Being the property manager of a mobile home park can have its distinct challenges, but it can also be an extremely rewarding career. As the park manager you’ll likely be acting on behalf of an investment property group, which means some big responsibilities are on your shoulders.
To ensure the smooth operation of a mobile home park and a satisfying career choice for you, every property manager should have the following 6 qualities, or be willing to learn and develop them.
Table of Contents
#1 – You Must Be a Good Communicator and Mediator
Communication is so important in any form of management position, and it really is a key ingredient in being a successful property manager in a mobile home park.
Hundreds of residents live within the park, and then there is park staff, contractors and park owners to deal with.
You need to be an effective communicator as well as a mediator on many occasions. Conflicts can arise, but these can be quickly allayed with patient communication between residents and park management staff. Good communication also means being a good listener.
#2 – Strong Organizational Skills Are a Must
If you were to survey the positive qualities of any effective manager, you would find that a strong ability to organize is one of their key traits.
The smooth operation of the mobile home park and everything it entails requires the ability to organize and keep things organized.
Good organization saves both time and money and also reduces stress levels for staff members, investors and residents alike.
As the property manager, you’re in charge of leasing out mobile homes, collecting rent when it’s due, keeping the park clean, lawns and gardens tended to, liaising with residents on a regular basis and taking care of all park amenities and finances.
Being organized will make the processes so much easier.
#3 – Patience Is Key
This trait really goes hand in hand with being a good communicator. When dealing with so many residents on a daily basis, as well as the delegation of tasks and chores for your staff, without a healthy degree of patience, you might just find yourself getting frazzled and causing friction between you and your staff and residents.
The more patient you are, the more you’ll enjoy the job, and the easier it will be to stay organized and calm under pressure.
Patience could be the difference between a long and rewarding career as a mobile home park property manager, or finding yourself looking for a career change.
#4 – You Must Know How To Keep the Park Full
People buy into and invest in mobile home parks for one major reason: To receive a positive return on investment through rental income. In order to maximize this rental income, the park needs to remain fully occupied (or very close to it) at all times.
As the person in charge, it’ll be your job to make sure the park remains full. This could mean having strong marketing skills to lure in new residents, but it also means ensuring that current residents are happy and content and willing to stay.
#5 – Be Willing To Enforce Park Rules
To maintain a harmonious and happy vibe among residents, the mobile home park will need some rules in order to keep the peace and ensure people and property are respected.
Rules are only as effective as their enforcement, so as the manager, both you and your staff must be willing to enforce the rules and step in when there is a conflict.
There’s no room for being timid as a manager, and this includes a willingness to chase up rent when it’s due.
#6 – Industry Training
Your job as mobile home park manager will be so much easier to execute if you have received property management training. Even if you have, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your skills by taking some refresher courses. This will keep you on top of things and maybe even give you some fresh ideas to improve your management services.
Further training can help improve your communication and problem solving skills, as well as learn how to market the park better and keep occupancy full.