We have read of late from Marty Lavin, Doug Gorman, industry lender Al Cole and here on this blog about the impact of Dodd-Frank on our Industry.

Clearly we are not alone, as JPMorgan Chase’s leader recently sounded off on the negative economic impact Dodd Frank will have to the U.S. with Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.  These voices say that squeezing capital squeezes job creation and may squeeze more businesses of all types out of business.

As we reported in the Daily Industry News Blog, the final Rule for SAFE is about to be released by HUD.

But in the shadows of the negative impact on business of SAFE or Dodd-Frank or other regulations, there are those planning for the long haul.  They are looking past 2011 and 2012 to 2013.

Clayton and Cavco continue to acquire pieces of manufactured housing building.

ELS has planned to acquire a big slice of Hometown America’s portfolio of manufactured housing land lease communities.

I was approached recently by a gent who represents West Coast money. He wants to buy MHC portfolios of 100M or more.

Green Courte Partners and ROC USA are among those who are actively looking to acquire more communities.

Some are trimming down or getting out of the MH business.  Meanwhile, others are buying up or buying in.

Where are you positioning yourself?  Are you and your firm planning to grow, or shrink?

It is only logical that we try to amend Dodd-Frank so that it does not negatively impact on manufactured housing personal property (chattel) loan volumes.  If you missed it, as we noted in an earlier blog post, those loans triggered by Dodd Frank will slice off lending under $78,000.  This does not end all chattel MH loans, but it will impact enough where it will drive business further down if it isn’t stopped.

Check in with your association(s) to see what they are doing.  Be a part of the solution.

But even for all of those who will sit on their hands and do nothing, things will continue to evolve.  Some will plan beyond today and tomorrow to grow.  Some may not plan to die, but they will.

You and your company need parallel path strategies:

• how can you work with others to modify Dodd-Frank (DF) enough this year to minimize its impact on MH lending?
• what will you do if DF goes into effect?  How will DF impact your firm?  Can you take steps to minimizes its effects?  Can you take steps that will cause you to profit from its effects?

I’m told by leaders in various states that many owners and senior managers do not fully understand the impact of Dodd-Frank on their business.

Many consumers and MH owners do not understand DF’s impact, either. We must reach out to our peers and customers in an intelligent fashion.

Spreading the word is thus crucial.

You can do that by simply emailing this link  http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/blogs/tonykovach/deal-making-in-dodd-franks-shadows-over-manufactured-housing-news/ to others.  We have linked material from this page to others.  Emailing one link can do a lot to make a difference.

If I were in a struggling MHC or other industry business, and someone emailed me a link, as a helpful hand…

…when the time came to sell, I would consider that helpful person and their offer before others.

Yes, manufactured housing deals will be made as a result of Dodd-Frank, before and after rule making.

Having a solid grasp of manufactured housing news and events is an important tool to have, use and share.  # #