Let me tell you, there’s a moment when you’re trying to buy something big — like a mobile home park — and you realize, hey, this seller and I, we might actually be friends. Not the fake kind of “let’s stay in touch after the deal closes” friends, but the kind where you genuinely bond over bizarrely niche stuff. It sneaks up on you, but one day you’re not just talking about septic tanks and lot rent, you’re swapping cat photos and debating whether Neil Young is overrated. That’s when you know something deeper is happening.
I’m no psychologist, but apparently, when people share obscure interests, like mobile home park investing, it’s a sign of deeper interpersonal attraction. That’s science! Yeah, there’s a study on it—2018, look it up. And if science says I’m bonding with a mobile home park seller, who am I to argue?
So, how do you know if you’re on the verge of getting matching friendship bracelets with your seller? Here are the three big signs that you and your mobile home park seller might actually be long-lost besties.
1. You Both Have Unironic Taste in Terrible Music
You’re sitting across the table, mid-negotiation, and suddenly you’re both humming the same obscure ‘80s yacht rock song. Is it Christopher Cross? Oh, it’s definitely Christopher Cross. Next thing you know, you’re exchanging Spotify playlists between discussing cap rates. That’s when you know.
Here’s the thing, music bonds people. And when you’re bonding over something terrible, like Steely Dan deep cuts, it’s even more powerful. A 2011 study found that when two people share similar (and let’s face it, often regrettable) music tastes, they tend to have a similar outlook on life. You both appreciate the absurdity of the world, which, coincidentally, helps you navigate the absurdity of real estate deals.
Imagine this: the seller’s telling you about the plumbing upgrades they did, and suddenly that Hall & Oates song comes on. You both burst into “Maneater” at the top of your lungs. And right there, in that cringey harmony, a bond is forged. It’s not just music; it’s a shared understanding that life (and mobile home parks) doesn’t have to be taken too seriously.
2. You Share Weird, Specific Hobbies (Like Arguing About Lot Density or Collecting Ugly Lawn Gnomes)
Look, we all know that hobbies are great, right? They’re little slices of joy in an otherwise stressful world. But when your hobbies sync up with the seller, you’re in for something magical. I mean, it’s one thing if you both like hiking or knitting (yawn), but what if you both have an inexplicable fascination with arguing about optimal lot density or exchanging ugly lawn gnome photos? Now we’re talking.
Let me tell you, when the seller casually drops in that they once spent a weekend at a mobile home expo “just for fun,” and you don’t bat an eye because you did too — that’s when you know. It’s that “we’re both nerds in the same bizarre niche” moment, which, according to a 2018 study, strengthens relationships. And yes, this includes your weird, burgeoning friendship with a mobile home park seller.
Suddenly, your conversations aren’t just about due diligence. You’re swapping tips on how to pressure wash a trailer park sign or trading reviews on the best thrift stores for lawn gnomes. You’ve moved beyond the transactional. You’ve entered the realm of shared adventure — even if that adventure involves discussing the pros and cons of vinyl skirting.
3. You Have the Same Personality… Which Means You’re Both Annoyed by the Same Things
This one’s a biggie. Picture this: you’re walking through the park together, and some guy starts yammering about “tiny homes” as if it’s a new concept. You and the seller share the look. You both know this guy’s been binge-watching HGTV, and you’re equally exhausted by it. It’s not just that you both have a dry sense of humor — it’s that your personalities are eerily in sync. You’re two curmudgeons on the same wavelength, complaining about tiny homes, zoning laws, and how no one really understands the beauty of a 1965 Fleetwood single-wide anymore.
A 2007 study found that couples (or in this case, buyers and sellers) who share similar personalities also share emotional experiences. That means when you both rant about the horrors of homeowners’ associations or zoning nightmares, you’re not just venting — you’re emotionally syncing. It’s a beautiful, cranky connection that leads to stronger bonds and possibly a better deal.When you both start making the same sarcastic jokes about tenant relations, or when you instinctively know when to nod sympathetically as the seller goes on about their nightmare contractor, you’ve hit the jackpot. It’s like you’re no longer two people negotiating over property. You’re now two old souls, united by mutual disdain for the same irritating quirks of the mobile home world.
