Matthew Silver

Following a 25-year career operating a custom hardwood furnishing business and occasional writing, Matthew Silver has been writing professionally for over a dozen years, six of those for the factory-built housing industry. Otherwise, he may be found performing folk music in the Indianapolis area.

Senate Bill Likely to Fail

Joe Kelly of the Iowa Manufactured Housing Association (IMHA) tells MHProNews state Senate Study Bill 1076 that tightens regulations on the MH business is opposed by the IMHA board of directors and the industry as a whole. Proposed by state Attorney General Tom Miller, the proposed legislation deals with the …

Senate Bill Likely to Fail Read More

Modular Homes to Arrive within Two Weeks

Following up on an MHProNews story Feb. 1, 2013 about the 1,000 homes that were damaged in a flood in Bundaberg, Australia, Premier Campbell Brown toured the area and assured the people who are currently living in tents that at least 12 three-bedroom modular homes will arrive within two weeks …

Modular Homes to Arrive within Two Weeks Read More

New Board Member Played in the NFL

Heraldonline reports from Toronto, Canada that Innovative Composites International, Inc. (ICI), which produces modular housing for remote locations and disaster situations, has appointed Andrew McConnell to the board of directors, replacing Chris Kruba who resigned his position. McConnell is president and CEO of Ayiigwa Corp., which works with First Nation …

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Sioux Tribe Seeks Bids for Modular Housing

MHProNews has learned the Standing Rock Housing Authority of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota will be accepting bids for multifamily modular housing to be transported and set on foundations at three different locations within the Standing Rock Reservation. The specifications call for (4) four plex and one …

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Housing Composite Gains 4.59%; Tracked Housing Stocks Mostly Fall

Concerns about the Eurozone continue to trouble U. S. stocks, driving caution into the minds of investors, as the three main indexes moved little in either direction. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average nudged up +0.05 percent, +7.22 points, to end the day at 13,986.52. The Nasdaq lost -0.10 …

Housing Composite Gains 4.59%; Tracked Housing Stocks Mostly Fall Read More

Falling Inventory (and not much else) is Driving Prices

In describing the housing market as in “pre-covery” instead of “recovery”, the only factor that has really changed in the housing market is falling inventory, according to Jonathan Miller, writing on the millersamuelblog. He says falling inventory is the result of sellers becoming buyers (or renters), but with 40 percent …

Falling Inventory (and not much else) is Driving Prices Read More

NAHB: Housing Market Continues Upward

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) reports the number of improving housing markets grew in Feb. to 259, up from 242 markets in Jan., and now includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The IMI measures changes in housing permits, employment, and …

NAHB: Housing Market Continues Upward Read More

Commission Approves Request for Siting MH

Despite pleas from a homeowner’s association representative that no more MH be allowed in the Hillcrest subdivision in Abita Springs, Louisiana, nola reports the St. Tammany Parish Zoning Commission approved a request to site a manufactured home in the subdivision. The home would be situated among other factory-built homes that …

Commission Approves Request for Siting MH Read More

Senate Banking Committee’s new Ranking Member

MHProNews has learned from nationalmortgagenews Idaho Republican Senator Michael Crapo, who is becoming the ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, enumerates his top priorities in his new position as revising portions of the Dodd-Frank Act; paring down GSEs role in the mortgage industry and moving to a private sector …

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Billings Building Back from Downturn

Speaking at a University of Montana economics seminar in Billings, Montana, economists noted Billings has the most robust growth of any urban area in Montana, and has nearly equaled its growth rate of 2007. As MHProNews has reported on several occasions, most recently Dec. 7, 2012, Billings is home to …

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Investors Looking to Cash in on Housing Market Rebirth

CNNMoney tells MHProNews investors are dashing to buy assets in every aspect of the housing supply chain—builders, undeveloped land, foreclosed homes, and building suppliers. Paulson and Co. has bought enough land in three western states to build up to 25,000 homes and is looking for more. Blackstone Group (BX) shelled …

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Hurricane Sandy Homeless Still being Placed

According to atl.gmnews, some 17 manufactured homes are being prepared for occupancy at Pine Tree Mobile Home Park in Eatonton, New Jersey for people who still do not have a place to call home as the result of Hurricane Sandy. The rents will be from $750 to $850 with the …

Hurricane Sandy Homeless Still being Placed Read More

Dow Gains, Housing Stocks Close Mixed

Tech stocks drove the rally on Wall Street today as news spread of the $24.4 billion leveraged buyout of Dell computer, sending the Dow to just under the 14,000 mark. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced +0.71 percent, +99.22 points, to end the day at 13,979.30. The Nasdaq …

Dow Gains, Housing Stocks Close Mixed Read More

First Nation Housing Shortage Continues

From north of the border CBC News reports single room factory-built trailers once used by the De Beers diamond company for housing mine workers and donated to Attawapiskat First Nation in 2009 for temporary shelter have become permanent housing for some. Others have fallen into such disrepair as to be …

First Nation Housing Shortage Continues Read More

Private, Non-profit Support Affordable Housing

HousingWire reports that non-profit NeighborWorks America and Wells Fargo have provided $27 million in down payment assistance grants to help 1,624 moderate-income buyers purchase a home. Initially begun in Los Angeles and Atlanta in 2012, the program has provided $15,000 to $30,000 down payment grants to those who meet the …

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Legislation would Demand Insurer Offers Full Coverage

Following a story we last published May 8, 2012 in which state-run Citizens Property Insurance in Florida stated it would no longer insure carports and porches, legislation has been filed in both chambers that would require them to do just that. In a bill backed by the Federation of Manufactured …

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Dec. MH Shipments Drop

The Manufactured Housing Institute’s (MHI) monthly economic report says 3,513 new manufactured homes were shipped in Dec. 2012, down 8.5 percent from Dec. 2011 shipments of 3,838 homes. MHProNews understand year-to-date shipments for 2012 stand at 54,891, an increase of 6.4 percent over the 51,606 homes shipped in 2011. (Photo …

Dec. MH Shipments Drop Read More

All Three Indexes Fall; Cavco and Patrick Take a Tumble

On the heels of reaching a near-record high last week, the weight of Eurozone politics held sway, sending the Dow down over one hundred points. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -0.93 percent, -129.71 points, to end the day at 13,880.08. The Nasdaq dropped -1.51 percent, -47.93, to …

All Three Indexes Fall; Cavco and Patrick Take a Tumble Read More

Modular Swinging Upscale

Seacoastonline reports from Saddle River, New Jersey that the image of factory-built homes is notching up, as investors and high-end home shoppers see the benefits of an energy-efficient modular home with all the amenities and strength of a site-built home, customized to order via a 3D monitor and working with …

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