You could build a plumbing business and soon phase out of the physical work.

One thing that I would recommend is getting a PO Box to use as your return address if you don't have a physical office.  

I've been warning people for a very long time not to bid at the sales unless: 1. you know the rules2. do your due diligence3. physically see the propertyAt one sale a person from another country didn't know the difference from "free and clear" and "clouded title". 

They would know your account number easily.2nd, I quoted the part about the physical address vs PO Box.

I was thinking of looking elsewhere where prices are much less, though it would still be quite a large DP, and I don't feel comfortable buying properties I cannot physically visit as it's my first time. 

One of my most exciting was purchasing, owning and flipping 5 condos in Oklahoma over 5 year span without ever physically seeing the properties or ever visiting the State of Oklahoma.

The physical location was perfect for me even though the neighborhood itself was transitional.

Real estate has always interested me due to the fact that unlike investing in stocks, real estate is something you can actually see, change, and physically watch grow.

Your money might be better served assisting you to attain a physical earning asset.

if it were me, i would put the new trailer in. i'd offer it to the upper end of the blue collars as RTO/LP. whether they exercise the right to buy or not, the "new-ness" can command a higher monthly rent/payment. if you can find someone to put a sizable down payment proving intent on ownership, they ought to treat the property better.3rd option, just offer the lot for rent at $300-$400/mo. they can bring their own trailer. if they ever leave, it should be in the lease that if they leave the home on the lot more than 30 days beyond their move-out date, the trailer becomes your. for free. clean it up and rent it out again. save yourself from spending 30k up front.just make sure your Monthly rent - PITI = cash flow.