The Texas Real Estate Research Center (TRERC) issued a press release in conjunction with the Texas Manufactured Housing Association (TMHA) on Thursday February 16, 3:50 PM ET. To the well informed, that release has some questionable items, an obvious miss, and perhaps terminology/phraseology anomalies. Texas is the #1 production and shipment state in the U.S. for HUD Code Manufactured Housing. A “rebound” is being projected by their latest report. The TRERC press release will be Part I of today’s report. Part II will provide additional information with more MHProNews facts, analysis, and commentary in brief. Part III will be the Daily Business News on MHProNews stocks, left-right headline news summary, and market report recap.
Part I.
Texas’ housing manufacturers ready for a rebound
COLLEGE STATION, Tex. (Texas Real Estate Research Center) – Manufactured housing sales have slumped for 15 consecutive months, according to the Texas Manufactured Housing Survey (TMHS), but the latest data indicate improvements on the horizon.
“Supply-chain disruptions and surging demand in 2021 and early 2022 forced housing manufacturers to turn customers away due to capacity constraints,” said Wesley Miller, senior research associate at the Texas Real Estate Research Center (TRERC). “The tables turned in April of last year when demand dropped in response to higher interest rates. Manufacturers slowed production and subsequently shrank payrolls.”
While sales and production remained subdued in January, expectations elevated for the third straight month, and the TMHS business-activity index swung 60 points upward—its largest monthly movement in either direction since the survey started in June 2020.
“The supply chain has been steadily improving over the last six months,” according to TRERC Research Economist Dr. Harold Hunt. “Freight and fuel costs have dropped, although we are seeing fuel prices rebound slightly as of late.”
The TMHS corroborated these developments through consistent decreases in the supply-chain disruptions and raw-materials price indices.
“Mortgage interest rates have also come down from their highs, and the combination of these factors are contributing to the recent optimism,” said Hunt.
Despite improved sentiments regarding macroeconomic factors, housing manufacturers are increasingly concerned about regulatory costs and the impact on their operations.
“The Department of Energy’s (DOE) efficiency standards for manufactured homes are scheduled to go into effect May 31 of this year,” said Rob Ripperda, vice president of the Texas Manufactured Housing Association. “The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), however, administers the manufactured-housing program and opted not to recommend the wholesale adoption of the DOE standards into the HUD code.”
Ripperda said the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) instead proposed energy efficiency updates that more appropriately considered the cost impacts of the changes and preserved the program’s statutory obligation to affordability. He said that with MHCC submitting recommendations, HUD is expected to draft and publish proposed rules that will process through the formal comment and finalization periods.
“There is little chance that all those steps occur before the May 31st implementation deadline,” Ripperda said, “and members of Congress are calling for DOE to delay implementation and to work directly with HUD to ensure the standards between the two agencies are not contradictory.” …
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Part II. Additional Information with More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary
MHProNews has contacted the TRERC on a questioned data point in their report. Managing Editor Bryan Pope acknowledged the questioned, saying he would follow up with the issue experts to seek an informed reply. Their release opened (see above) with the remark that “Manufactured housing sales have slumped for 15 consecutive months, according to the Texas Manufactured Housing Survey (TMHS), but the latest data indicate improvements on the horizon.” While that might be true in some technical sense (for example, sales at retail vs. wholesale sales), the official information gathered by HUD and provided by the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) indicates something different. The below are a recap of the information found on the MHARR website at this link here.
For each month, the number reflects the total combined shipments of single and multi-sectional HUD Code manufactured homes for Texas in the month as shown.
Dec (2022) 1081
Nov 1297
Oct 1404
Sept 1598
Aug 1856
Jul 1466
Jun 2098
May 1820
Apr 1877
Mar 2121
Feb 1592
Jan 1655
Dec (2021) 1474
Nov 1611
Oct 1571
The evidence from the above is clearly different than the claim that: “Manufactured housing sales have slumped for 15 consecutive months…”
Furthermore, other portion of their report seem outdated and or contradicted by the developments on the DOE Manufactured Housing Energy Rule linked below.
Last month, the TRERC media release cited TMHA’s Rob Ripperda saying: “Manufacturers have five more months to prepare for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) new conservation standards and the Environmental Protection Agency’s updated Energy Star program requirements,” said Rob Ripperda, vice president of the Texas Manufactured Housing Association. “These adjustments require a lot of retooling, design updates, new materials sourcing, and a host of other process changes for each of Texas’ 26 manufacturing plants. The final impact on construction costs is unknown.” The context is found in the report below.
MHProNews has asked TRERC about why their release doesn’t mention the TMHA-MHI lawsuit.
It should be noted that TMHA was an important part of the effort to enact the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA).
Implementation of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000, Congressional Hearing, Redux
Now that MHI and the TMHA have filed suit to ‘stop’ or slow down the implementation of the DOE energy rule, the question has been raised: will they finally file suit to force HUD to implement the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000? More specifically, its enhanced preemption provision?
Other possible inconsistencies between the above and what may be found in various remarks in the spring into the summer of 2022 by Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) member producers that are publicly traded and issue quarterly facts and statements.
There are more factual and evidence-based reports than those shown to be found on MHProNews and/or MHLivingNews that raises questions about some of the remarks from the TMHA and TRERC. Use the search tool to learn more.
If TRERC and/or the TMHA provides relevant information to the questions raised about factual inconsistencies noted above, MHProNews may provide a follow up report and/or could update this post. Stay tuned.
Part III. Daily Business News on MHProNews Markets Segment
The modifications of our prior Daily Business News on MHProNews format of the recap of yesterday evening’s market report are provided below. It still includes our signature left (CNN Business) and right (Newsmax) ‘market moving’ headlines. The macro market moves graphics will provide context and comparisons for those invested in or tracking manufactured housing connected equities.
In minutes a day readers can get a good sense of significant or major events while keeping up with the trends that are impacting manufactured housing connected investing.
Reminder: several of the graphics on MHProNews can be opened into a larger size. For instance: click the image and follow the prompts in your browser or device to OPEN In a New Window. Then, in several browsers/devices you can click the image and increase the size. Use the ‘x out’ (close window) escape or back key to return.
Headlines from left-of-center CNN Business – from the evening of 2.16.2023
- Tesla recall
- Automaker warns that 363,000 vehicles equipped with ‘Full Self-Driving’ driver assist can pose a safety risk
- Stocks slide as investors worry about more rate hikes
- Judge says Bankman-Fried could ‘conceivably’ have bail revoked
- World Bank head David Malpass has ‘no regrets’ over leadership, following surprise resignation
- Search of BBC offices by Indian government ends after three day raid
- The dark side of Bing’s new AI chatbot
- Mortgage rates jump to 6.32%
- Household debt hit record $16.9 trillion last quarter, as consumers loaded up their credit cards
- YouTube CEO is stepping down after nearly a decade in role
- The world’s biggest food company says prices will rise further this year
- US new home construction fell in January for the fifth straight month
- Nigeria reissues old banknote as cash fiasco threatens to disrupt election
- Producer prices rose in January but annual inflation continued to cool
- California’s heavy rains deliver hope of a lifeline for one devastated industry — rice
- Tesla accused of firing union supporters days after organizing effort starts
- This program is using VR training to help solve the nationwide mechanic shortage
- Don’t underestimate the American shopper
- China sanctions Lockheed, Raytheon after vowing to retaliate against US restrictions
- Starbucks doubles down on Asia Pacific with biggest expansion in five years
- Two miners found dead after ground collapses beneath them
- Dutch chip firm ASML says former China employee stole data
- Alarming new study finds half of Americans believe news organizations intend to mislead and misinform with their reporting
- Stanford scholars co-signed Sam Bankman-Fried’s $250 million bail deal
- Production halt on Ford’s electric F-150 Lightning will last at least a week and half
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Headlines from right-of-center Newsmax 2.16.2023
- Jim Jordan Wants Answers on FBI Memo Targeting Catholics
- House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., are demanding the FBI turn over information regarding a since-rescinded agency memo that tagged some Catholics as violent extremists due to their religious beliefs. [Full Story]
- DirecTV Censors Newsmax
- CPAC Chairman Urges AT&T, DirecTV to Reinstate Newsmax
- RNC’s McDaniel: Members Urged to Fight DirecTV Censorship
- Hern: DirecTV Censorship a ‘Grave Concern’ | video
- Penny Young Nance: AT&T Dropping Network is ‘Censorship’ | video
- Jeffrey Lord: DirecTV Move Not Surprising Given Obama, Clinton Ties | video
- Monica Crowley to Biden FCC Pick: Follow Up on Probe | video
- Cruz: DirecTV Censorship ‘Indefensible’ | video
- Texas AG Paxton: State Should Probe AT&T | video
- Steil: Censorship ‘Worthy of a Review’ | video
- Kiley: DirecTV ‘Deplatforming’ Conservatives | video
- Alina Habba: Newsmax Removal ‘Needs to Be Investigated’ | video
- Biden FCC Nominee: ‘Very Troubled’ by Newsmax Cut | video
- Spartz: DirecTV, Monopolies Will Turn US Into ‘Oligarchy’
- Newsmax TV
- Jerome Adams: Bad News Won’t Come From Biden Physical | video
- RNC’s McDaniel: GOP Must Fight to Retire Biden | video
- Hern: Biden ‘Doesn’t Want to See the Problem’ at Border | video
- Johnson: Norfolk Southern Should Answer Questions | video
- Blaine Holt: Senators Got ‘Doublespeak’ on Balloon, Aircraft | video
- Cornyn: Biden Causing Anxiety by Keeping UFOs ‘Hush-Hush’ | video
- Matt Cartwright: No ‘Maintenance’ of Rail Cars a ‘Red Flag’ | video
- Whitaker: Late for Clapper to ‘Find Religion’ on Laptop | video
- More Newsmax TV
- Newsfront
- Fetterman Checks Into Hospital for Severe Depression
- S. Sen. John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed medical center Wednesday to receive treatment for severe clinical depression, his office said…. [Full Story]
- Wall Street Ends Down Sharply on Rate-Hike Worries
- Wall Street ended sharply lower Thursday after unexpectedly strong [Full Story]
- NORAD: More Russian Aircraft Over Alaska on Tuesday
- The North American Aerospace Defense Command had to scramble fighter [Full Story]
- Biden Wants ‘Sharper Rules’ on Unknown Aerial Objects
- President Joe Biden said Thursday the U.S. is developing “sharper [Full Story]
- New Study Finds Vaping Not Healthier Than Smoking
- A new study builds upon earlier evidence that vaping isn’t any [Full Story]
- Vance to Buttigieg: Don’t Blame Trump for Train Derailment
- J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, on Thursday slammed Department of [Full Story]
- US Reliance on ‘Emerging’ Tech Could ‘Handcuff’ Forces in War Against China
- The recent flight of a Chinese spy balloon over the United States and [Full Story] | Platinum Article
- Cautious But Steady Consumers Buoy US Economy
- Call it the Goldilocks consumer.Defying high inflation and sharp [Full Story]
- Putin War Official Falls to Her Death
- Marina Yankina, a top Russian defense official, was found dead [Full Story]
- Related
- Why Putin Is Eyeing Moldova as Next Possible Russian Target |Platinum Article
- Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to Open Berlin Film Festival
- Israeli Foreign Minister Visits Ukraine for Talks With Zelenskyy
- How Ukraine War Has Shaped US Planning for a China Conflict
- Tim McCarver, Big League Catcher and Broadcaster, Dies at 81
- Tim McCarver, the All-Star catcher and Hall of Fame broadcaster who [Full Story]
- Why Putin Is Eyeing Moldova as Next Possible Russian Target
- With a major Russian offensive in Ukraine now officially underway to [Full Story] | Platinum Article
- Quinnipiac Poll: Trump Tops DeSantis by 6 Points for ’24
- Former President Trump leads by six points over Florida Gov. Ron [Full Story]
- Georgia Grand Jury: No 2020 Election Fraud, Witnesses Might Have Perjured
- The special grand jury that investigated the 2020 presidential [Full Story]
- Putin, Wagner Group Target Serbian Government as Protests Hit Capital
- Russian President Vladimir Putin – who continues to lose allies as [Full Story]
- Gizzi: Did Nikki Haley, Sarah Sanders Hit at Trump?
- Both Nikki Haley and Sarah Sanders made calls for leadership by a new [Full Story]
- Video Report: Ron DeSantis Fights Back Against ‘Book Ban’ Criticism
- On Thursday’s “National Report,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is [Full Story] | video
- NYC Mayor: Retail Theft Hurts Low-Income Workers
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams says shoplifting in the Big Apple is [Full Story]
- Senate Unanimously Condemns China’s ‘Invasion’ of US Airspace
- The U.S. Senate this week unanimously approved tworesolutions to [Full Story]
- CPAC Chairman Urges AT&T, DirecTV to Reinstate Newsmax
- Denouncing the censorship of Newsmax, CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp sent [Full Story]
- Tesla Recalls 362,000 Self-Driving Cars
- Tesla Inc. is recalling 362,000 U.S. vehicles because its Full [Full Story]
- WSJ to Nikki Haley: ‘Why Do You Want to Be President?’
- Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley needs to offer specifics on why [Full Story]
- ‘Eye of the Tiger’ Writer Slams Haley’s Use of the Song
- Frankie Sullivan, one of the writers of “Eye of the Tiger,” had a [Full Story]
- RSV Vaccine for Seniors Could Be Available by Next Cold, Flu Season
- Older people have vaccines available to prevent severe influenza and [Full Story]
- FEC: Santos Must Name Campaign Treasurer
- The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is forcing embattled Rep. [Full Story]
- ICE Detention Centers Criticized for Poor Conditions
- Conditions at immigration detention centers continue to grow worse as [Full Story]
- NY Times Publishes Column Defending Rowling’s Trans Views
- The New York Times published a column supporting J.K. Rowling’s views [Full Story]
- Rasmussen Poll: Most Back Ban on Minor Sex Changes
- Fifty-eight percent of likely voters say they approve of legislation [Full Story]
- RNC’s McDaniel to Newsmax: GOP Must Fight to Retire Biden
- Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told Newsmax [Full Story] | video
- Tesla Fires Employees in Retaliation to Union Campaign: Complaint
- Tesla Inc. Wednesday laid off dozens of employees from its Autopilot [Full Story]
- Jobless Applications Fall Again Despite Fed Rate Push
- Fewer Americans filed for jobless benefits last week despite efforts [Full Story]
- DeSantis: Removal of Roberto Clemente Book ‘a Joke’
- Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis blamed teachers unions for [Full Story]
- Finance
- Cautious But Steady Consumers Buoy US Economy
- Call it the Goldilocks consumer.Defying high inflation and sharp interest rate hikes, Americans keep spending – a trend that, if sustained, could keep the economy humming just enough to help avoid a much-predicted recession…. [Full Story]
- Fed Officials: More Rate Hikes Key to Lowering Inflation
- Gucci Banks on Private ‘Salons’ for the Ultrarich
- Fidelity to Expand Workforce by 4,000
- More Finance
- Health
- How to Switch Off Your Work Brain
- Americans are suffering from burnout. A recent survey by the American Psychological Association found that 79% suffer from work-related stress; 36% said their job caused cognitive weariness; 32% were emotionally exhausted; and 44% were physically fatigued. We need a… [Full Story]
- Plant-Based Diet May Lower Risk for Prostate Cancer Progression, Recurrence
- Instant Noodles Responsible for 30 Percent of Scalding Injuries
- Study Finds Most Baby Formula Health Claims Not Backed by Science
- Tailoring Medication to DNA Reduces Side Effects
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Updated
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- NOTE 1: The 3rd chart above of manufactured housing connected equities includes the Canadian stock, ECN, which purchased Triad Financial Services, a manufactured home industry finance lender.
- NOTE 2: Drew changed its name and trading symbol at the end of 2016 to Lippert (LCII).
- NOTE 3: Deer Valley was largely taken private, say company insiders in a message to MHProNews on 12.15.2020, but there are still some outstanding shares of the stock from the days when it was a publicly traded firm. Thus, there is still periodic activity on DVLY.
- Note 4: some recent or related reports to the REITs, stocks, and other equities named above follow in the reports linked below.
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2023 …Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company to Clayton Homes, 21st Mortgage, Vanderbilt Mortgage and other factory-built housing industry suppliers.
· LCI Industries, Patrick, UFPI, and LP each are suppliers to the manufactured housing industry, among others.
· AMG, CG, and TAVFX have investments in manufactured housing related businesses. For insights from third-parties and clients about our publisher, click here.
Disclosure. MHProNews holds no positions in the stocks in this report.
· For expert manufactured housing business development or other professional services, click here.
· To sign up in seconds for our industry leading emailed headline news updates, click here.
That’s a wrap on this installment of “News Through the Lens of Manufactured Homes and Factory-Built Housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, stock, investing, data, metrics, reports, fact-checks, analysis, and commentary. Third-party images or content are provided under fair use guidelines for media.) (See Related Reports, further below. Text/image boxes often are hot-linked to other reports that can be access by clicking on them.)
By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship along with numerous awards in history. There have been several awards and honors and also recognition in manufactured housing. For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com. This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.
