A Community Profile from Central Indiana, Greenbriar Has Been Characterized as an ‘Icon’ to the Industry
Greenbriar, a manufactured home community east of Indianapolis, seems to have found the proverbial fountain of youth.
“It’s really coming into its own,” said Jacob Cohron, sales manager for Greenbriar and the third generation in his family to operate communities owned by Cohron’s Homes.
When talking about the 300-pad all-ages community, the latest generation of MH professionals is only part of the current youth movement. Jacob and his father Brad Cohron have been busy infilling the 1960s-vintage property with new homes as well.
“Financing is a touch easier in the last couple years to be able to do that,” Jacob said. “We buy somewhat dependent on lot size, but we don’t have a fixed program. We buy the best of what’s available and what makes sense for the space. Recently it’s been more about what can we get in a timely manner, because factories are so busy right now.”
Cohron’s owns seven communities all within a couple miles of each other, which allows the owners and residents to benefit from efficiencies that come from roaming management, maintenance and service teams.
Lot rents are $340 with water, sewer and trash pickup included. In the spring, residents from all 1,800 spots are invited to Cohron’s Annual Strawberry Festival.
“We show them the latest homes, offer them some strawberry shortcake and have a good time,” Brad said. “We make a big day of it.”
Greenbriar Community Quick Facts
9901 Pendleton Pike
Indianapolis, IN
All ages community
300 Homesites
Built in 1968
Home Prices: $25,000-60,000
Monthly Lot Rent: $340
When financing tightened up more than a decade ago, Cohron’s started its own finance company and were able to keep occupancy rates high enough to avoid entering the rental market. In the last four years the finance company’s business has doubled.
“We’re selling life here,” Brad said. “We’re between the apartment and the larger neighborhood homes, and when people get a look at our properties it all seems to make sense.”
And it may seem like a minor affair, but the maintenance team makes certain to keep sidewalks and access points in good shape, as well as shoring up foundations and pouring new driveways.
“We make a point of providing an affordable place to live that is both safe and clean. We have storage available for residents who have boats, campers or RVs,” Jacob said. “Also, we’re very close to Fort Harrison State Park, which is a good draw and helps accentuate the healthy outdoor lifestyle our residents love.”
The community is about a six-minute car ride from the links at Winding Ridge Golf Club, is very close to a variety of shopping centers, and has easy access to the 465 loop that winds its way around the Indianapolis metro area.
“At Greenbriar it’s all ages, but it tends to have a bit smaller homes than some of our other communities,” Jacob said. “So, there’s about 60 percent retiree residents, and younger families in first homes too. It’s a good mix.
“There are a lot of people in Greenbriar who have lived there for 30-plus years,” he said.
