Buying a Mobile Home in Ocala, FL? How to Choose a Dealer

10/26/2026

If you live in Ocala or elsewhere in Marion County and you're shopping for a manufactured or mobile home, you have more choices than ever, and that can make it hard to know where to start. This guide covers what to look for when choosing a dealer, how to check a dealer's license in Florida, and the questions worth asking before you sign anything. It comes from Diamond Homes Center, a mobile home dealer in East Palatka, in neighboring Putnam County.

Start by checking the license

In Florida, mobile home dealers are licensed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The mobile home dealer license, known as a DH license, is the one that "allows licensed mobile home dealers to buy, sell or deal in mobile homes" (FLHSMV). FLHSMV also publishes a list of licensed dealers.

Installation is licensed separately. According to FLHSMV, mobile home dealers that pull permits or set up homes are required to have an installer license (FLHSMV installer FAQ). So if a dealer tells you they'll handle setup, it's fair to ask who the licensed installer is.

What to look for in a dealer

Once you know a dealer is licensed, here's what makes the difference for an Ocala buyer:

• Homes you can walk through: Floor plans online are a good start, but walking through a finished model tells you far more about layout, storage and finish quality.
• More than one manufacturer: Each builder has its own styles, sizes and price points. A dealer with several lets you compare side by side.
• Different ways to buy: Some buyers want to order a home for land they already own. Others want a home that's ready now, or a land-and-home package.
• Help with financing: Ask whether the dealer can point you to lenders who finance manufactured homes.
• Clear answers on setup and delivery: Get a written breakdown of what the price includes and what you'll need to arrange.

Ask to see real homes

It's worth making the drive to see homes in person. Diamond Homes Center in East Palatka has a display center with current model homes you can tour. A few of the homes featured on its site:

The Moon Stone. Two bedrooms, two baths, 1,040 sq ft, 26' x 48'. See the Moon Stone.

The Black Pearl. Four bedrooms, three baths, 2,136 sq ft, 29'8" x 72'. See the Black Pearl.

The Smokey Garnet. Four bedrooms, two baths, 1,904 sq ft, 29'8" x 64'. See the Smokey Garnet.

The Pearl. Three bedrooms, two baths, 1,135 sq ft, 14'10" x 76'. See the Pearl.

Prices aren't posted online for these homes, so call or stop by for a quote. You can browse everything on display on the current model homes page.

Compare manufacturers

Diamond Homes Center names Champion Homes, Home of Merit and Live Oak Homes among the manufacturers it works with, and its catalog also includes homes from builders such as Scotbilt Homes. Ask any dealer which factory builds the home you're considering, since warranty, construction details and lead times can differ from one builder to the next.

Know your options: order, move-in ready or under construction

Not every buyer is starting from the same place. Diamond Homes Center sorts its homes into a few groups that make it easier to shop:

Model homes you can tour at the display center and order for your own land.

Move-in-ready homes, including land-and-home packages, for buyers who want to move sooner. See the move-in-ready homes page.

Homes under construction, so you can see what's coming next. See the under-construction homes page.

If you own land in Marion County, ordering a model may be the right path. If you'd rather skip the site work, a move-in-ready option may fit better.

Questions to ask before you buy

Is the dealer licensed, and who is the installer? Check FLHSMV's list and ask for the installer's name.

What does the price include? Delivery, setup, skirting, steps and A/C can all vary.

What will my county require? Permits and setup rules are handled locally, so ask the dealer how they handle permitting for an Ocala-area address.

How can I finance it? Diamond Homes Center lists financing options on its financing page.

Can I furnish it? Diamond Homes Center is a certified Ashley Furniture dealer, which some buyers find handy when setting up a new home.

Visit Diamond Homes Center in East Palatka

Diamond Homes Center is at 256 US-17, East Palatka, FL 32131, and works with buyers from Ocala and Marion County as well as Palatka, Satsuma, Hastings and the surrounding area. Call 386-267-2224 to plan a visit to the display center, or reach out through the contact page with the floor plans you'd like to see.