My wife also had the notion that investing was pretty much the same as gambling.

This would be a fixer up and not something I would want to gamble on for my first MHP...

Without any income coming into you weekly you are taking a gamble that this free mobile home will be quick to repair, attractive to buyers, and lucrative enough to generate a nice payday or monthly income when rented or sold.

I just wish I could write off my gambling loses when I go down to vegas, but the CPA says that won't work.  

I imagine those that deal in prostitution, stolen merchandise, fake merchandise and illegal gambling may also launder their money.  

I will say, NJ is a gamble with crazy property taxes, but there are loads of people making it work.

Unless you think it will appreciate big time (always a gamble but hey, we all have our methods.)

It's fine to invest hoping for appreciation, but counting on appreciation as your sole business model is gambling with all the risk but none of the fun.If you want to keep it, I'd consider using it for a vacation rental. 

That is a gamble.

And im not just a wholesaler from Ca, ive no problem proving my authenticity to anyone.