Missing In Action

I know many of you have been wondering where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to?

My life has been going through a transition period and as always change is always a part of that, most of it has been good and then again some things have presented challenges and trials which as you know we all experience in our lives.

During this time I have decided not to continue on as the entrepreneur at Butler Creek in Augusta, GA. My hearts desire has been to venture into the self storage arena and that’s the direction I have taken. I am currently jumping in feet first and am learning the business from Steve and Corey at a facility located in Loganville GA. on the east side of Atlanta, GA.

I’m still assisting Rick Walls who is managing the Pine Bluff project in Albany, GA. For those of you who have met Rick he is doing well and has transitioned from rehab man to entrepreneur very well and is doing a great job in Albany at Pine Bluff.

My hope is that Steve and Corey will allow me to share my experiences here in Loganville at the self storage facility in a blog with all of you. Wish me luck as I try my hand at something totally new.

Please wish Jim and Ellen well as they take over the reins at Butler Creek in Augusta. They are truly a dynamic duo and will do an excellent job there in Augusta. They are bringing a tremendous amount of energy to the project there and will be hugely successful, Join me in wishing all the best! I can’t wait to track their progress as we follow their blog.

Best wishes to all,

Fred Balke

When Opportunity Knocks ! ! !

When those of you who know me find out what I've gotten myself into many of you will say what in the world is he thinking, especially those of you who have heard me say numerous times in the past year I prefer not do another turn around park, well never say never!

I've really gone and done it now, wait until you hear the details of this deal. One hundred and fifty acres in Augusta, Ga , the property was laid out to be a 510 space park, infrastructure is in place for 376 spaces 160 spaces are currently occupied with paying residents of which the park owns 67, we have 216 empty spaces needing homes. The park has a clubhouse which includes the park office with a full length deck on the back of the clubhouse which over looks the pond, it also has a swimming pool and a playground on the property. We have been told by many people in the area that we now own one of the finest parks in Augusta if not the nicest, and I must say it is a gem.

Talk about a heavy work load, now I have the job of finding and purchasing 68 homes to complete filling the empty sites in Albany, GA as well as the 216 spaces in the Augusta project as well as over seeing the management teams in Albany and Augusta. So I guess it goes without saying I won't have much spare time to get into trouble will I?

As you can tell by the outline I've given you this project has tremendous upside potential, in addition to the number of empty spaces we have a parcel of land near the rear of the park that borders a land home community where at some point in the future we will more than likely do some land home packages of our own.

In addition the park currently pays for the residents water, sewer and trash pickup something we will obviously turn over to the residents as soon as we feel the timing is right, this will be a huge savings to us and improve our bottom line.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on the changes and improvements we will be making here at Butler Creek Manufactured Home Community as well as Pine Bluff Country Estates and the on going improvements we continue to make in both parks. It goes without saying this will be a very busy year, I hope to see many of my friends from around the country at Mobile Home Millions 6 so I can catch up on what you've been up to, I hope you've set your goals and are in full motion working toward them. Wishing you all a very successful and prosperous year!!