From time to time, ‘straw man’ issues are raised in manufactured housing professional circles. This is often done by those who – no surprise – think they might benefit from their particular spin on the issue. For those who don’t know, a ‘straw man’ is a communications or debate tactic, and is defined by Google as follows.
Let’s make this simple. Manufactured home lending is critical for the success and advancement of our industry, as it is in most any big ticket sale business. But is MH Image as important as MH Lending?
First, this is not an either/or choice. We as pros all ought to press for regulatory relief on MH financing. Few could say they’ve personally or professionally have pushed more for HR 650/S 682 and other pro-MH finance-focused efforts than your scribe, MHProNews.com and MHLivingNews.com. So our actions match the words above.
Second, image is so critical, that it is stunning how some misconstrue this issue. To understand this, kindly follow these facts.
The Law of Supply and Demand
When demand for MH rises, it should lead to better values and easier exit strategies for home owners and lenders alike. As understanding and respect for MH grows, more demand follows.
I’d prefer to call that ‘education’ rather than ‘image,’ but the two are complimentary.
What clarity of thought should do is lead any objective, thinking person to realize is that image/education leads to benefits for MH lending, for MH home owners and for the industry in general.
We don’t make it easy for the public to find our email or phone from the MHLivingNews.com website. They have to work at it. Yet, we’re getting more calls asking about MH financing and how to shop for a manufactured home.
After the recent Hall of Fame induction, we shot some video the next day of the exterior of the Fairmont model home on display outside. A retired couple emerged from that home, came up and asked me some questions. After a disclaimer, I answered them. Their response? “We’re going to start looking” at manufactured homes. They were impressed.
Seeing manufactured homes at events like the AZ or OH associations promoted, at the Hall of Fame, or seeing video interviews and home tours are all complimentary ways of increasing understanding, appreciation, desire and thus demand for manufactured homes.
Dispeling negative notions for public officials, non-MH professionals and investors, likewise grows interest and demand.
The bottom line is this. We need BOTH good MH Lending options for consumers and businesses AND we need Image/Education of the public and frankly for many in the industry too. The more training front line team members and management have in the positive realities of MH, the better those team members perform.
Which is why we encourage a free and common sense step for all. No less than 15 minutes a day here on MHProNews.com and 15 minutes a day minimum on MHLivingNews.com. Those who are doing so, advance.
Then, share what your team learns on MHLivingNews with your prospects and…everyone! The more people understand the reality of modern MH, the more they are going to want what our industry does. That growth in interest will result in growing demand. That’s good for current home owners. That’s good for lenders. That results in more buyers. That’s good for the industry at large. Lending and Image/Education are complimentary needs. Enough said today. ##
