Today’s mobile homes boast all the features of modern houses
without the expense
Frank LePiane, 78, has been the king of his double-wide castle for more than 30 years now.
And though some may frown on where LePiane chooses to lay his head, he says his mobile home in the Garlic City’s Pacific Mobile Estates offers all the amenities he needs at a fraction of the price.
In fact, LePiane will be one of the first in line to assert that mobile home living isn’t what most people think. It’s a far cry from the stereotypes of “trailer trash” popularized in TV sitcoms such as “My Name Is Earl” and Hollywood comedy classics like “Raising Arizona.” For many South Valley residents both young and old, the region’s numerous trailer parks provide an affordable solution to the state’s constantly rising real estate rates and housing crisis.
“We have a lot of accountants and lawyers who live here,” said Elena Miles, a manager at Windmill Mobiles Estates in Morgan Hill. “It is meant for people that want to do something better with their money than to buy million-dollar homes and have to have reverse mortgages. We actually get to take vacations, while people who own homes do not.”
As home prices in South Valley stretch ever farther into the stratosphere, mobile home park managers say more people are looking into purchasing the homes rather than throwing their money toward rentals.
“People buy what they can afford and what is available in their budget,” Miles said. “There is nothing wrong with living within their budgets and not beyond their means. It is a million times better than renting because you actually own something.”
The median price of a South Valley home has reached more than $800,000, but mobile home residents are able to put a roof over their heads for as low $70,000 at some trailer parks. Hollister’s Mission Oaks Mobile Home Park has several homes for sale starting at around $50,000.
As with all things real estate, the price of the mobile home has plenty to do with what it offers for residents. Though some mobile homes stay below the $100,000 mark, trophy mobile homes can stretch as high $300,000 or more depending on the location.
Morgan Hill’s Hacienda Valley Mobile Home Estates is unique because it is run by Millennium Housing, a non-profit agency.
“This is a community for older persons,” said manager Nancy Redford. “It is for people who have sold their home and are downsizing and want to be in a closer community. The difference between a community for older persons and one for all ages is significant. They try to keep rent under control in Morgan Hill in order to provide really nice housing for people who don’t have $800,000 to go out and buy their house.”
Home is Where the Heart Is
LePiane has been at Pacific Mobile Estates in Gilroy since it was built in 1972. He started off as a part-time employee at the park and then became a manager about 15 years ago. Before he retired, he worked at the Hollister Canning Company, California Canning and Garden Valley Foods.
“I’ve really enjoyed it here,” LePiane said. “People here are bound by rules and regulations. But for the most part people are good at abiding by the rules. We have all ages. There are quite a few seniors in the park. Families are a big part.”
LePiane lives in the home with his wife and his wheel-chair bound son, who moved to the area from Florida. His daughter also lives in the park with her family in the original unit that LePiane had. He often heads across the park for dinner or just to spend time with his family.
Miles lived in Woodland Estates for about two years before taking over as manager about eight months ago when the park came under new ownership.
Francis Thrillkill, who shares a mobile home with her daughter, has lived in Woodland Estates for 22 years.
“I love it live here,” she said. “We have wonderful managers. It is a nice park. Everyone is real friendly, and we have a good time. My husband was in the military for 26 years, and I like it here just as well as anything before.”
“I have no problem living here as long as it’s quiet and people leave me alone,” added John Smith, 83, who has lived in Morgan Hill for 45 years and moved into the park about a year ago.
Aside from the friendly communities, many mobile home parks offer the amenities of apartment complex without the inconvenience having to share common walls.
Mobile Homes, Stable Communities
Today’s mobile homes utilize new construction techniques and materials to create structures with all the comforts of homes built on foundations. The heating and air conditioning are just as up-to-date as in houses. Mobile homes are well insulated, and the roofing is top notch. Many mobile homes are indistinguishable from their standard counterparts.
“I would put them up against a conventional house every day of the week,” said Butch Cotton, a sales representative at New Horizon Homes in South San Jose. “Construction is equal to or better than your traditional house. When we do put them on property, people can drive by without noticing a difference. From when they first started building them to now, there is a drastic swing from one side to the other. You’ve got sheetrock interiors versus the old panelized materials. All the wiring is all copper as opposed to aluminum.”
Cotton said the base range for the mobile homes New Horizon sells is between $88,000 and $148,000. There are even two-story homes available. Some of the larger homes can be up to 3,200 square feet, Cotton said.
Even the external appearance is a far cry from that of the past.
“Aesthetically, they are a lot better,” said Cotton, who has been in the mobile home business for 21 years. “When I first started, they were still experimenting with sheetrock. The industry is really starting to blossom. Each year there is something new and exciting.”
The homes are popular with people of all ages, Cotton said.
“We have anywhere from senior citizens to developers buying our units,” Cotton said. “The biggest portions will be family-orientated. That is about 90 to 95 percent of our business.”
LePiane agrees that today’s mobile homes are solid and the quality of life in his park is high.
“Its has got everything in it you would find in an average stick-built home,” LePiane said. “It’s very comfortable.”
Area Mobile Home Parks
Acacia Mobile Home Park
18055 N. Monterey Road, Morgan Hill
(408) 778-0177
Sites: 34
Built: 1993
Amenities: None
Fairview Mobile Manor
2900 Fairview Road
(831) 637-7953Â
Sites: 82
Amenities: Clubhouse
Hacienda Valley Mobile Home Estates (55+)
275 Burnett Ave.,
Morgan Hill
(408) 779-4301
Sites: 166
Built: 1971
Amenities: Swimming pool, clubhouse, Jacuzzis, saunas, billiard room, exercise room
Hill Haven Mobile Trailer Park
17975 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill
(408) 225-3204
Sites: 45
Amenities: none
Madrone Mobile Estates
200 Burnett Avenue
Morgan Hill
(408) 779-4666
Sites: 173
Built: 1971
Amenities: Swimming pool, clubhouse,
recreational facilities
Mission Oaks Mobile Home Park
1401 San Juan Road,
Hollister
(831) 637-6311
Sites: 235
Amenities: Swimming pool, clubhouse,
recreational area, tot lot,
barbecue area
Pacific Mobile Estates
500 W. 10th Street, Gilroy
(408) 842-8300
Sites: 178
Built: 1972
Amenities: Pool, Jacuzzis, saunas, billiard room, lounge
Wagon Wheel Mobile Village
8282 Murray Ave., Gilroy
(408) 842-6240
Sites: 121
Amenities: None
Windmill Mobile Estates
575 San Pedro Ave.,
Morgan Hill
(408) 779-3355
Sites: 90
Amenities: Swimming pool, hot tub, recreation room, RV storage
Woodland Estates (55+)
850 West Middle Ave., Morgan Hill
(408) 779-8991
Sites: 285
Amenities: Swimming pool, spa, sauna, tennis courts, shuffleboard, walking trails
