Mobile Home Park Mastery

America is in a labor tsunami in which it’s harder to find and retain workers than ever before. In this environment, many mobile home park owners face the reality of managers asking for more money. But should you give in to their demands? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we will review how manager compensation works and share thoughts on navigating this new reality.

Mobile home prices have nearly doubled since the advent of Covid, and that has put a stress test on selling “trailers”. However, many mobile home parks continue to sell new homes despite the higher prices. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to make some observations on what is needed to sell a $70,000 mobile home in today’s market.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank – the second largest in U.S. history – may be ushering in a new era of banking collapse. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to scientifically review the risk of mobile home park loans and explore some of the lessons I learned from the 1987 Texas Savings and Loan Crash.

A few years ago Time magazine declared that “mobile home parks are the gated communities of the less affluent” and raved about their strong sense of community. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to drill down on the origins of that sense of community and what park owners can do to foster a stronger bond between residents.

As the mobile home park industry evolves, owners are constantly pondering not only what the new role of community manager is becoming but also the necessity of them living on-site. Larger parks have allowed for on-site or off-site manager possibilities for years, but smaller parks have been relegated to strictly on-site options. However, those lines may be blurring. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we will examine the issue of off-site vs. on-site managers.

Mobile home lenders set very low expectations on customer credit scores yet enjoy very low default rates. This seems to be contrary to all the physics of extending credit but it’s supported by fact. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to dig deeper into the topic of why a low FICO works just fine when it comes to customers buying mobile homes.

Even though all cities hate mobile home parks, they tolerate them because of property laws governing legal non-conforming use – also known as “grandfathering”. But not all mobile home parks share that protection. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to review the attributes that make a mobile home park at risk and without “grandfathering” rights.

Owning a mobile home park is a noble calling, but you must protect yourself from the residents you are trying to help. While 99% of park customers are wonderful people, there is that 1% that want to take advantage of your role as the owner to try to borrow money, harass you, get out of rules violations, get your manager fired – basically try to drive you nuts. The solution is to build a firewall between your customers and you. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we’ll go through the simple steps to do just that.

Mobile home parks have always been viewed as the lowest-cost form of housing while dollar stores serve that same niche in the retail sector. Yet there are many more similarities between “trailer parks” and “Dollar Tree” than meets the eye. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we’ll review the similarities and why both businesses are underappreciated – a fact that’s about to change.

With interest rates up significantly, some sellers may propose a construction called a “wrap” in which you leave the existing mortgage intact as part of the deal. But does that work? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review the good and bad aspects of this deal construction and discuss methods to mitigate the risk.

When a mobile home park sits lower than the city’s main sewer line, the only way to get the property’s sewage pushed upstream is with a “lift station”. Yet many mobile home park buyers don’t know what these are, how they work, and what the dangers are. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to drill down on this unique feature of many communities to understand the fine points to buying and operating a “lift station”.

Webster’s defines “fair” as “impartial and just, without favoritism or discrimination”. And obviously, based on this definition, life in 2023 will not be “fair”. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review the unfair opportunities that are out there, how to take advantage of them, and why there’s nothing morally wrong in doing so.

We all know the government enacted the HUD SEAL program back around 1976. But are you aware there's some other requirements that HUD placed on mobile homes that are important that you be aware of? This is Frank Rolfe with the Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast. We're going to talk about snow loads, wind loads, and thermal zones.

It’s pretty clear that we’re heading for a U.S. recession in 2023. So what will that do to the mobile home park industry, and what are the statistics from the 2000 and 2007 recessions to support these observations? That’s the goal of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast: to dissect what the 2023 recession may look like and what the impact might be.

When you have two mobile home parks in the same basic market, you always wonder if you would be better off hiring one manager to supervise both or having two separate managers to do the job. The concept of “sharing” management is not restricted to just mobile home parks, as many other industries have tested and employed it. However, mobile home park manager “sharing” has its own unique issues to consider. That’s the topic of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

Mobile home park managers have an extremely difficult role. They are supposed to wear two hats: 1) the nice person and 2) the tough person. This is extremely confusing to residents and often fails to accomplish what you desire as the owner. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore why this is not a healthy situation for your property and offer tips on giving the manager a more clear role in the community.

America is at a breaking point on crime. It’s rampant, the system is overwhelmed, and in many states the judicial system itself has become dysfunctional. In times like these it’s up to the community owner to help to make their property the safest it can be. Not through adding expensive security personnel, but instead by enacting common sense strategies and enhancements to the mobile home park that help to deter and report crime when it occurs. That’s the focus of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

Interest rates have skyrocketed around 4 points in 2022 – the largest jump in 40 years. While interest rates typically run in cycles, what if they never return to earlier levels and these new rates are not a fad but the new norm? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we’re going o discuss the ramifications of these higher rates and project the impact if they never go down again.

Mortgage rates are now at 7.25% which is about double from where things stood in January. What impact does this shocking news story have on the mobile home park industry? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast we’re going to discuss the many byproducts of higher home mortgage rates – most of which are positive by nature and reflective of U.S. megatrends.

For over a decade–from the moment that financial institutions popped up to finance new and usedmobile homes–older park-owned units were often relegated to the scrap heap. But the soaring price ofnew and slightly used homes has rekindled the notion ofbringing many of these formerly doomedhomes back to life. In this episode we’re going to discuss the building blocks to determining if an oldhome could or should be salvaged and tricks we’ve learned about doing it the correct way.

A new study shows that mobile home values are up 34.6% since 2016 – nearly matching the 35.4% increase of single-family homes. You would think that would be good news for the 8% of Americans that live in mobile homes. But NPR is determined to show that even when park residents are big winners it’s all part of an evil plot by corporate owners. So we’re going to dissect their latest ridiculous article.

Stress can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Some of it is the normal condition that comes with taking risk and achieving success, but a huge portion is simply created by your own actions when better options are available. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to focus on what causes stress in the mobile home park business, how to manage it, and how to reduce it.

Jerome Powell at the Fed has ushered in an era of interest rate instability that has not been experienced in over 40 years. This has created an environment in which traditional banking is not always the attractive solution to getting deals done. But what are the alternatives to sidestep traditional lending? That’s the focus of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

Being a successful park buyer requires discipline. You can’t let your desire to make a deal get in the way of the underlying premise of making money. So how can you guard against acquisitions that are the opposite of portfolio-builders? That’s the topic of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

In the search for income, many investors overlook the simple fact that there is no income until your capital is safely returned. When you seek the measure of an investment’s performance the only one that matters is the total return at the end, not simply a couple good years along the way. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review why mobile home parks are superior in their return levels because they virtually always start off with your capital back through superior investment construction.

While most mobile home park owners take comfort in letting someone else do the honors, there’s nothing wrong with being the market leader in lot rents. However, there is a process to taking that role and it comes with responsibilities and strategic thought. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore the role of being market leader and how to do a good job of it.

With apartments having reached a cyclical high and mobile home parks still running with plenty of value-building opportunity, many apartment owners are looking at buying mobile home parks. If you fit that profile, then the key initial question is “what are the big differences between the two?” In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review the differences between these two housing investment options.

Stanley Marcus – the founder of Neiman Marcus – once said “take your markdowns on people and merchandise as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, many mobile home park owners refuse to follow this advice and end up holding on to unsuccessful managers for months or years longer than they should. So why do they do this and how do you correct this behavior? That’s the focus of this episode of the Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

The U.S. demand for affordable housing is huge, but you can’t rent or sell a mobile home unless it’s been renovated. Home readiness is, in fact, the number one problem for most park owners that have vacant units. But it’s perpetually harder to find those who will work on mobile homes as they seek better paying alternatives. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review some fresh ideas that we’re implementing to find home renovation workers in a tough U.S. workplace.

One of the best ways for any mobile home park owner to create a nicer community is the addition of amenities. These come in all price ranges, but there’s a surprisingly large number that are very inexpensive yet have huge bang for the buck. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore what these amenities are, what they cost, and why they are so effective.

A ‘lie detector” is a device that gives you insight into whether a statement is true or false. So in this week’s Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to analyze some of the most common things we get told by sellers and brokers to see if they are telling the truth or simply trying to spin fiction into their own selfish motives.

Creativity is defined as “the use of imagination or original ideas” – and that’s a great tool in forging some mobile home park deals. But there are limits on what you can do with creativity. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review what you can and cannot fix with your inner Picasso, and some tips on staying out of trouble with your custom creation.

Life is all about making decisions. And if you can’t make good decisions quickly you’re going to miss out on a sea of opportunities as well as make those around you frustrated and lose confidence in your abilities. So how do you make fast and effective decisions? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review some methodologies to help you make good choices in a reasonable time frame.

Housing is getting more expensive. The old saying “you’re either growing and changing or your dead” is true for places we live, as well. And that’s OK. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to discuss how housing is changing, how it displaces customers, how mobile home parks are not immune to this metamorphosis, and why that’s just a natural part of life.

While most mobile home parks are purchased from long-standing mom and pop owners, sometimes parks come on the market that have only been owned by the sellers for a matter of months or a few years. And this can cause a level of concern with the buyer – and rightfully so. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to examine why the length of time the seller has owned the property can be a concern and how to mitigate those reservations.

Mobile homes may all look similar to the average American, but to the successful park owner, there is a considerable difference between them – and it almost all revolves around age. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, we’re going to examine what you can tell about a mobile home simply from its age and what the key attributes are to focus on when buying and renovating used mobile homes to fill lots or simply pass judgment on park-owned homes you already possess.

In a society that has completely lost the concept of accountability, mobile home parks stand out as a perpetual experiment into the necessity of structure. Mobile home park owners have been using a “tough love” stance to keep their properties in good running order and to foster an environment in which the average resident stays in their home for around 15 years. But how do they accomplish this? That’s the focus of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast, and it could not be more timely in an America that is running amok.

One of the best methods to approach maximizing the performance of a mobile home park investment is to refinance it and do a “cash-out”, which means a return of some or all of your initial capital. But many people fail to grasp the science behind this alternative, and the thresholds required to make it a reality. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to facts from the myths regarding this financing trick.

America is entering a terrible recession. But there is no benefit to giving in to the negative atmosphere. Instead, you should view every economic decline as an important opportunity and harness your positive energy to take advantage of the situation. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to look at case studies of how others have profited from recessions and why a positive attitude is one of your best tools to succeed.

Mobile home park owners and residents need each other. There are strong bonds when a community owner does the right things, but the resident has to do their part, too. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to examine the relationship between park owners and customers and how to make it even better – even how to bring back from the brink the errant resident.

America has lost its focus on accountability and the results have been astoundingly awful. If you want your mobile home park to hit your budget and even exceed your expectations, it’s imperative that you hold your manager accountable. But how do you do that? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review the top ten ways to gain accountability with your manager. Most of these methods rely on technology and not on heavy investments of time and money. That being said, at the end of the day, the person who is truly accountable for your mobile home park’s performance is the owner and the application of these management tools is a vital part of that success.

The Biden administration is trying to push the narrative that the mobile home park industry might be the savior to the affordable housing crisis. Some of these initiatives have potential and others are just the same B.S. in new packaging. Who are the winners and losers in these proposed changes to everything from building codes to home financing? That’s the focus of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

I frequently get calls from people who are looking at the concept of mobile home park investing and tell me “looks like all the good deals are taken and there’s not much left out there” – which they gather from a quick glance at on-line offerings. This thought is not supported by the simple fact that only around 4,000 of the 44,000 mobile home parks are institutionally owned. But if 90% of mobile home parks are still in the hands of moms and pops, why is this not readily apparent? That’s the topic of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast in which we examine why the opportunity is bigger than meets the eye and what you have to do to tap into it.

There are four methods of measurement regarding mobile home park performance: 1) cap rate 2) coverage 3) cash-on-cash and 4) cash flow. But what is each one and how do you derive it? And what is acceptable? That’s the focus of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

Mobile home parks have no greater crime than surrounding subdivisions, but there’s no question that crime in America is way up and that holds true for all property types. So what can mobile home park owners do to reduce crime in their properties on a daily basis? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to drill down on concepts to proactive reduce crime and how to build a template to help eradicate it.

Between the war in Ukraine and America plunging into the worst economy in 40 years, it’s easy to get depressed about the future. However, it’s always important to remember that not all futures are created equal. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to talk about navigating cycles, the contrarian nature of some assets, and the necessity of maintaining a calm head when all around you is in crisis.

What really makes customers stay in mobile home parks for decades on end? Is it truly a barrier to removing their homes or is it something more? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to focus on what really makes residents stay in place, as well as what makes them leave, and what the options are when they want to go.

Many people look at a handful of listings on Mobilehomeparkstore and Loopnet and declare “mobile home parks are overpriced!” But is that really true? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to focus on this topic and examine it factually. Are all the good deals gone? We’re going to talk about that.

One of the few books ever written about mobile home parks was the 1955 “How to Build and Operate a Mobile Home Park” by L.C. Michelon. What’s amazing about this book is how little has changed over the decades regarding what makes a mobile home park successful. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to discuss all the similarities reflected in the book and why they continue to hold true.

If you own a mobile home park with even one vacant lot, you probably have a plan to fill that lot with a new or used home to obtain stable, monthly lot rent. And if you are going to sell or rent a home in a mobile home park, your success or failure begins with the simple action of picking up the phone. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore everything you need to know about getting that phone line answered and answered properly. With the “prime selling season” fully underway for mobile homes in your park, this is a timely issue that all park owners need to understand.