The earth quaked, commercial and residential construction shaked; $1 billion in destruction and damage was reported in and around Napa, CA. 4 MHs were confirmed lost, others of course had damage too. But overall manufactured housing performed well – arguably better – than much more extensive and costly damage reported in conventional commercial or residential buildings.
Note most of the surrounding MHs were okay.
Commercial and residential damage estimated at $1B.
5 weeks ago, IBHS tested hurricane force winds against conventional site-built construction and the lowest cost manufactured home (MH) in that market. The wind ‘shook’ and ripped off the site built house’s roof, the far less costly manufactured home had only minor damage.
We can’t let such impressive stories be forgotten!
The manufactured home on the right was Wind Zone 1,
the lowest cost home in that market, vs. a site-built house
many times the price, subject to the same hurricane force winds.
We must make sure our staff’s know these facts!
We must also remind local media, shoppers and others
anytime the timing is “right.”
Myth busting evidence has been with us for years on the quality and durability of modern manufactured homes (MH). From time to time we must shake up the status quo – our own and that of others – if we are to achieve the full respect – and highersales volumes – that MH can achieve.
While it would be dandy to see the stars line up for a national campaign, there is no need to wait for associations or others corporate players to act. Any organization or professional with the wisdom, will and chutzpah can act in proven ways in your market(s), and thereby grow past peers who may be stuck in low gear.
Before sharing the first look at our new Shaking-it September Featured Articles and our exclusive A Cup of Coffee with...Sheila Dey interview, please look back at the Agonizing, Insightful close for August. In our prior Masthead, we listed over 30 articles from 8 days, which broadly pointed to challenges or opportunities for more MH growth. The earthquake story cited above is linked there with others. The IBHS hurricane wind test story mentioned above is linked here.
The executive summary be: collectively as an industry, we have potentially hundreds of billions in U.S. housing opportunities. This isn’t hype, we have a 1 trillion dollar a year U.S. housing market. The opportunities for significant growth in factory built housing are real. If you get it, and your peer doesn’t, show them the link above and explain it to them as needed.
Which way will you and your team look;
- will it be at the mud and weep?
- Or look to the stars and leap?
Gaze into the mirror…seriously…and ask yourself how high you’d like to see your location(s) grow? Please study the link above if you haven’t already, and then take a fresh look at the market potential all around you. Okay, moving on…
16 new Featured Articles! Powerful commentary by industry experts! Proven profit-protecting-or-making insights! This is a fine way to wrap up the last month in our 5th year of publishing. My personal thanks to all of our authors and to our sponsors who make this possible.
The start of year 6 for the MH industry leading MHProNews lies just ahead! Sponsors and Millions of visits from pros like you have made us the runaway #1 MH Industry news tips and views pros can use. On behalf of our team that makes this possible, thank you.
With no further adieu, let’s get started with Shaking-it-up September’s new Featured Articles.
Featured Articles and Reports for Vol. 5, No. 12, 2014
Alphabetically by Category
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)
• Pool and Spa Safety
by Kathleen Bianculli
While the end of summer is drawing near and pools in some areas will be closed for the season, in many areas of the country the pool never closes!
• Architects Have a Duty of Care to Future Buyers of Condominiums for Negligent Design
by Bill Dahlin, Esq.
As reported by major media outlets, a 6.0 earthquake hit Northern California in late August on a Sunday.
• “Should We Be a More Aggressive Breed?”
by Nadeen Green, JD
Many if not most manufactured housing folks truly make the effort to be compliant with the Fair Housing Act and are well aware of the need to accommodate persons with disabilities (PWDs).
• “How Sweet the Rose” – Senior Housing Communities – Advertising Do’s and Don’ts
by Nadeen Green, JD
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While a rose may smell sweet no matter what it may be called, names are in fact labels. Using the wrong label when you market your senior housing community to the age 55+ and/or 62+ audience might not only get you in trouble with your intended housing customers, it may get you into fair housing trouble as well.
FINANCING
• A Breakthrough in Manufactured Home Loan Financing! Discover the One Step Program!
by Jerry Bretton
In our previous report on SUN, we mentioned that Mountainside Financial has been making loans on manufactured and mobile homes for 14 years.
GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS
• Are HUD Practices Making Manufactured Homes Less Affordable?
by Ron D’Ambra
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Let’s start by saying that, from a business perspective, MORE government involvement is not always viewed as a good thing.
• A Cup of Coffee with… Sheila Dey
1) Who, What and Where: (Your name, and your role/job title at organization or firm and where you are based.)
Sheila S. Dey, JD
Executive Director
Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association
• 5 Reasons for MHPros to Attend the 2015 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show
by Dennis Hill
We could name more than 5 reasons why manufacturers and exhibiting companies as well 5 reasons why attendees from the ranks of retailers, communities, builder developers, installers and other industry professionals should be at the 2015 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show.
• The High Cost of Low Volume MH Sales for Retailers, Communities, Factories and others
by L. A. “Tony” Kovach
We will demonstrate that the cost of not selling more homes is always high. Capital is tied up in your inventory, location, general overhead, personnel, marketing, vacant sites, you name it, it all goes on whether you are selling a few homes or many.
• 3rd Annual Open Space Pace – September 20th, 2014 – Freehold New Jersey
by Sam Landy
Dear Friends, UMH Properties and Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (MNR) sponsor The Open Space Pace at Freehold Raceway September 20, 2014. The event begins with a 10:00 am parade of horses from Freehold Borough to Freehold Raceway.
MANAGEMENT
• Lead, manage or get out of the way
by Tim Connor
The world is changing at the speed of light. Everything is being touched by this accelerated pace of change. No person, entity, industry, profession, and no part of the world or any business can escape the relentless pull of the future into the present moment.
MARKETING
• Knowledge is Potential Power – 4 Steps and 91 words = Enhanced Manufactured Housing Professional Success Infographic
by L. A. “Tony” Kovach
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We’ll share an infographic that explains in 4 easy steps how any MH Industry professional can learn more to earn more.
Here is the infographic…
• UnBranding – a Key to Unlocking the Door to more MH Sales?
by L. A. “Tony” Kovach
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Years before Palm Harbor Homes went into bankruptcy and eventually ended up with Cavco Industries, Palm Harbor ran TV ads showing beautiful, “residential style” manufactured homes.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION
• ZigOn Qualities of Success
by Zig Ziglar
Dr. William “Bill” Ross was truly one of a kind and was known for his sense of humor and his zest for life. He had exuberance for living, a love for medicine, and a concern for his patients that is seldom equaled anywhere. . . .
SALES
• Four Ingredients for MH Sales Success
by Tim Connor, CSP
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There are four significant areas when it comes to consistent high sales performance. They are:
Self-image and self-esteem.
