Ideally, you want clear clauses tied to inspection periods and financing contingencies so that your money isn’t at risk if the deal doesn't align with the presented numbers.Also, whenever you're advised to switch lenders mid-deal—especially to someone “in-house” or recommended by the seller’s agent—it’s a signal to slow down and verify independently.It sounds like you’ve learned fast, though. 

@Joe GrespinIn our market, it has been dealing with what markets are shifting and aligning seller expectations to those new norms.

Give them all a try and see which ones fit best and align most with you and your goals.

When our clients bring us wholesale deals, here’s how we help protect their interests:Deal Analysis – We evaluate the numbers to ensure the property aligns with the client’s investment goals.Secure EMD Handling – We require the earnest money deposit (EMD) be held by an attorney or title company—never the wholesaler.Renovation Support – If the property needs work and our client lacks a general contractor, we refer one from our vetted network.Wholesaler Due Diligence – We verify how the wholesaler controls the property, especially if we haven’t worked with them before.Transparent Fee Structure – Once the contract is finalized, we include a line item for our fee so everything is clear and documented.This approach ensures our clients are protected and positioned for success, even in non-traditional transactions.

The buyer's best interests may not be aligned with the referred inspector, or the house could have been built quite well. 

@Tanner ThomasonGreg's logic aligns with my experiences as well.But also, there are a few faults in your logic. 

These stakeholders often have a 10–20-year view of tenant needs and can provide grounded insight into real investment-ready suburbs.Strategy Before SuburbChoosing a suburb should be the final step in the process, not the first.Investors should first establish their goals, budget, and intended tenant profile.Then, consult with people on the ground who can align those goals with current demand and infrastructure.The top investment suburbs Melbourne has to offer in 2025 will be those where tenant needs and investor strategy meet, not where headlines point.There are no universal “hotspots”, only suburbs that make sense for specific strategies, tenants, and timing.

The best investment isn’t the cheapest or the trendiest—it’s the one that aligns with your vision and your lifestyle. 

If on the other hand you’re renting both the pad site AND the mobile home, you’ve got yourself a business; albeit a business with a real estate investment component.  

If you're short on one, you can look to partner with others for the other components.