There are words, and then there are deeds.
There’s smoke and mirrors, or the clarity born of facts, evidence, and sound reason.
It’s about time to turn the page. 2018 is about to come to a close. It will be several weeks before the industry at large knows the final tallies for HUD Code manufactured housing shipments for the year. But rest assured, about a dozen (+/-) MHPros already know pretty close to what the final count for 2018 will be.
You’ll get an idea too from one of the articles in a headline linked below.
Why did the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) invest a purported 5 figures in a video to promote how great they are? Is it because annual dues/membership renewal time was coming up? Did the Arlington, VA based MHI want to get into the pockets of independents in manufactured housing once again? Did MHI leaders want to collect more money from independents before the disappointing totals for 2018 would be revealed?
There are many ways to point to the tragic truth that:
- thousands of manufactured housing (MH) independents,
- numbers of investors, and
- millions of consumers have debatably been conned, manipulated, and cheated out of greater wealth.
We never say things like that lightly. Keep in mind, we have done our share of ‘cheer leading’ on MHProNews and on MHLivingNews for the industry too. Cheer leading is easy. Cheer leading, when it is honest, is fun. Telling several thousand industry pros that they’ve been ripped off? Not nearly as much fun. Don’t blame the messenger for the #Nettlesome message, we’re just following the evidence, tips from sources, track record, and common sense.
There came a point in time when questions, evidence, and logic opened-our-eyes as to the obvious reasons why the industry has failed to progress. Why did RVs roar past MH? Why is mainstream housing so high, when the value of manufactured and modular homes should mean that our MH industry should be performing at much higher levels too?
When affordable housing is in crisis, and MHVille will finish about 100,000 (+/-) shipments, how is it possible that voices from Arlington keep belting out that same old tired song?
There comes a point in time when the accumulation of voices that kept telling MHProNews, ‘something is wrong here’ begs for attention. We’re returning the favor that those voices gave to us.
There comes a time to turn the page.
But a way simple way to prove the truth about MHI is to invite the leadership of the Omaha-Knoxville-Arlington axis to do the right thing. No excuses. Just do one thing right, one time, on one specific issue.
Turn the page and learn more.
The Disney “Trailer” Controversy & MHI ‘Leadership’
Bragging is easy for some. But it’s performance that counts.
When MHI’s former chairman Tim Williams, who is also the president of Berkshire Hathaway owned 21st Mortgage Corp, says there’s a good case to be made that every problematic report, misuse of terminology, etc. should be challenged, it was a revealing statement.
We believe that Tim Williams was right on that point.
Why did Clayton, Warren Buffett or Berkshire Vice-Chair Charlie Munger respond to attacks on Clayton, 21st, or Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance (VMF)? It can be oversimplified and summed up n two words.
Reputation Defense.
If Reputation Defense is good enough for Clayton, 21st, and VMF – then why isn’t a fact-based reputation defense of the entire MH industry every bit as important to MHI, or the Berkshire brands that dominate MHVille? Why has MHI already weighed in with Disney, to defend the industry’s reputation?
MHI and their masters will either weigh in on the Disney controversy – see the articles linked below – or not. It’s really that simple.
Our publisher, L. A. ‘Tony’ Kovach, has reached out to numbers of those MHI leaders on Friday. He did so bcc’ing numbers of MHI and non-MHI members. He also sent a message to an attorney who claims to represent MHI.
No excuses. The truth will come out, period.
Either MHI and their Omaha-Knoxville and allied masters will act to defend the reputation of manufactured housing – as has:
– Mark Weiss, JD, President of the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR)
– Al Kemp, Executive Director of the Manufactured Home Park Owners (BC, Canada), and
– Paul Bradley, President of ROC USA already have.
Or MHI won’t. Simple. Clear. No excuses.
See what those 3 industry leaders had to say in one of the linked articles on Disney further below.
MHI-Inspired “Boycott”?
It spoke volumes that MHI purportedly had their part-time surrogate, George Allen, call for a “boycott” of MHProNews within hours of our article and most recent headline news update being published and emailed.
Antitrust Girard Gibbs law firm says this, “A group boycott occurs when two or more competitors in a relevant market refuse to conduct business with a specific individual or company. Individual companies may always unilaterally decide to stop doing business with another company, but agreements between competitors may violate antitrust laws.”
So, there is a legal expert’s view that an organized boycott can be an antitrust violation. That means that those who were behind the called for boycott, have placed themselves in the legal cross hairs.
Those who participate, ditto.
The hypocritical irony of the call for a boycott is that GF Allen has – when he was on the outs with MHI – called MHI and their masters, Oligarchs. Allen has said in his own words that the industry was being monopolized. But sadly, the retired Marine Allen has a purported reputation for saying and doing what he thinks will give him more money, leverage, and/or attention. Rest assured, if a group of independents offered Allen a pile of cash, based on his history, he’d arguably turn on MHI again in a New York minute. His own reputation after the SECO-connected legal fiasco speaks sufficiently of his credibility. Keep in mind that just because SECO isn’t in the headlines, that doesn’t mean that the investigation and case prep aren’t ongoing.
George can say whatever stuff he wishes to say or write – within the norms of the law, ethics, etc. – but facts still matter. If Allen had proven a single claims, that might have been interesting. But instead, bomb throwing without a shred of evidence, and a call for a “boycott.” That’s called a red herring. It’s also arguably opened Allen – and those with him – up for legal investigation, and potential action.
It would also be the reasons why industry pros should say, ‘what are the folks in Arlington and Knoxville trying to keep us from reading?’
Short of successful criminal and civil actions against the Omaha-Knoxville-Arlington axis, the next greatest thing they fear is arguably exposure. Once the mask is completely off, then their MHI connected ‘alleged’ con game is over.
As with any con, the faces smile while pockets are being picked. Is your firm one of those pockets being picked?
After all, if those in MHVille who see MHI in a protection racket/con game fashion are correct, then the little guys are paying to have the big guys destroy the little guys own interests.
Or as Marty Lavin, an MHI award winner put it in his words, MHI only works for the little guys when that happens to match the interests of the big guys.
Within an hour of being asked, Al Kemp – who was on vacation in Hawaii when his office had contacted him – within an hour, Al had written Disney a fine message. It was a good compliment to those from Mark Weiss and Paul Bradley. Al thought it that important.
If Al Kemp, Mark Weiss and Paul Bradley did, how about MHI?
What excuse will MHI give? Does it matter? Or if they now act only because they were pushed into it, what glory is there in that?
Do you see why our publisher has at times used satire? Don’t the tragic jokes practically write themselves?
And if MHI or the Berkshire brands do – out of shame or embarrassment – finally weigh in with Disney on their terminology issue – and they should! – then here’s the next question. Why haven’t they done a real reputation defense of the entire MH Industry for the last few years on all similar issues?
It’s debatably time to turn the page on the failed systems and problematic leaders of recent years.
In the articles and reports that follow, several themes will come to light.
1) There are huge opportunities in factory-built housing.
2) Manufactured homes are underperforming. That’s opportunity in disguise, for those who know what to do.
3) That logically means that MHI, their allies and surrogates, have ignored reputation defense. Doesn’t that disproportionately hurt the little guys more than the big ones?
Our sources in Washington and other cities were investigations of the Omaha-Knoxville-Arlington axis are underway tell us that these things take time. You and thousands will need to be patient, just as we are.
But there will likely come a day when you’ll wake up to a headline that’s not found first on MHProNews, but rather will be in national media. Those imagined headlines could read like this:
- “Antitrust charges filed against major firms, and trade group, details at 10.”
- “RICO-related arrests occurred at national trade association headquarters, details at 10.”
The mantra of a con artist is ‘never, ever give up the con.’ They – whomever are in that loop – won’t likely confess, unless it is part of a plea deal with federal/state investigators. They arguably won’t admit they’re deceiving the MH industry they claim to be protecting.
The powers that be certainly won’t want to face millions of manufactured home owners – who because DTS isn’t being properly implemented by MHI, Fannie and Freddie – are arguably be cheated of lower payments, and higher resale values.
Turn the page.
2018 is almost done. 2019 is almost upon us.
Thousands of more pros are logging on daily than at this time a year ago. Why? Because at a minimum, they – like you – are learning to be more skeptical of the ludicrous claims made by MHI and their puppet masters.
Anyone who can produce graphics like the above, and can still smile, ask for their year-end bonuses, and do so while they tell you that 100,000 (+/-) new HUD Code manufactured homes are sold in 2018 are selling and/or smoking something.
Buying or smoking what they offer is arguably bad for your health.
Want to make manufactured housing history? Turn the page.
What’s good for your health is a dose of reality-based reports. See those hot-linked headlines and image/text boxes that take you to the reports for the week from 12.23.2018 to 12.30.2018 are below.
Notice: the headlines that are also boxed-links isn’t to imply that story may be more important than another. Read every headline, because what you need may be the one you could miss. Resolve to make the changes at your location that can make 2019 brighter than any other year.
With no further adieu, let’s dive into the week that was.
What’s New on the Daily Business News on MHProNews
Saturday 12.29.2018
Going PreFab, Habitat for Humanity Announces Plan for Factory Home Building in 2019
Going PreFab, Habitat for Humanity Announces Plan for Factory Home Building in 2019
Friday 12.28.2018
Leaving Paradise, “Hell on Earth” – FEMA and Christmas, New Year Responses to Grim Camp Fire
Leaving Paradise, “Hell on Earth” – FEMA and Christmas, New Year Responses to Grim Camp Fire
Bankrupt Sears Gets Last Minute Bid, Plus MH Market Updates
MHARR, ROC USA, Canadian Association Weigh-In On Disney “Trailers” Controversy
MHARR, ROC USA, Canadian Association Weigh-In On Disney “Trailers” Controversy
What the Latest Numbers from #1 Manufactured Housing Market Texas Reveals
What the Latest Numbers from #1 Manufactured Housing Market Texas Reveals
Thursday 12.27.2018
“We Have to Keep Changing Too as Retailers”
7 Facts Can Free You from Bear Market Fears, Plus MH Market Updates
7 Facts Can Free You from Bear Market Fears, Plus MH Market Updates
Oil, Soybean Market Maneuvers and Manipulation Reveal Broader Concerns for MHVille
Oil, Soybean Market Maneuvers and Manipulation Reveal Broader Concerns for MHVille
Wednesday 12.26.2018
Santa Rally Better Late Than Never, Dow Up 1,000 – Most Tracked Manufactured Home Stocks Rise
Introducing Hyundai Engineering Projects, Donates Disaster-Resistant Modular Homes
Introducing Hyundai Engineering Projects, Donates Disaster-Resistant Modular Homes
FEMA Manufactured Housing Unit (MHU) Program Extension Announced
FEMA Manufactured Housing Unit (MHU) Program Extension Announced
Tuesday 12.25.2018
Legends, Battle of Bedford Falls, and Christmas in Affordable Housing’s MH Land
Legends, Battle of Bedford Falls, and Christmas in Affordable Housing’s MH Land
Monday 12.24.2018
Best Prefab, Modular Homes 2018, Videos
“Manufactured Housing Institute Attorney” Letter and MHProNews Response
“Manufactured Housing Institute Attorney” Letter and MHProNews Response
Clayton Donates Manufactured Home for Christmas, But What’s Up With Those Lumps of Coal?
Clayton Donates Manufactured Home for Christmas, But What’s Up With Those Lumps of Coal?
12.23.2018
Escaping the Grave? Affordable, Manufactured Housing News
Together with thousands of honest MHVille pros of good will, we can make our industry achieve its great potential. That’s done by making American lives better, together. “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (Sunday Morning, weekly headline news review, analysis, and commentary.)
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Clayton’s Miss, Kevin and Tim’s Manufactured Housing Kill Shot, More
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