Mobile home park acquisitions present a financing challenge that bridge loans are specifically designed to solve. Conventional lenders frequently decline MHP deals due to unfamiliarity with the asset class, reluctance to lend on park-owned homes, or inability to move at the speed the market demands. Bridge financing fills that gap.

Why MHP Deals Need Bridge Loans

Three scenarios consistently push mobile home park buyers toward bridge financing:

Below-market operations: Many parks operate with deferred maintenance, below-market rents, and inconsistent management. Conventional lenders underwrite current income, not potential income. A park generating $8,000/month in NOI with a path to $14,000/month after improvements will not qualify for permanent financing at its future value. A bridge loan capitalizes the acquisition based on the business plan, not just the trailing financials.

Speed requirements: MHP deals sourced directly from aging owner-operators often require fast closings. These sellers want certainty and speed over price maximization. A bridge loan closing in 10-15 business days wins deals that a 60-day bank process would lose.

Park-owned home portfolios: Parks with a significant number of park-owned homes (POHs) are difficult for conventional lenders to underwrite. Bridge lenders evaluate the total asset, including the income from POH rentals, and provide financing that accounts for the full revenue picture.

Structuring the Capital Stack

Acquisition Bridge Loan

The primary bridge loan covers 65-80% of the purchase price. Terms typically run 12-24 months with interest rates in the 9-11% range for MHP deals. The exit strategy is a refinance into agency debt (Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac manufactured housing programs) or a CMBS loan once the park is stabilized.

Improvement Capital

Many bridge lenders will include a renovation or improvement holdback in the loan structure. This capital funds infrastructure upgrades, lot infill, and deferred maintenance. Draws are released as work is completed, similar to construction draw processes. At Requity Lending, we structure improvement holdbacks directly into our bridge loans so borrowers have a single capital source for both acquisition and execution.

Equity

Borrower equity typically ranges from 20-35% of the total project cost. Experienced MHP operators with strong track records can often access lower equity requirements. The equity covers the gap between the bridge loan and total acquisition plus improvement costs.

The Stabilization Timeline

A well-executed MHP value-add plan follows a predictable timeline:

  • Months 1-3: Takeover operations, implement professional management, begin infrastructure assessment. Start lot rent adjustment program with proper notice periods.
  • Months 4-8: Execute infrastructure improvements. Begin lot infill program for vacant pads. Second phase of rent adjustments if applicable.
  • Months 9-12: Stabilize occupancy and revenue. Compile 3-6 months of trailing financials showing improved performance.
  • Months 12-18: Refinance into permanent financing based on stabilized NOI. Repay bridge loan and recapture equity for the next acquisition.

What Lenders Want to See

When approaching a bridge lender for MHP financing, come prepared with: a rent roll with current and market lot rents, utility billing structure and costs, a lot-by-lot condition assessment, your improvement budget with timeline, comparable lot rents in the market, and your exit strategy with target permanent financing terms.

Evaluating a mobile home park acquisition? Request a term sheet from Requity Lending and get a response within 48 hours.