Mobile Home Investing - Dealer License in NJ

[Christine Lenz]

Hi there, 

I'm new to investing and have found that I have an interest in mobile home investing. While researching this niche I read that most states at some point require you to obtain a dealer license in order to buy and sell mobile homes. I live in NJ and contacted the Department of Motor Vehicle to get more info. I explained that I'm interested in purchasing mobile homes primarily in mobile home parks and either flipping them or owner financing them. I was told that in order to buy and sell mobile homes in NJ I would have to obtain a used car dealer license and meet all the mandatory requirements, one of which is showing proof that I have a physical office with signage and a lot that is large enough to park two units on. Obviously that requirement makes sense for an actual used car dealer, but not for mobile home investing. Unfortunately the person I spoke to could have cared less and could offer no alternatives. So I'm wondering if there are any New Jersey mobile home investors out there who might know the solution for my problem. 

Thanks 

[Tim Booz]

@Christine Lenz Are you looking to buy and sell them as an investor, or are you looking to open a business brokering mobile homes? I've never worked with mobile homes, so I'm stabbing in the dark here. The requirements for a "mobile home dealer license" sound very similar to those required for owning a real estate brokerage. I'm a broker, and I have to maintain proper signage, have a physical office, etc etc. That's because my company helps other people in buying and selling homes. If I were not a broker, and I were just selling my own properties that I own I wouldn't have to have an office or any of the other state requirements.

Is it possible that the law is being misinterpreted, and that buying/selling mobile homes for yourself does not require a dealer license?

If you find out I'd be interested to learn the answer...this is the first time I've come across this issue.

Maybe check in with the NJ Manufactured Housing Association?