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
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 gain insight into the manufactured housing industry shows that you are engaged and embracing the world of online information and communication. That likely means that at the least you correspond with emails, and that it is also quite possible that you interact with prospects, applicants and residents at your communities through your own online website, a third party ILS, or even social media.
• 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 community owner or manager will be able to predict the financial performance of the community for the next 12-month period. A budget will allow you to plan for large, capital expenses and other high dollar improvements.
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 elements that should be considered when wanting either to create a note which a property owner is considering taking back when he sells the property, either as 1st or 2nd lien secured loan to purchaser. The note holder/payee wishes to sell at or shortly after closing…or is looking at such a note with the idea of purchasing same.
• 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 to explain a complex concept to our clients, the home buyers. But when it comes down to it, the home buyer or consumer is the singular reason for our existence. It’s important that they know or understand some of the basic facets of the process, and that starts with the vocabulary.
GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS
• “Mobile Homes” and Tornadoes
by Margaret Clark
(Editor's Intro: The following is a letter written by manufactured home community owner Margaret Clark to KWWL-TV reporter, Kera Mashek. Ms. Clark was writing in response to a televised report on 'mobile home' safety in tornadoes. We wanted to bring this to the attention of associations, retailers, communities and all those involved in the manufactured home industry.)
• While Waiting on The Supreme Court: What is happening to Health Care Costs and Insurance?
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 conference that featured health care providers, hospital CEO’s, health insurance professionals, and a Congressman. As business owners and managers in the manufactured housing industry, these issues affect us more than those who don't run a business.
• Manufactured Home Shows - Touring a Model Home at Tunica 2012
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
Manufactured home trade shows are a wonderful way to bring products and professionals together in one place. The home shown in this photo gallery carousel below was selected at random from over 70 models on display at the 2012 Tunica Manufactured Home Show.
• Manufactured Housing Institute and National Communities Council 2012 Congress and Expo Photo Report
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then there are tens of thousands of words captured in the photos that follow. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) and the National Communities Council (NCC) held their 2012 Congress and Expo April 10-12 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV.
• The Industry's Need to Profitably Communicate
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
Trade media exists because there is a need to communicate facts and ideas relative to the industry being served. A robust online trade journal (e-zine) complements and supports what associations and good businesses within an industry do. Trade media arguably makes the industry served more money. But this column's focus is that trade media can address issues that are not as easy for associations and businesses to tackle.
• National Industry Awards Presented at 2012 National Congress & Expo
Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, NV - April 11, 2012. Members of the manufactured and modular housing industries gathered today at an awards luncheon to recognize individuals and companies for outstanding achievements. The National Industry Awards, presented during the 2012 National Congress and Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing, recognized the highest achievers from all sectors of the manufactured and modular housing industries.
• Frames
by George Porter
A Manufactured Home is a more complicated piece of engineering than most other homes. Our building code makes us have a multi-purpose chassis. Strangely, we don’t move all that much after the first installation, but HUD said many years ago that we must have a frame (transportation system) and I guess that is how the game will be played.
MANAGEMENT
• Do you know the single factor that determines; employee productivity, profits and sustained success?
by Tim Connor
OK, have you figured it out or are you just waiting for my take on this topic? Come on – give it some thought – it might prove interesting. And who knows, you might learn something about your management philosophy, approach and yourself.
Yes, I will tell you what I believe this factor is but I’m going to ask you do a little work first.
• Is there Anything New under the Sun? Getting Bottom line Results for Manufactured Housing.
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
If you are holding a smartphone, an iPad or are looking at a laptop, etc. you already know the answer to this article's headline's question. But to potentially benefit from the second line, you first have to see the deeper meaning of the title question.
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, radio, on the sides of buses, and many other places. How many of those 1600 are memorable? How many grabbed your attention? How many were you even aware that you saw? In this world of constant motion and action, your ad needs to stand out.
• 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 are once again a sought after commodity. This is a trend brought on by two separate, yet linked factors. Namely, the Boomer generation and the economic downturn.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION
• Fear, worry, and stress – are you a victim?
by Tim Connor, CSP
If you are not aware of the simple fact that fear is the major contributor to stress, illness, failure, worry and a whole host of other negative circumstances and outcomes, well, you must be living in the wilderness. In the manufactured housing business world, there are certainly some (many?) who are impacted by fear often
• Zig On Doing Things Poorly
by Zig Ziglar
Several years ago I was teaching a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.Recalling G. K. Chesterton's paradoxical“Anything worth doing is worth doing badly,” I made the statement "Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly, until you can do it well."
SALES
• Patience – The secret tool for sales success
by Tim Connor
I just finished reading for the fourth time - one of my favorite books,The Power of Patience by M. J. Ryan. As I was reading, it struck me anew how important this trait is in selling. Why patience, you might ask? Selling is about action, taking charge, pushing, prodding and not taking no or maybe for an answer.
• Sales Tips 101 – Objection Handling; Isolating the Objection
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
Let's begin a periodic series of articles on some classic – but often unused or overlooked – sales tips and strategies. We will begin with the topic of Objection Handling; Isolating the Objection.
Before diving in, let's start with a few basic premises and values that should be considered as fundamental in any sales training course. Ideally, you and your company's goals should include:
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 and communication. That likely means that at the least you correspond with emails, and that it is also quite possible that you interact with prospects, applicants and residents at your communities through your own online website, a third party ILS, or even social media.
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 community owner or manager will be able to predict the financial performance of the community for the next 12-month period. A budget will allow you to plan for large, capital expenses and other high dollar improvements.
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 elements that should be considered when wanting either to create a note which a property owner is considering taking back when he sells the property, either as 1st or 2nd lien secured loan to purchaser. The note holder/payee wishes to sell at or shortly after closing…or is looking at such a note with the idea of purchasing same.
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 to explain a complex concept to our clients, the home buyers. But when it comes down to it, the home buyer or consumer is the singular reason for our existence. It’s important that they know or understand some of the basic facets of the process, and that starts with the vocabulary.
Daily Business News Briefs
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
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 moreBipartisan Legislation will Ease Credit Access
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports the inventory of newly-built homes because of the recession has led to both houses of Congress with legislation seeking to resolve some ongoing credit access problems for builders. S. 1002 Senators was introduced by Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga). Similar to the bill in the...
23 May 2013
Read moreTotal Home Sales Rise in April
MHProNews has learned from CNNMoney the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released figures today that show total home sales rose 0.6 percent in April to just under an annual pace of five million, up nearly ten percent from a year ago. Lawrence Yun. Chief economist for NAR, noting consumer traffic is up 31 percent over [...]...
23 May 2013
Read moreClayton-Bradley Academy Opens July 19
Following an article MHProNews posted April 1 regarding Clayton Homes CEO Kevin Clayton partnering with teacher Patricia Bradley to open a STEM school (science, technology, engineering, and math), knoxnews says classes are on track to start July 19, with Bradley as principal. The Clayton-Bradley Academy will begin with 140 students in K-6 and add...
23 May 2013
Read moreTracked Housing Stocks Range Widely:Skyline Rises, Cavco, LPX Drop
Investors got mixed messages from the Federal Reserve, causing them to back off from the market today after earlier hitting new highs, sending the three indexes into the red. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -0.52 percent, -80.41 points, to close the day at 15,307.17. The Nasdaq dropped -1.11 percent, -38.82 points, to [...]...
22 May 2013
Read moreModulars will be Equipped, Shipped and Clipped Together
According to the nypost, New York City has chosen a three-story, three-unit emergency modular housing prototype, complete with balconies, to be sited next to the Office of Emergency Management in Brooklyn. The upper two floors are 822 square-foot, three-bedroom units with a 480 square-foot handicap accessible apartment on the first floor. Designed...
22 May 2013
Read moreMarcus and Millichap Promotes Two
According to what multihousingnews tells MHProNews, Jonathan McClellan and Kyle Baskin of Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services have been named senior directors of the company’s National Manufactured Housing Group. Since joining the Cleveland, Ohio firm in 2006, McClellan has closed on 48 transactions totaling over $148.5...
22 May 2013
Read moreIowa Measure will Reduce MH Property Taxes
As follow-up to a story we posted April 18, 2013 concerning property tax rates in Iowa, Joe Kelly of the Iowa Manufactured Housing Association (IAMHA) informs MHProNews if SF 295 passes, property taxes on land lease communities will fall. The current rate is 100 percent of assessed value. With passage, the new measure would take [...]...
22 May 2013
Read moreLatest Daily Business News
- 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
- Iowa Measure will Reduce MH Property Taxes
- Three New Modular Homes Coming
- Water Set to be Shut Off
- Clayton Hires Reality Stars for TV Spots
- Immigration Reform Could be Boon to Housing Industry
- Dow and S&P Hit New Highs; Tracked Housing Stocks Mixed
- Cavco to Announce Quarterly Earnings Report
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
