Drive around the Coachella Valley and you’ll quickly notice: mobile home parks are everywhere—about 200 of them, to be exact. What many don’t realize is these parks represent the largest source of unsubsidized low-income housing in Riverside County.
Nationwide, an estimated 21 million Americans live in manufactured homes, and that number is growing. As home prices soar and interest rates fluctuate, mobile and modular homes are being viewed in a new light—not only as affordable housing, but as smart investment opportunities.
“There’s a new wave of entrepreneurs buying and flipping mobile homes,” said Fred Roggin during a recent segment. “The lower cost of entry is making this an attractive path, especially in a volatile housing market.”
Contributor Jill Marie Plaza shared her personal connection. “My family lives in them. I grew up around mobile homes—they’re really nice places to live,” she said. “Today’s manufactured homes are high-quality, and if you own the land, you’re in a great spot.”
Brad Ward admitted he was surprised by the mobile home flipping trend. “I didn’t even know that was a thing,” he said. “Historically, I thought they depreciated like cars, but in today’s market, that’s changing.”
Newer modular homes are now appreciating at roughly 5% a year—on par with traditional site-built homes.
“This makes sense,” added Brad. “We’re in a housing crisis. Affordable alternatives like these are going to keep gaining traction.”
And in a region where so many residents already rely on this kind of housing, the shift in perception is long overdue.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: Fred Roggin
April 24, 2025
