Darryl Searer, president, RV/MH Hall of Fame, burns the Hall's bank note in
a ceremony at the First Annual RV Power Breakfast in Elkhart, Indiana.

 ELKHART, Ind., - On May 9, 2013, over 400 RV industry leaders attending the First Annual RV Power Breakfast witnessed Darryl Searer, president of the RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall), ceremoniously burning the organization's bank note to 1st Source Bank, Elkhart, Indiana.  

Searer said, "I am proud to announce that on April 30th thanks to the support of many of you in this room and many more individuals and companies in both the RV & MH industries across the USA & Canada, we met a challenge goal set by the Ingram family."

The ceremony marked the successful conclusion to the Hall's "Burn the Bank Note" fundraiser campaign where the Hall raised $150,000 in contributions and earned an additional $50,000 from a challenge grant offered by the Boots Ingram family.

In early 2012, the Hall was suffering the results of the recession and teetering on defaulting on the bank note which would have forced the Hall to close its doors.  At that time the bank note was $840,000.  However, through some management changes and belt tightening along with several fundraising campaigns, the Hall was able to pay off the debt in record time. 

Searer said, "This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to make the Hall debt free and ensure the long-term viability of this important community attraction.  Indeed, our future looks very promising.  This goal could not have been achieved without the generous support of members of the RV and Manufactured Housing industries-and especially, the Boots Ingram family."

Searer pointed out while this achievement is a major hurdle overcome, it does not make the hall debt free.  He said, "We have two more loans to go--$600,000 to pay off the David Woodworth antique RV collection and the final note of $3,000,000 is to the Ingram family.

"The Ingram family has been extremely gracious and supportive of the Hall of Fame in honor of the late Boots Ingram. As long as we meet our monthly obligations, this note will pay off with $2,000,000 as the Ingram's are matching the principle payment by 50%."

Searer recognizes that the Hall still has some challenges ahead, but he remains optimistic.  His goal is for the Hall to be completely debt free by 2020.

Lake Forest, Illinois, May 7, 2013 – Green Courte Partners, LLC (“Green Courte”), a private equity real estate investment firm targeting parking assets and land-lease/manufactured housing communities, announced today the promotion of Braden L. Rudolph to Vice President, Asset Management.

Since joining Green Courte as a Senior Associate in June 2011, Mr. Rudolph has been involved in Green Courte's acquisitions and asset management efforts. Mr. Rudolph was actively involved in Green Courte's acquisition of The Parking Spot, one of the nation's leading owner/operators of near-airport parking properties, with 35 locations and over 60,000 parking spaces. Most recently, Mr. Rudolph has been involved with implementing strategic initiatives at American Land Lease, Inc., an owner/operator of 50 land-lease communities with over 18,500 home sites. As a Vice President, Mr. Rudolph will continue his involvement in the firm's asset management efforts, primarily focusing on the near-airport and urban parking sectors.

Mr. Rudolph graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 2010 with an Masters of Business Administration.

About Green Courte Partners, LLC

Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm targeting niche real estate sectors, including parking assets and land-lease/manufactured housing communities. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution and asset management. Green Courte's goal is to invest in high quality assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period. For additional information, please visit www.GreenCourtePartners.com.

To: MHI Certified and Alternate Representatives

From: Jason Boehlert, MHI Government Affairs

Late last week, Reps. Stephen Fincher (R-TN), Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Gary Miller (R-CA) introduced the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act (H.R. 1779).  The measure would amend provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that would curtail the availability of credit needed by those seeking to purchase manufactured housing.  Specifically, the bill would revise the High-Cost Mortgage triggers for manufactured home loans, and make clarifications to the Loan Originator definition as it applies to manufactured home retailers and salespeople.  These two areas of the law—which are scheduled to become effective January 2014—would substantially reduce lender ability to originate manufactured home loans.   

Assistance is needed from MHI members and others within the manufactured housing industry, in contacting their Representatives to request they co-sponsor H.R 1779.  A detailed issue brief/action alert, along with a sample letter that can be faxed to Congressional offices, has been attached to this email.  The following resource information has also been attached:

·         April 24 Wall Street Journal Article discussing the impact of the High-Cost Mortgage Provisions on the manufactured housing market

·         MHI News Release following introduction of H.R. 1779

·         Text of H.R. 1779

Over the coming weeks, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is expected to introduce companion legislation in the Senate.  Additional information will be provided at that time.

MHI is grateful for the dedicated assistance provided by its members in working to secure bipartisan support for this important legislation.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

04 26 Bill Intro FINAL.pdf

HR 1779 Action Alert.pdf

HR 1779 Bill Text.pdf

SAMPLE LETTER for HR 1779.doc

Wall Street Journal (1).PDF

ELKHART, Ind. -- The celebration of the Class of 2013 that is being inducted into RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall) will be held on August 5, 2013, at the Hall of Fame's Event Center in Elkhart, Indiana, according to Darryl Searer, Hall president.

Searer said, "Our newest board member and chairman of the 2013 Induction Dinner committee, Mark Wasson (Bluelinx Corporation), has some exciting new
venues for this year's program and I encourage all the friends of this year's inductees and industry members to make their reservations early."

According to Wasson, one of the new features this years program is private cocktail party honoring all the past inductees, board members and the Class of 2013 inductees and their families.  This event begins at 4:30 p.m. and is being hosted by the RV/MH Heritage Foundation board of directors.

Those being inducted in the Class of 2013 include: Craig M. Bollman, a housing community developer/operator from Mobile Home Communities in Littleton, Colorado; Theresa M. Desfosses, a housing industry veteran of retail, communities, and manufacturing from State Manufactured Homes in Old Orchard Beach, Maine; Kirwan Elmers, an RV Bus converter from Custom Coach in Columbus, Ohio: C.M. Fore (deceased) an RV manufacturer from Foretravel, Inc. in Nacadoches, Texas; Lawrence C. Lippert an RV and MH industry supplier from Lippert Components in Goshen, Indiana; Thomas P. Meyers a housing manufacturer from Guerdon Industries in Louisville Kentucky; Claude N. Palmer (deceased) a housing retailer from Palmer Homes in Waverly, New York; Mathew Perlot (deceased) an RV manufacturer from Safari Motorhomes in Harrisburg, Oregon; and Thomas Walworth an RV and manufactured housing industry consultant and statistician from Statistical Surveys Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Following the Hall's cocktail party for Hall of Fame members, a cocktail reception for everyone attending the Induction Dinner ceremonies begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a gala dinner and induction ceremony at 7 p.m.  All day Monday the attendees will be able to tour the Hall's many attractions including the antique unit collection in the museum, library and the GoRVing Hall.

Wasson said, "Among the other activates planned is a fifty-fifty raffle at the door and a vacation package raffle valued at $5,000.  In addition, Wasson is negotiating with a nationally-known speaker to deliver the event's keynote address (name to be announced later).

In addition to the induction ceremony, Art Wyatt, this year's golf chairman, says the 2013 Golf Classic fundraiser will start at 7 a.m. with a full breakfast followed by a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. followed by an awards presentation.  This year the golf classic will again be hosted by The Bent Oak Golf Club in Elkhart. Art promises this year's competition to be fun-packed, and he is recruiting sponsors to help make that happen.

Searer said, "We expect this year's events to be the best ever, thanks to the hard work of Mark Wasson for the Dinner and Art Wyatt for the Golf and their respective committee's as well as the Hall's staff and volunteers. You'll not want to miss this exciting annual event."  He added the Hall is seeking sponsors for the various Induction Dinner events as well as the golf tournament.

A tradition started last year, Searer will deliver his short annual State of the Hall address and promises attendees will be pleased with the Hall's successes over the past year.

ELKHART, Ind., - The Crean Foundation recently contributed $60,000 toward the RV/MH Hall of Fame's "Burn the Bank Note" Challenge. The donation was ear-marked to honor the memory of Fleetwood Enterprises founder John C. Crean.

According to Hall President Darryl Searer, the goal of the "Burn the Bank Note" challenge is raise $150,000 in voluntary contributions by April 30, 2013, in order to qualify for the Robert "Boots" Ingram family's $50,000 challenge grant that would pay off the Hall's bank note to 1st Source Bank.  

The Crean Foundation's donation along with other contributions brings the total raised in excess of $120,000 leaving just under $30,000 to be raised before the April 30 deadline.

Other recent contributions include a $10,000 donation by Lyle D. & Nellie R. Reed Charitable Foundation to honor the memory of Clarence Fore, founder of Foretravel; $2,000 by Ace Fogdall RV to honor the memory of its founders Ace & Florence Fogdall; $1,000 byMichael A Schneider, MAS Associates; and numerous other contribution of less than $1,000.

While Searer is pleased by the generosity of those who continue to support the Hall, he emphasized the urgency of raising the additional $30,000 by April 30.

Searer said, "Time is running out for us to qualify for the Ingram Family's $50.000 challenge grant. It would be a shame to leave that amount on the table and miss the opportunity to pay off our bank note.

"I urge everyone who enjoys the benefits of working in the RV/MH industries, as well as those who participate in the lifestyle, to step up to the plate and contribute whatever amount they can.

Searer said that the Hall's bank loan to 1st Source Bank has been reduced from $840,000 in early 2012 to less than $80,000 now.   He said, "If we reach our goal and receive the Ingram Family's challenge grant, we'll be able to pay off the bank loan on May 1."

Since the RV/MH Heritage Foundation is a 501-c3 not-for-profit corporation, all donations are tax deductible. Donors can use our federal ID#: 35-1610362.to verify that we are a 501-c3 not-for-profit corporation in good standing with the IRS.

Elyria, OH (March 6, 2013) - Atlanta-headquartered ARA, the largest privately held, full-service investment advisory brokerage firm in the nation focusing exclusively on the multihousing industry, is pleased to announce the sale of the West Ridge Green Manufactured Home Community located in Elyria, OH.

Built in 1974, West Ridge Green is a 303-site, all age community located within the Cleveland MSA. The community is located 30 miles west of Cleveland and is positioned on 47.2 acres with convenient access to several major thoroughfares including Interstate-80.

ARA National Manufactured Housing Group Co-Directors, Todd Fletcher (based in Denver, CO) and Andrew Shih (based in Austin, TX), represented the Receiver in the sale of the asset.  The asset was acquired by Iron Realty, LLC, a Connecticut based company that specializes in the acquisition of residential, commercial, and manufactured home communities.

West Ridge Green is a stable, well-maintained asset with several attractive amenities and is conveniently located near several major employers. “The property received a lot of interest from the investment community,” said Fletcher. “The occupancy had stabilized even though the property was distressed and went into receivership.”

The buyer recognized a rare opportunity to purchase the community at an attractive basis with the strategy to implement a sales or leasing program to capture the growing demand for affordable housing. “Iron Realty did a great job hanging in there through the receivership sale process,” said Shih. “They had a variety of debt options but chose to go with a local bank with whom they had a relationship.”

ARA's Manufactured Housing Group specializes in the disposition of family and age-restricted manufacted home communities across the country.  Please contact us if you have any questions about this press release or are looking to buy or sell manufactured home communities.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR CURRENT LISTINGS

AUCTION ID# B096-101
AUCTION DATE: March 5th, 2013 at 9:00 AM PST through March 7th, 2013 at 9:00 AM PST

Investment Highlights

• Opportunity to acquire a well located, REO all age RV resort in the scenic San Jacinto Valley with upside potential.
• Since February 2012, new management has replaced the water heater for the pool/spa, installed new doors in the clubhouse, trimmed trees and installed a new 24-hoursecurity gate. They also plan to add security cameras, replace street lights and  repair some of the roads.
• Community will be auctioned at  (March 5, 2013 - March 7, 2013).
• Excellent management turnaround opportunity.
• Site size should accommodate smaller single section homes, park models and RV’s.
• Amenities include an on-site office, as well as a recreation center with assembly room, game room, laundry, restroom, pool and spa.
• The community is serviced by a municipal utilities through the City of San Jacinto.

Area Highlights

• Diamond Valley is conveniently located in San Jacinto, CA, only 89 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and 86
• miles from San Diego.
• San Jacinto is a city of roughly 45,000 nestled on the North end of the beautiful San Jacinto Valley adjacent to Hemet, CA.
• Mt. San Jacinto College, a community college established in 1962 with more than 15,000 students, is located less than 2 miles from the community.
• The city is also home to the Soboba Casino, a popular gaming casino owned and operated by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians.
• The community is conveniently located between the city’s two high schools, San Jacinto High School and Mountain View High School, located on opposite sides of State Street.
• Diamond Valley is also in close proximity to the area’s retail centers including San Jacinto Shopping Center and the Walmart Super Center.
• The San Jacinto Valley is peppered with dozens of community parks and recreation areas including the relatively new Diamond Valley Lake, the largest manmade lake in California.

Click here to download the property information flyer

ELKHART, Ind., - The board of directors of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation (Foundation) has announced the names of those who will be inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall) as the Class of 2013.

The induction ceremonies will be held at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana, during the annual induction dinner on Monday, August 5, 2013.

Darryl Searer, president of the Foundation, said, "It is my great pleasure to welcome these new inductees who will join the honored rolls of industry leaders, pioneers and innovators who have made significant contributions the RV and manufactured housing industries. I join their friends, family and colleagues in congratulating the following honorees."

Craig M. Bollman, a housing community developer/operator from Mobile Home Communities in Littleton, Colorado.

Beginning in the 1960s, he built his community into the first publicly traded land-lease community in the nation. For many years, he was the largest owner of manufactured home communities in the USA. He has served as the housing industry's representative to the Small Business Administration

Theresa M. Desfosses, a housing industry veteran of retail, communities, and manufacturing from State Manufactured Homes in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

Since 1968 she has led her company in retail sales of both HUD code and modular homes and the development and management of communities providing over 600 home sites in Maine and New Hampshire. As President of Burlington Homes, a HUD code manufacturer, she is the only woman to be the active leader simultaneously in all three divisions (retail, community and manufacturing). She is a founding member of the Maine MHA and a board member of the Manufactured Association for Regulatory Reform

Kirwan Elmers, an RV Bus converter from Custom Coach in Columbus, Ohio.

Beginning with his father in 1955, he has been for over 50 years, a major innovator in the creation of luxury RVs from bus shells. Among the innovations he helped to engineer are, the first automatic transmission in an intercity bus shell (1956), first backup camera in a motor coach (1965), first cruise control in a motorcoach (1967) and the first quick change lounge area that automatically converted to a bedroom(1986). He served ten years as President of the FMCA Commercial Council

C.M. Fore (deceased)an RV manufacturer from Foretravel, Inc. in Nacadoches, Texas.

Since founding his company in 1967, he has been a leader in the evolution of luxury Type A motorhomes. He was among the first to use diesel engines in motorhomes, and among the first to build pusher chassis. He built the first uni-body motorhomes and pioneered the use of many household features such as multiple air conditioners, central vacuum systems, ice maker refrigerators and more. He led the concept of factory owned stores by creating factory outlets in major markets around the country.

Lawrence C. Lippert an RV and MH industry supplier from Lippert Components in Goshen, Indiana.

Beginning his company in 1955 with two employees, he built it into the largest component supplier in the industry. He provides every thing from frames and chassis to roof materials for both homes and RVs. His products have included axles, countertops, mattresses, draperies and furniture. Now a third generation family led company, he is recognized for building a generous corporate citizen employing over 4500 workers in 12 states.

Thomas P. Meyers

a housing manufacturer from Guerdon Industries in Louisville Kentucky.

For over 50 years he led several housing manufacturers to dynamic and varied growth. Guerdon Industries was the first to enter overseas markets in a significant way with plants and sales in South America, Asia and the Middle East. At its peak, Guerdon was operating 57 plants with 7,000 employees. At Commodore Homes he led 27 factories producing 20,000 floors per year. He founded Meyers and Associates and provided consulting services to manufacturers world wide.

Claude N. Palmer (deceased)a housing retailer from Palmer Homes in Waverly, New York.

Since 1971 he has provided a source of affordable housing to families in south central New York. He has received top retailer recognition from 7 manufacturers. He developed Holly Park Terrace with 99 oversize lots in 1970 and created Custom Modular Homes Company to build upscale state code modular homes. He was the first in his region to offer home/land financing packages.

Mathew Perlot (deceased)an RV manufacturer from Safari Motorhomes in Harrisburg, Oregon.

For over 25 years he has been recognized as an innovator and leader in the motor home industry. He pioneered the concept of the affordably priced diesel pusher, and the automatic awning. He was honored as RV Executive of the Year in 1994.

He took Safari and Beaver public in 1996 and eventually sold to Monaco.

Thomas Walworth an RV and manufactured housing industry consultant and statistician from Statistical Surveys Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Under his leadership, his company has become the recognized official scorecard for sales in both the RV and manufactured housing industries in the US and Canada. He has served for over 20 years on the RVIA Market Information Committee. His data has become relied upon for marketing planning by every major company in either industry.

The Foundation's board of directors recently approved a major change in the Foundation's bylaws that simplifies the procedure and criteria for nominations to the RV/MH Hall of Fame.

Searer said, "For those who would like to nominate future candidates for the Hall of Fame, we invite you to visit our web site to view the Nomination Guidelines and to download the necessary nomination forms.