I’m considering a 1031 exchange and would like feedback from investors who have experience with mobile home parks, particularly smaller, park-owned operations.Current Property (Selling):Duplex purchased in 2021 for approximately $145,000; estimated current value around $210,000\Loan balance: about $90,000Gross rent: $2,400 per monthNOI: approximately $16,000–$18,000 annuallyCash flow after mortgage: around $750–800 per monthLow management requirements and stable tenantsReplacement Property (Under Consideration):Seven-unit mobile home parkAsking price: $395,000Rent: $750 per unit plus $40 for water (total $5,530 per month; $66,360 annually)100% occupied with long-term tenants, several in place four to five yearsAll homes are park-owned, purchased between 2016–2018 with metal roofs and Hardie sidingOwner pays water and sewer (aerobic septic); tenants pay electric and trashMaintenance handled by one individual for $400 per month using personal equipmentGravel road, well maintained; potential to add one or two additional homesMy Pro Forma:Vacancy: 5%Expenses: approximately 40% of effective gross income (includes water, insurance, taxes, maintenance, mowing, etc.)Estimated NOI: $37,800Financing assumption: $255,000 loan at 8% interest, 25-year termAnnual debt service: approximately $23,574Projected cash flow: about $14,250 annually ($1,188 per month)Cap rate: approximately 9.6%Cash-on-cash return: around 10% on $140,000 downDSCR: 1.6 (strong coverage)If the price can be negotiated to the $360,000–$370,000 range, the cash-on-cash return improves to roughly 11–12%.Pros:Consistent, well-maintained units with matching exteriors.

Os if they didn’t do that, the $400 comes out of tenants security deposit. 

Well i ended up purchasing an RV and renting that out for 600$ a month + a sec deposit. 

While you hunt, tour 2–4 unit deals to sharpen reps, line up a local attorney, inspector, and PM, and be ready to move when a clean T12 and inspection match your numbers.

Coincidentally the list of repairs they emailed her equals the amount of her security deposit. 

They take on a job and get a deposit. 

The tenant just paid an advance on her security deposit $1000.

.- One PM deducts $800 from the security deposit at move-out as part of their “policy,” which isn’t tenant-friendly or transparent.To be clear, I’m not saying PMs don’t add value—especially when I don’t want direct contact with tenants.

Worst case get a double security deposit, a higher rent/guest/occupany fee, and make the SSN holder the sole applicant and the other adult as a guest.  

We embrace S8 applicants, but screen them just like any other applicant.Many have an entitlement mentality and try to leverage their S8 voucher by pretending to be helpless:1) A percentage won't apply because they expect a landlord to waive application fees for them.2) Many cry broke and expect a landlord NOT to charge them a security deposit.3) Many of those same S8 tenants trying to avoid paying a security deposit, won't make an effort to call the list of nonprofits we send them that will pay their security deposit if they apply.4) A lot of them try to avoid paying for utilities.