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April 2011, Vol. 2, No. 7

Featured Articles and Reports
for Vol. 2, No. 7, 2011

Alphabetically by Category

COMMUNITIES

Edward 'Eddie' Hicks – Manufactured Home Communities
Who the H*ll Wants to Live in a Trailer Park?

Chrissy Jackson – Land Lease Community Management
Guidelines for Living: What Should this Guideline Achieve?

Joanne Stevens – Manufactured Home Community Value
Top 10 List: What Community and Park Owners Think Makes Their Property Worth More

Don Westphal – Manufactured Home Community Planning
Extreme Makeover, Community Edition – aka Ryder Park, Milford, CT – Introduction

FINANCE

Paul Bradley – Manufactured Housing Industry Financing
IBIS Report on "Dying Industry" Misses the Mark

Dave Shanklin – Manufactured Housing Industry Financing
Record-Low Loan Rates Attracting Buyers of Manufactured Homes in Leased Land Communities

Donna Rishel – Manufactured Housing Industry Finance Commentary
Are Outside Investors Doomed to Fail?

Kenneth Rishel – Manufactured Housing Industry Finance Commentary
Is Lease to Own a Safe Harbor from the SAFE Act?

GENERAL INDUSTRY/COMMENTARY

George F. Allen – Manufactured Housing Industry Commentary
Will Euphemisms Save the Manufactured Housing Industry?

Michael Barnabas – Manufactured Housing Industry Solutions
A look at Randy Rowe's 5 Point Plan for Manufactured Housing Industry Recovery

Tracey C. Jones – Resources for Manufactured Housing Business Success
23 Ways You Can Grow Your Manufactured Housing Community Business

L.A. 'Tony' Kovach – Manufactured Housing Industry Perspective
The Manufactured Housing Rut

George Porter – Manufactured Housing Retail and Media Education
Adapt, Migrate or Die – Part I: Adapt

INSPIRATION/PEOPLE SKILLS

Greg McClanahan – Soft Skills and Personal Development
Thanks, Joe!

Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
ZigOn…Listening to the Coach

Zig Ziglar – Motivation & Inspiration
ZigOn… Employment Security

LEGAL

Nadeen Green – Legal, Fair Housing
Top Dog – or, Man's Best Friend Is Fair Housing's, Too!

MANAGEMENT

Tim Connor – Management
8 Reasons Why Employee Development (Training) Is a Waste of Money!

MARKETING

Chad Carr – Internet Marketing and Sales
By the Numbers – Part 2

Bob Stovall – Manufactured Housing Use of Internet & Social Media
Is Cloud Computing Just Pie-in-the-sky?

SALES

Tim Connor – Sales
Overcoming Sales Slumps

Mark Hunter – Sales
Your Customer's Price Investment Ratio (PIR)

Mike Moore & Kirk Chittick – Sales
12 Step Program to Recover from the Effects of Traditional Sales Training

by George F. Allen

George Allen photoWordplay. Euphemisms increasing being used as a marketing smokescreen of sorts.

'Euphemism' according to The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary, is "…the use of a mild word in place of a plainer but possibly offensive one."

Read more...

by Michael F. B. Barnabas

At the International Networking Roundtable in Phoenix AZ last September, Randy Rowe was asked by George Allen to give the keynote address. In a meeting filled with meaty subjects and presenters, Mr. Rowe's presentation certainly met with the expectations of those at hand.

Read more...

by Paul Bradley

Paul Bradley photoIBIS World, an industry intelligence and research group, reported this month on ten industries that might be on the "verge of extinction in the United States." Manufactured home (MH) dealers were cited as one of the ten that are "in the decline phase of their life cycle."

Read more...

by Chad Carr

Chad Carr photoEditor's Note: Last month, Chad described how a dealership can (and he believes should) restructure its income statement to provide a more meaningful representation of what is going on in the business. In this installment, he shares how to calculate critical profit control points for your dealership. Click here to review By the Numbers – Part 1 and readers may request a copy of Rainmaker's recommended Chart of Accounts by calling (800) 336-0339.

Read more...

by Mark Hunter

Mark Hunter photoHave you ever really considered how price affects your customer with regard to their perceived benefit? Too often, we use a simplistic approach to determining a price – we figure the cost to produce a manufactured home, tack on some arbitrary percentage, and call it good, right?

Read more...

by Chrissy Jackson, ACM, PHC

Chrissy Jackson photoWhen the Community Manager is writing the Guidelines, it is necessary to decide what the result of that Guideline should be when it is enacted and consistently enforced. Often it takes a third party reading over the Guidelines to ferret out potential areas that will not produce the desired results.

Read more...

by Tim Connor, CSP

Tim Connor photoDid this title get your attention? I hope so. Let me explain.

Most organization's in the manufactured housing industry view training of its employees as a luxury when profits are available and so they periodically send them to an all day seminar or have an in-house 1-2 hour training session on a specific topic area. This approach is better than doing nothing, but not much. This is one of the many reasons organizations in this dynamic and evolving industry are struggling with growth or even maintaining current business.

Read more...

by Tim Connor, CSP

Tim Connor photo Depending on whom you ask, the manufactured housing industry is in:

Dire straights
Coming out of the woods
In trouble
Just facing a temporary slow period
In a slump
Or any number of other descriptions.

Read more...

by Nadeen Green

Nadeen Green photo Last month was the famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The winner of Best in Show was not Wyatt, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. In fact, Wyatt did not even win his breed event in this prestigious canine competition of 2500 dogs.

Read more...

by Edward ‘Eddie’ Hicks

Eddie Hicks photo Who? Well, me for one. Surprisingly enough, there are a lot of us out there. And for some of us, it is actually our first choice in housing.

Read more...

by Tracey C. Jones

Tracey Jones photo Some of the most sage wisdom and most savvy business acumen come from the motivational classics of yesteryear. I recently came across an article my father, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, wrote years ago called 23 Ways You Can Use Books to Help Your Business Grow.

Read more...

by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach

L.A. 'Tony' Kovach photo “A rut is an open-end grave” A. Theodore Tuttle, Zig Ziglar

I am not sure who said the above quotation first, but recall reading it in one of Zig’s books. What we all know is that thousands in our Industry are stuck in a rut, and individually, we need to be thinking about how to get out of it. An industry is made up of individuals. Individual people, individual companies. Our Industry will turn around when enough individuals grow their results!

Read more...

by Greg McClanahan

Greg McClanahan photo As baseball season is leaving spring training and headed into the regular season, it seems appropriate to share my favorite baseball story. If you don’t follow baseball, don’t worry – it isn’t really about the game of baseball.

Read more...

by Donna Rishel

If that question is being asked of me, the answer is, “I do not think so;” but in listening to a conversation recently with a couple of outside lenders, I might have wondered if I didn’t already know better. What follows is a compilation of thoughts about that conversation.

Read more...

by Dave Shanklin

Dave Shanklin photo Spring is here, and there has been a noticeable uptick of buyers of manufactured homes in communities.

Read more...

by Ken Rishel

Since Rishel Consulting Group is considered to be the manufactured housing industry experts on legal and compliance issues as it relates to chattel finance, the question of lease to own as an answer to SAFE Act licensure must get asked of us 20-30 times a month.

Read more...

by George Porter

George Porter According to Charles Darwin, all the living things on this planet are compelled every day to make one of three choices. This is not limited to just animals; it includes plants and even businesses as well.

Read more...

By Mike Moore and Kirk Chittick

Mike Moore photo Kirk Chittick photo We are now experiencing a ‘new economy’ that requires new intentions if businesses are to grow and prosper. Peter Drucker said, “The purpose of business is to make a customer.”

Read more...

by Joanne M. Stevens, CCIM

Joanne Stevens photo What makes a park or community more valuable when it comes time to either appraise or sell the property? The fact is, many of the things owners think will bring more money in the market don’t.

Read more...

by Bob Stovall

Bob Stovall photo You hear a lot of talk these days about "the cloud." So, what is a "cloud”? Basically it's a remote computer set up to allow clients to run applications and store files on the host machine instead of your own computer.

Read more...

by Don Westphal

Don Westphal photo For the past several months, I have written articles on upgrading land lease communities that have become outdated, worn, and in need of various levels of upgrades ranging from simple beautification to major rebuilding on site.

Read more...

by Zig Ziglar

Zig Ziglar photo The young athlete who aspires to greatness, generally speaking, learns a number of things from several different coaches. The first one taught him the fundamentals; the second one instilled discipline in him and taught him more of the techniques that must be mastered to excel.

Read more...

by Zig Ziglar

Zig Ziglar photo We frequently hear that "people refuse to change because change is stressful." I would like to suggest that not to change is even more stressful because the world is changing."

Read more...

Daily Business News Briefs

New Home Sales Post Increase

New Home Sales Post Increase

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports HUD and Census Bureau figures show sales of newly-built single-family homes rose 2.3 percent in April to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 454,000 homes. “Today’s report is further evidence of the gradual, consistent improvement we have been seeing in housing market conditions over ...

24 May 2013

Read more

Three Indexes Just Budge; Tracked Housing Stocks Mostly Fall

Three Indexes Just Budge; Tracked Housing Stocks Mostly Fall

Investors stepped back from the market today, anticipating how life will be when the Federal Reserve ends its asset purchasing, which may happen later this year. Meanwhile, CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average nudged up +0.06 percent, +8.6 points, to close at 15,303.10. The Nasdaq lost -0.01 percent, -0.28 points, to end the week [...]...

24 May 2013

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New Homesite Planned for First Nation People

New Homesite Planned for First Nation People

Updating a story MHProNews first covered Sept.16, 2011 and last covered Dec. 17., 2012 regarding modular housing for Canada’s Lake St. Martin First Nation which has been flooded out since spring, 2011, the brandonsun reports the Canadian government and tribal leaders have finally agreed on a site. Located just under 200 miles northwest of...

24 May 2013

Read more

Cavco Releases Quarterly and Annual Financials

Cavco Releases Quarterly and Annual Financials

According to globenewswire, Cavco Industries, Inc. reports net income before taxes for the fiscal fourth quarter 2013 was $3 million, up from $2.9 million from the same period last year including a $1.2 million tax benefit from the acquisition of Palm Harbor. Net revenue rose 9.4 percent for fiscal Q4 2013 over Q4 2012, $108.8 [...]...

24 May 2013

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Legislative Update—Iowa

Legislative Update—Iowa

Following MHProNews story line from Wed, May 22 about legislation in Iowa, Joe Kelly of the Iowa Manufactured Housing Association (IAMHA) tells us the House has passed property reform tax bill SF 295 that will treat apartments, MHCs and nursing homes the same as residential property. Effectively, beginning with taxes due in Sept. 2016, each [...]...

24 May 2013

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Execs Depart Zell’s Equity International

Execs Depart Zell’s Equity International

The Wall Street Journal informs MHProNews three senior executives at Sam Zell’s Equity International (EI) real estate company resigned this week on the heels of the head of capital markets departure, as well as co-founder of the fund and CEO Gary Garrabrandt, who left last Sept. Chief Operating Officer Ira Chaplik, General Counsel Brian...

24 May 2013

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Measure Passes Texas Legislature

Measure Passes Texas Legislature

Following up on a story we posted March 21, 2013 about Texas Legislature HB 3613 that would release delinquent tax liens on manufactured homes beyond the four year statute of limitations, the Texas Manufactured Housing Association (TMHA) says the bill passed the Senate and now goes to the governor, hopefully for his signature. DJ Pendleton [...]...

24 May 2013

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Atty. Gen., MHC Owners Settle Suit

Atty. Gen., MHC Owners Settle Suit

Following up on a post MHProNews last published April 8, 2013 regarding a lawsuit filed against an MHC owner for allegedly violating Penn. law requiring payment relocation expenses to residents of communities that close, realestaterama says Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane has settled with the owners. Kenneth Mayes, II and his sister, Sharon...

23 May 2013

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Three Major Indexes Slide; Cavco Rises, Deer Valley Drops

Three Major Indexes Slide; Cavco Rises, Deer Valley Drops

U. S. stocks slid as markets were down around the world, led by the Nikkei in Japan. The Dow had fallen steeply at the beginning of the trading session but recovered to finish with a minor loss. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -0.08 percent, -12.67 points, to close at 15,294.50. The Nasdaq [...]...

23 May 2013

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MHC Investors to Present at Forum

MHC Investors to Present at Forum

MarketWatch reports senior executives of MHC owner UMH Properties, Inc. will present at this year’s National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust’s (NAREIT) REITWeek Investor Forum June 5, 2013. Held at the Hilton Chicago, as MHProNews has learned independently, Northstar Realty Finance Corp. will also be among the presenters at...

23 May 2013

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Catastrophe Housing—Containers or Modular?

Catastrophe Housing—Containers or Modular?

Following up on a post from yesterday, May 22, about the three-story disaster housing by Garrison Architects New York City has chosen to meet emergency needs, treehugger compares shipping containers to modular housing, much as NYC did. Shipping containers can be easily stored for a dollar a day, stack 16 high, and are made to [...]...

23 May 2013

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Featured Articles and Reports - May 2013 Vol. 4 No. 8

Prev Next Page:

The FTC and Your Advertising

The FTC and Your Advertising

by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach A recent message caused me to review the latest on the http://business.FTC.gov website on advertising. Uncle Sam's Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state attorney general, other... Read more

MARKETING

The Integrated Marketing Plan for Success

The Integrated Marketing Plan for Success

by Beth Monicatti Blank Regardless of what products or services you sell, a successful marketing plan will combine several types of marketing methods to accomplish a certain goal or goals that... Read more

MARKETING

Is Social Media a Waste of Time?

Is Social Media a Waste of Time?

by Scott Stroud Want to casually keep up with friends and family between calls or while watching TV? Then, Facebook is the perfect medium for that. But, what about Social Media... Read more

MARKETING

“Caregivers, Grandkids & Service Animals – The Truth Will Set You Free!”

“Caregivers, Grandkids & Service Animals – The Truth Will Set You Free!”

by John Pentecost A troubling case developed in a mobile home park in Watsonville, California, in which a grand daughter moved in with an elderly woman homeowner in a 55 +... Read more

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)

“Don't Put it in Writing”

“Don't Put it in Writing”

by Kurt Kelly Here are two conflicting things lawyers often say. The first is, “You better have it in writing.” Many contracts must be in writing to be enforceable, particularly if... Read more

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)

Promoting Your Manufactured Home Community

Promoting Your Manufactured Home Community

by Chrissy Jackson “Every day is open house.” (WOW!) Curb Appeal . . .Sometimes, if you have been in your community for any length of time, you become rather immune to... Read more

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)

Major MH Lender Seeing Acceptance & Success With Step-Rate Loan Program for…

Major MH Lender Seeing Acceptance & Success With Step-Rate Loan Program for Personal Property and In Park Manufactured Home Financing

by Dave Shanklin Our industry’s major lender out of Seattle, CU Factory Built Lending, has wowed our industry with its very popular “Step Rate” loan product and has no plans of... Read more

FINANCING

Manufactured Home Mortgages Perform As Well As Other Mortgages

Manufactured Home Mortgages Perform As Well As Other Mortgages

by Andrea Levere Editor's Note: This is part of a series covering the release of Toward a Sustainable and Responsible Expansion of Affordable Mortgages for Manufactured Homes, the newest groundbreaking report CFED's... Read more

FINANCING

So, what’d you think of Vegas?

So, what’d you think of Vegas?

by Martin V. (Marty) Lavin Setting it up. First, let me set the stage. It’s been a few years, 3, since my last Las Vegas Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Congress and... Read more

GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS

GAO Review of HUD Program and HUD Manufactured Housing Program Budget

GAO Review of HUD Program and HUD Manufactured Housing Program Budget

by Mark Bowersox With two recent reports on manufactured housing recently completed, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has now turned its attention to a comprehensive review of the HUD Manufactured Housing... Read more

GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS

Ignorance is No Excuse!

Ignorance is No Excuse!

by John Arendsen Manufactured Home Park/Community Owners/Investors of Rent/Lease Communities & Developers of Resident Owned Condo-Conversions, Sub-Divisions or Planned Unit Developments (PUDS) have more responsibilities, liabilities and obligations to their tenants/residents/homeowners... Read more

GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS

A Cup of Coffee with… Michael Evans

A Cup of Coffee with… Michael Evans

1) Who, What and Where: (Your name and your formal title at your company.) Michael Evans C.E.O. Centennial Management, Inc. Corporate offices are in Aberdeen S.D. We currently operate 9 retail... Read more

GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS

The Age of Knowing

The Age of Knowing

by L. A. "Tony" Kovach We at MHProNews are big believers that the factory built housing industry must recruit, train and inspire the young to become tomorrow's front line leaders. We... Read more

MANAGEMENT

Is employee training a waste of time and money? It Depends . . .

Is employee training a waste of time and money?  It Depends . . .

by Tim Connor, CSP Here’s the bottom line in advance – Most of the training done by organizations is a waste of money and time. (Not being negative here – as... Read more

MANAGEMENT

Self-Evident Truths...for more Manufactured Housing Sales

Self-Evident Truths...for more Manufactured Housing Sales

by L. A. "Tony" Kovach Perhaps my favorite part of the Declaration of Independence is the phrase that begins with these words: "We find these truths to be self evident..." ... Read more

MANAGEMENT

ZigOn Integrity

ZigOn Integrity

by Zig Ziglar Several years ago, Angela Weir, a delightful young woman, worked with the Zig Ziglar Corporation. She was upbeat, always had the company's interests at heart, was easy to... Read more

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION

Tiny Sales Lessons

Tiny Sales Lessons

by L.A. 'Tony' Kovach Let's start this column with a true story that will tee up a theme necessary for success minded manufactured housing (MH) professionals. Read more

SALES

52 Weeks to GUARANTEED Increased  Sales!

52 Weeks to GUARANTEED Increased  Sales!

by Tim Connor, CSP The following 52 behaviors when mastered as a part of your personal and career development will guarantee increased sales.  Each of the 52 topics are critical to... Read more

SALES

US and Canadian Manufactured Homes Directory Locations

US and Canadian Manufactured Homes Directory