Finding your dream home can be challenging, but what if your dream home needed a little… relocation? Buying a house that needs to be moved offers a unique opportunity for savvy buyers seeking a bargain, a chance to create a truly custom home, or a project with significant potential for profit. This guide explores the ins and outs of purchasing and moving a home, addressing common questions and concerns.
What Does "Needs to Be Moved" Mean?
This phrase typically refers to homes that are:
- Located on land slated for development: The property the house sits on might be sold for commercial development, a new housing subdivision, or another project that requires demolition. The homeowner, rather than demolish the house, may offer it for sale to someone willing to move it.
- In the path of a road widening project or other infrastructure development: Similar to the previous point, government projects often necessitate the relocation of existing structures.
- On land that is too small or unsuitable: The house might be too large for the lot, or the lot might have issues like poor drainage or unstable soil. Moving the house to a more suitable location resolves these problems.
- Simply unwanted by the seller: Sometimes, a home is perfectly sound but the seller prefers not to deal with the complexities of selling it on its current lot.
What Are the Benefits of Buying a Moveable Home?
There are several compelling reasons why someone might choose to purchase a house that needs to be moved:
- Significantly Lower Purchase Price: The biggest draw is often the drastically reduced price compared to a similar home in a move-in-ready condition and on a desirable lot.
- Opportunity for Customization: You get a chance to fully customize the home to your liking, from interior renovations to exterior upgrades, even potentially expanding or altering the structure after the move.
- Potential for Profit: Moving a home, renovating it, and selling it at market value can potentially yield a substantial profit, especially in desirable locations.
How Much Does It Cost to Move a House?
This is highly variable and depends on several factors:
- Size and weight of the house: Larger, heavier homes cost significantly more to move.
- Distance of the move: Longer distances mean higher transportation costs.
- Obstacles along the route: Navigating tight corners, low-hanging power lines, and other obstacles adds complexity and cost.
- Foundation preparation at the new location: Preparing a suitable foundation at the destination is a major expense.
- Permits and inspections: Obtaining necessary permits and passing inspections adds to the overall cost.
Expect to budget tens of thousands of dollars, at minimum, for the moving process alone. Thorough research and obtaining multiple quotes from reputable house movers are crucial.
What Are the Risks of Buying a Moveable House?
Before you take the plunge, consider the following potential drawbacks:
- Unexpected structural issues: Hidden structural damage might be uncovered during the moving process, leading to unexpected repairs.
- Moving complications: Unexpected delays or unforeseen challenges during the move can significantly impact timelines and budgets.
- Permitting issues: Securing the necessary permits for moving and re-siting the house can be a lengthy and complex process.
- Foundation problems at the new location: The chosen lot might have hidden issues that necessitate costly foundation work.
What Questions Should I Ask the Seller?
Before making an offer, ask the seller these critical questions:
- Why is the house being moved? Understanding the reason behind the move provides valuable context.
- What are the known structural issues? Be transparent about your need for a full inspection.
- Are permits already obtained? This significantly streamlines the process.
- What is the history of the house? This aids in understanding potential maintenance or renovation needs.
- Has the house been professionally assessed for moveability? This report will be invaluable.
How Do I Find Homes for Sale That Need to Be Moved?
Finding these unique properties often requires proactive searching.
- Network with real estate agents: Let them know you're specifically looking for this type of property.
- Check local government websites: Look for notices related to road projects or land development.
- Monitor online classifieds: Regularly check online marketplaces and real estate listings for unusual properties.
- Attend local auctions: Occasionally, houses needing relocation are auctioned off.
Buying a home that needs to be moved is a significant undertaking, but with thorough research, careful planning, and a realistic assessment of the costs and risks, it can be a rewarding experience, offering a chance to acquire a unique property at a potentially great price. Remember, professional advice from real estate agents, contractors, and house movers is crucial throughout the entire process.
