by Michael Barnabas
The expression 'long tooth' means someone who is older. Warren Buffett is 81, that qualifies. But does that keep him from being effective or listened to by investors or business men? Hardly. Age has not made Buffett any less effective, if anything, perhaps all that seasoning has made him more effective. No one needs to come to the defense of one of America's – and the world's - richest men. But what about Richard J. “Dick” Klarchek? What about many old mobile home parks from coast to coast? Long tooth as well, and those reviews are decidedly mixed.
by Nadeen Green, JD
Yes, I know it is June. But by the time I learned that May is MCS Month and was inspired to write this article for MHProNews, it was time for the June article (which I actually am writing in May, even if you are reading it in June). Did you know that May is MCS Month? Probably not. Do you know what MCS is? Probably not. Did you know that MCS can be a disability under the Fair Housing Act? Probably not.
by Chrissy Jackson
Because of all the complexities involved in creating an accurate budget, it requires time to thoroughly research each item, review supporting data, and make a projection for next year. At the very least budget preparation should start 3 – 4 months prior to the beginning of the new fiscal period.
by Joanne Stevens, CCIM
The following are a some of the comments heard or overheard in Las Vegas at the 2012 National Communities Counciel (NCC) Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Congress and Expo.
by Tim Connor, CSP
For the better part of three years I have heard from hundreds of people running organizations today – many in factory built housing - that this sluggish economy is driving them up a wall. OK, so we all agree – things are not what they used to be or the way we would like them to be.

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
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 more
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
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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 more
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

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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