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The manufactured housing sector performed well during the second quarter, with occupancy holding at peak levels and asking rents continuing to rise. Demand for manufactured housing remains strong alongside elevated new supply shipments. Nearly 54,000 units were shipped across the country during the first six months of the year, marking the second highest first-half total of the past decade, surpassed only by levels recorded in 2022. Despite continued supply growth, occupancy conditions have remained stable since approaching 95.0% in early 2024. The current rate of 94.9% is up 10 basis points annually. This tight occupancy has allowed...
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The manufactured housing sector performed well during the second quarter, with occupancy holding at peak levels and asking rents continuing to rise. Demand for manufactured housing remains strong alongside elevated new supply shipments. Nearly 54,000 units were shipped across the country during the first six months of the year, marking the second highest first-half total of the past decade, surpassed only by levels recorded in 2022. Despite continued supply growth, occupancy conditions have remained stable since approaching 95.0% in early 2024. The current rate of 94.9% is up 10 basis points annually. This tight occupancy has allowed operators to raise rents in recent periods. Asking rents trended higher by 7.0% during the past year to $752 per month. Rent growth has been steepest in the Southwest and West regions. Year over year, manufactured housing rents in the Southwest advanced by 7.9% while rents in the West rose 7.5%.
All great news but who comes up with these “average rent” numbers? How many parks do you know that have a $752 per month rent? That’s right, virtually none. The real number is more like $400 – about half of what this article says. Here’s what AI reports when asked the question: “As of late 2024 and early 2025, the average mobile home park lot rent in the U.S. typically ranges from $300 to $1,000 per month. However, the median figure is likely closer to the lower end of this range, with some experts citing around $300 to $400”. While I can see rents easily hitting $752 in the years ahead, that is absolutely not the norm today and that type of figure currently remains mostly the bastion of the REITs – who probably gave the data for this story.

