Jennifer

Bet

Good job with the car dealership! My parents got a few "lemons" when I was growing up so I know what that is like.

To change your "lake view terrace" you need to edit your profile. If you just click on your name it will go to your profile, then in the top right corner above your name and location is a link titled "Edit My Profile" if you click that it will let you change location, etc.

Donna,

I don't really think there is any rhyme or reason to their raises. I heard the 3 highest rule, and my friends thought that was why our rents were so high, but everyone I talk to seems to have an equally high rent. For the record our lease ran out years ago and we went to month to month and the raises werent any different. Ridiculously high before and after. Our annual raise climbed slowly for the first few years but when it hit the hundred mark it stuck there so every year it is around a hundred (99, 101, 107, 102, etc.) I would have to go back and find the old notices to be exact. I know my friends got virtually the same raises as us every year, we used to compare them (when they lived here).

As for our high quality park (ha), if you noticed on those questionarres the lawyers sent out every question on there the management has pretty much gone around and fixed all the ones that were visible. like the water thing that was dug up right at the front for so long, and the hill that was sliding forever. I have some pictures I took before they fixed them, however. Of course there are things they havent' done still like upgrading the power and water lines. If your not aware the power in the court fluctuates, I have a UPS hooked up to my computer that reads the voltage and it jumps around like crazy. It is so bad (fluctuating power) for my computer I only run it at night during the summer. Don't even get me started on all the times we have been without water. - Thu Nov 6 2008, 09:43

Not sure what you mean Angel, it kind of sounds like your saying a bad park in a bad area is 800 so its ok for the rent in Terrace view to be what it is. I'm guessing from your previous posts that wasn't your intent.


Orleta and Donna,
My rent is 1200 and I was outright lied to when I moved here 10 years ago. We were told that our yearly increase would only be about 25 dollars. The only time it was that amount was then, the next year it was fifty, then 75-80 and since then 100 every time. They outright lied to me, because they new I never would have signed the lease if they told the truth. They use some nonsense about it being based off some index or something but I don't buy it. There was also supposed to be some rule about if your not on a 10 year lease your rent is based on the three highest in the park, I dont buy that either because everybody I talk to has a rent that is about 1200 (some a little more and some a little less).

There was a thing they used to do too, that if you didn't get any notices for the year you could sign some form and get a smaller increase. Of course they don't tell anyone about it , I found out from a neighbor and got it that year only, every year after I got at least one notice hmmm.....

I know a lady in the park across the street from us, on Aurora and her rent is in the 700's and they didn't give them an increase this year because of the economy. - Wed Nov 5 2008, 13:23

Yes they are behind the water tower area, you see the equip in front of that other park (Rancho Valley?). I remember a long time back a notice came to us in the mail that there was going to be a condo (or housing development, I forget which) development going in, then nothing happened so I thought the economy killed it but now I see lots of equipment. I don't know how close there going to come....

I never heard about the land behind us, I heard he owned the land beside us (empty) and was going to sell it for condos but it fell through. - Tue Nov 4 2008, 13:57

Hi Donna,

I get more and more curious about what their up to. It really doesn't make sense on paper for them to be ok with so many people leaving. Call me suspicious, but I'm sure they have a hidden agenda, I just don't know what it is.

I did notice the work going on, on the hill behind us, I think condos or homes are going in there. - Tue Nov 4 2008, 10:21

Hi Donna,
Sorry I got a little carried away. Like everyone else I am in a precarious position. I have the opportunity (I think) to buy a real house (no insult intended) if I sell this one. So I can't afford to have management toss a monkey wrench in. With the state of the economy my loan qual is bouncing back and forth like a tennis ball (yes, no, maybe).

I was just thinking it would be nice to create our own anonymous (optional) forum something with a nice moniker like "Trapped in Terrace View". Then we could send it around to the media outlets and see if anyone would respond. It would be nice if we could have each person in the courts story, even some of the ones who have moved on. I was going to do it on my own webspace but I forgot my name is in my domain.

I wish we could find someone to donate some land we could all move our places to, leave this place empty. Well nice thought anyway..... - Mon Nov 3 2008, 15:05

I'll tell you right up front why I want anonymity. My friends who used to live in the park went to ONE owners association meeting they didn't even get involved in the complaints they just wanted to listen and see if anything was going to be done. They spent the next year plus getting regular notices from the management to trim their trees and shrubs. They trimmed the same trees and shrubs over and over again and still got notices. Not just the warning ones either, no they also got the ones where the management says if you don't do it within so many days they will, and bill you for it. Like anyone should have to pay more to live here!

I won't put my last name on here. My family can't deal with that kind of stress and harassment, I cant deal with that kind of stress and harassment. I don't have the time or the energy to be outside my house scrubbing, trimming, and making everything perfect. My house looks fine from the street but their are plenty of little things they could ding me on, they could even make up some like they did with my friends.

I do feel we should fight them, I just think the smartest thing is to get the information together anonymously then when we have enough people, go public. Frankly I think the reason no one has been successful at organizing the tenants is because when anyone starts management harasses the tenants trying to get involved and they drop out (and new tenants are afraid to join).

Another example is when some of the tenants tried to bring that lawyer in management stole some of them out of boxes and sent out threatening letters to the people who did get them. It's divide and conquer and they are very good at it. They rely on the fact that most people don't have the time and money (thanks to them) to fight them. The notice where they say they will charge you is a very good deterrent, as many people can barely afford the rent as is. If they add it on and you don't pay it, your going to have to go to court to fight them and in the mean time they can decimate your credit which makes it hard for you to get another place.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone if you can stand up and fight them without concern for what they will do, more power to you. However, I won't stand up publicly until there is enough of a crowd that we have a real chance. I think we are all in deep trouble but unless we all unite, we won't be strong enough to fight them. That is why I suggested we keep it as anonymous as possible to encourage more people to come aboard. - Thu Oct 30 2008, 11:35

I do think we all need to write up our stories and post it online, I'm not sure this is the best place to do it. I will look around and see if there is something I could set up that has a little more anonymity.

Did anyone else get the information on joining GSMOL? Its a mobile home owners group and they have a legal fund as well. Information went into my box but for those of you who didn't get it I will add a web reference. - Mon Oct 27 2008, 14:45

Thanks Donna,
I know which one you mean we have been watching it every time we went by (my family and I). Its good to know one can sell for more than 10,000. I have mine at 45,000 and I needed to know how far i may have to go down to sell. Appreciate the info! - Thu Oct 23 2008, 09:08

Angel,

I feel bad for you. This is the reason despite pressure from management I refused to sign a new lease, when mine expired. I will sell mine at a loss too but I am able to sell it to someone who wants to move it out of the park a far easier task (I hope) than finding someone who wants to live there.

I'm sorry to say it but I doubt your letter will do any good. If they have your address they will keep after you for whatever they can get. They are sharks pure and simple. Actually parasites would probably be more acurate.

Donna,

Did you ever find that information on what the other homes sold for near you? I would love to know.
thanks. - Wed Oct 22 2008, 15:37

Welcome Bet

Yes it is harassment. My friends and former neighbors used to get notices every couple months to trim their trees and bushes. They would do it and still get another notice, when they went up to management to ask just what they wanted trimmed they still got a vague answer. Last January I think notices went out to the whole court, at least I can say I and my immediate neighbors got one. Mine was two pages long and it was evident from the things on it that while I was gone they had snooped into every crevice around my house. I deeply resented the invasion of my privacy (as well as all the ridiculous things they wanted done).

My friends (and former neighbors) got their notice too with the usual bit about trimming the bushes and trees, they gave up a weekend, working like dogs to trim every tree and bush on their space. then when they went to dump it in the trash, the guy on the cart told them not to put it in the bin! My friend had reached his limit, he ignored the guy dumped it in the bin anyway and put his place on Craigs list for free the next day. He gave it away to the first person willing to haul it out of there. It was an older mobile, so they didn't lose a lot of money but probably 10,000 or so.

The stress these people cause is unbelievable. Its just not right to pay such a high rent, and then have to live with constant stress. I work and go to school, I can't spend my weekends trimming, painting, scrubbing every inch of the outside of my house.

Right now I think this is the best meeting place for us, its anonymous so we are protected somewhat. I will look into setting up a forum or blog where we can all meet. - Fri Oct 17 2008, 10:10

Hi JR
There are more of us than management, but we can't stop notices or do anything to them that I have seen. What I'm saying is if we go to meetings they start giving us notices to fix things on our homes (sometimes nonexistant ones- how many times can you trim the same bush?) which can add up to thousands of dollars and if we don't comply they do it and charge us. Oh did I mention the owners are lawyers?
I can't dump thousands more dollars in this money pit. I just want out.

Donna,

I know why many people were afraid of what the attorneys would do if the tenants lost. Management sent out a threating letter (to a lot of us) that said basically that if the tenants lost the owners would go after them for a lot of money. It was like "there is no reason to sue us, but if you do ...."

My rent is more than doubled in the ten years I've been trapped here, I know I will lose a lot of money when it sells. There is no way to get anywhere near what I've put into this back. At this point I'm just hoping not to take further losses.

Yes I think there is some reason they don't care that people are leaving, no clue what it is. Did you see another one went out yesterday? You mentioned you knew two homes that went out, what they sold for, would you mind posting it? I have had a awful time trying to estimate value. I'm desperate to get out, I have a lender willing to loan me money for a house if I sell this place. So I'm trying to figure out how low I need to go to make a sale. I do still owe some on it, or I would be tempted to give it away just to get out.

If you need the name of a home mover just ask. The guy that my friends gave their mobile to is a professional mover. Good luck. - Wed Oct 15 2008, 10:07

Yolanda,

If you update your profile with your last name and space number (or post it here if you like) I will see if I can find it this weekend and mail you a copy.

I know that is a slower way to get it to you, but right now I can't afford to tick them off or they will make selling mine even harder. If a bunch of people get together in a class action I would get involved but otherwise I can't. Aside from making it more difficult to sell, my parents don't need the stress. - Thu Oct 9 2008, 16:36

I hear you. I live with my disabled parents, they cant do the work the park demands that means it all falls to me. I work full time and take on extra jobs trying to keep after the ever increasing rent. Last January we came back from a vacation (first in years) to a notice demanding we cut weeds brush etc or they would charge us for it, i tried to find a yard company to do it (reasonably)with no luck. So I asked my dad to talk to them let them know I would do it myself that weekend, we just needed a few days extension. They refused, said it had to be done by thursday or they would do it and bill us. I had to take a day off work in the middle of the week, and get out in the cold and rain and chop the grass and trim weeds. After that I decided to move.

Since that thing(questionaire) came out from the attorneys now they give extensions. I don't care I'm still planning to go. I know they are just pretending til the threat of a lawsuit blows over. - Tue Oct 7 2008, 09:49

Hi Yolanda,

I think people don't go to the home owners meetings because their afraid to. My friends (who gave their place away to get out) went to one, and they didn't even say anything but after that they were harassed non stop. They told me management stopped by the meeting with the pretense of hearing the complaints but they were actually making notes of the troublemakers, so they could send out notices. After that my friends got notices to trim their bushes almost constantly-- and the bushes didn't need trimming. it got so bad my friend chopped down the bushes, then they gave them a notice to resurface their driveway.

By the way now that my friends have moved the bushes have grown back and management is doing diddly about it. Clearly it doesn't bother them enough for them to get out and do something about it. - Mon Oct 6 2008, 09:53

Kim and Orleta,

You hit the nail on the head. I actually live there too, I was just hoping someone would give me information that they have a deal for condos, or something like that so I could sue them. I am desperate to get out of there and like Kim, I think there is a reason they are actively chasing away tenants. My next door neighbors gave their home away to get out, unfortunately I don't have that option.

I'm trying to sell mine on Craig's list to someone who wants to move it out of the park. Like you my rent is 1200 a month and I see no reason to pay as much here to be tortured and abused as it would cost me for a real house where I would actually have rights.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy it in the park not with these rents. The only reason they caught me was through deception. When I moved in the park ten years ago, they told me the rent increase would only be 25 dollars per year instead it's 100. With a hundred dollar rent increase every year the rent adds up fast.

I live with my disabled parents and it is way too much stress for them, we have got to get out. - Wed Sep 10 2008, 14:04

First off ignore Catherine and Steve, their answers are not helpful.

I'm in a similiar situation, I don't have a down payment saved up. I'm still in the process of getting a loan however from a responsible lender. People who say you need 10% down and good credit are just elitists they only want the wealthy to have homes. Fortunately there are programs out there designed by people who understand if you work hard and take care of your family, you probably don't have enough extra to stash 40,000 in the bank. It doesn't mean you don't deserve to enjoy the same dream of homeownership as everyone else.

Just look at your finances and see if you can actually afford the payment. Ignore the gimmick ads in the pennysaver and elsewhere (that claim low payments for high amounts) a real loan will run about 2000 a month (for around 250,000) and a regular lender will expect twice that in income. If those numbers are out of your ballpark then you might want to look into a mobile home or condo. If you pay more than that in rent now, go down to Wells Fargo and see what they can do for you, I recommend Linda Collier she will give you the straight truth (and she knows the programs).

In California, there is no guarantee when prices might go back up, so if you find a lender who will work with you and you can make the payment go for it. Good luck! - Mon Aug 18 2008, 15:38

Peggy,
I hate to discourage you but in the market right now you would be very fortunate to get 25,000. I'm selling a 1989 Manufactured home for 48,000, well I should say trying to sell. Because of that I have been watching the market and the pricing ranges from 10,000-150,000 but the ones that go for the least are the mobiles. My next door neighbors (and friends) had an older mobile they gave it away, and still had trouble finding someone to take it.

Sorry to be a downer but my suggestion is if you can wait, then wait til the market goes back up, then you should be able to get what you want out of it.

Good luck! - Tue Aug 5 2008, 10:26

Manufactured homes can be nice, but they can also be a pain. Watch out for plastic plumbing once it starts blowing your looking at a plumbing bill every few months. I had to replace all my plastic plumbing with copper to stop the endless plumbing costs. Another expense is buying special equipment; for instance, water heaters, when I went to replace mine I discovered rather than being able to choose the best value, I had to take the only one they had for manufactured homes (legal requirement) that of course cost more than the others. Also the veneers and such they use tend to come off after 10 years or so. Also I highly recommend getting ceiling fans in every room they last a long time and knock your power bills way down. If you need AC don't think a single window unit in the living room will cut it, I have three units in mine 1 in the main room and 1 in each bedroom, however it still runs less than central air.

All in all expect extra expenses, expect to replace a lot of stuff every 5-10 years but overall it is a nice type of house. I'm currently selling mine but I wouldn't shy away from buying another as long as I owned the land. I must say absolutely under no condition let yourself get talked into a mobile home park, I have been trapped in one for 10 years now and I can't recommend it.

Like the others have said it is very difficult to get financing to put one on land. I tried many times and was always extremely frustrated. Even though it would of cost far less than a standard house (for both land and home) the lenders wanted superior credit and larger down payments. You have to have money to save money, that is a logic I have never understood. - Thu Jul 24 2008, 12:35

Whatever you do avoid Greentree. They do Mobile loans but they are very bad, I am selling my manufactured home and getting away from them. If I were to buy another mobile/manufactured I would not go with them. There are web sites full of horror stories of them, compared to some of those stories I got away lucky. - Wed Jul 2 2008, 10:48