
6 Ways to Make Money Investing In Mobile Homes
- 1. Buy, Sell and Finance – Be the Lender. ...
- 2. Buy and Hold – Be a Landlord. ...
- 3. Buy and Sell Retail. ...
- 4. Buy and Wholesale – to Other Investors. ...
- 5. Private Money – Be the Lender to Investors. ...
- 6. Bird Dog – Look For Deals for Other Investors.
Full Answer
Is buying a mobile home a good investment?
When you compare the total housing costs, including money down, the monthly payment and other costs, buying a mobile home is a good investment. You have to come up with less money and you’re paying less on a monthly basis. In addition, the following features tend to be appealing to potential homebuyers:
Are mobile homes a bad investment?
Wrong! Mobile homes are a terrible investment because they drop in value super fast. Sure, $80,000 seems like a great deal now, but when it’s time for John and Debbie to move on, they’re going to see just how much money they threw away by “saving” on that mobile home. Find expert agents to help you buy your home.
How to start mobile home investing?
Things to Know Before Starting a Mobile Home Park?
- Choose the Right Location. There are several things to know when looking to invest in a mobile home park. ...
- Obtain Proper Selection Guidance. In addition to picking the right location, you need to have an eye for recognizing a potentially great park to buy.
- Know the Financial Requirements of Starting a Mobile Home Park. ...
- Make Inquiries and Decisions. ...
How do I invest in mobile homes?
This includes:
- Keep income bracket in mind
- “Look up, look down, look all around.” Examine the mobile home for leaks
- Don’t put in carpet
- Think longevity
- Check out neighbors
- Try used appliances
- Find a contractor who specializes in mobile homes

Is flipping mobile homes profitable?
Flipping mobile homes is a quick way to make money. You can buy a mobile home at a low price and sell it after renovation. It can earn you a good net profit.
Is it smart to invest in mobile homes?
Mobile homes are a terrible investment because they drop in value super fast—the same way your car loses value the second you drive it off the lot. Investing in a mobile home isn't like investing in real estate. Why? Because the land the mobile home sits on is real estate, but the home is considered personal property.
How can I increase the value of my mobile home?
Upgrades That Can Increase the Value of Your Manufactured HomeReplace Old Skirting and Siding. ... Add Insulation. ... Make Energy-Efficient Door and Window Upgrades. ... Add on to Your Manufactured Home. ... Consider Less Expensive Upgrades. ... “Upgrade” Your Manufactured Home's Classification.
Can you make money with a trailer park?
Trailer parks are big and profitable business – particularly after hundreds of thousands of Americans who lost their homes in the financial crisis created a huge demand for affordable housing.
Are mobile homes a good investment in 2021?
Mobile homes will continue to be the best option for those unable to pay the high costs of conventional homes and ever-increasing apartment rents. Mobile home parks are typically 1/3 the cost of a single-family house or 1/2 that of an equivalent apartment building in the same community.
Do mobile homes build equity?
Like stick-built homes, mobile homes can build equity. The equity in your home is the difference between how much the home is worth and how much money you still owe on it.
What is the downside of buying a mobile home?
A disadvantage of buying a mobile home is that its value will depreciate quickly. Like a new car, once a mobile home leaves the factory, it quickly drops in value. Stick-built homes, on the other hand, normally appreciate in value over time because the stick-built home owner almost always owns the underlying land.
How long does a mobile home roof last?
The average shingle roof last about 13 years or so, depending on the environment. The benefit is it costs less to install, and may look prettier, than say, a steel roof which may last 40+ years, but has a higher upfront cost of installation.
How much does a mobile home depreciate per year?
In general, mobile homes depreciate at about 3-3.5% a year. Working out how much your manufactured house has depreciated can help you to fairly accurately determine the current value of your home. For example, a home that originally cost $50,000 will be worth $ 41,000 after six years.
Is a mobile home an asset?
As a result, you might find an affordable mobile home that will last you a long time. And although mobile homes go down in value and can be difficult to sell, a mobile home is an asset that you can sell when you are ready to move (unlike an apartment you rent).
Why are mobile home parks a good investment?
Low volatility: Mobile home parks are lower-risk, recession-resistant investments. They have the ability to produce predictable cash flow, even when markets crash, because they are consistently in high demand. And their performance is not correlated with the stock market, the economy, or other real estate classes.
What are the benefits of owning a mobile home?
5 Benefits of Manufactured HomesAffordable. Manufactured homes are generally less costly when compared to stick built homes of a similar size, but the savings don't stop there. ... Environmentally Friendly. The negative impact to the environment tends to be lower with manufactured homes. ... Reliable Construction. ... Flexibility.
Do mobile homes appreciate in value?
Myth: Manufactured homes do not appreciate in value like other forms of housing. Instead, manufactured homes depreciate in market value, similar to the way automobiles lose value each day.
Do mobile homes lose value?
A disadvantage of buying a mobile home is that its value will depreciate quickly. Like a new car, once a mobile home leaves the factory, it quickly drops in value. Stick-built homes, on the other hand, normally appreciate in value over time because the stick-built home owner almost always owns the underlying land.
Is purchasing a manufactured home a good investment?
So are manufactured homes a good investment? Manufactured homes are a great investment for those looking for a starter home or retirement home. They are affordable and offer all the same amenities as conventional homes. While secure financing is the main con, the many advantages make manufactured homes worth it.
Is a manufactured home a good investment property?
Data and history show that manufactured homes are quickly becoming the preferred choice over site-built homes. Rising sales, low costs, and the freedom to have a home with equivalent amenities as a site-built home are selling points for the people that rent them, making this asset an investment winner.
Who owns mobile home parks?
However, it will require a huge amount of work on your end. Many mobile home parks are owned by “mom-and-pop” manager/owners. In many cases, these parks could do with a sprucing up, higher tenancy rates, and an update of rent.
How long do mobile homes last?
However, this should only really concern you if we are talking about an older mobile home. Today’s mobile homes are built up to high standards thanks to the HUD code. Some homes are guaranteed for up to 50 years, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t last much longer than that.
How can I make a park more profitable?
So, right from the get-go, you could make the park more profitable and a higher ROI simply by placing a few adds and bringing the rent up to speed. In some cases, new owners managed to double (or even triple) the rent without losing any tenants simply because it’s so cheap and there are no similar alternatives.
Can you flip a mobile home?
The only thing we would caution against is flipping much older mobile homes or ones in a bad condition. If there is something significantly wrong with the actual structure of the home, it may very well not be worth it to fix up the existing issues and renovate or remodel it. Check first if the home is still up to the HUD code before you do anything.
Can you rent out a mobile home?
You can purchase a unit in a mobile home park where you lease the land and rent out the home. Not all parks allow this, but it is a nice low-effort option. Alternatively, as we’ve discussed before, you can put a mobile home on a piece of land you own. Then, you decide whether to rent them out separately or as one unit.
Is there a market for mobile homes?
With more and more middle-class families resorting to mobile homes for their share of the American Dream, there is definitely a market for attractive mobile homes with curb appeal.
Can you move a multi-ton home?
As you can expect, moving a multi-ton home with dimensions as big as 90 ft. is no small feat. Consider the difficulty of moving these homes, the risk involved, the equipment required, and the high cost (s). Furthermore, this means that most owners cannot move their own homes, making them less “mobile” than they sound. Mobile home movers who are able to do this can, therefore, charge a premium for their services.
What is the best way to buy a mobile home?
Cash: A cash buyer is, obviously, the easiest—and entirely possible given the price of mobile homes. If your home is not in fantastic condition or you owe a lot on the home, a cash buyer might be your best option. The one downside is cash buyers usually have their pick of homes, so you might have to go down on the price to get the deal done.
What to consider when selling a mobile home?
With a mobile home, you'll need to consider two separate factors: the value of the land (if you own it), and the value of the mobile home.
How does owner financing work?
The way it works is the buyer gives you a down payment, and you agree on repayment terms for the rest of the loan. The title is transferred with the down payment, but you put a lien on the property until it’s paid off. You’ll need a lawyer to help you put this kind of agreement together, and you’ll want to research your buyer thoroughly to ensure he or she is a good bet.
How to close a home when selling?
Once you find a qualified buyer, go through the inspection process, and get the funding in place, it will be time to close. If you’re selling the home and land below it, your closing process will be similar to a traditional home’s process; if you’re selling only the home, it will be more like selling a car (and you might need to visit the DMV with your buyer to get the job done).
How to sell a home without an agent?
However, if you decide to sell the home yourself without an agent, you’ll need to do a lot of legwork—starting with advertising to make sure people know your home’s for sale. Talk to your park owner, who might have ideas, and wherever you list, explain what kinds of financing you are able to accept, as well as the price, location, square footage, age and make of the home, and any other pertinent information.
When do you transfer title to new owner?
In either case, you will transfer the title to the new owner when the money has changed hands. If you are doing owner financing, make sure your name is added as a lien holder when the title is transferred, and remove the lien only after the loan is fully paid off.
Can you sell a manufactured home?
About half of the people who live in manufactured homes own the land their homes are on, so it’s very common to sell a manufactured home in what’s called a “lot lease” situation—where the home is on land leased from someone else, usually in a park or community. If so, keep in mind that the administration of the park will have some veto power over whom you sell your home to, so you need to get the administration involved, too.
What are the advantages of mobile homes?
Again, the advantage of mobile homes is that they are less costly than regular single family homes. Remember, if you are selling retail you need to make sure you know your market well before you buy so you'll know what you can sell the home for. As in any type of retail venture, figure in a conservative amount for repair and holding costs.
Do mobile homes require cash?
Since mobile homes are less costly than single family homes, it will require a significantly less amount of cash. As the lender, it will require less time and is hands off – you just collect payments. If you are going to be lending money, be sure to have a criteria made up of exactly how much you are willing to lend, ...
Can you buy and wholesale to other investors?
If you're looking to build up some cash and want to sell fast, you can always buy and wholesale to other investors. If you are planning to wholesale, be sure you have a buyers list and criteria from your buyers of what they are looking for, how much they want to spend and what areas they will buy.
How to invest in mobile homes?
When it comes to investing in mobile homes, there are basically two types of methods to invest in them: 1 Investing in mobile homes in parks 2 Investing in mobile homes on land
What Is Mobile Home Investing?
When it comes to investing in mobile homes, there are basically two types of methods to invest in them:
What is Rachel's book Adventures in Mobile Homes about?
Rachel’s book, Adventures in Mobile Homes, is a modern version of how to get started in mobile home investing from her viewpoint as Lonnie’s student and her own experiences as a mobile home investor.
When did Tony start investing in real estate?
As a former police lieutenant, Tony started investing in real estate in 2001. Also a student of Lonnie’s, Tony started buying mobile homes in parks. Though after a while, he soon began to buy mobile homes on land. And got out of buying mobile homes in parks altogether.
Can you sell a mobile home and land together?
If you sell the home, you can sell it for cash or for payments .
Can you buy a mobile home in a park?
When it comes to investing in mobile homes in parks, you basically only buy the home but not the land where the home sits. In this case, you own the mobile home as personal property (not attached to land). But not the land underneath the home. As for the land, that is owned by the mobile home park.
Do mobile homes have to be owned by residents?
Regarding the mobile homes themselves, it will depend whether or not the homes are owned by the residents or not owned by the residents (which then are owned by the park or individual mobile home investors). As a mobile home investor, you receive money from the lot rent received for each mobile home on the lot.
How to prepare a mobile home for sale?
However, to prepare your mobile home for sale, before you start working on any repairs and upgrades, make sure you organize a home inspection and appraisal from a qualified inspector. It will help you estimate your home’s value and point you in the right direction regarding what needs fixing.
What is the most important factor in selling a mobile home?
One of the most important factors in selling anything is to know your audience. Are you selling a mobile home in a community, or selling a pet-friendly home? There are many benefits to knowing your audience and it’s ideal to think through these details during the planning phase.
What does a mobile home appraisal tell you?
Mobile home insurance records – these will tell your buyer what they are getting as they show the complete history of your mobile home.
How to organize an open house?
Staging your home – when you organize an open house, you need to make sure your home is spotlessly clean, tidy, and neat . Also, remember that first impressions matter, so don’t forget the garden: trim the hedges, powerwash your home exterior, add some flowers, etc. Finally, make your interior look homey and cozy, but allow the visitors to imagine themselves in that space. Therefore, it might be a good idea to remove your family photos and anything too personal.
Why is the mobile home in Des Moines selling faster?
Well, perhaps the Des Moines mobile home will sell faster because there are fewer homes for buyers to consider. But, maybe the mobile home in Miami is newer and near the water on an attractive lot. It can also depend on what the goal is for each individual seller.
What factors determine the price of a mobile home?
Location, the home’s condition, land and title, and the home model are also significant factors that will indicate the right price. There are many factors to consider when setting the price for your mobile home. Location is a huge pricing factor. Naturally, a home in a desirable area will have more value.
What does a good agent do for a mobile home?
Depending on your individual circumstance, an agent will provide you with tailor-made solutions and advice. Also, along with getting all the necessary information in order to plan a successful and fast sale, house appraisal, and inspection must be included in the process.
Why do we want to buy a mobile home?
We want to buy your mobile home because you don’t have time to deal with picky first-time buyers.
What happens when you sell a house for cash?
When you sell a home for cash, you know the amount of money you’ll walk away with. And you’ll get the cash sooner. You also don’t have to experience the stress of sifting through multiple offers or meeting the demands of picky buyers.
What did Barry decide to do to sell his home?
Take Barry’s experience selling his manufactured home as an example. Barry decided to use a real estate agent to sell his property, thinking he could get more money for it in the end.
What does "we buy your property as is" mean?
We buy your property As-Is – which means no costly fixes or repairs! You decide if the offer is right for you or not – no pressure.
Do reputable buyers exist?
Luckily, reputable buyers do exist and selling for cash doesn’t have to be a scary experience. Let’s take a closer look at other things to consider before you sell your home for cash.
Can you trust all cash buyers?
It really is as easy as that. Be careful though, because you can’t trust all-cash buyers. There are dishonest people out there who won’t hesitate to rip you off, give you a lowball offer or scam you out of time and money. Luckily, reputable buyers do exist and selling for cash doesn’t have to be a scary experience.
Can you sell a mobile home for cash?
Simply sell your house for cash. It really is as easy as that. Be careful though, because you can’t trust all- cash buyers.
How old do you have to be to buy a mobile home?
This means that you may not qualify for a conventional loan if you’re considering buying a used mobile home that is more than 15 years old.
What are the advantages of mobile homes?
Mobile and manufactured homes, while not as popular, have one big advantage: They typically offer more space or amenities for the money. Today’s companies manufacture homes at many price points, with options from economy to high-end. You can even purchase a home that looks as if it had been built on site. However, buying and financing a mobile ...
What is a double wide mobile home?
With a double-wide mobile home, the width is roughly equal to two single-wide units attached to each other, so that the mobile home tends to look more like ...
Can you buy a mobile home that has been built on site?
You can even purchase a home that looks as if it had been built on site. However, buying and financing a mobile or manufactured home is very different from traditional home buying and getting a mortgage. If you are thinking about buying a mobile or manufactured home, here is what you need to know:
Do you factor depreciation when considering a mobile home?
When you’re considering the cost of a mobile or manufactured home, don’t forget to factor in depreciation as an expense. Every type of home depreciates over time, but in the past, housing that was priced separately from land did not hold its value well.
Do you have to buy real estate when buying a mobile home?
When you buy a new mobile home, you also must buy or rent real estate where you can place your new home.
Does a manufactured home have a lower down payment?
Since it generally costs less to buy a mobile or manufactured home than to buy or build a traditional single-family home, a mobile or manufactured home loan may also come with a lower down payment.
How to sell a mobile home fast?
If you want to sell a mobile home fast, it’s critical to make sure that your paperwork is spotless, from the title to the closing documents.
How to sell a manufactured home before selling?
To do this, contact your county treasurer’s office and request a mobile home tax clearance letter. They’ll pull your tax records and send you a letter certifying that you’re paid up.
What is a mobile home seller's disclosure form?
A mobile home seller’s disclosure form establishes the condition of the manufactured home at the time of sale. You’ll need to list any structural or cosmetic issues that the home has, and the buyer will sign off to certify that each problem has been disclosed. Always err on the side of caution and disclose everything, even if it seems minor—failure to disclose can lead to legal problems further down the road.
What is a bill of sale for a mobile home?
The bill of sale establishes exactly which property is being transferred, how much the buyer is paying, and any other conditions of the sale. You can find free mobile home bill of sale templates online. The bill of sale will also often be accompanied by a packet of closing paperwork that includes additional documents like occupancy certificates, fire inspection certificates, and a letter establishing the closing location.
What is a mobile home title?
1. Home Title Transfer. A title is a government-issued certificate that establishes ownership of a piece of property. A manufactured home can be titled either as real estate ...
What do you need to know about manufactured home insurance?
The insurance records for your manufactured home will help tell the story of the home and ensure that the buyer knows what they’re getting. Specifically, the buyer will need to know if you’ve ever filed a manufactured home insurance claim for damage from fire, floods, theft, or other adverse events.
What is documentation for manufactured home?
The official documentation process will differ for every manufactured home community, and you may be asked to make property improvements or to involve park management in vetting potential buyers. Your community documentation will establish permission for you to sell your home, codify the terms, and provide any additional rules you’ll need to follow during the process.
How long does it take to build a house?
Build It provide a self-build planner with a guideline of 30 weeks to build a house from the ground up, once all permissions are obtained.
What do we invest in Wealthify?
We deal with brick and mortar through REITs, but we also add things like shares, bonds and commodities - like precious metals, energy and agriculture - to your Plan, or Stocks and Shares ISA. And with our fully managed service and low minimum investments, it makes it a lot easier, cheaper and simpler to invest with us than to make money by buying and selling property.
Can property developers make money?
Good property developers can make a decent amount of money with property, but how do they do it?
Do you have to pay the mortgage out of your own pocket?
You will also need to factor in the potential of the property being empty in the case of not being able to find a tenant or a transition period between tenants. This may mean that you’ll have to pay the mortgage out of your own pocket, so you’ll need to make sure that you have money available for this.
