Harvest Square Mobile Home

Hello, Ohio residents! When exploring your housing options, particularly those offering a more affordable path to homeownership, manufactured home communities, often known as mobile home parks, can sometimes come into consideration. Harvest Square Mobile Home, located in Urbana, Ohio, is one such community. It's important to approach any housing decision with a clear and factual understanding of what a community offers, including both its potential benefits and any challenges highlighted by current or former residents.

Manufactured home communities typically operate on a model where residents own their homes but lease the land (lot) from the park. This arrangement can often provide a more accessible entry point into homeownership compared to traditional stick-built homes, which can be an appealing factor for many Ohioans. However, the experience within these communities can vary significantly, often depending on the management and their approach to resident relations and property upkeep.

For Harvest Square Mobile Home, feedback from residents suggests some significant concerns regarding management practices and the overall living experience. Reviews describe "terrible management" and instances of "harassing my elderly family members" over minor issues. One particularly vivid example cites "a 10 day notice to power wash their mobile home and it was given while snow was on the ground! Clearly they can’t accomplish this task in this time frame. Nor was it warranted." These accounts indicate potential challenges with management's flexibility, communication, and responsiveness to resident circumstances.

Other feedback directly addresses financial concerns, with a resident stating, "All she does is raise the lot rent and acts like she owns everyone's trailers, she charges whatever she feels like so she can ride around in brand new cars. DO NOT MOVE HERE IT WILL BE THE ABSOLUTE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOULL EVER MAKE 0.0 STARS ITS A DUMP." This strong sentiment points to significant dissatisfaction with rising costs and perceived lack of value. It also mentions "street conditions, falling trees/ limbs and park owned lots" as indicators of general property maintenance issues.

This article aims to provide a factual overview of Harvest Square Mobile Home, drawing directly from publicly available information and resident reviews. It's crucial for prospective residents to be fully informed about these aspects to make a decision that aligns with their expectations for a home and a community. We will delve into the community's location, what services are typically offered in such parks, and other pertinent details, all while maintaining a factual and professional tone.

Harvest Square Mobile Home is situated at 5646 Springfield-Urbana Pike, Urbana, OH 43078, USA. This location places the community along a main thoroughfare connecting Urbana to Springfield, two significant cities in central Ohio. Urbana itself is the county seat of Champaign County, offering a small-town atmosphere with access to essential services.

The position on Springfield-Urbana Pike (which is US Route 68 for much of its length) means that residents have relatively direct access for commuting between Urbana and Springfield. Springfield offers a broader range of employment opportunities, larger retail centers, and more extensive healthcare facilities, making this route a crucial artery for daily life for many in the region. The commute between Urbana and Springfield is typically manageable, providing a balance for those who prefer the quieter living of Urbana but work or seek services in a larger city.

Within Urbana, the community's location provides access to local amenities. Grocery stores, schools, dining options, and other local businesses in Urbana are within a reasonable driving distance. The area around Urbana also offers natural attractions and recreational opportunities, such as the Cedar Bog Nature Preserve and various local parks, appealing to those who enjoy outdoor activities.

However, resident feedback regarding "street conditions, falling trees/ limbs" within the park suggests that while the external location on a pike provides good connectivity, the internal infrastructure and maintenance within the community itself may be a concern. For potential residents, it is important to physically assess these conditions. Despite these internal concerns, the external accessibility via Springfield-Urbana Pike remains a key characteristic of the community's location, offering a practical link to both local and regional resources in Ohio.

Harvest Square Mobile Home operates on a lot lease model, meaning residents own their manufactured homes and lease the individual lots. Based on available public data and resident feedback, the services primarily relate to the provision of the leased land and basic community infrastructure.

• Lot Rental: The fundamental service provided is the leasing of individual lots for manufactured homes. Residents pay a monthly lot rent. Public data suggests a monthly HOA fee (which often encompasses lot rent) of around $400 or potentially lower, with some listings showing lot rent as low as $27-$28 per month. However, resident reviews strongly indicate that lot rent has been subject to frequent increases and is perceived as unreasonably high by some ("All she does is raise the lot rent").
• Community Management: There is a management entity responsible for the park's operations, including setting and enforcing community rules, collecting rent, and overseeing maintenance. However, significant resident feedback points to "terrible management," issues with "harassment," "insufficient notices given for extremely minor things," and difficulty with communication, particularly when residents "mention a concern that would fall on them."
• Utility Connections: Manufactured home parks typically provide the necessary infrastructure for individual homes to connect to utilities such as water, sewer, and electricity. Public records for homes in Harvest Square indicate connections to public sewer and supplied water, and natural gas for heating. Residents are generally responsible for paying their individual utility bills, separate from lot rent.
• Rules and Regulations: Like all manufactured home communities, Harvest Square Mobile Home would have a set of rules and regulations that residents are expected to follow, covering aspects like property appearance (e.g., power washing, as mentioned in a review), maintenance of individual lots, and conduct within the community. Resident feedback suggests these rules may be enforced inconsistently or with insufficient notice.
• Roads and Common Area Maintenance: The park management is typically responsible for maintaining internal roads and common areas. However, resident reviews mention "street conditions, falling trees/ limbs" and concerns about "park owned lots," suggesting that the maintenance of these areas may be a point of dissatisfaction for residents.

Harvest Square Mobile Home in Urbana, Ohio, offers certain fundamental features typical of manufactured home communities. However, it's crucial to present these alongside significant concerns raised by residents.

• Affordable Homeownership Potential: A primary characteristic of Harvest Square, common to manufactured home communities, is the opportunity for a more accessible path to homeownership. Manufactured homes generally have a lower purchase price than traditional stick-built homes, which can make homeownership attainable for more Ohioans. Residents own their home, building equity in their dwelling.
• Location on a Main Thoroughfare: Being situated on Springfield-Urbana Pike provides relatively easy access to both Urbana and the larger city of Springfield, offering convenience for commuters and access to a wider range of services and employment.
• Individual Lot Leases: Residents lease their individual lots, providing a defined space around their home, which can offer more privacy than apartment living.
• Public Utilities Available: Homes within the park have access to essential public utilities, including public sewer, supplied water, and natural gas for heating.
• Opportunity for Home Improvement: As residents own their homes, they have the ability to renovate and improve their property, as exemplified by the review mentioning a home being "redone inside and out" after purchase from the park.

However, it is essential to present the significant challenges and negative feedback reported by residents, as these strongly influence the living experience:

• Severe Management Issues: Multiple reviews highlight "terrible management" characterized by "harassment," "retaliation," and a perceived lack of empathy, particularly towards elderly residents. Difficulty in addressing concerns with management is explicitly mentioned.
• Unreasonable Lot Rent Increases: A major concern is the frequent and seemingly arbitrary increase in lot rent, described as "ridiculous" and driven by management's whims rather than improvements.
• Poor Park Maintenance: Residents report concerns about "street conditions, falling trees/ limbs and park owned lots," indicating that overall park maintenance might be insufficient despite rising costs.
• Inconsistent Rule Enforcement: Feedback suggests rules (like power washing homes) are enforced without sufficient notice or consideration for practical circumstances (e.g., snow on the ground, health issues, financial resources).
• Strained Resident Relations: The overall tone of the negative reviews indicates a highly adversarial relationship between residents and management, leading to stress and dissatisfaction.

Based on the provided public data and particularly the strong resident feedback, there is no information available that suggests Harvest Square Mobile Home is currently offering any promotions or special offers. The existing reviews focus heavily on dissatisfaction with management, rising costs, and perceived lack of value, rather than any incentives for new or existing residents.

In a typical manufactured home community, promotions might include:

• Reduced Lot Rent: A temporary discount on monthly lot rent for a set period.
• Move-in Incentives: Assistance with relocation costs, waived application fees, or credits towards initial expenses.
• Home Purchase Specials: If the park or an affiliated dealer sells homes, there might be special pricing, financing options, or upgrades included with a new home purchase.

Given the significant concerns raised by current and former residents regarding management practices and lot rent increases, prospective residents should exercise extreme caution when considering this community. Any inquiries about pricing, fees, or potential offers should be made directly to the park management, but it is also advisable to seek a clear and comprehensive breakdown of all costs and terms in writing. Due to the nature of the feedback, it is paramount for prospective residents to fully understand all financial commitments and community rules before making any decisions.

For those who wish to directly contact Harvest Square Mobile Home for inquiries, despite the noted concerns, you can use the following details:

• Address: 5646 Springfield-Urbana Pike, Urbana, OH 43078, USA
• Phone: (937) 826-2400
• Mobile Phone: +1 937-826-2400

When contacting management, it is advisable to be prepared with specific questions regarding:

• Current lot rent rates and any history of increases.
• All additional fees (e.g., utility charges, maintenance fees).
• The exact pet policy, if applicable.
• Details on park maintenance, especially roads, common areas, and tree care.
• Clarification on how community rules are communicated and enforced.
• Procedures for addressing resident concerns or complaints.

It would also be prudent to request all information in writing and to retain records of any communications.

For Ohioans exploring housing options, particularly those seeking affordable homeownership in the Urbana area, Harvest Square Mobile Home presents a complex picture. Based on the candid feedback from residents, it is imperative for locals to approach this community with a high degree of caution and a thorough understanding of the potential challenges, rather than simply its theoretical suitability.

On the surface, the primary suitability factor for Harvest Square, like many manufactured home communities, is the promise of more affordable homeownership. For individuals or families in Ohio looking to purchase their own dwelling at a lower entry point than traditional stick-built homes, and potentially build equity, this model can be appealing. The location on Springfield-Urbana Pike also offers practical access to both Urbana's local amenities and the larger services and employment opportunities of Springfield, which could be beneficial for commuters. Having individual lots can also offer more personal space than apartment living.

However, the extensive and severe negative feedback from residents significantly diminishes the perceived suitability of Harvest Square Mobile Home for locals. Concerns about "terrible management," described as harassing and retaliatory, are paramount. The instances cited, such as demanding power washing in winter or for already re-painted homes, and stressing elderly residents, point to a highly adversarial and unsupportive living environment. For Ohioans seeking a peaceful and respectful community, these accounts suggest a stark contrast to desired living conditions.

Furthermore, the recurring complaint about frequent and seemingly arbitrary increases in lot rent, described as "ridiculous" and a means for management to accrue wealth, presents a significant financial instability. For locals relying on affordable housing, unpredictable and rising costs can undermine the very benefit that manufactured home living is supposed to provide. The noted issues with "street conditions, falling trees/ limbs and park owned lots" further indicate a potential lack of investment in community upkeep, despite the alleged rising costs.

Therefore, while the concept of affordable homeownership and a convenient location might initially draw attention to Harvest Square Mobile Home, the overwhelming negative experiences shared by residents regarding management practices, financial transparency, and property maintenance make it difficult to strongly recommend this community as "suitable" without significant reservations. For any Ohioan considering Harvest Square, it is absolutely crucial to conduct extensive due diligence beyond just visiting the property. This would include seeking to speak with multiple current residents (if possible), meticulously reviewing all lease agreements and rules, and obtaining a clear, written understanding of all current and potential future costs. The overall sentiment suggests that the challenges of living here may outweigh the initial appeal of affordability for many.

Harvest Square Mobile Home

5646 Springfield-Urbana Pike, Urbana, OH 43078, USA