June 16, 2021

by Sam

What to Look for in Second Hand Transportable Homes

Tiny transportable homes are the newest trend in Australian housing. These small abodes are built off-site and delivered straight to you in as fast as 24 hours. The low cost, ease of production, and eco-friendliness of portable modular homes make them attractive to minimalists and people on a tight budget. 

While you can opt for a fully customised, made-to-order home, there are also plenty of second hand relocatable homes for sale on the market. Choosing to give an old home a new owner is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to save further on housing and don’t feel the need to personally design every detail of your prospective home. 

Why Do People Sell Their Transportable Homes? 

People let go of their tiny homes for the same reasons they do full-size homes. Their growing family may need more space, or they may be moving overseas. The procedure for selling second hand relocatable homes is the same as regular homes–but quicker and easier. 

Where to Buy Second Hand Transportable Homes? 

Property listing sites will have tiny homes in their lineup. So do sites like Craigslist and eBay. However, it pays to work with a dedicated tiny home website to ensure the quality of the portable homes for sale and an opportunity to get any upgrade or maintenance work done before delivery. 

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Second Hand Transportable Home

Filter Your Needs

There are thousands of second hand relocatable homes for sale on the market. But not every unit will be a reflection of your ideal abode. It’s important to establish your list of non-negotiables to help filter your search and make the journey much less stressful. For instance, what is the smallest or largest size house you’re willing to live in? How many rooms do you need? Understanding what activities you regularly do at home will help you make these decisions, as you’ll know exactly what you need to live comfortably. 

Going into the house search blind opens the possibility of blurring out your necessities and causing confusion in the buying process. Knowing what you want will ensure that you stay on the right track and not feel tempted to purchase a cabin-style abode when you intend to live in the middle of Sydney’s cityscape. 

Watch Out for Dishonest Sellers 

Even in the wonderful demountable home community, some people will try to take advantage of inattentive buyers by providing false information about the unit. It’s important to know the facts: who built the home, when was it built, what areas need repair, what type of insulation and electricity does it use, and how much does it weigh. 

Knowing the above can ascertain that the relocatable home is in an acceptable condition and quality and that it will fit your needs. For instance, a portable house with incorrect insulation will be disadvantageous if you live in a rural area with harsher winters. 

More importantly, knowing who built the house is an important part of your verification process. A lot of first-generation tiny homes were built by individuals with no professional experience. You’ll have to be extra careful about these DIY builds as there is no quality assurance and no way to call a company to verify that the home was legitimately purchased. 

Bring in a Professional Inspector 

The services of a professional house inspector are necessary for any house purchase–whether big or small. A skilled inspector will check every corner of the home and determine whether it passes regulations, is durable enough to last you long enough, and whether any undisclosed flaws need to be addressed. 

Sometimes even the most honest homeowners can miss an electrical system or roofing issue because these areas need to be seen by trained eyes. While a professional inspector is not free, their reassurance will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. 

Determine a Budget 

While relocatable homes come with pocket-sized price tags, they’re still costly purchases. You’ll still have to shell out over $10,000 for a unit. If you’re on an extremely tight budget, it’s important to filter your search–so you don’t fall into a debt trap that most full-size homeowners are stuck in. Know that houses backed by well-known designers and 2-bedroom portable homes will cost more than a simple 15 square metre flat. 

Your location will determine how much you have to spend in total, as land or parking is a separate expense that you have to shoulder. Otherwise, there would be no place to mount your tiny home. On that note, second hand relocatable homes NSW are much cheaper than those in Sydney, simply because you will be saving on the overall upfront cost. 

Transportable homes can be delivered to you anywhere in Australia. But if you’re trying to squeeze a very tight budget, it helps to find a house in the same city to save a few thousand on logistics–if transportation isn’t already part of the initial cost. For instance, you can save some money by looking for second hand relocatable homes QLD if you live in Brisbane or neighbouring cities. 

Receive Complete Documents

Don’t get too excited when purchasing your second hand relocatable home! Before depositing the full payment, make sure that you have signed and received all the legal contracts to identify you as the homeowner. As you need to sign these, ensure that you read every line and agree with them word-for-word. If anything sends alarms, you can discuss it with the seller and amend it with a new contract. 

The contract needs to lay out all the basic terms, from pricing to delivery and any repair or upgrade work that they promise to do on your behalf. Ensure it also comes with a warranty in case of any damages–usually for the next two years. 

There are a lot of elements that you need to consider before purchasing second hand transportable homes. While there’s more work necessary on your end–from verifying and amending agreements with the original homeowner–buying a used unit can be rewarding. It’s an eco-friendly choice that will also save you big bucks when done right, so don’t be afraid to explore this market before buying new! 

If you’re interested in purchasing a second hand transportable home, get in touch with us, and we’ll help you filter through a selection of wonderful homes.