mobile home installation

I can see a hefty investment up front. Before the first trailer is in place you need a plan for sewer, water, power, phone, cable. At least the main road in. You'd have to check local regulations for spaces and how many spots you can put in.

There are a lot of trailer parks also having financial problems and being sucked up by some investment company.

Unless I had a lot of experience in land development already, I'd not touch it.

Some trailers are supported by plain old concrete blocks. The installers put chunks of lumber on the blocks to level the trailers. Others drill holes in the ground then fill the holes with concrete. They'd have three or four pillars in the ground on each side to support the trailers. Then they do the blocking necessary to level the trailers.

Of course. A low spot invites mosquitoes. You'd want asphalt roads at least.

Not for me.

I would suspect that starting a brand new __permanent__ mobile home park - < ie : not a trailer park >

- on a piece of un-serviced property - would involve a ton of money ; a good lawyer and some connections with the county government. : community water well - supply and treatment ? : sewage treatment ? : electrical distribution capacity ? : any natural gas nearby ? : zoning changes ? : emergency services - fire ; ambulance ; police fees ? : roads dept. approvals for heavy traffic ? . . etc etc etc just getting warmed up !

The local municipality should be able to answer your question about specific mobile home building code issues.

Over the years, I've known people who lived in "trailer parks" < my Dad - in his early retirement years - by choice >

- they were all lovely people - unfortunately - some of their neighbours were not ... but that can happen in town ! John T

And DEFINITELY not for Micky. WAY beyond his pay grade.

Have you looked at the zoning? Most places will not let you start a new trailer park. Land zoned for trailers is a gold mine in Florida because it is getting rarer every day. Investment banks are not buying trailer parks because they are financially troubled, they buy them because the residents are stuck and they can be bled dry. They will make the owner an offer they can't refuse.

The 35+ acre park up the street from me just sold for $15.25 million. Rents immediately went up about 50%. The people have to pay or just walk away from their trailer because most can't be moved. (The new building code would kick in if they move)

It's supposed to have the zoning already, but that it might still need a building permit, right?

Ugh.

No problemo. Each trailer will use one of Micky's 100 ft 16 gauge extension cords. Or maybe put three trailers on one with a cord with a three headed end.

Like I said, if you can buy land zoned for trailers that ain't fumbuck Arkansas, It might be a good investment. You do have a big capital expense up front. Lots of land development to get utilities and services to their sites and maybe even a sewer plant if the city isn't there but as things are going, there are plenty of people who can only afford a mobile home and you can suck their blood out of them through their credit card. Welcome to being an HO gauge Berkshire Hathaway.

And I woulnd't want to build and rent an apartment building either.

Now I just have to convince my friend it's a bad idea.

Like I said in my other note, if it is legal zoning now and not likely to be in the near future, it might be a gold mine. (20 year time frame). If this is near a place with a population of lower middle class folks and an influx of new money Yuppies who think trailers are horrible (changing zoning rules) it might be an opportunity. In the mean time it is a reliable revenue stream because moving trailers is usually more than they are worth so you have a reliable renter. Just be ready to call a bill collector and foreclose. The guy who I know was rolling in money, still poor mouthing folks until he sold his 36 acres for over $15 million. The buyer didn't build luxury water front condos. He still has a 225 unit trailer park there. Minimal capital investment and a reliable revenue stream. That is why venture capital guys buy trailer parks.