MHProNews has learned from the Wall Street Journal there is rare bipartisan support in Congress to roll back a provision in the Dodd-Frank Act that could produce a decline in manufactured home lending, thereby hurting builders, lenders, and owners. A part of Dodd-Frank sets a threshold for interest rates beyond …
Both Parties in Congress Favor Revising Dodd-Frank Read More
The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s ManuFACTured Housing Newsletter reports the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) announces the appointment of three new members of the committee and the reappointment of six members, including the chairman, Richard Weinert. New members include: Debra Blake, Deputy Dir. for the MH Office, Arizona …
New Members of the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee Read More
CNNMoney informs MHProNews Federal Reserve Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin says now that the housing market is improving, middle class families who have not been able to take advantage of the low interest rates may now have that opportunity. Speaking at the Levy Economics Institute’s Minsky Conference, Raskin said, “As house …
Following up on a story MHProNews posted April 17 concerning residential rental property in the Iowa legislature that would provide a tax break for manufactured housing communities, Joe Kelly of the Iowa Manufactured Housing Association (IAMHA) says the House rewrote SF 295 that the Senate had passed and returned it …
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey reports builder confidence dropped two points to a composite score of 42 in March as concerns over rising material costs, tight credit, shortages of skilled labor and available lots nag at the market for newly built, single-family …
Joe Kelly of the Iowa Manufactured Housing Association (IAMHA) informs MHProNews the Iowa Senate has passed SF 295, a property tax credit system comparable to how the homestead credit system works. Commercial tax payers have to make a one-time application. The fund begins at $50 million, and increases each year …
Iowa Legislature Considering Property Tax Amendment Read More
The Texas Manufactured Housing Association (TMHA) informs MHProNews that the House Urban Affairs Committee of the Texas Legislature voted in support of HB 2954. Administered by the Manufactured Housing Division of the Texas Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs, the measure would establish a down payment assistance program for manufactured …
Bill would Offer Down Payment Assistance for MH Buyers Read More
MHProNews has learned from the National Association of Home Builders that House Resources Committee Chairman Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) has drafted legislation that would increase timer production on federal lands which in turn would help maintain healthy forests. Justin Wood, vice president of construction for Fish Construction NW Inc., based …
Rising Wood Prices could Hamper the Housing Market Recovery Read More
MHProNews has learned from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) figures released by HUD and the Census Bureau indicate total housing starts—single-family and multifamily– rose by seven percent in March, propelled by a 31.1 percent increase in new multifamily construction. As we have reported several times earlier, the rental …
MHProNews has learned from The Federal Register that the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) Structural and Design Subcommittee will hold a teleconference meeting Tue. April 23 from 1 PM to 4 PM EST. The agenda tentatively includes discussion regarding alternative foundation system testing, formaldehyde testing, and standards for windows, sliding …
Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee Sets Teleconference Date Read More
If you Google “definition manufactured home,” what pops up may surprise you. “Mobile home: a large house trailer that can be connected to utilities and can be parked in one place and used as permanent housing.” Credit for the entry is Princeton University’s WordNet. MHProNews publisher L. A. “Tony” Kovach …
1960’s Definition of Manufactured Housing Clouds Industry Read More
BusinessInsider tells MHProNews the chief economist at Gluskin Sheff, David Rosenberg, citing the drop in mortgage applications from a year-over-year rate of 16% in Jan. 2013 to only three percent today—they fell 1.3 percent the week ending April 5– says U. S. housing demand is beginning to slow. He says …
The National Association of Home Buyers (NAHB), testifying before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, urged lawmakers to move cautiously in reforming the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) because the tight lending standards are already preventing qualified home-buyers from obtaining mortgages, as MHProNews has learned. NAHB First Vice …
According to what HousingWire tells MHProNews, 70 percent of lender professionals believe the housing recovery is real, and will continue to improve during the coming six months. Sixty percent of bankers think credit will be available over the next six months for refinancings, and 59 percent say credit will be …
In addressing the strength of the housing market recovery, as HousingWire tells MHProNews, experts expressed different views. Anthony Sanders, professor of real estate finance at George Mason University, says the market is improving, but slow job growth, stagnant incomes (except for the top five percent), and increasing government involvement are …
As MHProNews reported here earlier today (Mon. April 8), the closing of Hilltop Mobile Home Park in State College, Penn. that led to a musical benefit to help residents, has also led to charges being filed against the owners by the state attorney general’s Bureau of Consumer Protection for allegedly …
Updating a story MHProNews covered Sept. 5, 2012 regarding the closing of two MHCs in State College, Penn., a graduate of Penn State University and fellow church congregant with residents of the communities is sponsoring a benefit to assist those displaced by the closings. Musician Pat Elliott has organized the …
The National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) informs MHProNews the list of improving housing markets remains virtually unchanged from last month. Five new markets showed improvements in employment, housing permits and home prices for at least six months, while six fell from the ratings. NAHB Chief …
Following up on an earlier post concerning legislation that a California manufactured home owners association is promoting in the state legislature, santamariatimes informs MHProNews SB 510 addresses the conversion of MHCs to resident owned communities/sites and condos. The new measure gives local jurisdictions authority to determine by survey if at …
The March 27 Webinar, Real Homes, Real Value: Improving Real Property Appraisals of Manufactured Homes sponsored by the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), addressed the problems of getting accurate appraisals on manufactured homes across the country. Doug Ryan, Director of Affordable Homeownership Initiatives at the CFED, says the Innovations in …
