A vacant Missouri mobile home: risks while you decide

Protect these first

• Water. Shut off the supply and drain the lines before the first hard freeze, or keep minimal heat running.
• Roof. A ten-dollar tarp over a small leak prevents a ceiling collapse and floor damage.
• Access. Secure doors and windows; report break-ins so insurance and law enforcement have a record.
• Insurance. Tell your carrier the home is vacant — many policies restrict coverage once it is unoccupied.
• Utilities. Leaving power on can protect the home, but confirm no space heaters are running unattended.

Costs that keep running on an empty home

• Lot rent, which is often the largest.
• Personal property or real estate taxes.
• Insurance premiums, sometimes higher for vacancy.
• Minimum utility charges.
• Travel and time if you live out of the area.

Add those up for twelve months. That figure is what indecision actually costs, and for many older homes it is a meaningful percentage of the home's value.