Before we get down to Taking Care of Business in MH, let me first note the following.
In the middle of October, we’ll mark the 6th anniversary launch of what we now call MHProNews.com. In this issue, you’ll find quotable quotes from industry leaders and professionals who say in their own words, why this online trade journal and professional news source for MH is valuable to them. We thank all our volunteers, writers, news tip sources and sponsors for making it possible for us to serve you. The article with quotes is linked below.
Here is a small snipet of those kudos comments that came in via LinkedIn…
…let me stress, that the kind words go to the team. We have volunteers, writers, formal team members, sponsors, those that give us news tips and more. Together, we are pleased to be serving you and this great industry that we love.
Now, let’s focus on…
Taking Care of Business
We are over half a decade into the ‘recovery’ of manufactured housing. That recovery is real, but far too modest. We must each do our part to be ‘taking care of business.’
Communications is a huge part of what MH needs. You may need something, but don’t know where to turn. Or you may have a product or service that is PERFECT for someone that doesn’t even know you exist in MH. Or they may have met you once, but in the hustle and bustle of the post-great recession America, you’re not top of mind. What to do?
Many B2B firms are using this platform, or industry events that we promote, to make their products and services better known and more successful. That is one way of taking care of business.
On the B2C side, taking care of business means reaching more consumers who have cash or good credit. We have a number of articles that are “how to” or examples in the new features from pros, linked below.
We also have articles by attorneys, a reputation promotion professional – who in their unique ways are also ‘taking care of business.’
Then there are articles on financing and news related to lending (the latest on GSEs, FHFA and Duty to Serve covered in the Daily Business News, is linked here).
One last Taking Care of Business not on the reading list below…I’ll be presenting on SuperCharged MH Marketing and Sales in just a few days at the New York Housing Association’s regional meeting – their 65th event! Kudos to them for that milestone. Please see their brochure, linked here.
Personal note…
Let me take a moment, and thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your colleagues. In case it isn’t clear, I love manufactured housing. Doing what we do to educate others and promote MH is challenging, but also a joy. Sure, there are days or situations that arise that are headaches. But we believe strongly that MH has a bright future ahead.
There are still plenty of risks. But working together with other forward thinkers and doers, we believe that our best days could be ahead. Thanks for letting us share that vision and goal with you.
With no further adieu, here are the 18 new Featured Articles for October 2015 – Taking Care of MH Business.
Featured Articles and Reports for Vol. 7, No. 1, 2015
Alphabetically by Category
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)
• No Crystal Ball: Disparate Impact Is Not Crystal Clear
by Nadeen Green, JD
The National Apartment Association recently provided an excellent webinar titled “Fair Housing Disparate Impact: Learn How the Supreme Court’s Decision Affects You.”
• Tenant Discrimination Laws, Trends, and Landlord Recommendations
by Kurt Kelley, JD
Are you a member of a legally protected class?
FINANCING
• New Lenders, Investors and New Builders for Manufactured Housing
by L. A. “Tony” Kovach
There is a significant degree of frustration in MHVille over financing. Most savvy pros understand that we can’t return to the go-go days of the 90s, when a fogged mirror “got bought.”
• CU Factory Built Lending West Region reaches $1B in total loans originationed and over 10,000 Members currently served with Manufactured Housing Financing
by John Walters
CU Factory Built Lending’s West Region office in Federal Way, WA reached two important milestones in August in its mission to serve the manufactured housing industry and its members.
GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS
• ROC USA Announces yet another MHC Conversion
by Mike Bullard
We recently issued this press release on yet another manufactured home community becoming a resident owned community. To learn more, click the banner and see the media release below. –
• Weathering the Storms: How Manufactured Homes Can Do It
by Jan Hollingsworth
“We have entered a new era of catastrophes. Either we pretend they will not happen to us, or we join forces to make resilience a national priority.” –
• TCB
by L. A. ‘Tony’ Kovach
Part of the original vision for MHProNews was to support MH Professionals, and thus, the organizations and businesses that they serve.
• 6th Anniversary MHProNews Celebration Comments from Readers
by MH Industry Professionals
It literally drives me temporarily insane when I read or hear manufactured housing referred to by the media, by any other nomenclature than manufactured housing, or manufactured home.
• Sunshine Homes, Red Bay, AL – 2 Points on Manufactured Housing Image, More MH Sales
by L. A. ‘Tony’ Kovach
John Bostick shared a column in May titled the MH Image and Education Campaign – Open Letter to the Manufactured and Modular Home Industry. –
• JOBS and Careers Positions – Get them, Fill Them – Taking Care of Business
by Soheyla Kovach
In the hustle and bustle of business, many have overlooked the obvious place to showcase career openings in manufactured housing.
• Colorado Manufactured Home Community Occupancy and Rent Trends Report
by Darren Krolewski
Datacomp recently published a press release on this subject of Colorado MHC trends, which we wanted to draw to the MH Industry’s attention. The details of that release are found below.
• Selling a Manufactured Home Community? Get Top Dollar! Buying? Check this New Listing Out!
by Christopher Nortley
We recently closed on a 921 portfolio community, one of many MHCs we’ve listed and sold.
• The Image Problem—in Three Stages
by Bob Vahsholtz
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”
• It’s Crunch Time for Nominations to the RV/MH Hall of Fame Class of 2016
by Jeff White
ELKHART, Ind., — Darryl Searer, chairman, RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall), wants to remind those planning to nominate someone for induction into the Hall of Fame that the deadline for nominations for the Class of 2016 is fast approaching,
MARKETING
• 5 Ways to Building Your MH Reputation
by Wayne Coakley
In last month’s article I promised to give you details and to help you with implementing a Reputation Marketing strategy in your manufactured home business.
• Taking Care of MH Communities Business – Marketing and Selling Approaches
by L. A. ‘Tony’ Kovach
Community management involves a myriad of details. Maintenance, collections, budgets, CapX, a professional implementation of guidelines for living and pro-active resident relations are among them.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION
• Living with Wisdom – 3 Tips – Appreciation, Intent, Plans
by Tim Connor, CSP
Appreciation – In one of my favorite books, What Happy People Know by Dan Baker he shares a very simple and yet profound topic – simply that the single common trait among all happy people is the ability and willingness to give appreciation no matter what.
• ZigOn The Main Thing
by Zig Ziglar
The refrain most often heard in the media, in private conversations and correspondence, is “I apologize for not getting back sooner, but I’ve been so busy…”
