The February 2024 Commercial Real Estate Investing Newsletter

Navigating the Financial Landscape of RV Parks: A Modern Take on Averaging

In the dynamic world of RV park investments, understanding the financial health of a potential acquisition is more crucial than ever. The principle of averaging—examining financial metrics over various periods to gain a more stable and reliable picture—remains a cornerstone in appraising RV parks. This approach, rooted in traditional appraisal practices, has evolved with the advent of digital analytics and a deeper understanding of market elasticity.

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Unlocking the Potential: Innovative Financing Strategies for Self-Storage Investments

In the ever-evolving landscape of commercial real estate, self-storage facilities stand out as a beacon of opportunity, offering compelling returns through strategic leverage. The art of financing these ventures has evolved, blending traditional methods with innovative approaches to unlock greater yields and broaden investment horizons. Here's a comprehensive guide to the myriad of financing options available to investors in today's market, ensuring that every investor, from the novice to the seasoned, can navigate the financial pathways to successful self-storage ownership.

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Securing Long-Term Billboard Ground Leases: Strategies for Mutual Profit

In the evolving landscape of outdoor advertising, securing long-term ground leases for billboards remains a pivotal factor in ensuring the sustained profitability and value of billboard investments. Reflecting on successful strategies from the past, this article delves into contemporary methods to persuade landowners to commit to extended billboard ground leases, emphasizing mutual benefits and forward-thinking approaches.

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How Do You Prepare For Stagflation? Very Carefully.

The last time the U.S. faced “stagflation” was 44 years ago under Jimmy Carter. I should know because I was there. In fact, I was 19 years old when it arrived and I had a summer job standing in lines at gas stations all day long for an advertising agency owner who tried to keep his car full of gas so that he could go to meetings. It was during a period of gas rationing which was just one part of the complete collapse of society as we knew it. The general tenor of the period was desperation and disbelief and we all knew that Carter was so bad at his job that it would be a miracle if we survived until his term ended. Fortunately, Reagan stepped in and saved America. Sound familiar? History has literally repeated itself as discussed in this article.

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 334 - Where Science Meets Superstition

Some of the theories behind the correct way to buy and operate mobile home parks comes from careful testing and study. But still others are passed down from earlier generations of park owners who simply believe them to be so, even in the absence of any scientific reasoning or data. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore some of these superstitions that often prove to be accurate despite their lack of statistical reinforcement.

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Self Storage University Podcast: Episode 95 - Dare To Be Different In Direct Mail

One great way to find a self-storage facility to buy is a simple direct mail piece. But with so much mail landing in mailboxes across America, how can you stand out from the pack? On this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to explore some of the options and theory behind making your direct mail piece a more effective tool.

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Billboard Mastery Podcast: Episode 91 - How Small Is Too Small?

Most people think of billboards as being big, but sometimes they come in a smaller sizes. When buying or building a billboard, when do you hit a level in which the sign has no economic value? And how do you rent signs that are smaller than their competitors? In this Billboard Mastery podcast we’re going to explore how to apply science to the issue of smaller signs.

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Should You Put RV’s On Lots In Mobile Home Parks?

There are 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring per day in the U.S. and a large percentage of those have a goal of downsizing as part of that new lifestyle adjustment. Given the fact that millions of these Baby Boomers already own RVs, the concept of simply selling their home and moving into an RV comes up fairly early in the conversation. But where can they place that RV to live in it full-time? Most RV parks don’t typically allow for full-time occupancy, instead having a stay limit of around 60 days or so. The only option for this housing concept are mobile home parks.

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 333 - Strategies To Approach High Risk/High Reward Deals

Sam Zell always used the axiom that you should always buy deals with low risk/high reward, never buy deals with high risk/low reward and the ones that require thinking are those with high risk/high reward. So how do you approach those type of deals? That’s the focus of this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast.

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Mastering the Art of Negotiation in Mobile Home Park Acquisitions

In the vast landscape of negotiation advice, a common misstep is to oversimplify the process, especially when it comes to substantial investments like mobile home parks. Unlike the transactional approach often depicted in media or generalized negotiation guides—which can range from selling everyday items to negotiating multi-million-dollar deals—the reality of negotiating a mobile home park purchase is far more nuanced.

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Strategies for Acquiring and Transforming Underperforming RV Parks

The allure of transforming a poorly managed RV park into a profitable venture is undeniable. Despite the potential for high returns, these projects are fraught with challenges and carry significantly more risk than their well-managed counterparts. Here's a comprehensive guide on navigating these waters successfully.

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Is Acquiring a Foreclosed Self-Storage Facility a Smart Investment Today?

In the evolving landscape of the self-storage industry, a notable trend is the emergence of previously foreclosed facilities from the shadows of bank portfolios. These properties, perhaps ambitively launched and now struggling, beg the question: Are they wise investments?

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Engaging Advertisers Effectively: A Modern Guide to Selling Billboard Space

In today's competitive advertising landscape, understanding and aligning with your advertisers' goals is more crucial than ever. The key to successfully leasing billboard space is not just in presenting your offering but in speaking the language of profitability and value from the perspective of your clients. This mindset shift can significantly enhance your sales effectiveness and foster long-term client relationships.

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 332 - Embezzlement Scams And How To Avoid Them

For the park manager that wants to cheat you, stealing cash is old school. There are a number of bigger scams that involve an enhanced level of sophistication in today’s world. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore the latest embezzlement strategies that some managers deploy as well as how best to avoid them.

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RV Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 90 - Understanding How You Get Paid Twice

RV Park owners have the benefit of getting paid twice: once with monthly cash flow and then a second time with appreciation in value. So how does this occur and how can you estimate your rate of return with this knowledge? In this RV Park Mastery podcast we’re going to explore why RV Park owners get paid twice and what this means for your investment success.

Listen To Episode 90

Self Storage University Podcast: Episode 94 - The Importance of “Time On The Market”

On most on-line offerings, the time on the market is featured somewhere in the listing. This is one of the most valuable pieces of information available – yet many buyers overlook its importance. In this Self-Storage University podcast we’re going to explore how knowing how long a facility has been up for sale can prove to be a useful tool in getting it under contract.

Listen To Episode 94

Billboard Mastery Podcast: Episode 90 - How To Improve Your Expression Of Numbers

When you are trying to persuade someone, how you express numbers is an extremely important part of your success – and that’s particularly true in the billboard industry. In this Billboard Mastery podcast we’re going to review the importance of the optics of numbers and how to get what you want by manipulating them.

Listen To Episode 90

Even Jim Harbaugh Likes RV Parks

Legendary coach Jim Harbaugh was just named in charge of the Los Angeles Chargers and he announced he will be moving to California and living in his RV inside a local RV park. Why do even the elites like RV parks so much, and what does that suggest about the future of owning these assets?

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Mobile Home Park Mastery Podcast: Episode 331 - The Bi-polar Nature Of Vacancy

Mobile home park vacancy can either be an asset or a liability – and this bi-polar nature is typically separated by a very fine line. In this Mobile Home Park Mastery podcast we’re going to examine how something that could equate to greater net income in the future may also be viewed as a terrible liability in the near-term.

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Navigating the Challenges of Difficult Tenants: A Modern Guide

In the world of property management, encountering challenging tenants is an inevitability that many of us dread. These individuals test the limits of our patience and policies, often seeming to revel in the chaos they create. From incessant complaints about trivial matters to outright rule-breaking, their actions can significantly impact the harmony and operational efficiency of a mobile home park.

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Navigating the Purchase of Non-Performing Notes for Self-Storage Properties Today

Investing in non-performing notes (NPNs) for self-storage properties can be a complex endeavor, particularly when a property is struggling to meet its mortgage obligations. This strategy offers an alternative path for investors, but it comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Here’s an updated guide to help you navigate these waters without falling prey to common pitfalls.

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Strategizing Your Billboard Investment: A Modern Approach

Securing a legal spot for a billboard is just the first step in a nuanced process of deciding on the best size and type for your investment. The landscape of outdoor advertising has evolved, offering a diverse array of options to match every possible scenario. Here's how to navigate these choices effectively today.

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