Mobile Home in Community- Bad idea?

[Melissa Lapinski]

I know some people who live in a nicer mobile home community in Lancaster, PA. I am a very beginner at this, so please be patient with me as I made sound ignorant. I am trying to learn as much as I can.

In this mobile home community, they have many amenities that are included in the lot rent like a pool, playground, gym, etc. They do however charge a hefty lot rent (I've heard anywhere from 400-650/month).

I know of a home in the community that has been vacant for a year now. The owner did not have any family to claim the house or the property inside. The people that run the community have been slowly cleaning out the property. Having said that, they only started doing that about 2 months ago and were only there maybe 3 times total. They had a dumpster outside of the home, so I am assuming (and no, I know I should assume anything yet) that they cleaned out the house including carpet.

I have not spoken to anyone at the community to hear any plans for the property or anything like that yet. I just wanted to throw out what I do know, get some advice on what I don't know, and go from there. It seems to me that the manager of the community is kind of dragging his feet on getting anything done with the house so maybe I can convince him to let me help him out and take the burden off of his hands.

Here are some of my main questions. First, I don't know much currently about how well the properties sell in the park, or if I would even be allowed to own it and rent it out. I do know that the park requires background checks on all residents. Is there a way I can find out if any of the houses are rented in there, and if so, how much are they renting for, etc. Could I find out from a realtor or should I go directly to speak with the management at the community?

My next question which is more of a concern is that maybe the house is in such bad shape and that's why they haven't moved much on it. If that is the case, then would it make sense for me to offer to put a new home there and then rent it out?

This is just a start of an idea, so please please any opinions are greatly appreciated. I know I have so much more to figure out and research but I was hoping to find out if anyone thinks that this MAY be a good idea, or if it's potentially a total flop.

Thank you!!