Mobile Home Investing: The Accessible Path to Real Estate Wealth
TL;DR: Condo owners in Fort Walton Beach are listing fast due to spiking insurance, repairs, and HOA fees. For retirees and investors, this could be a golden opportunity if you know what to avoid.
Mobile home investing isn’t flashy, but it’s working. Investors are flipping homes for big margins, creating affordable housing, and breaking into real estate without a six-figure bankroll.
Back in 2017, Byron and Sharnice Sellers heard about it on a podcast. They started with a $10,000 loan, bought two mobile homes for $4,300 total, and walked away with nearly $20,000 profit in two months. That side hustle became their full-time business.
Why mobile homes?
Because most people overlook them. But here’s what they’re missing:
You can start with just a few thousand dollars
Demand stays strong during downturns
Returns rival or beat traditional real estate
It's opening doors for investors who’ve been shut out of other markets
Manufactured housing now shelters 21 million Americans. It's the country’s largest source of unsubsidized low-income housing. And it’s growing fast. Shipments of new homes are up 60 percent over the past decade.
Multi-Housing News puts it bluntly: “Demand is through the roof. Supply is barely catching up. Rents are accelerating. Occupancy is at an all-time high.”
What makes them so affordable?
Buyers usually don’t pay for land, just the structure
Factory construction keeps costs low
Lower taxes and insurance due to how they’re classified
Mobile homes used to depreciate like cars. Not anymore. Between 2018 and 2023, the average sales price rose nearly 60 percent. They now appreciate at about 5 percent annually, similar to traditional homes.
How investors find deals
Successful mobile home investors aren’t just scrolling Zillow. They’re out in the field.
Park relationships: Some, like Mersadez and Devon Joseph in South Carolina, drive through mobile home parks and flag abandoned units. After chatting with park managers, they’ve flipped 20 homes and made about $250,000.
Rural properties: Others look for homes on land. One Alabama investor bought a mobile home for a dollar and sold it for $30,000 after some rehab.
Renovation: Some units just need a deep clean. Others need flooring, insulation, windows, and more. After repairs, homes sell on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, often with seller financing.
Teaching the model
Byron and Sharnice now train other investors. They’ve helped over 17,000 people get started, mostly from underrepresented backgrounds. These days, they earn more from teaching than flipping.
Plenty of others are following suit, from TikTok creators like “Mobile Home Bae” to YouTubers sharing full walkthroughs.
One couple’s story
Jenisha and DaVon Nelson took the Sellers’ online course in 2020. After moving to South Carolina, they closed 13 deals by doing the basics. They introduced themselves to park managers, handed out doughnuts, and wore branded shirts as conversation starters.
“It’s a way of life now,” Jenisha says.
What’s next?
This niche is getting attention. Housing advocates want better protections for mobile home residents. Zoning reforms and new standards could change how the industry operates.
Meanwhile, big money is moving in. Between 2020 and 2021, institutional investors bought 23 percent of manufactured homes. Blackstone and others are betting big on the sector because it’s posting the highest returns in real estate — around 22 percent annually.
The bottom line
Right now, mobile home investing is still wide open for everyday investors. It’s affordable, profitable, and filling a real need in today’s market.
Or as Byron Sellers put it: “Where else in America are you going to find a move-in-ready house for less than $30,000 to $50,000?”
FAQ
Do mobile homes really appreciate in value?
Yes. While older models used to lose value, modern mobile homes are appreciating at roughly 5 percent per year.
Is this a good investment for beginners?
Absolutely. With low upfront costs and a clear demand, mobile homes offer a realistic entry point into real estate.
Where do I find mobile homes to invest in?
Start with park managers, Craigslist, and driving for dollars. The best deals usually aren’t listed.
How do I sell a mobile home after I fix it up?
Most investors use Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and park referrals. Some offer seller financing to speed up the process.
