BUY BOX Acquisition Criteria Playbook for ALL ASSET CLASSES

BUY BOX Acquisition Criteria Playbook for ALL ASSET CLASSES

BUY BOX Acquisition Criteria Playbook for ALL ASSET CLASSES

1️⃣ HOTEL – BUY BOX
SIZE

• 60–150 rooms
• Flagged or strong independent
• Built after 1985 preferred

PERFORMANCE TARGET

• 60%–70% current occupancy
• ADR below market by 10%+
• NOI margin under 35% (means upside)

WHY

Low efficiency = opportunity.

MINIMUM DEAL METRICS

• DSCR minimum 1.30 stressed
• Cap rate 7%–9%
• Price per key below area average
• RevPAR below competitive set

If market ADR = $170
Property ADR = $150
That’s your lever.

RED FLAGS

• 50% occupancy or less
• Heavy PIP required
• Franchise termination risk
• Seasonal-only demand

VALUE CREATION CHECK

If you increase:

Occupancy 5%–10%
OR
ADR $10–$20

Does NOI increase 15%+?

If yes → buy.

If not → pass.

2️⃣ RV PARK – BUY BOX
SIZE

• 80–200 pads
• Public utilities preferred
• Near highways, parks, job corridors

PERFORMANCE TARGET

• 85%+ occupancy
• Below-market rents
• Expense ratio under 45%

MINIMUM DEAL METRICS

• Cap rate 6.5%–8%
• Rent at least $75 below local market
• Long-term tenants preferred
• Utility bill-back possible

RED FLAGS

• Septic failures
• Flood zones
• Heavy park-owned homes
• Seasonal-only tourism

VALUE CREATION CHECK

If you raise rent $75
Does NOI increase 10%–15%?

If yes → likely $1M upside.

RV parks are math machines.

3️⃣ MOBILE HOME PARK – BUY BOX
SIZE

• 100–300 lots
• 90%+ occupancy
• Tenant-owned homes preferred

This is key.

PERFORMANCE TARGET

• Expense ratio 30%–40%
• Lot rent below market
• Minimal park-owned inventory

MINIMUM DEAL METRICS

• Cap rate 6%–8%
• Rent $50–$100 below market
• Stable demographic area

RED FLAGS

• 30%+ park-owned homes
• High delinquency
• City utility pressure
• Major infrastructure repairs

VALUE CREATION CHECK

If you raise rent $50
Across 150 lots

150 × $50 = $7,500 per month
$7,500 × 12 = $90,000

At 6% cap:

$90,000 ÷ .06 = $1,500,000 value increase

That’s your $1M.

YOUR UNIVERSAL FILTER (ALL ASSETS)

Is rent below market?

Can NOI increase 15%+ within 12–24 months?

Is cap rate 150–200 basis points above debt cost?

Can I stress test 10% revenue drop and still survive?

Is there refinance equity after stabilization?

If answer is yes to 4 of 5 → pursue.

ORDER OF STABILITY

Mobile Home Park – most stable

RV Park – strong yield

Hotel – highest upside, highest risk

SIMPLE RULE

If you cannot clearly explain:

How NOI increases
How value increases
How lender is protected

Do not buy it.

You don’t look for buildings.

You look for:

Underperforming NOI
Protected downside
Forced appreciation

That’s your filter.

Structure over sacrifice. Stewardship over struggle. Every deal builds legacy.