Hey, 

I have an agent helping me acquire a 38 space RV park with a 3/2/2 home in East Texas and I am doing so pre eval before walking the property. Asking $659,000, cap 13.5%. Private financing available: 50% down, 8.5% interest for 3 years.

Right now operating expenses are at 37% but that is with a low management expense and no lawn care. 

The seller doesn't account for any repairs or cap ex.  I see the owner has a new septic tank system - so that falls under cap ex.  What is included in cap ex and repair on a trailer and rv park? 

I understand parks traditionally cost less to maintain than apartments but 37% doesn't appear accurate. In my spreadsheet, I increased management to 11% of gross income and lawn care to 6% of gross income or $700 monthly.  That increases operating expenses to 47% and 11% cap rate.

I am located in the DFW metroplex. Is there anyone with trailer park experience willing to provide some pointers? I can provide lunch and share my calculations. Help!

Originally posted by @Bab Adetiba :

Hey, 

I have an agent helping me acquire a 38 space RV park with a 3/2/2 home in East Texas and I am doing so pre eval before walking the property. Asking $659,000, cap 13.5%. Private financing available: 50% down, 8.5% interest for 3 years.

Right now operating expenses are at 37% but that is with a low management expense and no lawn care. 

The seller doesn't account for any repairs or cap ex.  I see the owner has a new septic tank system - so that falls under cap ex.  What is included in cap ex and repair on a trailer and rv park? 

I understand parks traditionally cost less to maintain than apartments but 37% doesn't appear accurate. In my spreadsheet, I increased management to 11% of gross income and lawn care to 6% of gross income or $700 monthly.  That increases operating expenses to 47% and 11% cap rate.

I am located in the DFW metroplex. Is there anyone with trailer park experience willing to provide some pointers? I can provide lunch and share my calculations. Help!

From my research here 47% sounds about right. What I have seen quoted by most of the park investors it's close to 50. I'm looking at one also do I have been diving in on the research lately. 

@Bab Adetiba

Did you end up buying this park? How did the Expenses turn out relative to your projections?

@Ryan Pettit I see your name in all the RV topics. Have you got a deal? 50% expense ratio is a fine generalization for quick analysis. Smaller parks often run a little higher and larger parks a little lesser.