Shaun,
Good for you if you know you will love it! That’s a major goal in life isn’t it?
I don’t know much about Mobile Homes (other than that they are usually cheap, easy to rent and hard to sell). I do know something about making offers though and here’s the most important thing I know; I’ve never had anyone accept an offer I never made. Sometimes I have had people accept offers I thought would be rejected outright. One example, I made an offer on a property for $80k below market value citing the terrible condition and upgrades that would be needed. The owner knew it and accepted, subject to inspection. I did the inspection and asked for another $60K off the purchase. Accepted. Invested $55K upgrading everything that needed rehabbing (lino to wood on the floors, laminate to granite in the Kitchen; stuff I had to repair anyway) Sold for $100 K above the previous market value in three months. Winnah, Winnah chicken dinner! They are not all that way, but if you don’t ask you don’t get.
Most people’s biggest fear in life (right after death and public speaking) is looking stupid so you’re in good company. That’s why people buy the newest, coolest, hippest gizmo, never talk to the woman of their dreams and generally don’t take a risk on anything that might put them in a foolish position. No Risk, No Reward, or as my Mother used to say, “If you don’t eat your vegetables you don;t get dessert.”
When you make your offer, make it weird! $14233.24; that’ll make you look like you know something the seller doesn’t. Don’tever split the difference and don’t come up in even hundreds or thousands as the case may be. Come up $723 rather than $1000 fer instance. Makes you look smarter still.
You are going to make mistakes. Everybody does. Most admit it. Some laugh about it. Shrug it off, learn from it and move on. Don’t let the fear of making a mistake keep you from acting. Inaction is the biggest mistake of all. (That’s not to say you shouldn’t walk away from a BAD deal, just do your homework and make a decision).
Was I scared at first? Not really, because I actually started with my own homes, ones I lived in when I was single and could afford to move every two years. i’d move in, fix up, sell, repeat. I got scared by my first deal that wasn’t my own home for sure. What were my fears (aside form looking stupid?) Taking too long, going over budget, nobody wants to work for me. running out of tile half way through the Master Bath and then finding out the tile you are using is discontinued, choosing a paint color nobody will like, nobody will want my house when I am done, the list goes on and on and on if you let it. How did I overcome my fears? Working quickly, watching the budget like a hawk, picking popular colors for a particular neighborhood , you get the idea.
You are right though that once you get one under your belt (even before you are through with it) your confidence will soar.
D.
