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All Forum Posts by: John Jacobus

John Jacobus has started 18 posts and replied 202 times.

Post: How to Find MHP Wholesalers and Bird Dogs for Leads

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

I work with brokers and utilize direct mail to source MHP opportunities in the southwest and southeast but am seeking other ways to build my pipeline.  I understand that bird dogs and wholesalers are effective team members in the single family home arena.  Has anyone had success utilizing bird dogs or wholesalers who specialize in cultivating mobile home park leads?  Where have others had success finding such individuals?

Post: Would You Listen to This?

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

Yes,  would tune in regularly.

Post: First time MH invested seeking advice getting started

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

Here are a few resources that I found valuable when I was learning about the details of investing in mobile home parks:

Books:

  1. Mobile Home Park 10/20 Investment System by Dave Reynolds, Frank Rolfe
  2. Mobile Home Wealth Part 2: How to Become Even Wealthier investing in Mobile Home Parks by Zalman Velvet, Stuart Silver
  3. The New Investor's Guide to Owning A Mobile Home Parkby Laura Cochran, Erin Cochran

Podcasts:

  1. The Mobile Home Park Investing Podcast with Kevin Bupp and Charles DeHart
  2. Mobile Home Park Investors with Jefferson Lilly & Brad Johnson
  3. Mobile Home Park Mastery with Frank Rolfe

Websites/Blogs:

  1. Park Street Partners - http://parkstreetpartners.com - This is the investment firm run by Jefferson Lilly and Brad Johnson. They focus on mobile home parks and have solid educational content on their website.
  2. Mobile Home Park Investors - http://mobilehomeparkinvestors.com - This is the LinkedIn group led by Jefferson Lilly. It's the largest group on LinkedIn that is exclusively focused on mobile home park investing.
  3. Mobile Home University - http://www.mobilehomeuniversity.com - This is the site maintained by Dave Reynolds and Frank Rolfe. I recommend subscribing to their newsletter.

Post: Mobile Home Park Investors Pros and Cons

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

@Mike Dymski provided a solid list of the key items.  It's curious how, depending on your perspective, some of the cons could be considered pros.  For example, negative stigma and limited sex appeal, while listed as cons, could be viewed as pros because both factors limit competition from other investors.  Additionally, these factors create more inefficiency in the market which leads to greater opportunities to find value.  Just another way to look at it.  Both views have merit.

I've recently focused on growing my MHP portfolio in the past year due to intense competition and limited value in the Class C / Class B multifamily arena.  The lack of sex appeal and the relative undiscovered/unloved nature of MHP's were major draw for me.  

Post: What's the best way to raise $1M+?

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

@Ian Tudor, I strongly recommend that you connect with @David Thompson.  He has had tremendous success in a short time period raising capital for syndicated value-add multifamily projects in Texas.  When I was in your position, I connected with him and he offered valuable advice and recommendations on how to get started with raising large sums.  Check out his blog posts and podcast interviews.  I think you will find useful tips and advice on how to get started raising capital.

Post: Mobile Home Park education

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

@Marc Biviano I recommend Mobile Home Park University.  Frank & Dave offer incredible value and their educational platform is based on ~20 years of hands-on operational experience.  MH University is arguably the gold standard when it comes to this product type.  The boot camps (held every few months) and associated materials are a very good place from which to start. 

@Quay Wallace Watkins, I recommend looking into Jonathan Twombly at Two Bridges Asset Management.  He has a Multifamily Investment Community on Facebook which provides insight into his area of focus and general approach.  You can also look into Chris Urso at URS Capital Partners.  Both are located in the NY metro area and are active multifamily Investors.

Post: Success with attracting foreign investors to investors.

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

@Pat G. As a first step, I recommend a consultation with a CPA rather than an attorney, but eventually you should also consult an attorney. The chances of a free educational session with a CPA are higher than with an attorney, in my experience. Your international investors will need an ITIN, US bank account, EIN, and LLC, among other things. There are also important tax implications to consider as mentioned in the thread above. Offer to refer your investors to the CPA in exchange for a free educational session. Once you have the basics down, then you can use your money selectively to engage an attorney.

Post: Success with attracting foreign investors to investors.

John JacobusPosted
  • Investor
  • New York, NY
  • Posts 224
  • Votes 333

@Pat G. Some foreign investors I've met with in the past have needed additional background on the details and merits of property ownership in the U.S.  (i.e., how do syndications work, what role do property managers play, what are the basic tenant laws, etc.).  Additionally, including light details on the next steps foreign investors will need to follow in order to participate in direct investments in the U.S. has been key in getting them comfortable with participating.  Lastly, some foreign investors I've talked with aren't deeply familiar with the details of the sub-markets in which I'm investing.  Highlighting the demographic trends, employment growth, and job diversity materializing in my sub-markets have resonated with foreign investors and have helped them become comfortable.

I generally structure my presentations and conversations with foreign investors around the following:

  • Basics of syndication and property ownership in the U.S.
  • Demographic trends, employment stats, and job diversity in the sub-market
  • Specifics of the property
  • Business plan to enhance the property's value during the ownership period
  • Financial projection and details on financing terms
  • Overview of property management firm and other key team members
  • Additional detail on the surrounding metro area and the location of the property relative to transportation hubs, retail, and employment centers

Appendix:

  • Basic requirements for foreign direct investment in the U.S.
  • Anticipated timeline for fundraising and closing

I'm an active multifamily investor in DFW and am looking to expand into the San Antonio market.  I'm seeking referrals to property managers specializing in small (30-60 unit), class C, garden style multifamily properties in San Antonio.  

I'm currently pursuing an opportunity in NW San Antonio, just east of the medical center, and would appreciate recommendations to property managers who focus on small multifamily, can manage rehab projects, and are experienced with HUD/Section 8.