Hot Communities

In fact, they're about as hot as apartments, the current darlings of the real estate investment world.

Fort Myers-based Murex Properties, a company that manages eight manufactured-home communities in three states, has attracted the attention of insurance giant Northwestern Mutual. Northwestern Mutual is the nation's largest individual-insurance provider with $217 billion in assets.

Recently, Northwestern Mutual financed the third acquisition in Murex's portfolio, acquiring Ventura Lakes in Punta Gorda for $19 million. The gated community is restricted to residents over the age of 55 and has 273 home sites.