Mobile Home Park Airbnb

[Shawn Ziegaus]

Just looking to see if anyone has thought of using a MHP as an Airbnb “unique” stay?

Not sure if it would be worth it.

[Frank Rolfe]

It's been done but only in RV parks. "Glamping" (glamour camping) has been around for a few years now and people pay AirBNB prices for the novelty in staying in an updated Airstream or similar travel trailer. Some owners are reporting AirBNB revenues of up to a third of their gross revenue in great locations.

I don't think that you'd be successful with a mobile home park version of glamping unless you had just the right niche as most people have a very negative stereotype of "trailer parks" and would not want to stay there even for the novelty of it. You would need an audience that thinks of the glory days of mobile home parks (the Elvis years of 1950s and 1960s) and not the Eminem "8-Mile" version.

[Natasha Greer]

What an interesting idea! 

Frank is correct as in the mentality. I grew up in one and never thought it was glamorous! LOL. But, I have been pondering the idea of "upgrading" mobile home parks for areas in our nation that are lower income. I feel they need the opportunity to enjoy a "community style neighborhood" just as single family homes.

I think pondering on it more is great and as Frank said it would have to be the right location and people. (or maybe proper online listing of it's opportunity to the right people) Possibly starting with one or two on someone's property in a "nice area" to test it out? Working as a partnership with them?

[Joe Splitrock]

@Shawn Ziegaus people are definitely into unique experiences, but I would consider staying in a mobile home park as not unique in a good way. You couldn't pay me to stay at any MHP in my city.

[Account Closed]

Check out WeeCasa in Lyons, CO. It's a tiny home hotel. Tiny homes are legit and they've gotten a "pass" in that town because of short term rental. As opposed some of us trying to build long term living situation for tiny homes.

[Alexus Wenstad]

@Shawn Ziegaus there is a tiny home village north of where I live in Sedona, AZ. Not a mobile home park and I agree with most others that a mobile home park might not go far. But a tiny home village/park might work. You could check out Riny Camp Sedona, they are cute spots, and always seem to be booked.

[Hai Loc]

@Shawn Ziegaus

I have a stick built home on my park fronting main road.. highly considering to do it.. either I get $1200 a month for LTR or potentially $3000 with STR

[Rachel H.]

@Shawn Ziegaus I've never heard of it done in a mobile home park. It's possible. Though, I find Airbnb a bit volatile for me personally as a real estate investor. Best of luck with everything! 

[Chad McMahan]

It's less costly and faster/easier to just get zoning and prep land and market as a RV park where people bring their own RV's. Quite a few local business are crushing it, doing just that. I don't think they have tapped the market, and there is still opportunity to add more.

[Ari Baumwald]

I came across a 10 unit MHP in the midwest that includes a single family house. All the units are seller owned. 

I had a wild idea that I wanted to hear feedback on...since all the homes are the owner's, could I turn the ENTIRE place into an AirBnB "village"? 

[Patrick O'Shea]

I have some apartment Airbnb's that are mid-term rentals (30+ days). I suspect in the right area you might be able to cater to a traveling profession like traveling nurses, but clearly it would have to be in the right area. Furnished, mid-term rentals can pull in 75% more in rent and they are rented. These people in my experience are model tenants and take care of the units. Grad students also come to mind as a target demographic.

[Perri Weber]

Hi Shawn! I sell, own and manage MHPs. I recently went to book a Airbnb in Napa, CA for the Napa Marathon I'm running and came across a MHP that is operated as a AirBnB... this was the first time I have seen this. 

CA has strict rent control and Napa also has short-term rental restrictions.

The mobiles rent for $344 per night, next month it is only booked for a couple of nights but in the summer months, it looks pretty booked up. I would run two sets of numbers 100% occupied at market rent with standard MHP operations versus AirBnb rental income and expenses. Obviously, AirBnbs are more expensive to operate and would be a headache from a management perspective, however, it is an interesting concept! 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13222077?adults=4&location=Napa&check_in=2023-03-03&check_out=2023-03-07&federated_search_id=45168d64-00f8-40ba-81c6-bc32c62ca7d8&source_impression_id=p3_1674182053_ay%2BGqkxAz92caBFF&modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE