The April 2025 Commercial Real Estate Investing Newsletter

RV Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 123 - Megatrend Power

In 1982 John Naisbitt published "Megatrends" which referred to forces so strong in the economy that you could not prosper unless you were aligned with them. There are a huge number of "megatrends" at work in the U.S. economy today and in this RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review each one and how it relates to this sector.

Listen To Episode 123

Self Storage University Podcast: Episode 121 - Performance Anxiety

Many of the self-storage deals out there are wholly unappealing. So what does it take to make a storage facility acquisition compelling? In this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to explore the metrics behind evaluating a property and come to some conclusions on what should make you interested as well as what should make you run away.

Listen To Episode 121

Billboard Mastery Podcast: Episode 117 - Recession-Resistant Advertisers

The U.S. economy seems to be slowing down, and even if it does not hit the "recession" threshold it’s important to understand what to do if it does. There is a strategy to renting billboards in tough times that revolves around certain advertisers and methods. In this Billboard Mastery podcast we’re going to explore successful "recession-resistant" marketers and how to attract them.

Listen To Episode 117

After 10 Years: A Positive News Story on the Mobile Home Industry!

We received a request from News Nation to appear on a segment about mobile homes. We get those frequently from a number of outlets and we're willing to talk to nearly any journalist in hopes that we can help educate them about affordable housing and the simple truth that the folks who bring old mobile homes and mobile home parks back to life are the heroes of the affordable housing industry, not villains. Of course, the current American media hates capitalists so the stories always end up skewed with the reporter harping on the usual untruth that the mobile home industry is built upon evil capitalists exploiting the poor. And any good argument you make to the contrary always gets edited out.

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 389 - Why Tenant "First Options" Rarely Happen

Virtually every state has, at some point, debated, denied or passed legislation regarding giving the tenants the "first option" to buy the property. They do this using faulty assumptions and absolutely zero understanding of how the "tenant-owned" process works. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore the truth behind this issue and reveal what the government is apparently fully unaware of.

Listen To Episode 389

Can We Come Up With A Better Name Than “Mobile Home”?

The terms we use carry weight. Over the years, the industry has oscillated between "trailer", "coach", "mobile home" and "manufactured home". Are we placing too much emphasis on nomenclature? After all, the current name of "manufactured home" has only garnered a fraction of the sales of the earlier term of "mobile home". Yet the debate ranges on.

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Mastering RV Park Valuation: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025 Investors

Evaluating an RV park in 2025 requires a nuanced approach that balances historical data with current market dynamics. Here's a structured methodology to assess an RV park's value effectively:

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Decoding Self-Storage Investments: Evaluating Cap Rates and Cash-on-Cash Returns in 2025

When assessing a self-storage investment, understanding key financial metrics is crucial. Two primary indicators—Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) and Cash-on-Cash Return—serve as essential tools in evaluating potential deals.​

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Maximizing Billboard Visibility: Strategic Considerations for Optimal "V" Configurations

The "V" configuration in billboard design refers to the angle between two ad faces, enhancing visibility for oncoming traffic from multiple directions. This setup is particularly effective in areas where a straight-on view is limited, such as on curved roads or where obstructions exist.

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Questions On RV Park Investing? Here Are The Answers.

Last night, Frank Rolfe fielded questions about RV Parks for nearly two solid hours, covering a wide range of topics from cap rates to product mix. And, while the event was live, we recorded it so you could watch it later. Here is the recording for your review.

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 368 - The Power Of College Towns

When it comes to compelling locations to own a mobile home park in, college towns are at the top of the pack. But what makes college towns such successful settings for manufactured home communities? In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore why having a college or university in a market gives it superior firepower when it comes to housing.

Listen To Episode 368

How Mobile Home Parks Are a True Win/Win

Here’s a “Before & After” of a mobile home park that we turned around in Kansas. You can see for yourself what bringing an old “trailer park” back to life really looks like, as well as how park owners are the “best thing going in the U.S. at a time when the nation’s need for low-cost places to live has never been greater” – an actual quote from the New York Times. There are few investments out there that are true win/win relationships where the property owner benefits financially while the residents end up with a better quality of life.

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How Is a Mobile Home Park Unlike a Classic Mustang Convertible?

A 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is one of the most inflation-efficient assets on earth. It cost $2,500 in 1965 and, given that $1 in 1965 is the same as $10 today, it now costs $25,000. It’s literally the gold-standard of inflation hedge. But mobile home park lot rents are the opposite, having missed inflation targets by 50% or more. In this discussion, Frank Rolfe gives his views on this fact and how that creates opportunity for investors.

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 387 - Profiting From Interest Rate Distraction

Millions of investors are obsessed with the direction of interest rates. While that’s a noble pursuit, there’s a huge opportunity created by this distraction as far as mobile home parks are concerned. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to discuss why the late Sam Zell quote of “when everyone’s looking left, look right” applies to much of what’s going on right now.

Listen To Episode 387

RV Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 122 - When Numbers Don’t Align

It can often be a huge shock when you get the seller’s financial numbers during due diligence. And how those align with what they promised you can have some important consequences in your view of the property. In this RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore how numbers alignment can tell you a lot about a property.

Listen To Episode 122

Self Storage University Podcast: Episode 120 - How Not To Get Caught Swimming Naked

There’s an old saying “when the tide goes out you find out who was swimming naked”. And with all of the economic chaos in the U.S. right now, the tide certainly appears to be going out. In this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to review strategies to not be caught swimming naked.

Listen To Episode 120

Billboard Mastery Podcast: Episode 116 - Don’t Get Complacent

The difference between big companies and small players is that one never sees the opportunity and the other takes advantage of every opening. Yet sometimes the small player can start to act like a big company and completely ruin their advantage. In this Billboard Mastery podcast we’re going to review how never to have a “big company” attitude.

Listen To Episode 116

Getting It McDunn at Trinity Alps RV Park: Improvement Showcase

A while back, Dan McDunn bought an RV Park in California called "Trinity Alps" and set about bringing it back to life. In this episode he showcases many of the improvements he’s already made, as well as reviews the changes yet to come. You will be really impressed by his progress in turning an old RV Park into a financial success one step at a time.

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Facing Common Fears as a Mobile Home Park Owner – And How to Stay Ahead of Them

Running a mobile home park comes with its share of worries. Some are general concerns like taxes and the economy, but many are specific to park ownership itself. Let’s break down the biggest fears park owners face today — and practical ways to manage them.

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Turning Natural Views Into Memorable Spaces At Your RV Park

It's surprising how many RV parks sit on beautiful land but do little to bring out its best features. If you have a great view on your property — even if it's just one special corner — there's a way to turn it into something guests will remember.

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Achieving Substantial Returns in Self-Storage Investments Without Advanced Expertise

Albert Einstein's groundbreaking theories reshaped our understanding of the universe. Yet, delving into self-storage investments doesn't require such profound scientific insight. The path to significant returns in this sector is straightforward and accessible to those willing to grasp its core principles.

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Enhancing Billboard Structures to Satisfy Property Owners

In the realm of outdoor advertising, the visual appeal of billboard structures often takes a backseat. This oversight is puzzling, especially considering the meticulous attention early industry pioneers devoted to design details. Reviving this focus can significantly benefit relationships with property owners.

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 386 - All About Rental Inspections

While most mobile home park owners prefer the “parking lot” model in which all of the homes are strictly owned by the residents, in some cases even well-managed properties may engage in rentals for various reasons. And if you’re going to rent mobile homes, it’s essential that you have a system of rental inspections. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore the necessity of inspections and how to perform them properly.

Listen To Episode 386

Time To Look At "Alternative Investing" Again

When I went to Stanford 45 years ago, the price-to-earnings ratio (also known as PE) of stocks was around 9. By the time I sold my billboard business and had money to invest outside of my company, the PE ratio was 18. That really didn't look at interesting to me, as it meant that the value of stocks had doubled without any increase in net income, and I viewed this as a speculative bubble. Of course, I was correct as the Dot.com bubble burst only a few years later in 2000. But that was chump change compared to today. Many investors don't realize that the current PE ratio of stocks is around 38. To put that in perspective, the PE ratio in 1920 – right before the Great Depression began – was lower than it is today, as was the PE ratio in 2007 before the Great Recession. The bottom line is that stocks have NEVER been more overvalued and that's even after the recent collapse in pricing. And one statistic that nobody ever wants to discuss is that the stock market did not go back to its 1965 pricing level until 1995 – that's 30 years of flat!

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Time To Look At "Alternative Investing" Again

When I went to Stanford 45 years ago, the price-to-earnings ratio (also known as PE) of stocks was around 9. By the time I sold my billboard business and had money to invest outside of my company, the PE ratio was 18. That really didn't look at interesting to me, as it meant that the value of stocks had doubled without any increase in net income, and I viewed this as a speculative bubble. Of course, I was correct as the Dot.com bubble burst only a few years later in 2000. But that was chump change compared to today. Many investors don't realize that the current PE ratio of stocks is around 38. To put that in perspective, the PE ratio in 1920 – right before the Great Depression began – was lower than it is today, as was the PE ratio in 2007 before the Great Recession. The bottom line is that stocks have NEVER been more overvalued and that's even after the recent collapse in pricing. And one statistic that nobody ever wants to discuss is that the stock market did not go back to its 1965 pricing level until 1995 – that's 30 years of flat!

Read More

Time To Look At "Alternative Investing" Again

When I went to Stanford 45 years ago, the price-to-earnings ratio (also known as PE) of stocks was around 9. By the time I sold my billboard business and had money to invest outside of my company, the PE ratio was 18. That really didn't look at interesting to me, as it meant that the value of stocks had doubled without any increase in net income, and I viewed this as a speculative bubble. Of course, I was correct as the Dot.com bubble burst only a few years later in 2000. But that was chump change compared to today. Many investors don't realize that the current PE ratio of stocks is around 38. To put that in perspective, the PE ratio in 1920 – right before the Great Depression began – was lower than it is today, as was the PE ratio in 2007 before the Great Recession. The bottom line is that stocks have NEVER been more overvalued and that's even after the recent collapse in pricing. And one statistic that nobody ever wants to discuss is that the stock market did not go back to its 1965 pricing level until 1995 – that's 30 years of flat!

Read More

Time To Look At "Alternative Investing" Again

When I went to Stanford 45 years ago, the price-to-earnings ratio (also known as PE) of stocks was around 9. By the time I sold my billboard business and had money to invest outside of my company, the PE ratio was 18. That really didn't look at interesting to me, as it meant that the value of stocks had doubled without any increase in net income, and I viewed this as a speculative bubble. Of course, I was correct as the Dot.com bubble burst only a few years later in 2000. But that was chump change compared to today. Many investors don't realize that the current PE ratio of stocks is around 38. To put that in perspective, the PE ratio in 1920 – right before the Great Depression began – was lower than it is today, as was the PE ratio in 2007 before the Great Recession. The bottom line is that stocks have NEVER been more overvalued and that's even after the recent collapse in pricing. And one statistic that nobody ever wants to discuss is that the stock market did not go back to its 1965 pricing level until 1995 – that's 30 years of flat!

Read More

Why Newer Isn't Always Better: The Harmony of Older and Newer Mobile Homes

In many mobile home communities today, you might see a newer manufactured home priced around $80,000 sitting next to a modest model from the 1970s valued closer to $15,000. Interestingly, despite these significant differences in age, appearance, and market value, residents often pay similar lot rents and maintain a unified neighborhood spirit. How is it possible for these varied homes to exist comfortably side-by-side?

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 385 - The Tiny Lot Playbook

It’s not uncommon to have lots of different sizes, but sometimes park owners have to make hard choices on how best to use their smallest parcels. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to discuss the different options for small lots and come to some mathematical conclusions on their most profitable uses.

Listen To Episode 385

RV Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 121 - The Power Of Volume

If you’re trying to find an RV Park to buy, then one of the most important forces to harness is “volume”. Even average negotiators can come away with great acquisitions if they simply employ the power of numbers. In this RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to review how you can put together an aggressive campaign to build greater volume of deal flow, as well as why banking on numbers is a well-proven method of being a better buyer.

Listen To Episode 121

Self Storage University Podcast: Episode 119 - How To Get A Loan

It costs money to build or buy a billboard, and for many people that means getting a loan. But how can you find a lender and get a loan when you are just starting out? In this Billboard Mastery podcast we’re going to explore this topic and discuss some real-life methods to make lending attainable.

Listen To Episode 119

Billboard Mastery Podcast: Episode 115 - Surviving Banking Reversals

Sometimes – even at the last minute – a bank can suddenly change its mind and retract their offer to make a loan. What do you do then? In this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to explore why this occurs and what the correct steps are to mitigate this potential event.

Listen To Episode 115