Another Mobile Home

This one is in Lakewood -- Pretty far from where Peter works. It's only about five miles from where we used to live in Anaheim. The thing is, it's really nice. Built in 2005, it has cathedral ceilings with skylights, a big bathtub (no jacuzzi jets, though), three bedrooms, two baths, a laundry room, a big kitchen, and a living room and dining area. There's a garden in front, and space for more in back. The park rent is high, about $900, so that's a minus, but the park has a pool, and is very nice.

The thing is, it's going to be impossible to find something nice, and affordable, and close. They simply don't go together.

Mobile Home II

So I went to see the mobile home yesterday. If we buy it, it will need a LOT of work. The floor really is falling apart in places, the carpet hasn't been cleaned since it was originally installed in 1970, and so has black lines in the high traffic areas. It will simply have to go -- as will the linoleum in the kitchen. The walls all have that fake wood paneling - so they'll have to be painted, and they'll still have the grooves. The appliances are just as ancient as everything else. I really don't know whether the Bank would lend us money for such a thing -- we certainly couldn't re-sell it for a profit after a few years, I doubt we could re-sell it at all. I'm OK with the idea that all our money would be gone when we moved out -- that's no different than renting -- but what if we want to move before we've paid it off? It'll take at least five years under the best of circumstances.

The trouble is, I really like the idea of living there. It's much closer to the places that I go, and not too far for Peter. It has a bit of lawn and a rose garden. The people in the park are friendly and will talk to you. The land rent is cheap.

Sigh. I don't even know if we'll qualify. I should get the paperwork next week.

Mobile Home

I'm going to look at the Mobile Home in Santa Monica tomorrow. The lady showing it said that if we're on the edge, we ought to apply anyway to see if it'll work. The home is a 1970 model, so it's older than the banks like, but it's about half of what we were asking the banks for, so it might be OK. It's 20x48 so it's almost twice as big as our current apartment. It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, walk in closets, stove and refrigerator, and it's even painted green outside! On the downside, it needs repairs to the floors, new carpets, and there's evidently an antique sofa that won't fit out the door. There's space for a washer and dryer, but no hookups currently, though there is a laundry facility in the park. There is a little lawn and garden, but they'll be changing the street layout in the park, so I don't know whether it will survive the "master plan". I have a lot to find out tomorrow!

Pregnant again?

Well it's finally time to start trying to get pregnant again. According to my calendar, it could happen this week. I do feel kind of queasy, but is that the hormones or the nerves?

We're also trying to buy a mobile home. It's not an easy proposition. There's one in Santa Monica that looks perfect for us...but we're worried that we might not meet the low income requirements of the park. We probably will if they don't include the re-writing work that's not official salary, but if they do, it may have pushed us over the edge. I wonder if we could tell them we're not doing it any more -- and really stop of course -- I'm only willing to do it since it would let us have a better place to live. Wouldn't it be ironic if it kept us from getting the place we want?