If they aren't already in a manufactured home community in or near yours, they could very well be coming. If Paul Revere had this much advanced notice, the Brits could have been stopped at the docks before they got onto their gang planks. What's the issue? How about a loss of more of your property rights? The rest of the industry will be directly and/or indirectly impacted by the key topics in this blog, so hang in there on this.
If you missed the article about Ishbel Dickens and her National Manufactured Home Owners group, please dig into the news brief, linked here:
http://www.MHProNews.com/blogs/daily-business-news/mhc-residents-gather-over-rent-control-issue/
If that doesn't start Paul Revere's light in the tower to shine, then consider these reminders, from the Congressional field hearings, think Dickens:
and Dicken's associate, Carla Burr:
One interesting assessment heard here about Ms. Ishbel Dickens is that of the intelligent, motivated ideologue.
If so, then Dickens can't see how she is harming the very 'members' and MH owners who she seeks to lead, organize and advocate along her erroneous path. Rent control ultimately harms the very people it seeks to help through its unintended consequences; as rent control distorts market forces, tends to limit new construction and creates a vicious cycle of issues around maintenance and competing rights. But only the objective and informed see that reality; although believers in free enterprise may intuit that truth.
There are better approaches for all involved. Ironically, Dickens believes in doing things that violate the principles she claims to espouse. Objectively, Ishbel seeks to use and gain force, even as she eschews it in those she pursues..png)
Dickens publicly states her call to arms for a million manufactured home residents in California, as the top article linked above clearly shows.
What that article doesn't say is that Ms. Ishbel D has no intention to stop there.
Dickens and those who have bought into her thinking aren't planning to go away. They testified at Congress, as you see from the second and third link above, just as they testify and protest at the state or local level too. While there are other groups like her's, to my knowledge, none is as large as the one she leads.
Community owner/operator? How do you feel now?
There are good reasons why the ELS' of the world are engaged in the front lines of this issue.
Be yours a mom and pop, or a mid to large MHC operation, there are reasons you should be contemplating how you may become involved too.
What Say You?
We typically share our thoughts on how to deal with the issues, but this time, something different. Please send me a private message at latonyk@gmail.com and let me know your thoughts on how the members of our industry ought to deal with this challenge.
Remember, this won't just impact MHCs. The impact of the Dicken's group already has and will go far beyond communities.
As If…
As if the above isn't enough, we must think about financing and other issues. If you missed this next linked story, you know that while manufactured home sales are projected to rise for 4 years, the market share of our product is also projected to decline.
http://www.MHProNews.com/blogs/daily-business-news/study-predicts-mh-market-share-to-drop/
Restricted access to financing is the reason they and others cite. Ya think?
Silver Linings
Yes, there are some silver linings. Quite a few in fact. But one of them may be that we as professionals and owners within this industry can no longer afford to ignore the root causes of the problems that plague us! If we do, we are Cornered.
If too many ignore what looms, well, then…
Welcome to the impact on your business from the world of Big Brother and his sister Ishbel.
More Resources to Rally With
We have grown from our new base line for the last two years. We have more growth projected. You can profit, as a number of others do, even in these challenging times. The time is now to prepare for the future. We can better resist now. We may – if we are wisely pro-active even benefit from – the forces lining up against us.
The time is now to get engaged, so that we can grow far beyond the numbers the small minded want to limit us to. Paul Revere's signals are all shining in the tower.
Post Script
Communities. Retailers. Builder/developers are coming to the 2013 Tunica Show in ever higher numbers this year. There is still time to pre-register for this profit making and networking event at the link above. Those who come will learn more, earn more, network and do business. Will you be there? If so, please stop by and say hi. Share your thoughts. Ask questions. Our booth will be outside of the seminar room in the convention center. ##
PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for March and see the
other new stories at MHLivingNews.com too.
L. A. "Tony" Kovach
MHLivingNews.com=Re-Discovering and Spotlighting the MHLifeStyle
MHProNews.com = MHMSM.com = Industry News, Tips and Views Pros can Use
Services:B2BandB2CAds, Proven MH Marketing & Sales Systems, Websites other Industry Solutions.
Office –815-270-0500
latonyk@gmail.com or tony@mhmsm.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach= connect with me on Linkedin.
http://pinterest.com/latonyk/manufactured-home-lifestyle/
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Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right. – Henry Ford
