Industry Voices
- Hearing Explores Government Role in Multifamily and Health Care Facilities
- Manufactured Housing industry businesses along Shields Boulevard in Oklahoma City are still here and intact, as is MH Association of Oklahoma
- Only In America
- Definition of a Manufactured Home
- How About a Cup of Coffee?
- Manufactured Housing Institute CEO Richard Jennison's letter to Princeton's WordNet requesting Definition Correction
- Lisa Tyler - at Walden University – Request for Correction Addressed to Princeton's WordNet
- Georgia Manufactured Housing Association's Executive Director Sounds off on Princeton WordNet's “Definition” of Manufactured Homes
- Another letter to Princeton's WordNet Team about their Flawed Definition of a “Manufactured Home“
- Irresponsible Weather reporting by Media and National Weather Service
Words of Wisdom
- Stress is a performance - killer
- The Ripple Effect
- Tomorrow is Yesterday Before You Know it.
- Struggling with anything today?
- Is your communication grounded in honesty – no matter what?
- Goals, Dreams or just Wishing?
- Sorry, but the world doesn't revolve around you!
- Is It A Miracle or . . .
- Selling and the four agreements
- The Seasons of Life
Newsletter Archive
- Moore's Tornado. SSK's Sales Rock. Clayton's Duck Call. Immigration Reform Boosts Sales? NY MODs. Marcus Promotes 2. Friends+Family. Israeli MODs. More! 5/23/2013
- C-Suite Sees Suite. UMH A Buy. Zell: stocks will fall. Cordray: QM exception? Starts drop, permits rise. State Farm...MODs. Tribe & FHA boosts loans for HUDs, MODs. More! 5/20/2013
- Frustration and Gratitude. HUD Seeks new MH Contractor. Bahama MODs? SW Draws MH. Hensarling Fundraiser. UFPI Rises. Easy on FHA. Lower MHs for Seniors? More! 5/16/2013
- MH Gossip. Zell on MF. UMH Revenues Nearly Double! Moody's: Housing Takes Off! Nobility Rises. Korean MODs. Princeton's WordNet Redux. Scent of a Woman. More! 5/13/2013
- Red Hot May! Company banned. Green Courte Promotes Rudolf. Oak Creek Opens New MHR. ROC assumes management. Corp MODs ND. In SM era, are websites needed? More! 5/9/2013
- HR 1779 & MH. New March MHShipments. Warren on Women. MODs for Reservation? FED QE3 slows bond buys? Watt for FHFA. Thai MODs. More! 5/6/2013
- MH Mortgages Perform Well! Exclusive Mike Evans/Centennial Homes Interview! Mayflower. Lonnie Scruggs - RIP. What about Vegas? Self Evident Truths. More! 5/2/2013
- Reforming Dodd-Frank! FL MH Ins Crisis? ELS CEO Cuts Deal! Nobility Highlights. Legislator Honored. Solar MODs. Keep MID. SUN 1 Qtr. More! Phoenix Like! More! 4/29/2013
- African Coast. MH Dodd-Frank reform. SUN in NY. Jeb nixes Cordray. 474 MODs. Free MH Resources. New MH Community. New MOD plant for ND. UFPI pays, More! 4/25/2013
- Enlightened Self Interest. National Awards to MH Pros. DP Assist Bill. Death under MOD. Slavery! Rural Housing Finance Reform? MHC Tax Reform? UFPI's Best. More! 4/21/2013
Latest Comments
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
Wordplay. Euphemisms increasing being used as a marketing smokescreen of sorts.
IBIS 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."
Editor'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 
Have 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?
When 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.
Did this title get your attention? I hope so. Let me explain.
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.
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.
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.
“A rut is an open-end grave” A. Theodore Tuttle, Zig Ziglar
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.
Spring is here, and there has been a noticeable uptick of buyers of manufactured homes in communities.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.Daily Business News Briefs
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 moreThree 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
Read moreNew 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 moreCavco 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
Read moreLegislative 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
Read moreExecs 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
Read moreMeasure 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
Read moreAtty. 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
Read moreThree 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
Read moreMHC 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
Read moreCatastrophe 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
Read moreLatest Daily Business News
- New Home Sales Post Increase
- Three Indexes Just Budge; Tracked Housing Stocks Mostly Fall
- New Homesite Planned for First Nation People
- Cavco Releases Quarterly and Annual Financials
- Legislative Update—Iowa
- Execs Depart Zell's Equity International
- Measure Passes Texas Legislature
- Atty. Gen., MHC Owners Settle Suit
- Three Major Indexes Slide; Cavco Rises, Deer Valley Drops
- MHC Investors to Present at Forum
- Catastrophe Housing—Containers or Modular?
- Bipartisan Legislation will Ease Credit Access
- Total Home Sales Rise in April
- Clayton-Bradley Academy Opens July 19
- Tracked Housing Stocks Range Widely:Skyline Rises, Cavco, LPX Drop
- Modulars will be Equipped, Shipped and Clipped Together
- Marcus and Millichap Promotes Two
Featured Articles and Reports - May 2013 Vol. 4 No. 8
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
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?
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!”
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”
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
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…
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
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?
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
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!
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
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
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 . . .
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
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
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
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!
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
