Small manufactured home sales lot

Families and individuals buying a home for a park space or their own land, plus investors and landlords buying rental units.

The margin between what you pay for a home and the selling price, plus fees for delivery, setup and extras such as skirting, steps or air conditioning.

• Sales and customer service
• Managing inventory and cash flow
• Coordinating contractors and deliveries

• State dealer license, surety bond and lot standards, which vary widely, so check with your state agency
• Local zoning for display homes and sales lots, plus any signage rules
• Display homes and stock are the biggest cost: even with floor plan financing, lenders usually want a down payment, and holding costs build up if homes sit unsold
• Transport permits, installer licensing and who is responsible for damage in transit
• General liability and garage or dealer insurance, plus workers' compensation if you hire
• Sales tax and title rules for homes, which differ by state

Estimates put startup costs typically around $150,000 to $600,000, depending on the display homes and stock you buy and your site. Even with floor plan financing, lenders usually want a down payment, and holding costs build if homes sit unsold.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on how many homes you sell, whether they are new or used, and your pricing. The estimate assumes at least about 35 hours a week.

Check your state dealer license, surety bond and lot standards with your state agency, plus local zoning and signage rules. Also check transport permits, installer licensing, dealer insurance, workers' compensation if you hire, and state sales tax and title rules.