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.

Modular Housing Considered for Kansas

The Hays Daily News from Hays, Kansas reports a housing needs assessment conducted this year reveals there is an abundance of higher-priced single-family homes while a definite shortage exists of affordable, entry-level, senior and student housing. For 2013, a task force comprised of local city officials and economic development personnel …

Modular Housing Considered for Kansas Read More

Building Permit Applications Rise

CNNMoney reports U.S. Census Bureau data indicates new home construction fell three percent from Oct. numbers but still was 21.6 percent above year-ago levels. The decline of new home construction to an annual pace of 861,000 units in November may be the result of Hurricane Sandy hitting the Northeast, which …

Building Permit Applications Rise Read More

Waffling in Washington Produces Modest Housing Stock Movement

Although markets have made solid gains in the past few days, investors backed away today as they awaited an agreement from Washington to resolve the fiscal cliff dilemma. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -0.74 percent, -98.99 points, ending the day at 13,251.97. The Nasdaq moved down -0.33 …

Waffling in Washington Produces Modest Housing Stock Movement Read More

Governor’s RV Donated to Museum

The Associated Press says outgoing Ind. Gov. Mitch Daniels is taking the recreational vehicle featured in his two gubernatorial campaigns on its final trip today. “RV One” will be driven from the statehouse in Indianapolis to Elkhart, Ind. where Gov. Daniels will donate it to the RV/MH Hall of Fame …

Governor’s RV Donated to Museum Read More

Housing Recovery: Sooner Rather than Later

While many economists and analysts think the housing recovery will plod along and finally achieve “normalcy”, some saying not until 2020, other experts predict a housing boom will hit within two to three years. As CNNMoney tells MHProNews, Barclays Capital analyst Stephen Kim states, “In our view, the housing market …

Housing Recovery: Sooner Rather than Later Read More

Builder Confidence Improves

The National Association for Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) reports builder confidence for new single-family homes rose two points in Dec. to 47, the highest level since April 2006. The HMI rates builders perceptions of market conditions based on current traffic, sales expectations for the next six months, …

Builder Confidence Improves Read More

FEMA Sets up Design Competition

GSNMagazine says the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sponsoring a design competition for six different types of emergency housing units to address future disaster housing needs, and license the winning designs to the manufacturers of the homes. FEMA wants one, two and three bedroom homes to comply with the …

FEMA Sets up Design Competition Read More

Rental Market may Face Challenge

According to David Abromowitz of the Center for American Progress, while housing prices improve, indicating recovery in the housing market, one third of the U.S. population rent living quarters and face long-term affordability issues. With middle-class incomes stagnant and rents rising four percent this year because of a rental shortage, …

Rental Market may Face Challenge Read More

Sun Acquires RV Resorts

RVBusiness reports Sun Communities, Inc., through its subsidiary Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership (SCOLP), has entered into an agreement to purchase 11 Morgan RV Resorts for $ 135 million. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), properties include Morgan Fiesta Key LLC, Virginia Tent LLC, Wagon …

Sun Acquires RV Resorts Read More

UFPI led Rise in Housing Stocks, Followed by LPX and Skyline

U.S. stocks responded positively to indications that a resolution to the fiscal cliff problem may be near. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.87 percent, +115.57 points, ending the day at 13,350.96. The Nasdaq moved up 1.46 percent, +43.93 points, to close at 3,054.53, while the S&P advanced …

UFPI led Rise in Housing Stocks, Followed by LPX and Skyline Read More

A Prefab Grows in Brooklyn, p.2

As MHProNews has learned from theatlanticcities, each of the modules is 14 feet wide X 35 feet long and 10 feet high, and include floors, electricity, plumbing, walls, kitchens and bathrooms, the basis for the 363 apartments. The strong construction unions in New York City initially opposed the project because …

A Prefab Grows in Brooklyn, p.2 Read More

A Prefab Grows in Brooklyn, p. 1

As follow up on the massive, modular Forest City Ratner project in Brooklyn, NY, groundbreaking is set for today with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Moskowitz, and Forest City CEO Bruce Ratner. Theatlanticcities says …

A Prefab Grows in Brooklyn, p. 1 Read More

Universal Borrows to Buy

Reuters reports  Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI:NASDAQ) is borrowing $75 million from Prudential Investment Management, Inc. to reduce debt associated with the recent purchase of Wash.-based Nepa Pallet and Container Corp. and acquire Custom Caseworks, Inc. of Sauk Center, Minn. The $35 million notes are unsecured ten-year at 3.89 percent …

Universal Borrows to Buy Read More

FEMA Homes Set to Deploy in NJ

Following the continuing saga of those displaced by Hurricane Sandy on the east coast, fifty Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) one, two and three-bedroom manufactured homes have arrived at a staging area at Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Ocean County, New Jersey. NorthJersey tells MHProNews FEMA and state …

FEMA Homes Set to Deploy in NJ Read More

Homeowners Benefit from Government Programs

HousingWire informs MHProNews the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) assisted 13,400 homeowners in obtaining trial modifications for the terms of their home loans in Nov., a drop from 15,200 the previous month. Meanwhile, 16,000 received permanent modifications in Nov., an increase from 13,800 the previous month. (Image credit: realtor)

Housing Adding Vitality to Economy

According to a new survey of 48 professional forecasters by the National Association of Business Economics, residential investment is finally contributing to economic growth. Nationalmortgagenews informs MHProNews home purchases and residential construction grew by 12 percent in 2012 as opposed to 2011 when growth was negative -1.4 percent, and is …

Housing Adding Vitality to Economy Read More

Modular Homes will be moved to different First Nation Site

CBCNews reports from Manitoba, Canada about 40 of the 65 modular homes offered to the Lake St. Martin First Nation will be shipped to the Little Saskatchewan First Nation following the spring flooding of 2011 that displaced members of both communities. Only 13 of the homes at Lake St. Martin …

Modular Homes will be moved to different First Nation Site Read More

Rise in Lumber Prices will Reflect in New Homes

Bloomberg tells MHProNews of all the 24 commodities tracked by Standard & Poor’s GSCI Spot Index, lumber features rose to a six-year high, having surged 37 percent this year. Following the collapse of the housing market in the U.S., a glut of wood drove prices down, but they have more …

Rise in Lumber Prices will Reflect in New Homes Read More

Brokerage: Sales, Prices Stronger in 2013

Real estate brokerage Redfin of Seattle says survey results indicate there will be strong consumer demand for homes starting in early Jan., and combined with low inventory should keep prices rising. According to originationnews, the number of people looking for a new home who expect the price to rise has …

Brokerage: Sales, Prices Stronger in 2013 Read More

Indexes, Most Housing Stocks Advance

Stocks rose on news the stalemate in Washington between the administration and Congress has eased with the possibility of resolution before the Jan. 1 deadline’s fiscal cliff. CNNMoney reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.76 percent, +100.38 points, ending the day at 13,235.39. The Nasdaq moved up 1.32 percent, …

Indexes, Most Housing Stocks Advance Read More

mas kovach mhpronews shopping with soheyla .jp

Get our ‘read-hot’ industry-leading 

get our ‘read-hot’ industry-leading emailed headline news updates

Scroll to Top