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Thursday, 20 Jun 2013

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January 2010

Ok, it's time to kick ass!

by Tim Connor, CSP

Tim Connor photo Those of you who have been reading this column for a few months might be surprised by the title of this one since I normally don't use profanity in my writing but I decided that too many people are stuck in mindsets that are negative and drowning in their own sorrow. I am not immune to all of the stuff that is happening in the world, believe me but I for one can tell you that giving up or in to the world and its negative influences will serve no useful purpose in your future. So, if you want to achieve big time this year you will need a "kick ass" mindset. Let me explain.

Make your business stand out above the rest all year long

by Beth Monicatti Blank

The holidays are a time when gift giving is popular. But isn't it a good idea to keep yourself out in front of your customers all year long? Adding some personal touches and some thought will make your company stand out above the rest (and doesn't have to be expensive.) Consider implementing these nearly effortless ideas when planning your year-long gift giving:

Reinventing your business in 2010

by Tim Connor, CSP

Tim Connor photo OK, 2009 with all of its struggle, disappointment and frustration is now a memory but the question remains; what will you do to ensure that 2010 is filled with opportunity, prosperity, success and profitable growth? Too many people today are stuck in the fears, failures and uncertainty of the past. Letting these mindsets dictate your future will only ensure that 2010 is nothing but a repeat of last year.

The Open Mind to Success

by Michael DuPure

Mike DuPure photo Many years back I had the privilege of working with two entrepreneurs in the franchise business. They were both energetic, goal oriented, determined and also 10 years younger than all of us who came on board. Things were going well with the operation growing to 5 locations and servicing a large geographic area.

Is there financing for today's manufactured homebuyer?

by Susan Frost

Sue Frost photo There is a fine line between perception and reality; and we can let the storm drive us, or like the eagle… we can fly directly into the storm allowing the storm to lift us above the turbulence. Only then can we better preview real problems and possible solutions.

It's Not Over Until the Fat Lady Sings...or maybe not for years!

by Nadeen Green, Esquire

A look at potential post-settlement issues in fair housing cases

Nadeen Green photo Fair Housing… it's the right thing to do! This is the would-be mantra for many of the fair housing instructors. But sometimes we cannot get everyone's attention just by trying to convince them that it is legally wrong (and morally wrong, of course) to make housing decisions based on the race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability or children of those who would like to live in your manufactured housing communities or those who already do. Sometimes we have to capture attention by pointing out that the consequence of unlawful housing discrimination is just plain costly (and it is, with civil penalties potentially ranging from $12,500 to $65,000 in administrative cases, and with no cap on punitive damages in civil cases) and risky (and it is, since everyone and anyone, can be held personally liable for acts of housing discrimination). "Personally liable" means one pays out of one's very own pocket, by the way. So there are many articles out there offering advice and suggestions about policies and procedures that are best practices when it comes to dealing with fair housing issues. There are also articles out there that deal with the real world administrative burdens of a complaint or lawsuit.

First Ever Solar Powered, Utility Approved, Factory-Built Energy Star Rated home

by Steven Lefler

Steven Lefler photo Today, Modular Lifestyles is a leader in the manufactured home industry. Our quest was to exceed California UBC "Green" conventional building codes for single family residences. The idea was to build the first manufactured that exceeded the >15% efficiency rating of the new Title 24 code. The goal was the have it "Energy Star" rated by the EPA. The purpose of the California Title 24 building code is to improve public health, safety and general welfare by enhancing design and

The Harvest

by Greg McClanahan

At this time of year, you've probably heard your fair share of conversation about setting 'New Year's Resolutions.' Why is it that we look at January 1st differently than say - August 17th? I'll buy into the fact that maybe it's because it is a measurable point in time - a beginning of sorts, but I think we all know that what really matters is what we can accomplish with each 'New Day.'

Cheering for the Other Side

by Greg McClanahan

One of my favorite sports writers is Rick Reilly. He finds sporting events that you won't see in the sports headlines and often reports about people being caught in the act of goodness. In this story, he reports that there are some games when cheering for the other side feels better than winning. Showing people at their best when they are just "Staying the Course."

Close More Sales with Social Network Marketing

by Dan Rinzema

Did you know that:

Facebook is now the fourth most visited website in the world. (TechCrunch 2009)

Keep the Big Picture in Mind and Heart

By Michelle Nichols

After her son died suddenly, Michelle Nichols focused on working smarter and playing harder with her family

The Mobile Home / Manufactured Home Community Industry Turnaround Plan

by Dave Reynolds

Our industry continues to be plagued by declining sales of new manufactured homes going into mobile home parks and communities nationwide. With only around 50,000 new home shipments in 2009 we need to figure out how to get those numbers back up to 100,000 for 2010 and steadily grow back to 200,000 plus home sales per year. How do we do that?

The Six Dangers CEO's Face when Communicating "Green."

By Michael Sater

Michael Sater photo Organizations large and small are looking to their values, branding themselves as "green" and "good." Unfortunately, green marketing allows more than a few of them to make claims that are widely regarded as greenwash. This results in an eco-saturated marketplace cluttered with greenwashed products and services that at best create confusion and at worst taint truly green goods, services and accomplishments.

Getting the Most for Your Marketing Dollars, Part II

By Kent Stichter

Kent Stichter photo Last month I showed examples of ways to save marketing dollars on exterior photos of your model homes by digitally adding landscaping and backgrounds to your photos. The same concepts may be available to you for the interiors of your model homes. The best pictures for your web site and printed materials can then show your potential customers the warmth of a finished home.

No Website? No Problem!

by Bob Stovall

Orange Cat Productions logo Last month, we dealt with the question of whether websites were dead, passé, old school, etc. The conclusion was that websites are still very useful marketing tools, although how they are created and how they present information are rapidly changing.

To Create A Newsletter Or To Not?

by Heather Vela

The Benefits Of Having a Community Newsletter
Throughout my time as both a long-time resident and an employee of a manufactured housing community, I have seen many changes take place. Larger, more efficient homes replaced smaller, older units. Two-story (Cape Cod) homes were gradually added as well.

Focus on What Matters

by Tim Saville

Tim Saville photo Let's just say 2008 and 2009 were not kind to us. With that said, I am optimistic that the next two years are going to be the foundation for the next decade. Now is the time to focus on hiring and/or utilizing key individuals, getting creative and stepping up customer service. Company culture and forward-thinking leadership are going to separate the successful from the unsuccessful.

Changing Perceptions: The Key to Achieving Double-Digit Monthly Closings for your Location

by Tony Kovach

Tony Kovach Some time back, a gent came up to me and said: "You may THINK you are in the manufactured housing business. But if you want to STAY and GROW in the manufactured housing industry, start thinking of yourself as being in the perception changing business too!" What a powerful point that was and it has stuck with me. How true! It is only by changing perceptions that we as a professional, organization, team, firm or as an industry that we can grow and prosper!

Daily Business News Briefs

Manufactured Housing Component Supplier puts Project on Hold

As follow-up to a story MHProNews posted Feb. 27, 2013 concerning Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) taking over a former manufactured housing facility in Silverton, Ore., city officials now say UFPI has put those plans on hold. Silverton City Manager Bob Willoughby says the 126,000 square-foot building, once occupied by Redmond Homes, was set...

19 Jun 2013

School District may Lease Homesites in Manufactured Housing Community

Updating a story MHProNews posted June 12, 2013 regarding manufactured homes for teachers in housing-strapped Midland, Tex., the Midland Independent School District (MISD) trustees authorized up to $3.5 million to create a 70-unit temporary housing development. While the trustees originally thought they would have to develop infrastructure for the...

19 Jun 2013

Many Tracked Housing Stocks, Three Major Indexes all Tumble

Following the Federal Reserve’s hinting that it may taper its bond purchases later this year, the three major indexes all lost 1.12 percent to 1.39 percent in a slide that cost the Dow just over 200 points. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -206.04 points, -1.35 percent, to end the day at 15,112.19. [...]...

19 Jun 2013

Green Courte Announces Promotion of Braden Rudolph

Private equity real estate investment firm Green Courte Partners, LLC announces the promotion of Braden Rudolph to Vice President, Asset Management. A 2010 MBA graduate of Northwestern University’s J L. Kellogg School of Management, Rudolph has been active in strategic initiatives at American Land Lease, Inc., an owner/operator of 50...

19 Jun 2013

Bridge Collapse Strands Community Residents

A sinkhole on a bridge at the Pine Haven manufactured housing community in Marietta, GA left residents who relied on the only vehicular access to the community stranded on Monday, June 17. Some residents needing to go to work relied on cabs or friends to take them; others waited for repairs to be completed. While [...]...

19 Jun 2013

Manufactured Home Taxes Now Payable Online

The Vinton County Treasurer’s Office in McArthur, Ohio reports taxpayers can now pay real estate and manufactured home taxes online. “The online payment system offers added convenience for the taxpayer and streamlines the process of collecting taxes. I hope that in time it decreases wait time for those taxpayers who choose to come to the [...

19 Jun 2013

$33,000 in Scholarships Awarded by First State Manufactured Housing Association

As follow-up to a story we published June 17 concerning First State Manufactured Housing Association scholarships, MHProNews has learned First State of Delaware has awarded $33,000 in scholarships to 30 recipients since 1999. Eligible candidates are judged on their scholastic record, financial need, an essay and personal/professional...

19 Jun 2013

Canadian Development may Include Manufactured Housing

A fifteen acre parcel of land in Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada has been approved for retail and residential development, as the Kings County Council voted unanimously to give the second and final reading to the rezoning proposal for the property in Kentville. The redevelopment by Kent Building Supplies Limited would include a new retail [...]...

18 Jun 2013

Housing starts increased 6.8 percent in May to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 914,000 units due to a jump in multifamily construction. Single-family production remained steady at 599,000 homes, but multifamily activity grew 21.6 percent to 315,000 units. Regionally, the South posted a gain of 17.8 percent in combined starts and the West a...

18 Jun 2013

Most Tracked Housing Stocks Advance, as do the Three Major Indexes

All three indexes advanced, with the Dow moving up over 120 points, as inflation remains low and housing starts increase, despite concerns of what the Federal Reserve may reveal Wed., June 19, about possibly tapering the quantitative easing. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained +0.91 percent, +138.38 points, to end the day at...

18 Jun 2013

Improving Manufactured Housing’s Image to Increase Sales

With image being a key component to selling more manufactured homes to cash and credit worthy buyers, that may explain the growing daily commentary in favor of the start of the ManufacturedHomeLivingNews.com image campaign. Nancy Geer, Executive Director of the New York Housing Association said: “Manufactured Home Living Website is a great r...

18 Jun 2013