We’re sure that many of you dream of living a debt-free lifestyle, and if you’re like
us then you’ve often considered alternative housing options like mobile homes and tiny
houses to make that dream a reality.
It’s easy to get sidetracked when researching alternative homes, and end up daydreaming
about what it would be like to live in a fabulous, million-dollar mobile home.
That’s how we stumbled across one of the most expensive mobile homes in the world - a
stunning, $4-million double-wide mobile home for sale in Malibu, California.
Located in Paradise Cove, the world’s most expensive “land-lease community” - that’s
just a fancy name for “trailer park” by the way - this place looks like something
straight out of a design magazine.
Today on the Infographics Show w e’re going to bring those mobile home daydreams to life
and explore what it would be like to buy this amazing and unique $4 million dollar mobile
home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’m a rich and famous Hollywood actor!
No, wait...I’m an Oscar-winning movie director!
Hmm, no...that’s not quite right...Okay, I’ve got it…
I’m a successful writer with a string of hit TV series under my belt and some money
in the bank, looking to find a place to settle down in.
Even though I’m super successful, I’ve never let my success get to my head, and I
want to stay true to my small-town roots - I don’t want anything ostentatious or over
the top, just a simple, comfortable home.
The only problem is, I really want to live in one of the most expensive neighbourhoods
in the country - Malibu, California.
My real estate agent has shown me countless homes in and around Malibu, but every one
of them has been too expensive or needs too much work.
Plus, they are all so big, and I worry about the time and money it would take to maintain
such a lavish home.
I suspect that my real estate agent is getting frustrated with me, but I just want to find
the perfect home.
I check my phone and see that I have a text message from my real estate agent - she says
that she’s found the perfect property for me in a star-studded neighbourhood, and she
wants me to meet her there right away.
Only after I agree does she send me the address, and as soon as I type it into Google I can
see why - she wants me to meet her at a trailer park!
Knowing she’s already waiting for me there, and intrigued by how close to the ocean this
place is, I hop into my Porsche (hey, it’s my daydream!) and head to the trailer park.
My real estate agent is waiting for me at the gate looking sheepish.
I’m barely out of the car before she’s trying to sell me on the trailer park - or
“land-lease community”, as she calls it.
“Just trust me”, she says, “Forget everything you think you know about trailer parks and
mobile homes, and give it a shot.”
Feeling guilty about all the houses I’ve turned down so far, I follow her through the
gates.
“So the property we’re going to see is on one of the best lots in the park, with
amazing views, great gardens and lots of updates.
Best of all, it’s a great deal at only $3,995,000!”
“What do you mean ‘only’ $4 million dollars!?”, I said, “No offence, but that
seems pretty pricey for a trailer...”
“I can see why you might think that”, my agent replied “but you have to consider
what you’re getting for that price.
You of all people know how expensive homes in Malibu are…” she says.
I can hardly fail to notice her subtle jab at my quick dismissal of every property she’s
shown me so far.
“A typical home around here this close to the ocean would sell for more than $50 million
dollars, and renting a place in Malibu could easily cost more than $50,000 a month for
a place even smaller than this trailer.
Remember, location is everything when it comes to real estate.”
I know she’s right, but before I can agree she hits me with another bombshell:
“The lot fees are around $25,000 a month”, she says.
“Whoa!”, I say.
“That’s crazy, why would I pay rent if I already own the place!?”
“I know it’s a new concept for you”, she says patiently, “but although you’d
own the home itself, you wouldn’t actually own the land it sits on.
The lot fees cover the land lease, as well as lots of maintenance costs and amenities.
Think of it more like condo fees than rent.”
“Alright”, I say.
“I like the idea of not having to do my own maintenance!
What kind of amenities are we talking about?”
“I’m glad you asked!” my real estate agent says, as we walk past a well-maintained
tennis court.
“Paradise Cove Park is one of the premier land-lease communities in the country.
The park landscaped grounds are located on prime Malibu land with scenic views, and the
state-of-the-art community centre and recreational facilities are world-class!”
As we walk further into the park, she points out a trail to the side of the road.
“Park residents have direct access to a private beach”, she says.
Just then, a gorgeous blonde woman who looks oddly familiar steps off the trail in front
of us.
“Hi, there!”, she says.
“You must be new here!
I’m Pamela.”
“Hi Pamela”, I say, shaking her hand.
“I’m just here today to look at a potential new home.
Have you lived here a long time?”
“I’ve lived here for a few years now,” she says.
“I moved in temporarily while my home was undergoing renovations, but my sons loved
it here so much that we couldn’t bear to leave!
It’s such a great community, I’m sure you’d love it here.”
“Wow, that’s good to know.
Thanks for sharing!”, I say.
“No problem!” she says, flashing me a million-watt smile.
“See you around!”
“See!”, says my realtor with a smug smile.
“What!?”
I say.
“Oh please”, she says, with an eye roll.
“Don’t pretend you don’t recognize Pamela Anderson!
I told you this was a star-studded neighbourhood!”
“Wow!”
I say, as I shake my head.
“I have to say, Paradise Cove is nothing like what I thought a trailer park would be
like.”
“I told you to trust me!” she says.
“Paradise Cove is one of the most expensive and exclusive land-lease communities in the
country, and it has one of the lowest crime rates of any neighbourhood in the state.
Plus, you can’t underestimate the social and emotional benefits of living in a close-knit
community of like-minded individuals.
Ahh, here we are!”
I look around at the modest but adorable house in front of me, taking in the tasteful exterior
and immaculate landscaping.
“I don’t understand”, I say.
“I thought you were taking me to see a mobile home.”
“We prefer the term ‘manufactured home’ “, she sniffs.
“Pre-fabbed homes have a bad reputation, but it’s totally undeserved.
It just means that the structure was built in a factory before being moved into place.
In fact, the trailer and even the wheels are still underneath the home!
The truth is, manufactured homes offer better quality for a lower cost per square foot,
plus the utility costs are lower, they are less expensive to maintain and they are more
environmentally friendly!”
“That’s good to know.
Exactly how big is this place, anyway?”
I ask.
“Great question”, she says.
“Typical manufactured homes are up to 18 feet wide, since that’s the maximum size
that can be moved on a trailer on public roads.
This particular model is what’s called a ‘double-wide’, which means that it’s
actually two units parked next to each other.
Including the master suite addition, you get an impressive 2,500 total square feet of interior
living space, with none of the narrow hallways or small rooms you’d expect to find in a
trailer.”
“Alright”, I say.
“I’m impressed so far, but let’s see the inside.”
“I can’t wait to show you!” my agent gushes.
“Interior design for manufactured homes has really come a long way in recent years!
You’ve heard of Jennifer Siegal, I’m sure…?” she asks.
“Umm, no.
Sorry.”
I admit.
“Oh, well, I’m surprised”, she says.
“She’s a very famous interior designer who specializes in manufactured homes.
Her philosophy is that the smaller your footprint is, the bigger your design impact can be.
This home is a true example of that principle in action.”
I don’t appreciate her condescending remarks, but before I can come up with a snarky comeback,
she opens the front door and I’m left speechless.
I walk into a spacious and lavish open-concept living area with vaulted ceilings, hardwood
floors and designer finishes.
I can hardly believe I’m in a mobile home.
I pick my jaw up off the floor and manage a weak “Whoa…”.
“I know”, smirks my real estate agent.
“Not exactly what you were imagining, is it?”
I don’t bother to answer.
Instead, I head straight into the state-of-the-art kitchen just off the living room.
One look at the custom cabinets, granite countertops and luxury fixtures, and I’m already picturing
myself whipping up a gourmet meal while chatting away with my guests in the living room.
Never mind the fact that I can barely be trusted to reheat leftovers....
With reluctance, I let my real estate agent lead me away from the amazing entertaining
space and past three gorgeous guest bedrooms complete with spa-like en-suite bathrooms
on the way to the first surprise room - an impressive office fit for the most distinguished
professional, complete with a custom wood ceiling and built-in bookshelves.
We make our way to the addition that houses the master suite, and as soon as I see it
I know I’m in trouble.
The master bedroom features panoramic ocean views, an en-suite bathroom with a spa-like
soaker tub, and an attached custom dressing room that would make mornings a lot more tolerable.
Best of all, the master suite provides private access to the best part of this property - the
outdoor space.
As amazing as the interior is, the highlight of this spectacular mobile home is definitely
the outdoor space.
With areas for cooking, eating and relaxing, the immaculately landscaped garden almost
doubles the living space of this home while camouflaging the fact that you’re in a trailer
park.
And talk about a million dollar view!
The entire park is on prime land, but this lot in particular is one of the best in the
park, complete with breathtaking ocean views.
Between the magazine-worthy design and million dollar views, world-class amenities and star-studded
neighbourhood, this Malibu mobile home is enough to convince even the most refined house
hunter to consider a move to the trailer park.
There’s only one thing left for me to say:
“I’ll take it!”
--------------
As fun as it is to imagine living the good life in a $4 million dollar mobile home in
America’s most high-end trailer park, it’s not the only small but luxurious home that’s
inspired tiny-living daydreams.
If you love the idea of a small home but just need a little more space, the container home
trend will provide plenty of inspiration.
Shipping containers are inexpensive, stackable and can be put together into endless configurations,
leading some people to create some truly stunning examples of container home design.
One family in Denver, Colorado, created a truly custom home out of seven shipping containers.
Their two-storey, three-bedroom home has plenty of space, is full of designer finishes and
features incredible mountain views from the rooftop deck.
But the most impressive part is that the whole structure was put together in a single day!
RVs and trailer homes are more suitable to the nomadic lifestyle, if you can live with
even less space.
Giving up space doesn’t have to mean giving up comfort and style, though.
If you thought $4 million dollars was a lot of money for a mobile home, just wait until
you see the world’s most expensive RV!
At almost $4 million dollars, the EleMMent Palazzo is a luxury yacht on wheels.
It even has an extra powerful motor to handle the weight of all the marble used in the interior.
And if you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to luxurious alternative homes, you
have to check out the UK’s most expensive houseboat.
While modest-looking from the outside, this converted 1930s barge offers more than 5,000
square feet of lavish interior living space, including 5 bedrooms with en-suites, a two-storey
living room with a floating fireplace, a sauna, a trampoline and even a jet-ski platform.
No wonder it was recently listed for nearly $5 million dollars!
Mobile homes are not only a great solution to the current affordable housing crisis,
but they can be a great investment - even Warren Buffet, the world’s most successful
investor, is getting into the “wheel estate” game.
His investment fund purchased American mobile home manufacturer Clayton in 2003 for $1.3
billion dollars!
We’re probably going to have to settle for something a little more modest when it comes
to our tiny dream home, but it is definitely fun to daydream, and it’s more than a little
encouraging to see that going small can pay off big, even in expensive places like Malibu!
If you liked this video then we’ve got two more episodes you have to check out.
“$1,000,000 Will Get You A House Like This Around The World” and “Most Expensive
Things in the World”.
You’re going to want to watch both but you’ve got to pick one to start so click now and
go watch!