(According to Common Sense and Experience)
Want to sound like a seasoned mobile home park investor? Great! But, truth be told, you might be unknowingly sabotaging yourself. Just like negotiating a deal, communication can be a bit of a minefield. One wrong step and—boom—you’re the person others don’t take seriously. If you want to be someone investors and partners respect, here are a few things to avoid.
- “I’m no expert, but…”
Oh good, thanks for clarifying that you’re not a seasoned veteran in the mobile home park industry. Here’s the thing—why highlight your lack of expertise? If you’re making a point, just say it confidently. If you don’t know something, that’s fine, but lead with what you do know.
- “Like, you know…”
Nothing says “rookie” quite like a sentence peppered with “like” and “you know.” If you want to sound professional, ditch the filler words. In the world of business, clear and direct communication is valued. Silence between thoughts is better than cluttering your speech with meaningless phrases.
- “I could care less”
If you’re trying to show you don’t care about a particular issue, the correct phrase is “couldn’t care less.” Saying “I could care less” suggests you actually do care and just haven’t hit the bottom of your caring capacity. Attention to detail is key in deals—this applies to how you speak too.
- “Irregardless”
Just… no. The word you’re looking for is “regardless.” Adding “ir-” doesn’t make you sound smarter; it just confuses people and dilutes your message. In the mobile home park business, clarity is everything—don’t muddy the waters with non-existent words.
- “To be honest…”
Are we supposed to assume you’ve been less than honest up until now? This phrase tends to imply that the rest of your communication might not have been trustworthy. When you’re dealing with sellers, investors, or tenants, your credibility is your currency—don’t undermine it.
- “It’s not fair”
Here’s the harsh truth—business isn’t always fair, and the mobile home park industry is no exception. Whether it’s the market conditions, negotiations, or unexpected costs, fairness isn’t guaranteed. Complaining about it only makes you sound inexperienced, not intelligent.
- “I’m no good at…”
Announcing your weaknesses isn’t the power move you think it is. Instead of focusing on what you’re bad at, try saying, “I’m working on improving…” It makes you sound like someone who’s proactive, and in this industry, being adaptable and willing to learn goes a long way.
- “I’m a perfectionist”
It may sound like a humblebrag, but in the mobile home park business, “perfectionist” can often be code for “I never get anything done.” Investors value efficiency and results over endless tweaks. Focus on getting the job done well, not perfectly.
- “This may be a dumb question, but…”
There are no dumb questions—unless you frame them as such. By calling your own question dumb, you’re undermining your credibility before you’ve even asked it. In this industry, it’s better to confidently ask questions and show your eagerness to learn.
- “Always” and “Never”
Absolutes rarely hold up in the real world, especially in mobile home park investing. Saying “always” or “never” makes you sound rigid and inexperienced. In reality, flexibility is a valuable trait in this industry. Every deal, tenant, and park is different, so it’s important to leave room for exceptions.
By avoiding these phrases, you’ll present yourself as a knowledgeable and confident professional in the mobile home park industry—someone people will want to work with, whether you’re negotiating deals, managing tenants, or closing on your next park!
