As others have said, I'd recommend looking into a metal building. If you keep it small, like a one room cabin with an open kitchen area and enclosed restroom/shower, you may could do something pretty decent for $35k. And unlike a used travel trailer or mobile home that will deteriorate, a metal bldg will last years to come and and add some value to the property. It could be useful even if you end up building a house later.

I think the local metal building supply I use has a branch in Fort Hood, if interested shoot me a PM and I'll give you contact info. Otherwise call a reputable local co. or Muellers.

I would build living quarters inside of the metal bldg even if it means adding to it's size. It would be a lot safer from thieves than a rv type trailer and even after you get a home built, you can use the living quarters as an office or whatever you want. One big advantage is the safety factor during spring storms, rv are not very safe during severe weather.

If you need fencing let me know and I can tell you who to use in the area and who to not touch with a 10 foot pole as they say..... My ranch is in Pearl....

With that budget I would build a nice cabin. Me and my brother and dad built ours and all in we have about 50k but that is fully furnished and we used all pine and cedar for the inside with good appliance. I know it could be built cheaper by doing a few options but we did 100 percent of the work.

I have a 12x60, 2 bedroom, 2 window AC's, one bath trailer house that I paid $6,500 for about 15+ years ago. I call it my poor white trash trailer house. It is sufficient for my weekending needs and I don't regret the purchase. Yep, mice do get in. I had to work on it and still do have to fix and maintain things. A travel trailer will also have mice problems. Due to those damn mice I would spend the $35K on something metal that has a little less problems.

If you do go with a house on wheels, make sure that you tie it down and under pin it.

I later found a deal on a used construction office/tool storage trailer. You will want a place to store tools, corn, extra stuff, etc. Then, after my 4 wheelers were stolen, I got a 20 ft steel shipping container from Shubert in Graham. I shopped around and would recommend them due to both price and service.

No matter what type of house you buy, you will have the same plumbing, theft, and maintenance issues that you do in your primary residence.

Sooner or later you will most likely decide that you can't get along without a tractor and FEL. Make sure it is 4wd.

35K is a good chunk of $$ for temporary housing. I would do like stxranchman suggested, first choice portable building, 2nd mobil home and then a trailer. I have a 20' trailer and really like it, but it is pretty much only me! Trailer would be a great selection if you planned on also using for traveling!

I like BillyBobs set up for one reason, if and when you move out there, or sale, you will recoup some of the monies spent just in improvements. Even foregoing the camper, you can build a nice shop/camp with less than your budget.

We purchased a metal portable building shell and finished out the inside. Works great. We also purchased one of these, http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucitsrh/?sl=81QSCI15102010, for a camp house on another property and remodeled it, but it was the smaller park model, not the larger 'mobile home' pictured here. Can pick these up fairly inexpensive.

This is what the Morgan Cabin looked like that I bought. I added skirting and a small front deck/porch to it. I built my barndominium to left of this cabin about 75' away looking at the front of it.

My first build on a property new to me that I was planning on keeping longterm would be a storm shelter. I could at least sleep in it while working or hunting, then I'd get a 6-10k camper trailer, use it a year or two until the barndominium was up and running, sell it for same or at least close to what you paid for it.

jmo
I'd check on the property tax rate
on whatever type of permanent structure
you intend on putting up.
some can be outrageous for even a small
cabin, especially log cabins.
you're already way ahead of the game
having utilities, so the rest should
be gravy (hopefully)
good luck

Look at them Deck Building Skills

They actually build those well...