Mobile on land-buy old and rehab or build new?

[Patrick Sears]

Hello,

I'm having troubles deciding on a business model to follow re: buy and hold mobiles on land.  Looking to here from other BP investors who have done this too.  My main issue is trying to decide between finding already existing single and doublewides on land that need fixing vs just buying new homes and placing them on land.  On paper the existing homes route seems cheaper (but not cheap like $15k-$20k like I see some posters talk about here!  More like $50k to start).  The reason I say "cheaper" is because with used stuff you inevitably end up with long rehab times, possible well and septic issues, etc.  Plus, even after you fix them up nice, the older mobile homes have HORRIBLE energy bills for your tenants.  

On the other hand, a new land home package would have brand new septic and well, and I could design the new home with whatever specs I wanted-Energy Star, strong roof and wall construction, etc that would last a long time.  

I've been veering towards mobiles on land because the inner-city stick-built is getting too expensive, even in the "ghetto".  FYI:  This is Central Virginia/Richmond I am talking about.  Plus, the suburban growth is heading in the direction of where I am thinking about concentrating.  This is a 10 year plan...

Thoughts?

p.s.  Anyone ever qualify as a builder with a manufactured home company and buy their homes at a discount to retail?