by Don Westphal

Five scenarios for land/lease community layouts with terrain flexibility

This will be the first in a series of articles, discussing the many opportunities open to investors in the land/lease segment of the manufactured housing market. This first article will examine some of the options available in new developments. Let's look at five different scenarios: Pure Rentals, Communities with an Affordable Component, High Density Urban, Lower Density Rural and New Urbanist Developments.

Read more...

by Heather Vela

Multiple benefits include increased sales!

Negativity seems to follow us like a shadow, but it doesn't have to. Below, I'll show you how to have a positive attitude in the workplace and some of the benefits of it.

Read more...

by Bob Stovall

Getting your company involved provides access to new customers and vital feedback about your products and services.

Social networking began when the first fur-trading caveman went down to the next cave to swap info with his wall-painting counterpart. Before long they were joined by the bearskin guy and the "mammoth on a stick" guy and the rest is pre-history.

Read more...

by Dave Shanklin

Stunning drops, disallowances, requirements and considerations are Good News-Bad News!

Read more...

by Kenneth Rishel

How to tap into the $1 trillion+ purchasing power of this market by 2020 and $2.5-$3.6 trillion by 2050

[Editor's Note: Ken Rishel is a regular contributor to these Featured Articles. The thorough, in-depth nature and exploration of his topic this month warrants a full-length presentation, complete with bibliography and notes.]

Read more...

by Dan Rinzema

 What if you used these 5 Tips to improve your closings?

Internet customers are different than face-to-face customers. On one hand, they expect (and even demand) information fast (they are used to finding whatever they need with a click of a button), and on the other hand, internet shoppers are usually much earlier in the home buying process, so they can take longer to close. When you are dealing with internet leads, you need both speed and patience.

Read more...

by George Porter

Lenders are making structural decisions that result in twice the work and many more problems!

Do you realize that we usually have two foundations under our homes these days? And the reason is because it is the only way to get the money for the home!

Read more...

by Shawn P. Mullins

How might homebuyer's priorities change if we were able to demonstrate the dollar-by-dollar payback of energy-efficient manufactured homes?

Accentuating one's attributes has been a successfully used strategy since the beginning of time. There is a reason that "sex sells." It sells because it takes advantage of our inner nature and desires. Now while that is not the particular angle of this piece, it does prove the point regarding the inherent value in selling from our strengths. Whether it is applied for

Read more...

By Mike Moore

We have become so distracted by new sales that we forgot the best way to get more sales is to make customers.

Most businesses seem to be in survival mode waiting for the economy to recover and wondering what's next. Manufactured Housing is no exception. To find out what's next, we do need to look back for just a few minutes. Many of us have suffered through and prospered from recessions or economic downturns in the past. The only thing I can get anyone in the financial markets, business analysts or in business in general to agree upon is

Read more...

by Greg McClanahan

Every genuinely successful professional embodies the point of this story.

When your manufactured housing client feels that you have moved onto their side of the desk and they realize that you are looking at their needs, wants and situation from their same perspective, that is the very moment that they select you as the person they want to have helping them build their next home. Those professionals who truly carry this posture and can quickly exemplify this attitude in the relationship building process will realize the greatest success. You become their partner, advisor and friend.

Read more...

by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach

What is the key to change what can be changed?

All of us go through a process of ignoring, denying and accepting circumstances in our lives. The trash needs to be taken out; let's say that is the reality. We can ignore that fact. We can deny it. We can accept it. Once we accept it, we can then move on to decide what to do about it. If we are wise, at some point, we take the trash out or have someone take it out for us.

The reality is that some things are more complicated than merely emptying the waste can into the trash container outside, awaiting the next run of the garbage collector.

Read more...

by Susan Knowles

Who wins when investment and technology companies work together with community residents?

Indian Creek Resort in Fort Meyers, FL is a case in point where two companies converged to better serve the technology needs of community residents while increasing revenue.

Read more...

by Chrissy Jackson

How to keep your residents happy and personally engaged during the disruption caused by your community upgrade program

Retain Residents by…

During any major upgrade program, it is generally desirable to retain as many of your current residents as you can. They provide, on a regular basis, the cash flow that helps finance the daily operations as well as the turn-around efforts on your property. They will also serve as your marketing partners in bringing new residents in, once the upgrade process has progressed to the point of visible improvement. In addition, your current residents are the very ones who can help you make the upgrades more visible.

Read more...

by Mike Hourigan, CSP

I am not trying to rip off Charles Dickens when I say it is the best of times and it was the worst of times in his book about the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities. I am commenting on how people look at good and bad fortune.

In a recent conversation with a business woman from South America, I asked how the recession was affecting her business. She laughed out loud and said, "Recession? This is not a recession, this is an opportunity." "Opportunity?" I said. Her response flabbergasted me. She said, "I am from South America where

Read more...

by Nadeen Green

What you don't know can hurt you!

There are so many really difficult fair housing issues out there (and costly ones, too). Apartment communities not designed and built with proper accessibility; the challenges of integrating people of different cultures and religions into the housing environment; senior communities and the mental impairments of some of the older residents.

Read more...

by Sue Frost

Why is the manufactured housing industry well-positioned to increase market share?

Whether you are an environmentally friendly individual or an informed entrepreneur, shades of green are impacting every aspect of our business and personal lives. Greenwise legislative policies are emerging and the pressure is mounting as law makers are escorting us into a "Green Revolution" expected to impact global economy and trump the Industrial Revolution. How does the manufactured housing industry stack up?

Read more...

by Suzanne Felber

Trend Tracking #1: Three tips for making your model homes irresistible

As a Lifestylist ®, I spend quite a lot of time touring homes in different cities looking for new ideas and trends. Last week I was in South Haven, MI meeting with a client and discovered a great store - Props - whose slogan is: "Your Home is Your Stage... Add Some Drama."

Read more...

by Tim Connor, CSP

"You can't solve a problem with the same mindset that created it."

"The Manufactured housing industry is currently facing a number of challenges that many executives believe are inevitable, unavoidable and difficult to overcome. It's apparent that this is the case since many are circling the wagons and are operating in a "wait and see" mode.

Read more...

by Tim Connor, CSP

Do you know the do's and don'ts of getting hot results from your cold calls?

In many ways cold calling is an ancient method when it comes to effective prospecting. And many modular, prefab and manufactured housing organizations rely heavily on this approach – from suppliers, to lenders to those who sell the nuts and bolts with which the homes are constructed. Cold calling can be an effective way to identify new prospects, but it can also be a stressful, time wasting and discouraging process as many salespeople over the years have learned.

Read more...

by Chad Carr

A false start carries serious consequences, so learn from my mistakes.

Recently I decided to dip my toe into the world of e-mail marketing companies. I signed up for a very reasonably priced account that would let me send good looking e-mails with graphics, links and lots of feedback reporting. I used their on-line templates and wizards to create a moderately good looking e-mail and sent it out to a small list of clients and prospects.

Read more...

by George F. Allen

Why HUD Code Manufactured Housing & Landlease (nee manufactured home) Communities Continue to be 'Best Kept Affordable Housing Secret'

One person's passion is often another's piranha, poser, puzzle or problem! Think of KIA brand automobiles. Today, a popular consumer choice; but for combat veterans, the chilling acronym for 'Killed In Action'! Same to be said about succulent Kobe beef. A delicacy for many diners; but a 'not on your life' food choice among vegetarians. Some opine a similar dichotomy for this nation's Best Kept Affordable Housing Secret….

Read more...

by Joe Adams

6 Tips and more to make it your own

So, what is the Greatest Opportunity in Marketing Today? Read On….

There's a definite problem, or opportunity as some would like to say, in today's marketplace. As I travel throughout the country, I hear comments like:

Read more...