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Manufactured housing doesn’t operate in a bubble. This will tee up a quick, broad 2 part survey of a jam-packed week for our regrettably divided nation. We’ll begin with a snapshot of housing and our factory-built home industry, before diving into a sweeping survey of the USA today.
As the Daily Business News’ recent new HUD Code manufactured home shipment reports reflected, there are clear disconnects between what the National Association or Realtors™ (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun identified earlier this year as the 8.3 million housing units shortage, and the overall flat – and in some states, declining – new manufactured home shipments.
Will manufactured homes top 100,000 new homes produced by year’s end? Shouldn’t the industry be doing 5 to 10 times as much, which means that local level sales would need to grow by 5 to 10 times as much? If our industry should be doing better, and most believe that to be true, then what’s going on in our nation that is keeping millions from grasping what we offer?
National New HUD Code Manufactured Home Production Data Summary, September 2018 Analysis
ICYMI, please circle back to the important report, linked above.
With that brief set-up, we turn next to some national realities of various facts. What follows are facts, but as seen through the lens of mainstream news reports. Part two of this survey today will be inter-related to what follows.
Let’s note the following under the heading of Resolute Reads for now…
Americans Aren’t Just Happy About the Economy
“The President elected two years ago to revive American prosperity is now presiding over an economic boom. The first two years of the Trump era have been so good that his predecessor has lately been barnstorming the country trying to persuade voters that we’re still living in the Obama era. It is the sincerest form of political flattery,” James Freeman writes in The Wall Street Journal.
Click here to continue reading.
Republicans expanded their majority in the U.S. Senate in yesterday’s midterm elections, “riding a Trump train fueled by red-state enthusiasm,” David M. Drucker writes in the Washington Examiner. “Our president has made such a difference already, he’s energized the Republican Party again. It’s so exciting to see that happen and he’s making a difference all across the board,” one Tennessee voter said.
“The ratio of unemployed workers to open jobs hovered at a record low in September” according to the Department of Labor, Joseph Lawler reports for the Washington Examiner. “There were 0.9 unemployed workers for every job vacancy listed in the month, a ratio the agency said was the lowest since it’s been keeping track and that hasn’t been recorded before this year.”
In CNBC, Michael Sheetz writes that service-sector growth for October was strong and the economy remains hot. “The data release also came after ADP and Moody’s Analytics reported [last] Wednesday better-than-expected payrolls creation for October. The two firms said . . . private companies added 227,000 payrolls last month.”“Mexico launched a ‘Make Yourself at Home’ program, offering migrants shelter, food, work and schools for their kids. Most turned it down,” Betsy McCaughey in the New York Post. The reality is that most migrants in the caravan headed toward America’s border are in search of a lifestyle upgrade, not fleeing genuine violence or persecution.
Next, let’s consider the following timely points. MHProNews monitored both anticipated incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s press conference, and that of President Donald J. Trump.
The difference in how some in the media approached the 45th president vs. the current minority leader was striking. Certainly, there were respectful journalists at the White House when they addressed President Trump. But others in the media made headlines with how combative and insulting they were.
By contrast, there was no such parallel with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. Is that evidence of a double standard being applied by some journalists? How does that impact the perceptions by the American people of key issues?
This issue of media bias matters tremendously to our industry on several levels. Because the economy, regulations, taxes, health care, immigration, and a host of other issues impact those who are or would be our customers, and our industry’s businesses and professionals.
As a reminder, let’s glance again at a useful infographic by former CBS News investigative reporter, the award-winning Sharyl Attkisson.
Once more, to new readers or to remind longtime ones, MHProNews sources from across the left-center-right spectrum. Every evening’s market report include bullets from both CNN and Fox Business. For example, last night’s report is linked below.
Markets Muted, Mixed, See FED OMC Meeting Notes, Plus MH Market Updates
On more specific topical reports, MHProNews curates content for accuracy, note where apparent flaws exist, and seek issues that impact our industry’s homeowners, prospects, investors, business owners, and all other professionals.
We also get reports from a variety of business, industry, and national sources, which include various branches of the federal government. Those include, but are not limited to, the White House, Congress, HUD, FHFA, CFPB, etc. These come in daily, and when it makes sense for our readers, such reports are shared.
With that reminder, let’s look next at the White House’s statement to the Daily Business News on MHProNews about the 2018 midterms.
Our 114th Supreme Court Justice of the United States
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump joined the 114th Justice of the United States, Brett M. Kavanaugh, for his traditional investiture ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court this morning.
The investiture ceremony marks when a new Justice formally takes his or her spot on the High Court. The President and First Lady joined Justice Kavanaugh, seven of the other justices, and numerous public officials for the occasion. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the judicial oath to Justice Kavanaugh just after 10 a.m.
Justice Kavanaugh was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 6, and began hearing oral arguments a few days later on October 9.
See photos from today’s investiture ceremony.
Our 114th Supreme Court Justice of the United States
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump joined the 114th Justice of the United States, Brett M. Kavanaugh, for his traditional investiture ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court this morning.
The investiture ceremony marks when a new Justice formally takes his or her spot on the High Court. The President and First Lady joined Justice Kavanaugh, seven of the other justices, and numerous public officials for the occasion. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the judicial oath to Justice Kavanaugh just after 10 a.m.
Justice Kavanaugh was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 6, and began hearing oral arguments a few days later on October 9.
See photos from today’s investiture ceremony.
America’s flag flies at half-staff tonight
Late last night, 12 people were killed in a horrific shooting in Thousand Oaks, California. This morning, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation as America mourns alongside the victims’ families and communities.
“As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence,” President Trump writes, “I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, November 10, 2018.”
President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were briefed on the shooting and the police response early this morning. “Great bravery shown by police. California Highway Patrol was on scene within 3 minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff’s Sergeant died in the hospital,” the President tweeted.
“God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you to Law Enforcement.”
Read the President’s Proclamation remembering the victims in Thousand Oaks.
Acts of courage: Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus “died a hero.”
There’s plenty of good news, as well as troubling items too. There’s clear economic improvement. But depending on what mainstream sources one reads or views, it may be missed. Depending on your own perspective, how you read this will be different than how others do.
ICYMI, please see the related report, after the byline.
Perhaps the first takeaway should be, there are numerous things to be grateful for, as we approach thanksgiving, But there is work to be done too. That’s part one of this morning’s snapshot of the divided nation. “News through the lens of manufactured homes, and factory-built housing,” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © (News, analysis, and commentary.)
(Related Reports are further below. Third-party images and content are provided under fair use guidelines.)
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Submitted by Soheyla Kovach to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.com. Soheyla is a managing member of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com.
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