I tend to lean that way as well and don't mind jumping into the trenches and getting my hands dirty as I'm also a general & manufactured home contractor, manufactured home dealer and developer, real estate broker, investor and property manager.

I'm an Operations Manager for one of P&G's manufacturing plants that makes a bunch of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and that type of stuff. 

It was a 70's manufactured home on its own lot.

You may want to wait a few years before considering it, last time I read an article about it they were mentioning new technologies and manufacturing methods that will greatly reduce the cost of the panels.

Had a manufactured home added, developed the grounds What was the outcome?

Loan Fee Rates for Loans Closing On or After April 7, 2023 and prior to November 14,2031VA Purchase or Construction LoansDown Payment Amount Funding Fee PercentageFirst Use Less than 5% 2.15%5% or more 1.5%10% or more 1.25%Subsequent Use Less than 5% 3.3%5% or more 1.5%10% or more 1.25%VA Cash-Out RefinanceFunding Fee PercentageFirst Use 2.15%Subsequent Use 3.3%Other VA Home Loan TypesLoan Type Funding Fee PercentageInterest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRLs) 0.5%Manufactured Home Loans (not permanently affixed) 1%Loan Assumptions 0.5%Native American Direct Loan (Non-IRRRL) 1.25%Note: Reduced funding fee rates apply to loans made to purchase or construct a dwelling with aDownpayment of five percent or more of the purchase price.

My husband currently works in food manufacturing, and he thought a rental could help lower our tax bracket.

I agree with Bishoy,job growth and steady large employers are key to determining a healthy rental area.Indianapolis,Memphis and Dallas are great because they have affordable properties to buy to rent to steady employees like truck drivers,FedEx,UPS,and air cargo employees whose jobs aren't being shipped to China or anywhere else.Alabama has car and aircraft manufacturers growing and moving in there.North Carolina has techies escaping the high cost of California.God knows everybody is looking to move to Texas for manufacturing what little we still make in America.Georgia has become one of the biggest areas for filming Hollywood movies cheaper.That is where my money is headed in the next 3 years of buying properties.

In order for a bank to finance a manufactured home on land the home must be "permanently attached" to the ground with the axles removed and resting on blocks or on a foundation with skirting around the home.

Reason is banks and lenders will not touch a mobile/manufactured/modular unless it is on a permanent foundation.