I had to smile to myself about an incident from a few months ago. I'd started a discussion on LinkedIn about re-branding single section homes “The CuBe Home,” a name that Lifestyle Factory Homes, LLC has the copyright. Some where poking fun at the re-branding concept, others clearly got it. The reason for the quiet smile we can now begin to reveal, because this wasn't just a theory, we'd already tested this with positive results.

Please see the article, What's in a Name? The Cube Home! – and the video! – at the link shown. Noting that dozens of these models were sold – at hefty prices for a single sectional – during the worst housing decline since WWII also ought to be noted. Thousands viewed the video.

Your private or public feedback is appreciated on The Cube Home and rebranding concept.

While you are at ManufacturedHomeLivingNews, check out the other new articles, featured homes and so much more. The site is growing in size and popularity. Please join the growing numbers of those who link it as a resource for home shoppers or provide an RSS feed to it or are sharing it with family, friends and others. For more, see the 300,000 Shipments article.

The Angles

GSE reform. Consumer Groups. HR 1779 and Nathan Smith's leadership/efforts. Tim Williams. A cadre of key pros have shared insights, tips and whispers that I'd like to allude to for the next few moments.

For those who have called, emailed or otherwise messaged their concerns about the progress of our legislative and regulatory industry efforts in DC, take heart! Let me admit, I was getting a bit nervous myself, until I reached out to these key pros for insights. We have work to do, but progress is ongoing.

First, on the regulatory side, there is promising news on the LO comp rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This is significant, and we will ask one of the resident experts to do a column for us on this topic in the days ahead. For now, let's say this looks like a significant win for the MHIndustry in projecting financing.

On the legislative side, I can't say much because key meetings are looming in DC just over the horizon. Among the comments shared with me privately has been strong praise of Nathan Smith's “stalwart leadership” in moving items ahead, hand in glove with other leaders like Tim Williams, see his exclusive interview with us linked here.

It would be great to drop a bunch of names and details here, but I was given a reminder from a seasoned veteran of DC, who told me Monday that sometimes it is better to keep things quiet and advancing than to make a lot of noise, and suddenly pick up dissent, distractions or worse.

Let's summarize this by saying the angles in DC and at the grass roots are being worked. Please do your part by:

• Calling your House Rep. OR faxing, emailing or writing them to ask for their support for HR 1779.
• Having your associates, family and friends call too. IF you are a manager or owner, why not have your staff and contractors reach out? The more, the merrier.
• Check in with your association and see how you can be a part of the solution.

Louisville Show Site Update Coming!

We are very pleased to say that besides having us continue the show promotion and other related activities for 2014, that Show Ways Unlimited and the Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation have asked us to update the Louisville Show website for the 2014 show.

Look for that website update in the coming weeks, you can count on an announcement.

Thanks to the momentum built up over the past three years of growth at the Show, IF you are a business looking to do B2B, please check in soon with Dennis Hill for the initial info found here, because booth space and home space are going fast.

Parting is Sweet Sorrow…

Being a fan of fabled play-write William Shakespeare, I have to borrow his 'parting is such sweet sorrow' line. Our friend, Rob Coldren of HK&C Law fame announced his retirement a few weeks ago. I had mixed feelings about this, because Rob is an amazing wit besides a talented gent! At the same time, he's earned this 'retirement,' which will not completely remove him from our industry's big fraternity. So we will wish him 'all the Best!'

HK&C has a strong cadre of legal talent, as members at the WMA and beyond can attest, so the industry's communities still have that fine firm to look to for specialized needs.

In the current Regulatory Environment, Is Captive Finance Still Viable?

For those manufactured home communities or select retailers that engage in captive finance operations, we plan an article or post soon that asks the challenging question: Is Captive Finance Still Viable for manufactured housing?

Some may not like what they read…

…but this won't be my opinion. We've gathered input from various experts on this timely topic, and are open to more from readers and industry pros.

Please watch for it, as it is one of the angles that savvy pros need to consider carefully. If you have a comment you'd like to share on the topic of is captive finance still viable in this regulatory environment, please send it to latonyk@gmail.com. Let me know if you want your comments to be anonymous or public when you email your thoughts, with my thanks.

Let's catch up this weekend here, until then, please sell some more of your products and services! ##

PS: Check our many Exclusive and Red Hot Featured Articles for June and see the

L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
ManufacturedHomeLivingNews.com | MHProNews.com |
Business and Public Marketing & Ads: B2B | B2C
Websites, Contract Marketing & Sales Training, Consulting, Speaking:

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