Mobile-Life Management

Mobile Life ran a multi- faceted endeavor. They:

• Managed and maintained Tucson Estates amenities and common areas,
• Operated a real estate company that showed and sold lots and listed existing homes for sale,
• Maintained a lot to market and sell new mobile home models.

The mobile home models at that time were generally 12’ wide by 35’- 40’ long. In the early 1960’s Tucson Estate lots sold for around $2,000 and mobile homes for an average price of $5,000. For a modest investment a family could buy a completely finished, efficiently designed new home on land they owned.

By 1966, there were approximately 300 homes in Tucson Estates but there were signs that sales were not as brisk as first hoped. Cash flow was a problem from the beginning and continued to be an issue throughout the 1960’s.

In an address given by the General Manager in April of 1966, he lists 42 improvements including:

• Cutting waist-high weeds throughout the facilities,
• Improved lighting,
• Returning water to the fountain,
• Cleaning up 5 large dumps located on the property,
• Refurbishing the shuffleboard courts making them the “gayest court in the area,”
• Opening the swimming pool again,
• Removing travel trailers from yards, and
• Updating billing procedures and pursuing delinquent accounts.

The manager also notes in the address that the homeowners’ Council worked closely with Mobile Life management to make recommendations regarding the community in general, the roads, common areas, and facilities. The manager makes a special point of noting that all the amenities and common areas are owned by Mobile Life.

Apparently, the $10 homeowner’s fee fell far short of meeting the expenses for maintaining the facilities leaving the company to make up the deficit. The dues schedule were structured differently for the adult and family units. The original $10 fee was raised to $13.75 by 1970, $31.50 by 1980, and $45.50 by 1990.

<<< BACK Next >>>