I get this question all the time: "Chris, can I buy a mobile home as a first-time buyer?" I work with a lot of first-time buyers, and I live in a rural area where mobile homes are everywhere. So let me answer it, but first I need you to hear the one rule that matters most. We are talking about a mobile home WITH ITS OWN LAND. We are NOT talking about buying a mobile home in a park where you pay lot rent every month. Especially if you're a first-time buyer, I'd steer you away from that. Why the land matters The mobile home itself will almost always go down in value over time, like a car or an appliance. The land underneath it usually goes up. - Home + land: you own something that can build equity because of the dirt. - Home in a park: you own a depreciating asset, and you're paying someone else rent to keep it there. The park can raise the rent, change the rules, or sell the property out from under you. You want to be building wealth, not renting space for a depreciating asset. What to know before you shop 1. Age matters. Homes built before June 15, 1976 (before the HUD code) are generally not financeable. Newer is easier to finance and insure. 2. Foundation and title matter. For most mortgage programs, the home has to be on a permanent foundation and treated as real property (title tied to the land), not as a vehicle-style title. Ask your lender exactly what they require. 3. Financing options exist. Depending on the property, you may qualify for FHA, VA, USDA (rural areas), or certain conventional programs. A home-only "chattel" loan usually means higher rates and shorter terms, so compare carefully. 4. Insurance can be tricky. In Florida especially, get an insurance quote before you go under contract. Age, tie-downs, and roof condition all affect availability and price. 5. Get inspections. Look at the roof, subfloor, plumbing, and tie-downs. Also check the land itself: septic, well, flood zone, and access. My honest take A mobile home on land can be a legitimate starter home, sometimes the only door open in a market where site-built homes are out of reach. But it's a tool, not a magic trick. Buy the land, watch the condition, run the numbers, and know your exit plan.

You’ve probably heard it: “Homes are less affordable today than they’ve been in years.” But what does that actually mean? I started digging into the historical numbers, and one statistic really stood out. In the 1960s, the typical home was worth roughly 2 times the typical family’s annual income. For much of the 1980s and 1990s, it was still around 2–2.5 times income. Today, it’s roughly 4 times annual income. So yes — home prices compared with income really are a problem today. But there’s another interesting part of the story. In the early 1980s, mortgage rates reached around 15% or more. Monthly mortgage payments consumed a larger percentage of income than they do today. So we’ve really experienced two different affordability problems: 1980s: Homes were relatively inexpensive compared with income, but interest rates were brutal. Today: Interest rates aren't nearly as high, but home prices are much higher compared with income. That explains why buying a home can feel so difficult right now. But here's what I don't want you to take away from these statistics: ❌ “I can't afford a house.” These are national averages. They don't know your income. They don't know your monthly debts. They don't know your credit score. They don't know how much cash you have available. And they certainly don't know what homes cost where you live. That's why I keep coming back to your 4 Numbers: 💰 Income 💳 Monthly debt payments 📊 Credit score 🏦 Cash available Before deciding that homeownership is impossible, find out what YOUR numbers say. Maybe you're ready now. Maybe you're six months away. Maybe there's one number holding you back that we can work on. And that's really what MessyFinancial is about: You don't have to be ready today. You just need to know what to work on next. 👇 What do you think is making buying a home hardest right now — home prices, interest rates, saving the down payment, or something else?

This is the time of year I want everyone to start thinking about Christmas and what they're going to spend on everyone. Make a list and start now. Think about something you can make for the people you need small gifts for. I've been following a Mexican cooking page with sauces all made from scratch. I made a pork dish that was absolutely amazing, and it got me thinking about some of the other ingredients listed. I'm thinking about making a homemade pepper sauce and a homemade taco seasoning from fresh peppers for everyone. I can put them in small mason jars as gifts — it'll mean more than a $10 gift from a store. The main point is to pay as you go and not use credit cards so your still paying in March