I have wished for the ability to order statewide MHC market reports since beginning my career as a commercial real estate appraiser in 2006. Early on I specialized in MHC and RV park valuations. Working at a large national firm provided me the opportunity to travel the country appraising MHCs in many states. I founded Swordfern Commercial Appraisal and Consulting in 2011. My family began investing in manufactured housing communities a few years later.

The more involved I became in the industry, the more I desired access to quality MHC market data. What is the average rental rate in each county? How much should insurance really cost? How many other communities are billing back for utilities? Is there enough demand to add spaces this year? What are buyers typically paying per space, or sellers asking? Are capitalization rates moving higher or lower? For most other property types, a market report is available with answers to these questions and others like them. Why don't those of us in the MHC community have access to that same information?

Since I cannot find the reports I want, I have decided to make them for all of us. Market analysis is something I have done in every commercial appraisal for 19 years. MHCreport.com will be a resource for accurate and useful MHC market information. My goal is for these reports to better inform all of us in the industry (owners, brokers, investors, property managers, lenders, and appraisers). I am reaching out to every MHC in the state and surveying each one willing to participate. Property owners and managers will receive a $50 discount off the cost of the report for each community survey submitted. If you own a MHC community, I hope you will join me in this project. Your involvement will lead to higher quality market information which will lead us all making better informed business and investment decisions.