I'm pretty familiar with  traditional home values or at least where to look and who to contact, but how can I find MH values?

If you're looking for a traditional  loan, you will need at least 2 years of the same TYPE of employment shown from your taxes (so if you're an engineer, you will need to continue work as an engineer), and they wont like if there's more than a 6 month gap, so it may be best if you are employed  before you move.Anyways, good luck with whatever decision you make! 

about half of the insurance companies do not like to do these deals as they do not fit the traditional Condo association policy or the traditional apartment policy, but it can done.

Such a plan can also invest in traditional stocks, etc.If you are self employed in any way, you would want to explore the Solo 401k format.  

I'm rewriting my lease and have traditionally used a 30 day notice.

Should I stick with the traditional single family or maybe look for a duplex?  

My friend should have went to a traditional lender not one that specializes in temp to perm loans and transactional funding. 

When I asked him if he ever received a letter "we buy houses cash"... he said no.... he never did in many years.I was surprised and thought... maybe there are good opportunities.... vacation homes are typically the first ones someone wants to sell when is distressed and have lesser sentimental value for the owner and typically have some equity (as traditional financing asks for bigger down payments to get a mortgage for vacation homes then residence)Can you share your experience buying under priced houses on vacation places (beach or ski resorts)? 

Real estate interests me because I feel like I've already done all I can (conservatively) with traditional investing (stock market, bonds, etc.) for now and I'd like to pay myself for housing instead of other people while I go to school. 

Keep in mind that the "counter" is not a counter at all in the traditional sense.