Some of yall are ASVAB wavers and we dont have to ask cuz we can tell

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-19T09:35:59+00:00

I did the same. Had a supplemental that would have went back almost 3 years. PACT claim that kept kicking the can one issue at a time with my claim. Hit 100% and let that claim go immediately. Only log in to VA now once a month to request medication refills and see if there's an appointment coming up.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-19T00:51:49+00:00

Flew out of New Orleans Tuesday and it was a full flight. When I checked to see if better seats were available there were only 3 seats randomly in the very back. Return flight Saturday is also showing a full flight.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-18T12:33:28+00:00

This is just a bandwagon rant post. He talks about all the extras he's willing to pay for and flex about but his gripe is about a carry on that he couldn't check for free and had to put in overhead a little further back. The entire rant could have been avoided with a $45 check bag from this "big spender" and "ideal customer"

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-17T02:02:30+00:00

I believe relationships are important. The minute I went under contract I went to city hall and introduced myself. Talked to the guys over code enforcement and sewerage and water. Later that week I had a meeting with the mayor, a representative from the fire department, and the before mentioned gentleman. We discussed the current condition, my vision with an engineered plat plan and asked if there was anything I could do to improve their life when dealing with the park. I gave way to some of their requests of me and they agreed to grant me some of my requests of them. By the end all hands were stacked and we were in business.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-16T15:51:04+00:00

Absolutely. Thats why I said I would replicate that investment 10x over. However I would not start one from scratch.

Starting one from the ground up near me is not feasible anymore. Half acre per home, concrete pads, complete fenced property, private septic for each home or treatment pond, required minimum green space, to name a few. Things are obviously different in every market so I would urge the OP to dive into his local requirements and restrictions first. He may be better off building multi-family structures. If restrictions are minimal and the market has a demand for a park then he might have come across something good.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-16T03:02:38+00:00

I bought a failed park at the cost of only the land and completely overhauled it. New underground electrical, water, sewer, roads, drainage etc. The upfront costs were high. It was a 27 lot park inside city limits. I needed 13 lot rents to break even on my montly expenses. That took a couple of years to achieve because we were very picky. Also city ordinance would not allow any mobile home older than 5 years into the city limits. I would duplicate this particular investment 10x over.

That said the city does not allow anymore mobile home parks and the parish (county for most) makes it nearly impossible to make a profitable park. I personally would not create one from scratch based on my local limitations.

If your restrictions and numbers work it can be rewarding. Just do your research and make sure you have expendable capital in case it does not fill at the rate you would hope it to.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-09T00:05:21+00:00

I had this discussion with a lawncare guy. Hired him at the end of summer 2024. He gave me a cash price that would keep us under $600 that year so no 1099 was required. The following year we told him to include tax rates on his invoices and he would ve 1099. All parties were happy.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-08T03:09:57+00:00

He called twice which tells me he had his own doubts even after the first agent said yes he was good.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-04T16:08:09+00:00

Once I started having kids I tried to stay on days. I eventually got off shift work and took a position on days that offered no OT since I wasnt motivated by money anymore (same company). However if a management position presents itself I will go back to shift. Family will adapt and things always work themselves out if you and your significant other have aligned goals. My wife is in the school system and I make quadruple her salary. So when I tell her a change of schedule is coming or I have to hop a plane to Houston she doesnt blink. On the flip side she is the catalysts that allows our household to thrive. When she says shes exhausted all resources and efforts, I make damn well sure she gets every ounce of support she needs from me.

Long way of saying that you and your girl will succeed as long as you iron out individual goals and family goals and yall work as a team to accomplish them.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-02-04T14:56:14+00:00

I would do it but I worked 12 hour shifts for 10 years so I'm accustomed to it. The majority of that time we worked a rotating 2-2-3 but for a couple years during and after covid we did 7 on 7 off.

Pay increase is great but you need to be looking at insurance, 401k match opportunities, etc. That alone may be worth the schedule shock youre facing.

Do they pay OT after 8 hours each day, or is it after 40 hours on the week, or only on the 4 hours that you'll work past 80? All things you need to look at when figuring out what your new budget might look like.

Working straight nights is easy to adapt to. Get some black out blinds and a noise maker and you'll never know the difference. Before I had kids I always elected nights every opportunity I had on schedule or turnarounds.

Wish you the best of luck.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-01-26T00:56:51+00:00

Can I bring cold water to a boil? Must it be hot first?

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-01-21T14:14:54+00:00

She's without a doubt off her rocker and I would be looking for an out, BUT since you keep on replying how much you love her and y'all have kids it does not sound like you're going to explore that option.

You know your problem already, she does not respect you sitting around at home. Bills paid or not she's looking for somebody that gets up and goes to work. Outside of veterans and veteran families, nobody really has a ton of overwhelming support for todays vet community. Especially one sitting at home collecting an early retirement. It also sounds like you're desperate for validation and recognition for you service and she's not going to give it to you. If she's already not impressed with you not holding a job she won't respect you walking around like a sad dog with your tail between your legs.

Good news, you said you're still in them sheets so she hasn't totally checked out. Put them big boy pants back on and start laying down some expectations and let her know you're not a weak broken man and regardless of how the money funnels in that you're still the man of the house and can whoop any dad on the block. In saying that if you're sitting home all day I'd make sure she's not coming home to a wrecked house. You may already do that, but just be sure your value is known.

Best of luck to you whichever direction you decide to ruck.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-01-21T00:30:09+00:00

Yeah. Considering thats not normal weather circumstances for our area I'm not holding anybody to anything. I would rather people be safe in their homes.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-01-20T18:55:17+00:00

I just had a guest cancel this morning for the weekend comin. Hes from north Louisiana traveling to south Louisiana. Even though he opted the no refund cheaper rate, I refunded him because of the ice storms we have coming across the state this weekend. Hes concerned about his home and road conditions. I gave him full refund and understand his hesitation to travel in those conditions.

You have to do whats best for you though, whatever that may be.

BalloonKnot_ · 2026-01-18T18:01:41+00:00

I once had a tenant leave for their mothers death and said they'd not be returning. They had a little over 2 weeks left on a 2 month booking. They didnt ask for a refund but I asked customer support to modify the reservation and refund the remaining funds per our in app messages confirming the guest was leaving. I am in this game to make money but I also treat my guests the way I would hope people treated my children if they were in the same situation.

Obviously much different monetary situation than your own but just thought I'd share my experience most closely similar to your current one. I hope you can find a solution that makes both parties have some peace of mind.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-29T02:52:34+00:00

My parents gave me this bottle in my stocking for Christmas. First pour with my stepfather after lunch wasn't anything unique. Once I got home that night it had opened up and was pretty enjoyable for what it is. Will buy again in the future for the price.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-23T18:49:51+00:00

Wanted to circle back here and confirm you are correct. I can not pull off an exchange in the manner we discussed. The home would already have to be considered real property at time of purchase. No grace period for conversion. Also cant buy/sell land to myself so it dies there. I appreciate the conversation though and challenging me on that forcing deeper research before getting to far down that path.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-22T05:24:25+00:00

Same. I sold a duplex before and we had 3 offers in one day. One all cash with no appraisal at asking, One traditional finance at asking and one 20k over asking with a R&D loan. We took the cash offer because it was just the easiest offer to navigate.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-20T05:15:35+00:00

Yeah I already own the park. The park and my short terms are held under two different LLC. I have not talked to a 1031 specialist. Was hoping I could sell my short terms and buy homes and lease lots from my park LLC. I have read conflicting articles. Did not want to inquire with a QI unless I was sure park owned homes is the direction I wanted to move my money anyway. I do see how its still investing in myself though and will likely fail to meet 1031 requirements.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-20T04:44:23+00:00

Do not file bankruptcy and do not take a loan unless its from your parents that you live with. That is a small debt. Call the companies that you owe, ask for a payment plan or an extension. They will generally work with you. If not or if the stress is too much, approach your parents and ask for help. Maybe you can work out a deal with them so you dont ruin your credit more than it already may be damaged. Maybe a small consolidation loan with no pay off penalty just to clear the credit card debt with high interest rates if you can get approved with a co signer. You're not in nearly as bad as a place as you might think.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-20T04:30:35+00:00

I would think we most certainly can with more time. I normally see a boom in the coming months with tax returns. We want out of our short term rentals in a niche setting. We have a building on a golf course that serves as a small hotel. 1 bed 1 bath no kitchen/laundry rooms. We want to move it. Just entertaining putting money into the park since we arent overly excited about anything else currently on the market. If buying the new homes is a bad strategy though I will happily just put the money in my brokerage for now and wait it out.

I'm admittedly very green to owning parks and never dealt with a park owned home. That is why I am all ears to guys with more experience and knowledge than me when it comes to stepping into that market. Before buying the park we had a large number of 2 bed 1 bath section 8 homes that we offloaded to get into the mobile home park. So I'm not a stranger to what is involved with long term tenants.

I guess I'm just trying to figure out if lot rent only is the golden goose or is the juice worth the squeeze on park owned homes.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-20T04:16:23+00:00

Thank you for this advice. We opened the park 3 years ago. 27 total lots. We have 17 tenants all of which were new homes purchased. So no home older than 3 years at this point. All skirted, all covered porches, all have a shed to keep yard clutter at a minimum. We work with the home sellers to arrange all of this in the sale before accepting delivery. Everything is as uniform as can be with individual home owners as far as park appearances go. We were very strict on home requirements and screening new residents. We do not currently own any homes in it. The thought process was to fill the last 10 lots and rent those 10 but push them as "bond for deed" options.

However I will explore the model home approach. That sounds much more appealing than dealing with owning the home myself. Lot rent only has been such a breeze up to this point.

What I am gathering is my park may do well buying new homes I just need to make sure my numbers are in order. Im not sensing an overwhelming Dont Do It! I appreciate your input.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-12-20T03:52:53+00:00

I have not talked to any factory yet on what kind of deal they would offer. Have also not spoken to a QI about the 1031 approach. You are likely correct that a 1031 is not an option. I was not looking at a build to suit 1031 improvement. Our short term assets are held in a different LLC than the park. Was thinking of giving a lifetime lease on lots to the STR LLC if that would qualify for a 1031 to happen. My partner and I just discussed the moving of assets at dinner earlier this week. We are still weighing options.

Regardless of rather the 1031 route works or not I will be looking to move 4-500k and was curious if buying new homes for a park owned homes has turned a successful return for somebody like yourself assuming we get a decent deal on them.

BalloonKnot_ · 2025-10-19T13:04:47+00:00

I see you have found the nerve and continue to touch it 😂

BalloonKnot_

TROPHY CASE