We all have seen our cities grow during our lifetime. And as cities grow bigger in size and population, it seems to some that we grow colder as a society. Even though technology has certainly added conveniences to our lives it has also created a gap between us. There are so many apps for things such as grocery deliveries, restaurant deliveries, office supplies, and more. You can do customer pick up for just about everything, which eliminates the need for you to walk into a business and interact with others. There’s a growing concern among some that we are losing our sense of community.
However, there is one mainstay that doesn’t follow that trend and that is the manufactured home park in the U.S. Here, you can find a real sense of connection and belonging amongst the residents. It supports the basic human need for community, support, and a place to call home.
Even though the homes in these communities can be moved from here to there, the sense of community within these parks is something that is permanent. This seems to come from the fact that its residents share experiences, and they share the love and understanding of life in a manufactured home.
Most residents within these parks have chosen this lifestyle intentionally, valuing the affordability and simplicity that manufactured homes offer. This shared choice creates a foundation for a strong sense of community, as residents find common ground in their reasons for living in the park. Just as in traditional subdivisions you may find in your city, the residents of these manufactured home communities also come together to organize events, share resources, and provide emotional support to one another, thus creating a support system akin to a site-built neighborhood.
The synergy within manufactured home parks isn't confined to the residents alone. Management staff play a crucial role in fostering and nurturing these close-knit communities. Their responsibilities extend beyond the logistical part of running the park; they become the admins of the community spirit that seems to grow there.
With that said, management staff should go the extra mile to organize events, facilitate communication, and create an environment where residents feel heard and valued. These efforts will go a long way to build bridges among residents and solidify their connection. The management staff's familiarity with the residents' lives and needs underscores their commitment to the well-being of the community.
The benefits of a strong sense of community within manufactured home parks are far-reaching, affecting both residents and management staff. For residents, the community becomes an extended family, providing a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation.
This is particularly valuable for those who might not have family nearby or who have moved to the area recently. Here in South Texas, we have plenty of what we call “Winter Texans.” As such, these part time residents love the community vibe because it makes it more pleasurable to be away from their real home.
It has been reported regularly that community engagement often translates to improved mental and emotional well-being. Residents report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction when they feel connected to their neighbors and actively participate in community activities.
A management staff that takes these things to heart will foster a strong sense of community within the residents. These residents are more likely to stay long-term, fostering stability within the park. Furthermore, positive word-of-mouth from content residents can attract new tenants, and homeowners alike, creating a virtuous cycle of community growth.
Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t also make clear that there are challenges within the communities that present themselves as well. We must understand that is life as we know it. Management can help alleviate the tensions that may arise, through regular community meetings to allow concerns to be aired and addressed collectively.
These close-knit neighborhoods provide a haven of belonging, support, and companionship in a world that can often feel isolating. The management staff's commitment to community-building, coupled with the residents' shared experiences, creates an environment where genuine relationships thrive.
With management and residents working together, the enduring sense of community within manufactured home parks serves as a reminder that, regardless of where we live, our shared human need for connection and support remains constant. Manufactured home communities offer a glimpse into the beauty of unity and the profound impact it can have on individual lives and the collective well-being of a neighborhood.
When the staff of a manufactured home park has a strong grasp on the fundamentals of the manufactured home business, the psychology of the manufactured homeowner/resident, and what they can do to help more families own their own homes, they gain confidence in themselves. That confidence will allow them to be more influential and add value to the residents and the bottom line each year.
That is where my company, Manufactured Home Sales Mastery, and I come in. We work with manufactured home parks and their sales staff to be better prepared to deal with the clientele and their way of thinking. You see, selling a manufactured home is unlike most sales out there. It requires extra care, finesse, and influence to be effective.
We ALSO work with community managers that don’t consider themselves salespeople, nor do they want to be salespeople. What we do with the community managers is train them to be able to be influential with the potential residents that come in by using some of the same sales skills and word tracts that sales teams use to create buy-in, excitement, and desire. Community managers don’t require a real in-depth sales training program, but they do need to have the ability to influence a decision-making process. That is what we provide them.
Together, we are creating better communities across the nation through highly skilled sales and management staff. Our mission is to serve a higher purpose of helping many people in this country get an affordable home of their very own. We do this through better preparing sales and management staff in manufactured home communities to improve the customer experience.
To all the manufactured home parks out there, their staff and ownership groups, thank you for being such an integral part of making our communities better and stronger.
Cesar Mascorro, Jr.
Manufactured Home Sales Mastery
