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December 2011 Vol. 3 No. 3

Featured Articles December 2011

FEATURED ARTICLES AND REPORTS – DECEMBER 2011 VOL. 3 NO. 3

Alphabetically by Category

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)

The Whiny Neighbor in your Manufactured Home Community

by Nadeen Green

In manufactured housing community management, we know that we have to do what the law tells us. At times a resident may question us about certain items that… Read more

Housing Trends that will affect the Manufactured Home Community Business

by Joanne Stevens

The “Baby Boomers” are changing the face of retirement. Instead of retiring many will keep working. Some out of necessity caused by the recession and their 401Ks (now… Read more

Content area of Guidelines for Living: Number of Residents to Recreational …

by Chrissy Jackson

In November, we covered Guidelines for Living topics, Laws through Noise. Let's get started with our new topics for December! Number of Residents per Home. This is a really… Read more

Congress Requests GAO Probe of HUD Code Manufactured Housing Program

by Danny Ghorbani

The Chairmen of the House Financial Services Committee and the Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee have asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a thorough examination of certain… Read more

FINANCING

MH Chattel Lenders Rate War Over? and MH Lenders Choose to “Fly The Coop” …

by Dave Shanklin

MH Chattel Lenders Rate War Over? and MH Lenders Choose to “Fly The Coop” On MH Co-Op Communities

BREAKING NEWS out of Seattle: CU Factory Built will be raising rates .25% on their very popular “One-Step” loan product effective December 1. This announcement seems to indicate… Read more

GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS

Get the Sizzle even in Winter!

by Dennis Hill and Ron Thomas, Sr

ron thomas sr 50x53.gif Editor's Intro: Ask yourself this: what are the biggest events, shows or meetings for manufactured housing community owner/operators, retailers, builder/developers, lenders, manufacturers, suppliers or vendors?… Read more

The Greatest Manufactured Housing Show of the Decade West of the Mississipp…

by Deanna Fields

The Great Southwest Home Show 2012 will begin in about 90 days at the QuikTrip Center Expo Square, Tulsa beginning March 1-4. Trade days are March 1-2! If you are already planning… Read more

Don't get Bent out'a Shape about Cambering

By George Porter

Cambering a frame is literally bending it so it can hold a manufactured home. I have had occasions to learn more about frame cambering and, as usual, I… Read more

You are NOT Alone!!

by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach

Our first full month – November 2011 – with the new format for MHProNews.com has yielded a slew of new records, and one in particular is… Read more

Are We There Yet?

by Marty Lavin

As the industry settles into 50,000 home shipments, one wonders whether something better is in the forecast. In spite of many claiming the best days are ahead of… Read more

Top 10 Mistakes made when Insuring a Mobile Home Park

by Kurt Kelly

kurt kelly american insurance agency aia 50x50.gif

You want to do ALL the right things when you are getting or renewing insurance coverage for your manufactured home community (or mobile home park). Use this checklist… Read more

MARKETING

Promotional Planning to Kick Start 2012

by Chris Nicely

chris character 50x50.gif

Planning promotions that support your long term goals and WORK to drive traffic is critical. Give sales people the opportunity to sell more by talking to more prospects…. Read more

MANAGEMENT

The 3/3/3 Management review process

by Tim Connor, CSP

If your factory-built housing business has employee behavior that needs changing, don’t wait a year, with an annual review to change it. For a number of years… Read more

MERCHANDISING, STAGING AND DECOR

Good Color Schemes Can Boost Your Sales

by Katy Weldon

Good Color Schemes Can Boost Your Sales

In difficult times companies are seeking ways to spark more interest in their products. Manufactured housing is no exception and many companies are using color to help their… Read more

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION

ZigOn the Immigrant’s Attitude for American Success

by Zig Ziglar

Some time ago, my associate, Krish Dhanam, and I were returning from an engagement in Tampa, FL, where we had spoken for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce…. Read more

My Most Memorable Christmas Story

by Greg McClanahan

Kenneth Parsons said; "The gift of love is about the only present that isn't exchanged after Christmas." Today's story about Jerry's love for his big brother is one of… Read more

Rear View Mirror

by Greg McClanahan

Similar to the genius behind the invention of paper clips and sticky note pads, the rear view mirror was a brilliant and simple idea. I believe there is… Read more

SALES

Keeping it Real: Don't Lose the Human Touch

by Tim Connor, CSP

Keeping it Real: Don't Lose the Human Touch

In this high tech world, it is easy in manufactured and modular housing sales to get caught up in the latest terms and trends. When you do… Read more

The Whiny Neighbor in your Manufactured Home Community

by Nadeen Green

nadeen-green-50

In manufactured housing community management, we know that we have to do what the law tells us. At times a resident may question us about certain items that relate to legal issues. Let's look at the case of the 'whiny neighbor' as it applies to the following case.

Housing Trends that will affect the Manufactured Home Community Business

by Joanne Stevens

joanne-stevens-50 The “Baby Boomers” are changing the face of retirement. Instead of retiring many will keep working. Some out of necessity caused by the recession and their 401Ks (now called 201Ks) being diminished and some out of desire. Baby Boomers start turning 65 in 2012. Some will work part time, or in a lower level position, and some as consultants. Affordable living costs and proximity to quality healthcare trump warm climates and golf courses for where they wish to live.

Content area of Guidelines for Living: Number of Residents to Recreational Vehicles

by Chrissy Jackson

chrissy-jackson-50 In November, we covered Guidelines for Living topics, Laws through Noise. Let's get started with our new topics for December!

Congress Requests GAO Probe of HUD Code Manufactured Housing Program

MH Chattel Lenders Rate War Over? and MH Lenders Choose to “Fly The Coop” On MH Co-Op Communities

by Dave Shanklin

dave-shanklin-50 BREAKING NEWS out of Seattle: CU Factory Built will be raising rates .25% on their very popular “One-Step” loan product effective December 1. This announcement seems to indicate that the “rate war” between the MH chattel lenders is coming to an end.

Get the Sizzle even in Winter!

by Dennis Hill ron thomas sr 50x53

and Ron Thomas, Sr

Editor's Intro: Ask yourself this: what are the biggest events, shows or meetings for manufactured housing community owner/operators, retailers, builder/developers, lenders, manufacturers, suppliers or vendors?

The Greatest Manufactured Housing Show of the Decade West of the Mississippi River!

by Deanna Fields

deanna-fields-50 The Great Southwest Home Show 2012 will begin in about 90 days at the QuikTrip Center Expo Square, Tulsa beginning March 1-4. Trade days are March 1-2!

Don't get Bent out'a Shape about Cambering

By George Porter

george-porter-50

Cambering a frame is literally bending it so it can hold a manufactured home. I have had occasions to learn more about frame cambering and, as usual, I learned I had to forget a few things I thought I knew. I have never cambered a frame and you can't really watch someone else do it without welding glasses. So how do you do it; why do you do it; and how much do you do it?

You are NOT Alone!!

by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach

Our first full month – November 2011 - with the new format for MHProNews.com has yielded a slew of new records, and one in particular is compelling.

Are We There Yet?

by Marty Lavin

As the industry settles into 50,000 home shipments, one wonders whether something better is in the forecast. In spite of many claiming the best days are ahead of us, is the industry actually in an irreversible long-term decline which has reached its new, low level? It is the question, isn’t it?

Top 10 Mistakes made when Insuring a Mobile Home Park

by Kurt Kelly

kurt kelly american insurance agency aia 50x50 You want to do ALL the right things when you are getting or renewing insurance coverage for your manufactured home community (or mobile home park). Use this checklist of ten common mistakes to avoid.

Promotional Planning to Kick Start 2012

by Chris Nicely

chris character 50x50

Planning promotions that support your long term goals and WORK to drive traffic is critical. Give sales people the opportunity to sell more by talking to more prospects. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, retail traffic is the lowest of the year.

The 3/3/3 Management review process

by Tim Connor, CSP

If your factory-built housing business has employee behavior that needs changing, don’t wait a year, with an annual review to change it. For a number of years I have been teaching a simple yet effective coaching and review process to improve employee and management effectiveness.

Good Color Schemes Can Boost Your Sales

by Katy Weldon

katie-weldon-50 In difficult times companies are seeking ways to spark more interest in their products. Manufactured housing is no exception and many companies are using color to help their homes stand out from the crowd.

ZigOn the Immigrant’s Attitude for American Success

by Zig Ziglar

zig-ziglar-50 Some time ago, my associate, Krish Dhanam, and I were returning from an engagement in Tampa, FL, where we had spoken for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. The flight was uneventful; we landed at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, got our luggage and loaded it on one of the rental carts. The walk was fairly lengthy and the first two hundred yards were uneventful; then we came to the moving sidewalks.

My Most Memorable Christmas Story

by Greg McClanahan

greg-mcclanahan-50 Kenneth Parsons said; "The gift of love is about the only present that isn't exchanged after Christmas."

Today's story about Jerry's love for his big brother is one of the most remarkable stories I've ever read and it provides an example I will always strive to emulate. Our capacity to love is not based on our intellect nor can we earn a degree in this subject and proudly display such a diploma on our wall. It is developed on the inside and is the most significant character trait that we can possess. As you will read, love, is Jerry.

Rear View Mirror

by Greg McClanahan

greg-mcclanahan-50 Similar to the genius behind the invention of paper clips and sticky note pads, the rear view mirror was a brilliant and simple idea. I believe there is an important lesson we can learn from the rear view mirror.

Keeping it Real: Don't Lose the Human Touch

by Tim Connor, CSP

tim-connor-50

In this high tech world, it is easy in manufactured and modular housing sales to get caught up in the latest terms and trends. When you do so, remember: Don’t lose the human touch –

Daily Business News Briefs

New Homes Sales Rose in April

OriginationNews says the Census Bureau reports new home sales rose 3.3 percent in April following a 7.3 percent drop in March. MHProNews.com has learned sales of new single-family homes rose to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 343,000 in April from a 332,000 mark in March, besting Wall Street analysts who had predicted 330,000 to [...]...

23 May 2012

Housing Stocks Close Mixed, but Skyline Justifies its Name

CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average, after brushing with 12,325.00 during the day, climbed back in the last half hour to close at 12,496.15, losing a mere 6.66 points, -0.05%. The weakness in tech stocks and fears of Greece leaving the Eurozone fueled investors’ fears. The Nasdaq gained +0.39 percent to 2,850.12, while the [...]...

23 May 2012

In 1970, 30 years after Sears ceased offering prefabricated housing, Shelter-Kit of Tilton, New Hampshire began offering small homes and cabins that could be assembled by aspiring homeowners with no construction experience. MarketWatch tells MHProNews.com customers can choose from a wide variety of options in designing their home, including...

23 May 2012

Forbes reports on the heels of Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) strong first quarter 2012 results, whereby Q1 2011 showed a loss of -0.19 per share to first quarter 2012 return of +0.21 per share, and the recent acquisition of MSR Forest Products LLC, Zacks issued a #1 Rank (Strong Buy) for the stock. Zacks [...]...

23 May 2012

BellehavenPatch tells MHProNews.com Fairfax County, Virginia is considering developing the North Hill site in Hybla Valley into an MHC for 67 homes and a greenspace. Meanwhile, AHP Virginia LLC has a counter proposal that would involve building apartments on the site, housing 204 families, nine percent of which would be targeted to low-income...

23 May 2012

Philadelphia Airport Building Modular Housing

DelcoNewsNetwork tells MHProNews.com Tinicum Township officials, as part of a $23 million efficiency upgrade at Philadelphia International Airport, approved a land waiver request to build a 791 square foot modular building near the UPS facility on Hog Island Road. The building would house UPS workers moving from a facility at Ridley Park. The...

23 May 2012

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says reports from across the country show existing home sales edged up 3.4 percent April over March, 2012 for every region of the country. While the increase is a positive sign, the seasonally-adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 4.62 million home sales, just below January’s pace of 4.63 million, remains...

23 May 2012

Improved Housing Market Bolsters Many U.S. Stocks

CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 12,575.00 during the day but settled down to 12,502.81, -0.01%, -1.67 points as the day’s trading ended. The rise of sales of existing homes boosted the market, but a downgrade of Japan and a weak global market tempered that news. The Nasdaq dropped -0.29 percent to 2,839.08, [...]...

22 May 2012

The 13 county Indianapolis metropolitan area marked an 18 percent rise in existing home sales in April from one year ago. As the IndyStar tells MHProNews.com, the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors (MIBOR) says 2,215 homes were sold in April, an increase over the 1,877 sold in April 2011. The median sales price rose to [...]...

22 May 2012

The Chronicle tells us another modular player has entered the housing game in the oil boom of North Dakota. Colorado-based Confluence has already set the first of ten units of apartments called Confluence at Harvest Hills, as the initial 12 modules were sited May 15. Occupancy of the first unit is set for Aug. 1, [...]...

22 May 2012

VTDigger says Tropical Storm Irene flooded portions of the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury, Vermont, and since then some of the patients are being held in state prisons. Now the state is looking into a modular high-security unit in Waterbury to house mental patients being held under court order. Noting that it’s more expensive to [...]...

22 May 2012

Featured Articles and Reports - May 2012 Vol. 3 No. 8

Prev Next Page:

Everything Old is New Again

by Katy Weldon Something amazing is happening to older mobile and manufactured homes in certain areas of California. They are in demand! Mobile and manufactured homes built in the 1970’s and 1980’s... Read more

MARKETING

Your Attention Please

by Jeff Templeton A recent study found that the average American sees approximately 1600 advertisements a day. In a single day! Those ads are seen online, in newspapers, magazines, billboards, TV,... Read more

MARKETING

Featured Articles May 2012

Featured Articles and Reports for Vol. 3, No. 8, 2012 Alphabetically by Category COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL) • “What’s in a Name?” by Nadeen Green, JD The fact that you are reading MHProNews.com to... Read more

index

Creating a Budget

by Chrissy Jackson Simply put, a budget is a tool. When effectively used, this tool can enable you to have a manufactured home land lease community that is financially sound. A... Read more

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)

“What’s in a Name?”

by Nadeen Green, JD The fact that you are reading MHProNews.com to gain insight into the manufactured housing industry shows that you are engaged and embracing the world of online information... Read more

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)

Terms of Engagement

by Andrew Peters It’s easy for professionals in the housing industry to forget just how extensive the language of mortgage lending can be. We’re often quickly reminded, however, when we try... Read more

FINANCING

Promissory Notes How to take, buy or create a Note, then sell it for cash

by John Merchant, JD Many manufactured home communities and some MH retailers have – over the years – created their own notes. The following is an outline of the things and... Read more

FINANCING

While Waiting on The Supreme Court: What is happening to Health Care Cost…

by Kurt D. Kelley, J.D. For the last six months, I’ve served on The Woodlands, Texas Chamber of Commerce Health Care Program Committee. These efforts culminated on April 27th with a... Read more