Two Snapshots of topics in manufactured housing – plus a bonus! So thanks for joining us again. Let’s dive in and get started!

1. This week’s Manufactured Housing Events:

2010 Five-State Mid-Atlantic Convention
Oct 18 – Oct 20
Albany, New York
Contact: Nancy Geer (518) 867-3242

Manufactured housing industry professionals from the states of NY, NJ, PA, DE & MD will gather in Albany, NY Oct. 18-20 for networking, business building insights, exhibits and much more! Here is a snapshot:

Adolfo Carrión, Jr., HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey and Jeff Blatnick, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling and cancer survivor are keynote speakers. 

• Market and demographic trends, how they impact your business

• Using Social Networking Sites to increase your business

• Resident Screening including background checks and more

• SAFE Act Update and its impact in your state

• Mitigating risk and lowering your insurance costs

• Investing in difficult economic times

Please contact Nancy Geer (518) 867-3242 for more information. 

Illinois Manufactured Housing Association Finance Seminar

October 21, 2010

Springfield, IL

Contact: IMHA (217) 528-3423

• Greg O’Berry, Hometown America, Keynote Speaker

• Valerie Ross, SBA

• Heather Chandler, CSI, Title II

• George Allen and the ‘Ah-Ha’ Moment

• Sandra Lewinthal, JD, Eviction and Abandoned Home

• Lindsey Keyes, Rural Development

• Donna and Ken Rishel, Captive Finance

8 AM-5 PM, Oct 21 2010. Registration can be found by calling the Illinois Manufactured Housing Association at 217-528-3423 and requesting a registration brochure; info@imha.org. The event will be at the Northfield Inn and Suites in Springfield, Illinois.

2. Manufactured Housing Communities of Arizona (MHCA) Fall Conference

October 20-22, 2010

Tucson, AZ

Contact MHCA: (800) 351-3350

• A Manager’s Basic Responsibilities: Neal Haney, NTH Property Management, Inc., will speak on some of the basics every manager needs to know.

• Fees and Charges: Neal Haney will discuss what you can and cannot charge residents.

• Who is Living in Your Community? What do you look for when doing your background checks? Neal Haney will discuss this topic.

• Crime Free Program: Rebecca Noel, Tucson Police Department, will discuss the program.

• Reasonable Accommodations under Fair Housing Laws for Disabled Residents: MHCA Attorney Michael Parham of Williams, Zinman & Parham, P.C. will speak on this issue that has raised some concerns.

• Red Flags Rule: MHCA Attorney Michael Parham will speak on the Rule. Have you developed your Community’s Rule as required by federal law?

• Property Management Today

• Dealing with Utility Companies – What You Need to Know! Neal Haney, NTH Property Management, Inc. and President of MHCA, will review some of the new issues.

• New State Law for Storage Lots: Attorney Scott Williams of Williams, Zinman & Parham, PC. will explain the new state legislature passed a new law regarding storage lots. If you offer storage facilities to your residents, this is important!

• Maintenance Issues in Your Park: MHCA Attorney Michael Parham will speak on this topic.

• Improving Your Bottom Line with Solar: Many businesses (including parks) are finding they can save money with solar energy. Art Robertson with Cal Energy Group will explain what can be done.

• Update on the RV Act: MHCA Attorney Michael Parham will explain the new laws on utilities and evictions that went into effect this year.

• You Be the Judge: This is always fun! The attorneys will argue a case – and you vote on who wins! Attorneys Scott Williams, Doug Nelson and Michael Parham will present.

• Proper Documentation for Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks

• Proper Documentation for RV Parks: Neal Haney, NTH Property Management and MHCA President, will speak on what you should have in each tenant’s file.

• The Government & You: Land Use Law for Your Community – What the Government Can and Cannot Do: As we hear of more land use issues, it’s important both owners and managers realize what the law says. Attorneys John Buric and Dennis Zwagerman will give this presentation.

• Property Rights Concepts and Strategies Every Landlord and Manager Should Know: Attorney John Buric will discuss these issues.

• Important Legal and Practical Concepts to Help You Thrive in a Struggling Economy: Attorney John Buric will review these ideas.

====>> When you see these fantastic topics and speakers at these various seminars, you begin to understand the value that attendance at these events and association membership can mean to you and your business! 

Are you a member of one or more Industry Associations? Well, you should be! I learn at every event I attend, and the same is true for all those who participate. It would cost you many times more to ‘go it alone’ by hiring the legal and other business insights you need today. Association membership doesn’t cost, it pays.

3. George Soros and the Mid-Term Elections

The mid-term elections are only about two weeks away now. Almost everyone agrees that Republicans will pick up dozens of seats in the House and perhaps eight or more Senate seats. 

The questions of the day seem to be, just how many seats will ‘Tea Party’ energized Republicans gain? How is our Industry positioning itself for the political sea shift to come? Are we using our time and resources wisely?

You can listen to experts from both sides of the political aisle share their opinions as to why their party will do well or ‘better than expected.’ Since this is often just self-serving information, what struck me as a more insightful news item this past week was George Soros’ public statement that he will sit out this election cycle.

Billionaire Soros is a well-known champion of liberal/left wing political causes. When asked why he isn’t actively supporting with those mountains of money the current crop of Democratic incumbents and newcomers, his reply was direct and revealing. He doesn’t believe in standing in the path of an avalanche.

Corporate, state and national association leaders are wise to position themselves for what promises to be a more fiscally conservative, and likely pro-business makeup of the House and Senate in the aftermath of the 2010 election cycle.

4. News at Noon and the Industry Market Report!

If you aren’t already signed up and logging onto Factory Built Housing News at Noon with Erin Patla and the Industry Market Report, brought to you exclusively every business day here at MHMSM.com, you are missing out! You can sign up free in seconds, and then log on daily to listen online, or download for your convenience.

Exclusive reports from our Eric Miller, edited by our own Catherine Frenzel, these are daily news features brought to you in minutes that often have insights that you can use in your business, professional or association planning.

Until next time, thanks for joining us daily here at MHMSM.com! # #