Mobile home parks are often labeled “recession-proof,” and it’s largely true. They were some of the most resilient assets throughout the Great Financial Crisis, when single-family homes, multifamily apartments, and most other asset classes saw deep distress.
But what is it about mobile home parks that make them seemingly “safe,” and is there a catch?
Jack Martin, co-founder and CIO of 52TEN, was investing in real estate before, during, and after the 2008 housing market crash, and the fallout caused him to reconsider where he wanted to invest for the next 10, 20, or 30 years.
In this episode, he shares exactly why he pivoted from multifamily apartments to “safer,” more recession-resistant mobile home parks, and delivers crucial advice on gauging market demand, “conservative” underwriting, and scaling your investments in today’s market.
The truth is, mobile home parks are strong investments, but only with good operators. Those who understand the asset, market, and tenant dynamics usually stay profitable—even in a worst-case scenario. But those who underwrite mobile home parks just like they would any other real estate asset are in for a rude awakening.
Insights from today’s episode:
- Why Jack exited multifamily apartments for mobile home parks after 2008
- Why mobile home parks are more “recession-proof” than other asset classes
- Practical ways to gauge mobile home park demand in a new market
- The three biggest challenges mobile home park investors face in 2026
- Why “cheaper” is rarely better when buying a mobile home park
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Recommended Resources:
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- If you’re a high-net-worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months and you want to build passive income and wealth with a trusted partner, go to InvestWithKB.com for opportunities to invest in real estate projects alongside Kevin and his team.
- Looking for the ultimate guide to passive investing? Grab a copy of my latest book, The Cash Flow Investor at KevinBupp.com.
- Tap into a wealth of free information on Commercial Real Estate Investing by listening to past podcast episodes at KevinBupp.com/Podcast.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:58 Jack’s Investing Journey
3:52 The Fallout of 2008
10:17 Pivoting to Mobile Home Parks
18:14 “Recession-Proof” Assets
28:10 Gauging Market Demand
36:19 “Painful” Lessons Learned
48:33 Connect with Jack!