Mobile home park updates impact on tenants

[LaShanda Friedrich]

Hello everyone. My husband and I are new to mobile home park investing. We are under contract for one and in talks to buy another one in a few weeks. This question below is for our park-owned homes. 

The properties that we looked at have older trailers with long-time residents. I wanted to put up a new sign, landscaping and a fence (like Frank Rolfe does), but have been discouraged from doing so. I felt almost sorry for the residents and wanted to give them something. My dad (who invests in mobile homes not in parks) and another investor said they are happy the way they live and coming in and quickly overhauling their way of life is not advisable. The property manager said if they want something, they will let us know. For example, I saw one trailer with the skirting completely ripped away. I asked my dad if they wanted that fixed and my dad says they use that space as storage and they would tear it off as soon as I left. He said he saw a lawnmower and other stuff under the house. It seems like it is a live and let live situation, which kind of goes against Mobile Home University's teachings. They pay on time and keep the grounds neat, which is worth something. Please keep in mind these are not Frank Rolfe-esque mobile home communities with new homes.

So, how do I balance my desire for park restoration while being sensitive to residents? Should we enlist the property manager for responses? For my seasoned mobile home park investors, how have you conducted your mobile home park turnaround? Any advice for us?