They Are Selling My Park

Here's another one under "You can't make this stuff up." I managed to take a break from unpacking, donating, and recycling stuff to meet someone from Housing Solutions Network in Jefferson County (if you are local, fill out their survey). We met because I have a small role in a similar organization in Island County (Island Roots Housing). Naturally, we talked about why and how I moved from Island County to Jefferson County. I was able to do so and be debt-free because I bought a tiny house in a managed park: buy the house, rent the land. So many of the risks I saw on Whidbey went away. All I had to worry about was the park deciding to increase the rent, or sell the land, or both. Got home from that good conversation and found my first letter in my mailbox. Get inside. Open the mail. The owner intends to sell the community. Welcome to another episode, and I haven't even unpacked!

If life hadn't been as bizarre as it has been, I wouldn't be laughing. I'm laughing, or at least grinning. You can't make this stuff up. Getting the letter while acknowledging the remote possibility? Interesting timing. Having it be the first letter I get in my mailbox? Couldn't've planned that. Remembering a comment I've made to others about maybe only living here for a year or two? Maybe I'm a powerful manifestor! Should I be more careful with what I imagine?

Seriously, this is going to traumatize someone. To own a home but now have to find new land for it is uncommon. While the single-wides and tiny houses in this neighborhood probably had wheels beneath them somewhere in their history, evidently there are logistical, physical, and bureaucratic reasons moving isn't as simple as tying everything down, putting the house on wheels, and moving to - somewhere.

Of course, maybe the new owner will keep things as they are. Hey, it could happen. Maybe they'll simply raise the rent. Maybe they'll actually improve the properties, or at least the roads. Or maybe they'll turn a community of about a hundred homes into a neighborhood of a few dozen houses.

(Side note: I was planning on fixing something on the land. Maybe not? I hope the trees get to stay.)

Should I start shopping now? I certainly have recent knowledge about housing in the area from Chimacum to Joyce (Port Townsend to Port Angeles if you want more recognizable landmarks.) Don't overreact, Tom. Patience, lad. Breathe. Laugh at the universe because swearing certainly isn't going to help.

Housing isn't simply difficult to afford. It is also uncertain. Renters know this. People trying to rent can see it all as academic as they search for another room, or couch, or car. Home owners also know that houses can experience disasters, regardless of insurance. Of course one solution is to have more than one house. Few can do that, however. 

As it says in the letter, "Marketing and sale of manufactured home park could take 1-2 years."

Later in the letter is the more assuring, "Any new owner will continue to operate the Park in compliance with all laws governing Manufactured Home Communities."

This isn't the first time such a Community has been sold. As I mentioned above, sometimes nothing changes. Sometimes more changes. Sometimes the residents become the owners. 

I'm so new here that I don't know enough of the background to have a very informed opinion. I am sure others do. I am sure this will be a news item for someone. I am sure there are some governmental protections in place. But this move certainly hasn't been dull.

In the meantime, I'm glad I am already shedding a lot of stuff. I am glad I made this move because this feels right. (Hey, I'm respecting my emotional side. Practicality might have a separate opinion.) 

The letter came as part of a package including about another dozen or two pages. If I was a lawyer I'd probably read and understand the entire package before making a comment. I glanced at them and noticed a lot of legal-looking documents. Maybe those are simply to existing by-laws. Maybe there's something else in there for me to sign. (There have been so many documents to sign.) I’ll read it later.

For now, I can hear dinner warming as my propane stove cycles. The smaller and more efficient toaster oven was or is next week's planned purchase. Then, dancing as usual on a Tuesday evening because life goes on. And this year has certainly required some dancing.