Is it wise to buy a re-locatable house? There are advantages and disadvantages to doing this. 

Advantages:

• If a house has been re-located to another site, you can usually purchase it at a significantly lower price than the equivalent size existing or new home.
• The home is often older e.g. 1960’s or earlier and if so, is built from quality materials - native timbers for example.
• The buyer can select a “character home” - villa, bungalow, etc.
• The home is already built unlike buying new off plans or before competition.

Several things have to be complied with to relocate a house. 

• The house must be treated for borer before it can be moved.
• New foundations (usually piles) must be installed.
• Roof & underfloor insulation must be up to date with the latest standards.
• New drainage to be installed for stormwater, wastewater, and new water pipes.
• The site of the house will be less prone to flooding or slips because of council caution over these issues now.
• The electrical system will often have to be replaced.

Disadvantages:

• The moving process usually opens up joints and can cause unseen damage (e.g. pipework behind linings).

A home inspection from an A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections inspector can be invaluable here!

• The house may have been moved in 2 parts and correct alignment may be difficult, you may see the join.
• It’s mostly older homes that are moved so a lot of DYI, deferred maintenance, and reinstalment may be required.
• The maintenance and reinstalment costs are hard to price, and contractors are difficult to get. The overall reinstalment cost may be considerable.

On balance, however, especially for the DIY / painter, decorator type buyer the overall result can be a great home at a cheaper price.