Originally posted by Marc Faulkner:
I like your idea of being honest but, you have to understand that park managers are a breed out their own. Most of them were promoted from among the tenants and have no clue about this business of operating or keeping a park full. They will look at you as competition a lot of times. If you sell more homes and do more good for the park then they are, how does that make them look to the boss. I suggest focusing in on the owners and forget about trying to explain your investment strategy to managers for the most part as it won't get you far in most cases as the manager is just going to have to get approval from the owner anyhow. If you let them explain your plan to the owner they will almost always lose something in the translation. Go for the owners / decision makers. Now with that said-as soon as you are in with the owner you should become as friendly as possible with the manager and let them know what's in it for them. They typically won't care if another lot gets full or they get another lease signed if they have no incentive to do so, it is only more work. Make it worth while for them to send deals your way-both buyers and sellers. Most are low paid so a couple of hundy goes a long ways.
Thanks, mark for that feedback. I have read many of your forum comments and appreciate your insight and experience.
How does one find the owners outside of asking the managers who they are?
Yes, I wanted to offer at least $100 to the managers since money motivates.
Your perspective on the managers does make sense. I realize that all are not the same, but at least if I have that awareness of the way many are, it can only help.
Thanks again for the thoughtful comments and taking the time; I appreciate it.
