Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Owens, a CPA-turned-real estate investor who has bought, renovated, and sold over 1,000+ single-family homes, lent $35M+ to real estate investors, and raised over $150M in private capital. Matthew shares his expertise in mobile home parks, multifamily investing, private lending, and financial engineering to help investors maximize returns. Matthew dive into the importance of active investing experience, fund-to-funds structures for raising capital, and how to mitigate risks in mobile home park operations. He breaks down his process for managing large-scale renovations, structuring investment deals, and sourcing funding efficiently. Whether you’re an investor looking to scale, raise capital, or improve your financial modeling skills, this episode is packed with practical strategies for optimizing mobile home park investments. Tune in now to learn from Matthew’s real-world experience and discover how to implement smart financial engineering in your deals!

Highlights of the episode: 00:34 – Guest intro: Matthew Owens 01:45 – Leaving a CPA firm to invest full-time in real estate 03:02 – From single-family flips to mobile home parks and multifamily 05:10 – Hands-on investing experience before outsourcing 07:48 – Managing large-scale renovations 10:30 – Financial engineering and structuring deals the right way 14:15 – Raising capital legally and efficiently 18:20 – What makes mobile home park investing different from other asset classes 22:12 – Sourcing mobile home parks 25:50 –Working with contractors and how to keep projects on track 29:10 – Risk mitigation strategies for mobile home park investing 33:45 – Where to connect with Matthew Owens

Connecting with MHP Law: Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

Connecting with Guest: Website: https://ocgproperties.org/en/home-default/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewowens/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathew_owens1/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mathewowensocg

#MobileHomePark #RealEstateInvesting #PassiveIncome #ValueAddInvesting #MHPInvesting #RaisingCapital

Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Cory Harelson, a structural engineer turned mobile home park investor, to discuss key lessons learned from buying, operating, and improving mobile home communities. Cory shares his journey from working long hours in engineering to discovering mobile home park investing and building a thriving portfolio.

Cory and Ferd discuss the challenges and successes of mobile home park acquisitions, including navigating zoning issues, scaling up with off-market deals, and managing private utilities. Cory dives into his most challenging deal—a wastewater treatment plant disaster—and how he overcame a $1 million setback. He also shares insights on sourcing off-market deals, utilizing virtual assistants for property management, and why ugly parks in great locations can be hidden gems for investors.

Whether you're a seasoned mobile home park owner or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights on finding, financing, and optimizing mobile home parks. Tune in now to learn from Cory’s real-world experiences and discover how to scale your mobile home park investments successfully!

Highlights of the episode:

00:34 – Guest intro: Cory Harelson

01:50 – Leaving engineering to invest in mobile home parks

03:10 – Finding the first deal through Craigslist

05:12 – Scaling up with strategic acquisitions

08:45 – A costly mistake with private utilities

10:58 – How a wastewater treatment disaster nearly derailed a deal

15:30 – Lessons learned from financial setbacks

19:40 – Turning challenges into investment opportunities

22:55 – Sourcing deals: Off-market vs. brokered transactions

26:38 – Using virtual assistants to scale operations

31:15 – The infill process: New vs. used homes

36:50 – Market predictions for mobile home park investing

40:10 – Where to connect with Cory

Connecting with MHP Law:

Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

Connecting with Guest:

Website: https://freedominvestinggroup.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-harelson-81141414/

#MobileHomePark #RealEstateInvesting #PassiveIncome #ValueAddInvesting #MHPInvesting

Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this milestone 200th episode, we take a deep dive into the lessons learned from 24 mobile home park acquisitions. Host Ferd Niemann reflects on the key takeaways from his deals, covering everything from value-add strategies, zoning battles, tenant challenges, infill processes, and successful exit plans.

Ferd breaks down his business approach to off-market acquisitions, rent increases, submetering utilities, and creative financing. He shares firsthand experiences on how some deals turned out better than expected, while others presented unexpected zoning, tenant, and infrastructure issues. From flipping small parks to stabilizing large ones, this episode offers a candid look at the successes, struggles, and strategies that shaped his portfolio. Whether you're a new or seasoned investor, this episode is packed with actionable insights on mobile home park investing, value creation, and risk mitigation. Tune in now to hear what worked, what didn’t, and what to watch out for in your next mobile home park deal!

Highlights of the episode: 00:34 – Lessons learned from 24 mobile home park acquisitions 01:18 – Off-market deals, value-add strategies, and infill process 02:41 – Slow turnaround, park-owned home challenges, and eventual success 04:02 – Why strategy matters in acquisitions and resale 05:34 – Zoning and why cities can make or break a deal 07:19 – Infill parks: Costs, financing, and demand challenges 09:01 – Zoning rights and the impact on park expansion 10:45 – Paying a fair price vs. getting a bargain 12:32 – High-density parks: The pros and cons 14:26 – When a park needs drastic changes to improve safety 16:30 – Rural mobile home parks: Logistics and demand struggles 18:03 – Park-owned homes to tenant-owned homes 19:42 – Turning a B-class park into an A-class investment 21:07 – The danger of trusting seller representations 23:00 – When a “hot” market turns out to be slow-moving 25:47 – The most important lessons from 24 mobile home park acquisitions

Connecting with MHP Law: Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

#MobileHomePark #RealEstateInvesting #PassiveIncome #ValueAddInvesting #MHPInvesting

Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into tax strategies and opportunities for mobile home park investors with Margaret Asher, a seasoned CPA with over 15 years of experience specializing in real estate accounting and tax services. Margaret shares her expertise on cost segregation studies, bonus depreciation, 1031 exchanges, and other critical tax-saving strategies that make mobile home parks an attractive investment.

Margaret highlights the unique tax advantages of mobile home parks, such as the high percentage of land improvements qualifying for accelerated depreciation, and explains how investors can optimize their tax positions. She also provides practical insights into managing recapture rules, navigating partnership agreements, and planning for the future of tax policy under the new administration.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, this episode is packed with actionable advice to maximize your returns. Tune in to learn how to leverage tax strategies to enhance your mobile home park investments!

Highlights of the episode: 00:34 - Guest intro: Margaret Asher 01:09 - Journey into CPA work with mobile home parks 03:02 - Tax-saving opportunities in mobile home park investments 05:47 - Cost segregation studies and bonus depreciation 09:01 - Cost segregation for mobile home park owners 13:20 - Depreciation recapture: Ordinary vs. capital gains taxation 17:22 - 1031 exchanges and common pitfalls to avoid 20:41 - 1031 exchanges to defer taxes and trade up properties 26:09 - Advanced strategies for partnership structures and at-risk basis 33:00 - Upcoming tax policy changes 38:53 - Closing insights and how to contact Margaret Asher

Connect with MHP Law: Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

Connect with the Guest: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-ascher-73aa782a5/

Email: margaret@djeadvisors.com

#TaxStrategies #MobileHomeParks #RealEstateInvesting #CostSegregation #1031Exchange #PassiveIncome #AffordableHousing

Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this solo episode, we dive deep into tackling one of the most persistent challenges for mobile home park owners: finding and fixing water leaks. Drawing on personal experiences and input from industry experts, Ferd shares actionable strategies and lessons learned when dealing with water loss, inaccurate billing, and maintenance inefficiencies in mobile home parks.

Explore practical solutions like using submeters, isolating leaks with zone valves, and leveraging new technologies like thermal drones. You’ll also hear stories from the trenches, including creative (and sometimes unconventional) methods like witching sticks and sonar leak detection. Whether you’re a park owner or operator, this episode is packed with tips and advice to help you save money, conserve water, and better manage your properties.

If you’re dealing with water loss in your park or looking to improve operational efficiency, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now for insightful stories and practical advice!

Highlights of the episode:

01:19 - Basic water loss solutions: Master meters and submeters

03:00 - Leak detection machines and witching sticks

05:15 - Sectioning parks with additional shut-off valves

07:01 - Costly lessons from draining fire hydrants

09:02 - Identifying leaks through historical property data

11:00 - Underground clay tiles and misidentified leak locations

12:45 - Risky but effective over-pressurizing techniques to find leaks

15:50 - Ensuring accurate city billing

18:12 - Hidden leaks from poorly capped lines and infrastructure

21:20 - Practice tips for maintaining property maps and anticipating future leaks

22:45 - Closing remarks and thanks to contributors

Connect with MHP Law:

Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

#MobileHomePark #WaterLeaks #RealEstateInvesting #MaintenanceSolutions #PropertyManagement

Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this insightful episode, we’re joined by John Neet, a seasoned expert in mobile home park appraisals and valuation. John shares his vast knowledge on the complexities of rent control, the nuances of regional regulations, and how these factors impact property valuations, particularly in states like California with highly regulated markets.

John discusses the intricacies of rent control policies and how they affect market value, tenant dynamics, and owner strategies. He sheds light on unique valuation challenges, such as factoring in vacant pads and fractional interests, while also delving into the current landscape of investment in mobile home parks. With decades of experience on the West Coast, John provides valuable perspectives on the future of regulatory changes and their potential to expand eastward, offering listeners essential insights into market trends and long-term investment strategies.

Whether you're managing a small portfolio or a large one, this episode will give you a comprehensive look at property management challenges and opportunities in the mobile home park industry. Tune in now for a discussion filled with practical advice for any property manager or investor!

Highlights of the episode:

00:34 - Guest Intro: John Neet

01:11 - Appraising mobile home parks and focus on the Western U.S.

03:30 - Rent control and its impact on California markets

05:45 - Localized rent control challenges

09:00 - Creative strategies for addressing rent control limitations

13:02 - Valuation of vacant pads

17:45 - Discussing cap rates in today’s economic environment

22:20 - Fractional interest valuation and ownership complexities

27:35 - Understanding local regulations for accurate appraisals

31:42 - Shifts in buyer demographics and new trends in park ownership

37:20 - The future of regulatory impacts expanding eastward

43:56 - Closing insights and how to contact John Neet

Connect with MHP Law:

Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

Connect with the Guest:

Website: https://www.johnneet.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-neet-b9b3ab12/

#RentControl #PropertyManagement #MobileHomePark #RealEstateInvesting #ValuationStrategies

Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by Luis Platt, who shares his unique journey from brokerage to becoming a vendor in the mobile home park (MHP) industry, now specializing in high-speed internet solutions with Quickbit Internet.

Luis discusses the increasing need for reliable internet connectivity in MHPs and how fiber optic technology can help park owners attract higher-income tenants, enhance security, and improve overall property management efficiency. He explains how fiber optic internet infrastructure benefits residents who work from home, game, or rely on stable connections for daily needs, and how it can even help lower insurance premiums. From security enhancements to supporting work-from-home lifestyles, Luis offers valuable insights into how digital infrastructure is changing the landscape of mobile home park living and management.

Whether you're managing a small portfolio or a large one, this episode will give you a look into the future of property management technology and how it can help your business grow. Tune in now for a great conversation filled with practical advice for any property manager or investor!

Highlights of the episode:

00:32 - Guest Intro: Luis Platt

03:25 - Transition to Quickbit Internet and its role in the MHP sector

05:00 - Fiber optic technology without digging

06:50 - Benefits of high-speed fiber optic internet for MHP residents

options

11:10 - Future-proofing communities with digital infrastructure

15:01 - Leveraging internet connectivity for better security and cost savings

20:31 - Impact of connectivity on residents' job opportunities and lifestyle

24:22 - Addressing challenges and misconceptions around MHP internet solutions

26:57 - Closing thoughts and how to contact Luis Platt

Connecting with MHP Law:

Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

Connecting with Guest:

Website: https://www.kwikbitinternet.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisplatt/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwikbitinternet/

#PropertyManagement #MobileHomePark #FiberOptic #TenantConnectivity #RealEstateTech

Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by Tanner Buuck, team lead at Yardi for manufactured housing sales. Tanner provides valuable insights into the world of property management software, sharing how technology is modernizing the operations of mobile home park communities. He discusses the challenges operators face, such as streamlining accounts receivable, improving tenant communications, and automating operations like utility billing and invoicing. Tanner highlights the tools that Yardi offers to simplify these tasks, making property management more efficient.

From utilizing AI, implementing resident portals, and the benefits of automating collections to leveraging CRM systems for better marketing, Tanner provides actionable tips for operators to maximize efficiency in managing their properties.

Whether you're managing a small portfolio or a large one, this episode will give you a look into the future of property management technology and how it can help your business grow. Tune in now for a great conversation filled with practical advice for any property manager or investor!

Highlights of the episode:

00:00:48 - Guest Intro: Tanner Buuck

00:05:02 - Challenges operators face with modernizing operations

00:06:40 - Streamlining accounts receivable and utilizing property management software

00:08:47 - The evolution of AI in multifamily and manufactured housing

00:12:20 - Automating invoicing and improving operational efficiency

00:15:10 - Utilizing CRM tools to manage leads and tenant engagement

00:19:08 - Implementing resident portals and the importance of online payment systems

00:21:50 - Managing utility bill backs and compliance

00:26:30 - Automation in accounting and maintenance management

00:31:10 - Closing thoughts and where to find more information

Connecting with MHP Law:

Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

Connecting with Guest:

Website: https://www.yardibreeze.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbuuck/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/YardiBreeze/

#PropertyManagement #MobileHomePark #RealEstateTech #TenantManagement