Swedish retailer Ikea has partnered with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) to develop a shelter now being used in Syrian refugee camps. The modular flatpack shelters, constructed to house up to five people, are made of insulated plastic panels that snap into a metal frame. The units also have …
Private/Public Collaboration Issues Flatpack Modular Shelter Read More
The Recreational Vehicle (RV)/Manufactured Housing (MH) Hall of Fame (Hall) Selection Committee is actively seeking nominations for the class of 2014. Darryl Searer, Hall president, said, “The Hall welcomes nominations from all RV and manufactured housing sectors — manufacturers, dealers, campgrounds, housing communities, suppliers, user groups, trade media, associations, etc.” …
Mortgage applications fell 13.5 percent from last week, and the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate rose from 4.51 percent to 4.57 percent this week, according to HousingWire. Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports the Refinance Index fell 20 percent from the previous week, and 71 percent from the week of May 3. …
One of the biggest investors in U.S. real estate in the ’90s and early part of the century, only 30 percent of Sam Zell’s personal investment portfolio is in real estate, compared to 50 percent in the 1990’s. According to the worldpropertychannel.com, billionaire Zell told The Wall Street Journal, “We’re …
Following up on a story MHProNews posted Sept. 6, 2013 regarding a measure in the California Assembly that would permit local government to disprove of the conversion of a manufactured housing community (MHC), kcoy.com reports the Senate passed SB 510 21-14. Sponsored by Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), if a majority …
Conversion Bill Now only Needs Governor’s Signature Read More
Updating a story we last posted Sept. 4, 2013 about the acquisition of two manufactured housing community (MHCs) properties by Ingenia Communities in Australia, MHProNews has learned the company has raised $61.5 million to fund the acquisition of eight additional MHCs. Although contracts have been exchanged on only the Drifters …
Australian Firm Focusing Exclusively on Manufactured Housing Communities Read More
As shares of IBM rose two percent and fears of a military strike against Syria waned, the Dow gained over 100 points for the second consecutive day. CNNMoney reports the Dow gained 135.54 points, +0.89 percent, to close at 15,326.60. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq nudged down -0.11 percent, -4.01 points to …
Dow Rises over 100 Points again; Tracked Housing Stocks Mostly Gain Read More
Prominent leaders of Myanmar’s (formerly Burma) Buddhist and Muslim communities called for peace between the two religious factions that have been involved in deadly clashes since last year, killing nearly two hundred and displacing 140,000, according to rfa.org. Reports that a Buddhist woman had been assaulted by a Muslim man …
With a background in law and engineering, Brian Hess has been chosen as the Chassis Division Product Manager at Lippert Components, Inc., (LCI) a subsidiary of Drew Industries, Inc. (NYSE:DW). In this new role within the chassis division, Hess will work closely with customers and the research and development team …
Lippert Appoints Hess to New Role in Chassis Division Read More
Despite an ordinance banning manufactured homes older than eight years from being sited in Buffalo, Texas, a 1996 model was granted permission to be placed within the city limits, creating a thorny situation. Neighbors want the house removed because it was illegally sited, and others have been denied the opportunity …
The Evergreen (Washington) Habitat for Humanity has partnered with Evergreen and Mountain View high schools’ Math in Construction classes to construct a 1,100 square foot modular home for a single mother and her two sons. The year-long project marks the 29th home for this chapter of Habitat, as columbian.com informs …
John Swecker, Hall of Fame member of the Virginia Manufactured and Modular Housing Association (VAMMHA), has passed away. He was General Manager of Clayton Homes at the Henderson and Oxford plants. MHProNews extends its deepest sympathies to the family. (Image credit: Fotosearch)
As a military strike against Syria wanes and China reports an uptick of 10.4 percent in industrial output in August, investors grinned as all three major indexes rallied again today. CNNMoney reports the Dow gained 127.94 points, +0.85 percent, to close at 15,191.06. The Nasdaq advanced +0.62 percent, +22.84 points …
Three Major Indexes Rally; Tracked Housing Stocks Close Mixed Read More
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is sponsoring a forum on housing, Building a Better Future: America’s Housing at a Crossroads, Tue., Sept. 17, 2013 at the Newseum in Washington, D. C. Hosted by CQ Roll Call, a provider of Congressional news and legislative tracking, the free event will …
The new classroom at the Willett Early Childhood Center is the eighth modular classroom in Norwood, Massachusetts, spread among four schools. Seven of them are owned by the town, but the newest is a $500-a-month lease. As wickedlocal.com stated, the school will use the classroom as the Willett Early Childhood …
The foreign press has picked up an advertorial, evidently from the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association in Okemos, MI, promoting manufactured housing communities (MHC). The Middle East North Africa Financial Network (MENAFN) emphasizes the ideal amenities, options, services, and other positive attributes of living in an MHC in MI, although with …
Rep. Patrick McHenry, (R-N.C.) rapped Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray for suggesting credit unions make mortgages to borrowers they see as a reasonable credit risk even though they fall outside the guidelines of the qualified mortgage (QM) rule. Rep. McHenry says that is opening the door for …
The lack of first-time homebuyers who are choosing to rent or remain with their parents is causing concern among industry experts. In addition, many young adults only remain at their jobs for two of three years resulting in the lack of interest in being tied to a mortgage. MHProNews has …
Housing Recovery Sidetracked by Dearth of First-Time Homebuyers? Read More
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports 44 markets have been added to the First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) for Sept., bringing the number to 291, the highest number since the index began two years ago. Based on improvement in housing permits, employment and home prices for at …
As fears of a military strike in Syria may be fading, the Dow spiked 140 points and the S&P and Nasdaq each gained one percent or more. CNNMoney reports the Dow gained 140.62 points, +0.94 percent, to close at 15,063.12. The Nasdaq advanced +1.26 percent, +46.17 points to end the …
Several Tracked Housing Stocks Join the Three Major Index Rise Read More
