The unprecedented surge of investment volume in the housing sector is pushing valuations for manufactured housing communities (MHCs) to an all-time average high of $46,970 per pad in the second quarter of 2021. Early third-quarter transaction volume is indicating the highest trailing four-quarter investment volume ever recorded at $4.5 billion, which will continue to have a positive effect on valuations.
According to JLL’s latest report on manufactured housing, the sector has continued to produce favorable investor returns and strong loan performances, and is helping provide a solution for the nation’s growing need for affordable living options. Due to its attractiveness, the past 12 months saw a flurry of institutional investment activity in the manufactured housing sector, resulting in increased demand, as investors sought to place capital in more recession-resilient sectors.
“Increased investor and occupant demand, limited supply, and consolidation of single assets and smaller portfolios all contributed to valuations reaching an all-time high,” said JLL executive Scott Belsky.
Investor confidence in the sector continues to grow, as evidenced by low capitalization rates. In the second quarter of 2021, capitalization rates in the MHC sector averaged an all-time low of 4.8 percent, after a year-over-year decline of 50 basis points.
Additionally, as the need for affordable housing options increases, stabilized occupancy reached an all-time high of 95.4 percent. Also, the rate of rent growth increased throughout the pandemic to 2.6 percent, pushing average monthly rents to an all-time high of $800.
“The shortage of affordable housing is one of the largest unresolved issues in commercial real estate — and our society — today,” added Geraldine Guichardo, director, Americas living research at JLL. “Some renters struggle to find an affordable place to live, and the problem isn’t improving. Since the growing demand for affordable housing presents an opportunity for unconventional solutions, the manufactured housing industry may be well positioned to reap the benefits of that pent-up demand.”
With environmental, social and governance (ESG) being top of mind, MHC manufacturers are taking advantage of advancements in various technologies and recycled materials to find new ways of reducing energy usage and waste associated with the production of manufactured homes. Additionally, they are implementing more efficient cooling systems and better insulation to reduce utility costs and carbon footprints, which improves the perception of the sector for investors and community leaders.
“With asset pricing climbing to new peaks as the investment landscape evolves, investors are adjusting their approaches to deploying capital in a recessionary cycle, with MHCs proving to be one of the more reliable performers,” said Zach Bowyer, head of alternative real estate sectors for JLL.
This article was excerpted from the JLL report on manufactured housing communities. Read more at this link: https://bit.ly/3mMbxok