The boom in the energy sector in parts of Texas, North Dakota and Ohio has led to a jump in sales and opportunities in manufactured housing. That is not a new pattern, as when I first entered manufactured housing, the oil industry in Western Oklahoma was drawing souls from the rust belt to the Bible belt in search of high paying jobs. Energy powers our cars, homes – and businesses – breeding new energy in a ripple pattern.
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The difference (hopefully!) with this new energy boom vs. the one we experienced in Oklahoma in the early 80s is that the fracking technology used today will supposedly allow the play to continue for many more years than we witnessed previously.
The early 1980s Oklahoma energy boom rapidly went bust, and retailers that had suddenly appeared to service housing hungry oil field workers were almost as quickly, 'gone with the wind.'
America always needs housing, and affordability is a key issue. Manufactured housing can supply the needs for millions. But it has to get past the challenges that those of us who have been around the block know so well.
But even before we navigate all those issues, we are seeing a steady uptick in business for two years. This suggests our outlook can and should be strong.
MHI-NCC Congress and Expo 2013
Still, truly grappling with those issues would take us from a steady uptick back to glory days we have not seen in years, if ever!
Capital is returning to manufactured housing. Investors are taking another look. Non-profits are engaging our industry, as they too see the potential for quality, affordable living.
There is energy here at the Manufactured Housing Institute's (MHI) 2013 Congress and Expo. There are business deals being discussed quietly (or.jpg)
openly), and there are deals being made.
The NCC's Chairman and CEO of American Land Lease, David Lentz, opened the meeting with some words of sensitivity to those in Boston who suffered from the terrorist attack. He then said what many must already think, we have to honor those fallen and harmed by persevering!
That is what MH has done in the past 10 years, and then Lentz told the hundreds of attendees how they at American Land Lease and Green Courte Partners refer to what is taking place as the "Red Hot Recovery" in the housing market.
LaVaugn M. Henry, VP and Senior Regional Officer, Cincinnati Federal Reserve, gave some interesting perspectives, and we hope to have a column from this gentlemen in the days ahead. His overall message was positive, while acknowledging facts such as a normal recovery would run at about 4.3 percent and this one is running about half that rate.
The educational component here is attracting owners and professionals from coast to coast to Vegas this week.
As we reported before, the projections are for an increase in attendance here, just as we saw nice bumps in Louisville and Tunica at their industry trade shows. Sources tell us that the NCC-MHI meeting could see 780 total through the doors Tuesday-Thursday.
In fact, you can bet that the tone – the positive energy! – at the Louisville and Tunica Manufactured Housing Shows, has helped set the stage for the energy going into MHI's big annual event in Las Vegas.
In more ways than one, new energy is a subject here in Vegas and in humble offices to C-Suites from border to border and coast to coast. We hope to be adding fuel to that fire by sharing the good news, without ignoring the pot holes on the road ahead.
My sincere hope is that 'this time around' the associations, owners and professionals will map out strategies for themselves and their members to
improve professionalism and good service to consumers at the retail and community level.
We need to see the world not just through our eyes, but through the eyes of lenders, consumers, regulators, politicos and others.
By crafting win-win outcomes for all involved, we can leap ahead, and this time, stay ahead.
The alternative is ugly, so let's not go there.
For those here in Vegas, please say hi and I hope to see dozens of you at our own contribution to this event, our version 2.1 of Attracting More Customers with Cash or Good Credit.
See why this was a hit in Tunica, get some insights from other at this link here. Using this approach is bringing new energy in marketing and sales to others, it just might do so for a retailer or community near you. ##
(Photos courtesy of MHProNews)
PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for April and see the
other new stories at MHLivingNews.com too.
L. A. "Tony" Kovach
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