We continued our record of strong core operations and FFO growth, with an 8.1% growth in normalized FFO per share in the quarter.
Our new home sales grew by 24%, contributing to the high quality of occupancy at our MH communities.
We ended the quarter with Core Portfolio occupancy of 95.4%.
Home sale leads from websites increased by 37% in the quarter.
We ended the quarter with a 15% increase in transient revenue.
Over 5,000 new members purchased the camp pass, which was an increase of 64% over the first quarter of 2020.
Our members we're looking for expanded access to our portfolio and we saw an increase of $5 million in sales.
We now have 117,000 members with access to the Thousand Trails footprint.
The survey results show that 98% of respondents who were new to camping last year, plan to camp again this year.
The survey indicate the plan for increased camping adventures with 65% of those responding indicating an intention to more this year.
The survey also showed that 70% of those responding do not plan to travel by plane this year.
Since launch, over 160,000 guests completed the online checking process, allowing them to get to their site more quickly and with less direct interaction.
Based on the first quarter survey results, guests responded to customer experienced questions with a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Our COVID response team has been instrumental in arranging 39 vaccination events at our properties that supplied vaccinations for approximately 8,700 individuals.
For the first quarter, we reported $0.64 normalized FFO per share.
Core MH rent growth of 4.7% includes 4.1% rate growth and approximately 60 basis points related to occupancy gains.
Annual RV rental income represents 90% of the combined RV and marina rental income from annuals, and has increased 3.5% with 3.4% from rate.
Within the core marina portfolio, marina rent from annuals represents approximately 99% of total marina rental income.
Included with our guidance assumptions composed in January, we estimated a $10 million decline from combined seasonal and transient revenues compared to first quarter 2020.
The actual decline was approximately $6 million.
Upgrade sales volume increased by 640 units compared to first quarter 2020.
The price of upgrade sold increased approximately 10% compared to last year.
In addition to strong demand for upgrades, our camping pass sales volume increased more than 60% during the quarter.
First quarter core property operating maintenance and real estate tax expenses increased 2.3% compared to prior year.
Utility expense payroll, real estate taxes and repairs and maintenance combined represent more than 80% of our core expenses in the quarter, and the average increase across these categories was 2.3%.
In summary, first quarter core property operating revenues increased 2.8% and core NOI before property management increased 1.9%.
Property operating income from the non-core portfolio, which includes assets acquired in 2020 and during the first quarter 2021, was $3.3 million.
Property management and corporate G&A were $25.9 million, flat to first quarter 2020.
Other income and expenses were approximately $3.1 million higher than first quarter 2020, mainly from home sale profits and ancillary income.
Interest and related amortization was $26.3 million, slightly higher than prior year.
Our full-year 2021 normalized FFO guidance is $2.38 per share, at the midpoint of our range of $2.33 to $2.43.
Normalized FFO per share at the midpoint represents an estimated 9.7% growth rate compared to 2020.
Core NOI is projected to increase 5.3% at the midpoint of our range of 4.8% to 5.8%.
We expect second quarter normalized FFO at the midpoint of our range of approximately $103.5 million, with a per share range of $0.51 to $0.57.
We expect the second quarter to contribute 22% to 23% of full year normalized FFO.
We project a core NOI growth rate range of 6.9% to 7.5%.
Our guidance for the second quarter assumes a growth rate of approximately 14% compared to 2019.
This represents a core transient RV revenue increase of approximately $8.8 million compared to 2020.
During the quarter, we closed the previously disclosed $270 million 10-year secured loan with a fixed interest rate of 2.4%.
In April, we closed on an amended unsecured credit facility, including a $500 million revolver and a $300 million fully funded term loan.
The term loan matures in five years and we've executed a fixed rate swap that locks in the interest rate at 1.8% for three years.
Current secured debt terms available for MH and RV assets range from 55% to 75% LTV, with rates from 2.5% to 3% for 10-year maturities.
Our debt to EBITDA is 5.7 times and our interest coverage is 5.2 times.
The weighted average maturity of our outstanding secured debt is almost 13 years.

Summary:
For the first quarter, we reported $0.64 normalized FFO per share.