Hi September -- This past Thursday, I heard a talk by an attorney who invests in "wobbly boxes" in the midwest someplace. He buys them for $3,000, fixes them up a bit, and sells 'em for $9,000 to $10,000. I don't know what kind of condition the units are in.

The way he acquires the properties is by cultivating relationships with several parks that are independently owned (not franchises or chains). The owners can't afford to have the homes empty, bec. they lose the lot rents when they are. So they are happy to let him know when a trailer hasn't sold.

In Florida, I was more interested in getting a home for myself in a park where one owns the lot. They ran $50,000 to $70,000 in Palm Beach County, but I found a park in Martin County -- less populated and chic -- where a member of the Board of Directors said you could buy a trailer and lot for around $30K. He added that it would usually be a "pull out" that needed to replaced. The lots in Palm Beach County did account for around $30,000 of the purchase price.

The best way to look for trailers is to go around to the lots and look at the bulletin boards for sales.

I hope things work out for you, September, and you find the solution that is just perfect for you. These kinds of worries are too stressful for us.