By Home Nation Published August 19th, 2025
When buying a mobile home, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to go factory direct or work with a dealer. Each route comes with its own pros, cons, and costs, and if you're a mobile home park (MHP) owner, the stakes are even higher.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving in, let's get one thing clear. Factories don’t sell to the public. To buy directly from a manufacturer, you’ll need to be a licensed dealer in your state. That means going through licensing tests, getting a bond and insurance, and sometimes even setting up a display lot. For a park owner who just wants to buy a few homes, all that red tape isn’t always worth it.
Now, if you're a park owner looking to place under ten homes, a dealer like Home Nation makes more sense. We ship straight from the factory and offer discounted pricing on bulk orders,without you needing a license or display lot.
What It Takes to Buy Direct
Buying direct can sound appealing. Skip the middleman, score wholesale pricing, and maybe pocket some margin. But there’s a catch. Most states require a dealer license for anyone buying new homes from the factory. That means:
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Completing state-specific education or testing
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Securing a commercial location
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Carrying insurance and a dealer bond
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Paying license and renewal fees
Take Florida, for example. You’ll need to register your business, get fingerprinted, carry liability insurance, and pay licensing fees. For someone planning to buy just a handful of homes per year, that’s a lot of overhead.
Related: What are the advantages of buying a mobile home over a regular home?
Dealer Route: Less Hassle, More Flexibility
Going through a dealer means less paperwork and upfront cost. It also means you can focus on your park, tenants, and operations instead of dealing with licensing. Home Nation, for example, offers park owners factory-direct prices,without requiring you to become a dealer.
And because we work directly with manufacturers, you still get access to new inventory, model choices, and customizations. The only difference is you don’t carry the burden of being the dealer yourself.
If you’re looking to buy a mobile home and don’t plan to make large purchases every year, going through a dealer can help you avoid licensing requirements, administrative headaches, and setup complications.
It’s a practical choice that saves time, reduces stress, and still gives you access to competitive pricing. You also get ongoing support without having to navigate the complex process of becoming a licensed dealer.
What Are You Really Saving Going Factory Direct?
Let’s talk margins. Many people assume dealers are making a killing, but in reality, their markup often ranges from 10-15%. That covers logistics, insurance, license fees, transport coordination, and service setup. If you go factory direct, you might shave that margin off the top,but you’ll spend time and money setting up the infrastructure yourself.
You’d also be solely responsible for delivery, setup, and warranty claims. And if something goes wrong? That’s all on you.
Related: Factory Direct vs Stick Built
When It Makes Sense to Get Licensed
If you plan to order 10 or more homes a year, becoming a dealer might pencil out. The savings on volume could cover the startup costs of licensing, insurance, and setup. But if you're just testing the market or ordering a few units annually, it's unlikely the effort will pay off.
That’s where Home Nation comes in. We serve park owners who want volume discounts and direct-from-factory access,without the hassle of licensing. You focus on growth. We handle the red tape.
Comparing Real-World Scenarios
Let’s say you're a small park owner in Ohio and want to place 5 new homes in your community. Getting a dealer license involves office space, fingerprinting, exams, insurance, and bonding. Total upfront cost could hit $10,000, plus time spent navigating the process.
Now imagine skipping all that and still getting competitive pricing through Home Nation. No license. No extra staff. No admin load. Just your homes, delivered.
That difference becomes even more obvious when you realize how unpredictable factory order backlogs and transport logistics can be. Dealers like us deal with it every day. You shouldn’t have to.
Different Homes, Different Rules
Not all homes are equal, and not all states treat them the same. Manufactured homes are regulated under HUD, while modular homes follow local building codes. That means site setup, permits, and inspections vary. A licensed dealer might help you avoid compliance issues. Or, with Home Nation, we’ll help you understand the requirements before you ever break ground.
Related: The Absolute Best Time To Buy a Mobile Home
Don’t Forget Financing and Insurance
Dealers can help with financing options for your manufactured home, especially if you’re purchasing several at once. Even if you're an investor with capital, some lenders will only work through licensed channels.
Insurance is another layer. Whether you’re setting up one home or a small community, you’ll need coverage. Your carrier might require proper dealer documentation or a signed installer contract. These details matter.
Our Take: Use Home Nation for Orders Under 10 Units
If you're ordering fewer than 10 homes, skip the hassle of becoming a dealer. Let Home Nation handle everything while still giving you factory-level pricing. You won’t have to set up a lot, take tests, buy bonds, or figure out transport. We’ve already done that for you.
We’ve built our business around simplifying this exact scenario: helping smaller park owners get great pricing, fast turnaround, and full service without jumping through hoops.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between factory direct and dealer purchasing isn’t just about price,it’s about time, risk, and long-term value. For large operations, a dealer license might make sense. For everyone else, partnering with Home Nation delivers the benefits of direct pricing with none of the dealer headaches.
And if you’re still exploring your housing options, now’s the time to weigh convenience, cost, and support. Smart growth means working with a partner who already knows the road ahead.
So, if you're thinking about purchasing your first home or expanding your park, let’s make that first step easy,and cost effective.
