Update: Mobile Home Fix Up, Podcast Mention and Course

by mobilehomegurl
in fixing up mobile homes, news, podcast, update
on April 2, 2021

Happy Friday! Hope you had a great week. 🙂

As for me, things are busy…as usual. But, I can safely say no more crazy weather here in TX. For now. It’s nice to have running water, power and the basic necessities of life.

So, what have I been up to lately? Well, let’s get to it…

Mobile Home Fix Up

As you know, I’ve been dealing with a mobile home fix up on a home I took back. If you read my book, you know it’s just one of those things. People stop paying. And eventually have to leave…if they don’t pay. So, you’re left with an empty home…that you need to fix up. It’s just part of the business.

Getting back to it, let’s talk about the latest with my mobile home fix up.

Right now, I’m still waiting on the kitchen cabinets. It’s taking forever and a day to get them. My cabinet and countertop contractor told me only 1 cabinet came in. But, we need 4 more. So, we’re looking at different options on what we can do.

In the meantime, I’m continuing to get estimates on the flooring work needed for the home. I’ve been meeting with several contractors to get their opinions and bids on the flooring work for the mobile home.

Speaking of contractors, I had some electrical work done to the home with an electrician I usually use. Here are some of the items that were fixed and/or replaced:

Master Bathroom Light Fixture Installed

One of the things I had done was install a light fixture in the master bathroom. I bought the light fixture and my electrician did the installation. Here are the results:

Master bathroom light fixture installed (close up)

(Note: When it comes to any type of electrical work, leave it up to licensed electricians who know what they’re doing. Personally, I don’t do any type of electrical work myself!)

Installing Light Switches

I also had a few light switches installed. Here are the items I bought for the electric work:

Electrical outlets and switches bought in boxes

So, it turns out mobile homes actually have specific parts when it comes to any type of electric work such as the light switches and the electrical outlets (usually called receptacles).

Now, what I bought in the picture above are usually used for regular, single-family homes or apartment buildings. Though, the light switches there can be used but not the electrical outlets. The types of electrical outlets (and light switches) used for mobile homes are usually called “self contained” meaning everything is contained in the light switch or electrical outlet.

Here’s a picture with my electrician showing the old electrical light switch in the home:

Correct mobile home light switch (with flange)

As you can see, there are two parts that you just pop-in for the correct mobile home light switch.

Now, my electrician was able to use the light switches that I bought (but not the electrical receptacles). He said they can be used but it ends up costing more as there’s more to wire and cut out when removing and replacing the switches.

So, I wanted to get some work done as he was already there at the mobile home. I had him just do a few light switches. Then, he suggested I get the switches and outlets made for mobile homes (AKA self contained) because it would save me money and time which would cost less in the long run.

So, I ended up ordering them and will call him back once they come in. Will update you on how things work out in a future post!

Pop-In Box

Furthermore, he told me I may need a few “pop-in boxes” for the job and to get them before we schedule a new appointment to get the light switches and electrical outlets in. Here’s a pic of the “pop-in boxes” that are used for mobile homes:

(Note: It’s important to get the pop-in box in the picture. I bought the wrong ones locally which have places for nails at the top and the bottom which are used in regular, single-family homes. )

Now, I know it seems like mobile homes have such specific parts which can cost more than parts for regular, single-family homes. But again, it’s just part of the business. And, once the old ones are replaced you won’t have to deal with it for a while.

Light Switches Removed and Installed

Electrical light switches and plates installed (living room)

Guest bathroom light switch installed — New guest bathroom light switch installed

(Note: I’ll probably have to do some touch-up paint work here around the electrical light switch. Though, it’s not a big deal!)

Ceiling Problem

Apart from the electric work, I also noticed an issue with the ceiling. There was a hole in the ceiling where an existing light fixture once was. I didn’t need it as there was already a light fixture in the pantry closet and I installed another one in the middle of the kitchen.

Here’s a picture to give you a better idea:

(Note: The residents in the home who left the home which forced me to take it back, put up the partition and made a pantry. Where you see the hole in the ceiling was actually above the dining area at one point. But, that’s another story for the future!)

Smoke Alarm Installation

So, I came up with the idea to install a smoke alarm over the hole in the ceiling. Before I bought the alarm, I measured the diameter of the hole to make sure I got one that could cover the hole completely.

(Note: I only buy battery-operated smoke alarms for my mobile home fix ups. I don’t buy the hard-wired ones which can be more complicated to install.)

Here’s what I did:

Taking my drill and using my drill bits, I made sure the whole was deep enough for the anchors to go into the existing holes. This was done in order to install the plate needed to hold the smoke alarm in place.

Then, I installed the anchors (red) into the holes for the screws:

After the anchors were set in place, I took the screws and screwed them into the anchors using my screwdriver:

Smoke alarm plate installed kitchen ceiling (close up)

Smoke alarm plate installed kitchen ceiling

Once the plate was installed, I took the smoke alarm and attached it into place:

Smoke alarm installed kitchen ceiling (close up)

Problem solved! What do you think? 🙂

Podcast Mention

Apart from fixing up mobile homes, I also got a mention for the podcast:

WOC Podcasters: 30 Asian American Podcasts to Support

I was named as one of 30 Asian American podcasts to support. How cool is that? 🙂

Again, I want to thank you for continuing to listen and subscribing to the podcast. I receive so many comments and notes about how enjoyable it has been and to keep up the good work. Honestly, it’s been pretty fun! And I enjoy it a lot.

By the way, if you have some time I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much for your support!

Quora Recognition

Also, I wanted to let you all know about this recognition I received from Quora as the #1 Writer for Mobile Homes:

Definitely follow me there if you’d like to read my answers or ask me a question about mobile home investing. Thanks for reading!

Course Update

As for the new course, it’s coming along. Many have asked about it and the topic. It’s almost done. And I will say, it’s on a topic on a much needed subject on mobile home investing. So stay tuned! 🙂

And remember, if you’re a student of my existing course you’ll receive a special discount for the new course:

(Note: By the way, if you’re a student of my existing course be sure to check the “Private Forum” section of the course as I’ve updated it. Looking forward to seeing you there!)