrictions. My remote land does not allow an RV to remain in place and occupied over 6 months. If it is parked unused in conjunction with a home no problem.

 

[CatLady]

Knew most of that, but great to get the warning about grandfathering! That certainly makes a difference if I can move it and use for storage, or not.

 

[MarkV]

It would help to know what part of the country you are in. You will also want to check into insurance. Some areas it is hard to insure mobile homes and trailers. With the economy the way it is now you might just want to keep looking for an existing house and land that the owners will owner finance because they need out. That is almost always cheaper than developing raw land from scratch.

Good luck,
MarkV

 

[ihuntbear]

i own big woodlot with a log cabin in the middle of it.The cabin was built with the logs I cut off the land.Cabin is 20x22 with a loft.cut wood off the land for heat.the whole cabin to build cost me 2000.00...the stove ,frige,lights got from and old travel trailer for 300.00 all run off propane and solar.sink,water tank,water pump and toilet also from trailer.I'm off grid thats why I use solar and propane.wood stove for heat

 

[CatLady]

That's great! @ihuntbear.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Country living is different from city life. You don't need a large house, because you can spread out into outbuildings. A detached garage needs to turn into a decent sized pole barn, at least 30x60. If you get a travel trailer, reserve one bay in the barn to park the travel trailer. That will keep rain and snow off of it and it will not rot down around you.

If you shop hard for a used double wide, you will be amazed at what you can buy. When my wife and I were first married, (last big recession) we got one delivered and set up for $2800. With inflation it would probably be twice that today. I think the dealer actually paid to get it off his inventory. We lived in that old MH for 9 years, and when we sold that place we tripled our money. Buy smart. There are some amazing deals out there. This is the best time in 30 years to buy real estate.

Moving to the country is like climbing out of a deep hole. Every time you turn around, you will need to do something for yourself that the city used to do. If there is no water, there is no water department to call. You fix it yourself. You will get an intimate acquaintance with the location and condition of your septic tank. **** will no longer magically vanish. You will start putting a lot of miles on your car. Figure gas, oil changes, tire wear, etc. I figure $200 a month just for vehicle expenses, and I drive a cheap and economical old Nissan. Figure about 5% of the purchase cost of your home for annual maintenance. If it costs you $36,000 for house and land, figure $180 a month for maintenance and improvements. Put that in a sock, because when the maintenance comes it will come in big whacks, like a new furnace, a new well pump, etc. Once you get about $5k in your maintenance sock, you can relax a little.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but moving to the country by yourself, on a shoestring budget with no credit, is really tough. Are you young and healthy enough to put in a day of hard physical labor? You won't have anyone to rely on but yourself.

 

[CurlyDave]

....I found a gently used log cabin for sale that is supposedly all ready to go with insulation and everything (just hook it up), for around $11500 delivered. 12x32 with loft. About the minimum I'd want. But... for that price I suppose a singlewide would be better.

That log cabin is probably delivered in pieces, and must be assembled. Check on the assembly cost, and what you must provide -- things like a foundation, utilities, etc.