For readers old and new alike, the headline is not hyperbole, as this outline, data, and what is linked from this report and analysis will arguably reflect. Rather, the case can be made that it is the truth hiding in plain sight, so long as someone is willing to look. 

• Warren Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway acquired vertically integrated Oakwood manufactured homes in 2002.
• In 2003, after what Kevin Clayton called an “ugly” legal battle, Berkshire acquired Clayton Homes and over time, lending units and loan portfolios.
• In 2005, Clayton Homes was part of the FEMA fiasco, as several mainstream media reports documented.
• After 2005, the manufactured home industry experienced an overall decline in production and shipments. More specifically, comparing production in 2005 with today reveals that fewer HUD Code manufactured homes were built that year than 2020.
• In 2008, the Duty to Serve Manufactured Housing and other underserved markets was passed into law as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) that year.
• In 2009, Tim Williams, then and now the President and CEO of Berkshire owned 21st Mortgage Corporation sent a letter reportedly via the U.S. Mail, by fax, and internet to thousands of manufactured home independents. That letter is linked here. A legal researcher and several attorneys have indicated directly to MHProNews that this was a prima facia case of antitrust and possibly RICO or other violations.
• Following that 2009 letter, thousands of manufactured home independents vanished, while some may have sold out to others at discounted valuations.
• Despite Tim Williams claiming that economic conditions forced that 2009 letter that used 21^st Mortgage Corp letterhead, a statement by Kevin Clayton in a video interview with transcript linked here clearly seems to contradict Williams claim.

That is about enough to introduce the declaration of war statement from one Warren Buffett.

 

Note how Buffett doubled down on that statement – and declared victory – just a few years later?

There are those who might argue that Buffett was jesting. It was a rhetorical device. There are plenty of things that Buffett might say to dodge past the plain meaning of his words. At the same time, there are other things that Buffett has also said – or that Kevin Clayton said for “Warren” – that would mitigate against anything other than the plain meaning of Buffett’s quoted statements.

The first casualty of war is the truth. That’s an ancient phrase that has been said by numbers over the centuries. Buffett is a reader. If Buffett was on a witness stand because a serious piece of litigation was underway and he was being deposed under oath, a simple question might be asked.

• ‘Mr. Buffett, have you heard the expression the first casualty of war is the truth?’

There are – hypothetically speaking – any number of ways to nail such issues down as are found in this outline and in the featured focus below.

One more question that might be interesting to ask a deposed Buffett is this.

• ‘Mr. Buffett, you reportedly like history and enjoy reading. Have you ever heard, read, or personally used, this historic quote before from Vladimir Lenin?’ He should then be shown the quote in question.

 

There is more, and the relevance of this for investors, professionals, and numbers of others will be our featured focus segment tonight.

To lighten the moment before returning to what could be considered a quite serious topic, this video trailer has been viewed over 127 million times.

 

 

Before pressing on to tonight’s featured focus and for the benefit our growing numbers of new readers, a few quick evening/nightly market report insights.

• Every business evening, MHProNews provides a bullet list of left-right news headlines from CNN and in a matter of moments, savvy professionals can see at a glance news headlines and views across the political spectrum.
• This is a time saving and insightful way to quickly grab insights from across the left-right divide for those who are hooked on this market-nightly feature.
• Our featured focus follows the quotable quotes, periodic political cartoons, those left-right headlines, and two of our three market summary graphics as reported at the closing bell.
• After the featured focus, are some recent/related report links and the third manufactured housing focused stock equities graphic. There are some additional items that include the free signup for the manufactured housing industry’s x2 weekly emailed news to the most-read trade publication in our profession:

On a day that saw manufactured home connected equities with mixed results, let’s press ahead toward the focus on Buffett’s declaration of war on manufactured housing independents.

 

Quotes That Shed Light – Industry, American, Social, National Issues

 

 

 

Headlines from left-of-center CNN Business

• Coronavirus crash
• A statue of George Washington overlooks the New York Stock Exchange before the opening bell at the NYSE on Wall Street
• Opening Ball at the NYSE, New York, USA – 09 Mar 2021
• ANALYSIS
• A year ago stocks plummeted. History shows it doesn’t pay to bet against US stocks
• Stocks have been wild lately. Here’s how to protect your portfolio
• After Biden stimulus, US economic growth could rival China’s for the first time in decades
• Still can’t pay your rent or mortgage? Here’s how the new stimulus will help
• Ulta CEO Mary Dillon is stepping down
• NFT artwork sold for $69 million. But what is it?
• Why stocks could benefit from $1,400 stimulus checks
• How to get in on America’s nearly $2 trillion shot in the arm
• Google and Microsoft are in a public feud
• Sanders invites Bezos to testify before Senate Budget Committee
• Sherrod Brown: ‘Of course’ we should roll back Trump’s tax cuts
• CVS expands Covid-19 vaccine to 12 more states
• Remember a carefree internet? That may be coming back
• Content by LendingTree
• 2 minutes could save over $40K on your refi
• Former Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes arrives at the Robert F. Peckham U.S. Federal Court on June 28, 2019 in San Jose, California. Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes and former COO Ramesh Balwani appeared in federal court for a status hearing. Both are facing charges of conspiracy and wire fraud for allegedly engaging in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud investors with the Theranos blood testing lab services.
• Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is pregnant, likely delaying her criminal trial
• Something astonishing happened in the cereal aisle during Covid
• Netflix may crack down on password sharing
• GLOBAL POWERHOUSE
• Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks during the opening session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Friday, March 5, 2021. China’s No. 2 leader has set a healthy economic growth target and vowed to make this nation self-reliant in technology amid tension with Washington and Europe over trade and human rights.
• China faces huge climate and tech challenges
• China sets growth target of more than 6% in 2021
• Hong Kong faces another blow as a global business hub
• How a Chinese site for pirated TV shows became an icon
• US-China tech rivalry will likely continue
• AUTOS
• 2022 Grand Wagoneer Series III.
• Jeep’s new $100,000 Grand Wagoneer takes on Mercedes and BMW
• How risky is it to buy a Tesla using bitcoin?
• The real self-driving revolution remains years away
• See Porsche’s 911 GT3 on the racetrack
• Canoo unveils what might be the world’s cutest electric pickup

 

Headlines from right-of-center Newsmax

• Leading NY Dems Schumer, Gillibrand: Cuomo Must Resign
• The Biden Presidency
• IRS Says New Round of COVID Relief Payments on the Way
• Biden Celebrates Stimulus With Democrat-Only Rose Garden Event
• US to Respond to SolarWinds Hackers in Weeks: Senior Official
• Gohmert and Biggs to Newsmax TV: Biden, Dems Created ‘Inhumane Border Crisis’ |
• Kevin McCarthy: $1.9T Relief Measure ‘Waste of Money’
• Yellen: Tax Increases Will Come When Money Is Needed for ‘Priorities’
• Schumer: Biden Team Needs to Clear Up Border Crisis
• Biden to Order All Adults Be Eligible for Vaccine by May 1
• Newsfront
• Five Chinese Companies Pose Threat to US National Security: FCC
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday designated five Chinese companies as posing a threat to national security under a 2019 law aimed at protecting U.S. communications networks. The FCC said the companies included Huawei Technologies Co , ZTE Corp, Hytera…
• Kevin Brady: IRS Should ‘Seriously Consider’ Extending Tax Filing Deadline
• Leading Dems Schumer, Gillibrand: Cuomo Must Resign
• It’s a new and damaging blow to embattled New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
• Related
• New Cuomo Accuser Comes Forward
• Cuomo: ‘I Am Not Going to Resign’ Over Sexual Harassment Claims
• WHO: Expert Committee Looking at AstraZeneca Vaccine Safety Issues
• A World Health Organization expert advisory committee is currently
• Related
• Italy to Impose Nationwide COVID-19 Lockdown Over Easter Weekend
• Texas AG Paxton Sues City of Austin for Enforcing Mask Mandate
• Baltimore Won’t Follow Governor’s Lead Cutting Back COVID Restrictions
• Report: NY Agency Forces Employees to Work in COVID-Infected Group Homes
• McConnell Backs New Process to Fill Kentucky Senate Vacancy
• These Are the Most Important Races for GOP in 2022
• The 2022 elections are crucial for the Republican party as it seeks
• Lo and Alex Rodriguez Reported to Have Split After Four Years
• Singer Jennifer Lopez and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez
• Country Star John Rich Says Conservative Stars Fear Speaking Out
• Oil Settles Near $70 a Barrel on Hopes of Recovering Demand
• Oil settled near $70 a barrel on Friday, supported by production cuts
• Trump FDA Head Says Americans Will Gather Before July 4
• Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb
• New Details About Jackie Kennedy’s Life After JFK Assassination
• Deborah Birx, Trump’s Former Coronavirus Coordinator, to Join Texas Air Purifier Maker
• Minneapolis to Pay $27M to Settle George Floyd Family’s Lawsuit
• Netflix Tests Password-Sharing Crackdown
• Trump Encourages ‘Unstoppable’ Herschel Walker to Seek Georgia Seat
• Democrat Had Chinese Bank Account Despite Pushing US to Divest From China
• Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, kept between $100,000 and $250,000 in
• 10 Years On, Japan Mourns Earthquake and Fukushima Disaster Victims
• NYC Prosecutor Running Trump Probe Won’t Run Again
• Cuomo Accusers Facing Online Harassment
• Poll: Harry, Meghan Suffer Popularity Drop in UK Post Oprah
• Taylor Greene to Newsmax TV: Some Republicans Want to ‘Put Feet Up on the Desk’
• Finance
• Producer Prices Increase, Underlying Inflation Moderate
• S. producer prices increased strongly in February, leading to the largest annual gain in nearly 2-1/2 years, but considerable slack in the labor market could make it harder for businesses to pass on the higher costs to consumers…
• Yellen: Tax Increases Will Come When Money Is Needed for ‘Priorities’
• 2021 Guide to Cryptocurrency Insurance
• Boeing Secures 24 737 MAX Orders From Investment Firm 777 Partners
• COVID-19 Lessons May Cut $4.6B in Antibiotic-Resistant Illness Costs
• Health
• Researchers: People Who Have Had COVID-19 Need Just One Shot
• A growing number of researchers agree that people who have already had COVID-19 need only one shot of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines for sufficient protection. Giving these people a second dose would be a waste…
• Study: Daylight Saving Time is a Killer
• Scientists Discover New Information About Childbirth During Medieval Times
• Researchers Develop Way for Alexa to Check Your Heartbeat
• More Twins Being Born Than Ever Before

Market Indicator Closing Summaries – Yahoo Finance Closing Tickers on MHProNews…

Featured Focus –
Where Business, Politics and Investing Can Meet

 

The first casualty of war is the truth. That has been said in many ways over the centuries. Here is one example.

 

 

Warren Buffett and Kevin Clayton made it clear that they have declared war with a smile. Viewed through that prism, of course it would be no surprise that Tim Williams/21st has made statements that there is prima facie evidence that contradicts his own claims. Buffett and Kevin both contradicted Williams written statement! The hottest report on MHLivingNews for months is one that is drawing Clayton customers and others in droves.

 

But that just tees up the report earlier today and related reports from earlier this month and the last few weeks reveals some sobering but powerful truths. The case can be made for the following.

• Manufactured housing is underperforming not by accident as much as it is by design.
• Warren Buffett, said Kevin Clayton, would provide whatever resources that Kevin said he would want for his business unit and affiliated lending.
• That would mean that the underperformance of manufactured housing is not an accident. Rather, it is a calculated decision. It is part of a series of purportedly interconnected efforts designed to hobble the industry.
• There is more bad news, but there is also good news. See the report linked below. Digest carefully. Read the related reports. Then ask yourself, why is it that no one in 2021 is willing to publicly defend and/or debate the concerns raised by numbers of MHI members (past and present), MHARR, outsiders studying the industry, and/or MHProNews and MHLivingNews?
• The good news? Critical mass is rapidly approaching. The opportunity to push back through a variety of means is beginning to take shape.

The time for fear, confusion, tepid, or other behavior is past. The profits and the future are by responding to the declaration of war by fighting back – legally and in a savvy fashion. See the related reports. The linked reports demonstrate the dramatic drop in independent producers, retailers, communities, and others since Buffett-led Berkshire entered the manufactured housing field.

When war is declared, it is not time to play nice.

Related, Recent, and ‘Read-Hot’ Reports

Manufactured Housing Industry Investments Connected Closing Equities Tickers

Some of these firms invest in manufactured housing, or are otherwise connected, but may do other forms of investing or business activities too.

• • • • • • • • • NOTE: The chart below includes the Canadian stock, ECN, which purchased Triad Financial Services, a manufactured home industry lender
                • NOTE: Drew changed its name and trading symbol at the end of 2016 to Lippert (LCII).
                • NOTE: 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.

Winter 2021…

Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company to Clayton Homes, 21^st 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.
Enjoy these ‘blast from the past’ comments.

MHProNews. MHProNews – previously a.k.a. MHMSM.com – has celebrated our 11th year of publishing, and is starting our 12the year of serving the industry as the runaway most-read trade media.

Sample Kudos over the years…

It is now 11+ years and counting…

Learn more about our evolutionary journey as the industry’s leading trade media, at the report linked below.

· 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.

Disclosure. MHProNews holds no positions in the stocks in this report.

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 MHLivingNews.com.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and 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.

LATonyKovach.