We based our purchase on practicality. Our criteria:
1. We had to be able to pay in full, no mortgage. So affordability, and our budget was limited.
2. Older area, fewer restrictions. We are happy having SOME restrictions, but I can't stand nitpicky restrictions. I will absolutely maintain my lawn, regardless of my opinion of lawns in general. Not gonna measure the size of my ceramic flower pot, to make sure it complies, or ensure that it's the "right" color. That just ain't gonna happen. So - older area is perfect.
3. No single-wide. We needed room to breathe because our budget is limited. We need to be able to enjoy spending a lot of time IN the house, because we can't afford to do all that much outside of it.
4. A covered or enclosed lanai.
5. Secure storage for the golf cart, regardless of whether or not the house came with a normal car garage, or just a car port. So - either a normal garage, or a golf cart garage plus a covered car port. Both is optimal but either is acceptable.
6. Must be in move-in condition. "Needs repairs" or "as is" not an option, because budget.
Our needs were few, honestly. We wanted a lot more than this, but the above was the minimum. We got the minimum, plus a little more. Nice sized manufactured home with great neighbors, extra wide driveway with covered carport and golf cart garage in addition to the laundry shed, quiet street, landscaping not so extravagant that it'd cost a fortune to maintain. Home was kept in great shape by previous owners, and unlike the last place we'd looked at, the sink for the master bathroom was actually IN the bathroom, and not running along the wall of the bedroom (That was the weirdest thing I'd ever seen in my life, heh).
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