Sun Communities is a publicly-traded real estate investment trust based in Southfield, MI. The company owns, operates and develops manufactured housing communities primarily in the midwestern, southern, and southeastern United States. There are currently 155 properties in its portfolio located in 18 states. The portfolio includes manufactured housing communities and recreational vehicle communities.

History

Sun Communities, Inc., together with its affiliates and predecessors, has been in the business of acquiring, operating, and expanding manufactured housing communities since 1975.
In 1993, the company went public as a REIT

Real estate investment trust

A real estate investment trust or REIT is a tax designation for a corporate entity investing in real estate. The purpose of this designation is to reduce or eliminate corporate tax. In return, REITs are required to distribute 90% of their taxable income into the hands of investors...

, offering 5.7 million common shares. At the time of the public offering, the company operated 31 manufactured housing communities with 9,036 sites located in 6 states. Continuing with its acquisition philosophy, Sun continued to acquire properties from both individual owners and companies.
By 2011, Sun Communities owned and operated a portfolio of 136 communities comprising 47,600 developed sites. In May 2011, Sun Communities acquired Orange City RV Resort in Orange City, FL. A month later, Sun Communities announced it acquired 17 manufactured housing communities and 1 recreational vehicle community from Kentland Corporation.

Awards

Crain's Detroit Business "Cool Places to Work" - 2011

Manufactured Housing Institute “Community Operator of the Year Award” – 2002

Manufactured Housing Institute “Community Operator of the Year Award” – 1997