Bloomberg News reports that Addison, Texas-based Palm Harbor Homes won court approval to hold an auction to sell its assets with an initial offer of about $58 million. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Sontchi approved the rules and procedures that would govern the company’s proposed March 1 auction. Bloomberg says Sontchi […]
Judge Sets Palm Harbor Asset Auction for March 1 Read More
From Virginia, the Mount Vernon Gazette reports a controversial project to construct a manufactured home community for low-income residents of Fairfax County is about to move forward. The project has been on the drawing board since the early 1980s. The article recounts how a series of events conspired to scuttle
Controversial VA Community Moves Forward Read More
The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) submitted comments in December to the Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD) on its October 29, 2010 proposed rule establishing the regulations that govern the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). The HTF, authorized by Congress under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008, was
MHI Comments on Housing Trust Fund Rules Read More
GOP leaders have touted proposals to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, recent comments from members of the House Committee on Financial Services indicate Republican opinion on the need for swift action may be wavering. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) reports in its Weekly Review that incoming House Financial
GOP Now Expects Slow Progress on GSE Reform Read More
The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) reported in its Weekly Review that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) implementation team currently housed within the U.S. Treasury Department and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework of state and federal coordination
Federal Financial Protection Agency and State Regulators Sign Cooperation Agreement Read More
Benzinga.com named the manufactured housing industry as one of the worst performing categories on Friday. Down more than three percent earlier in the day, the situation seemed to improve somewhat by the close of business. The Manufactured Housing Composite Value ended down 1.3 percent. The biggest decline was with shares
MH Stocks Drop Mid-Day Read More
After three days of gains, the Dow closed down 27 points Thursday ahead of Friday’s jobs report. Most manufactured housing and related stocks also closed down. Most closed only modestly lower with Cavco, Drew Industries, Nobility Homes and Universal Forest Products logging small gains. The Manufactured Housing Composite Value moved
Charm of New Year Fades as Dow Closes Down Read More
The Baptist Standard reports that a group called Help Build Hope Haiti is working to bring 5,000 homes to the nation still recovering from last year’s earthquake. The story indicates Help Build Hope Haiti organizers want to build 5,000 permanent homes and equip 5,000 Haitians to rebuild their country. The
5,000 Modular Homes Coming to Haiti Read More
Joe Kelly at the Iowa Manufactured Housing Association alerted us to another story about manufactured homes making the pages of the Des Moines Register. MHMSM.com recently responded to a story in the paper about fire safety in manufactured homes, pointing out mis-use of terminology. The use of the terms showed
Newspaper’s Use of Terms Improves Read More
From Arizona, the Portales News-Tribune reports the City of Portales is on track to issue the same number of building permits this fiscal year as last year. The permits are based on fiscal years, which run July through June. According to records, the city issued permits for 20 single-family dwellings
Arizona Reports on Permits for Manufactured Home Replacement Read More
A new Colorado law requires builders of new homes to present buyers with the opportunity to select water-efficient appliances and fixtures up front. From a post on the website of Baravista Homes, we learn the intent of this law is to encourage water conservation by making sure that customers have
Colorado Requires Water Smart Options Read More
Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey Thursday showing lower mortgage rates for both long- and short-term rates. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.77 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending January 6, down from last week when it averaged 4.86 percent.
Mortgage Rates Decline Read More
From Housingwire comes a report from Altos Research that home prices were down 1.63 percent in December and new listings were entering the market with an even steeper decline. The report indicates prices fell in each of the 27 markets studied by Altos. Prices fell 4.77 percent in San Francisco,
Housing Prices Decline in December Read More
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) introduced legislation Wednesday that would repeal the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The bill, which President Obama signed into law in July, represents the most extensive overhaul of financial regulations since the Great Depression. Bachmann says the law grossly expanded the federal government
Bachmann Pushes for Frank-Dodd Repeal Read More
Now we can say three times is a charm. Three days into the New Year and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has recorded three days of gains. Stocks added another 31 points Wednesday to close at 11,722.89. Deer Valley and Universal Forest Products closed down, but other stocks on our
Shares Record Third Day of Gains Read More
American Banking and Marketing News reports that Zacks Investment Research recently upgraded shares of Drew Industries from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note to clients and investors on Monday. The company manufactures and markets components for recreational vehicles and manufactured homes. During the year ended
Zacks Upgrades Drew Industries Read More
From Minnesota, the Free Press reports that the city of St. Peter is planning to participate in a pilot program aimed at upgrading or demolishing mobile homes. The report indicates the plan would provide both rehabilitation incentives for homeowners with homes built to the HUD Code and buyout assistance for
Minnesota Town Looks to Upgrade Homes Read More
From Arizona the San Pedro Valley News-Sun reports there’s less red tape involved with installing manufactured homes in the community of Benson. The report says the city council there approved an Inter-Governmental Agreement between the city and the Arizona Department of Fire, Building and Life Safety, Office of Manufactured Housing
From Arizona, Lower Costs and Less Red Tape Read More
From the Terrace Standard of British Columbia comes a story about the completion of modular housing units for disabled seniors. The 24 modular units were constructed by Langley-based Britco, and were brought up from its Penticton plant in June. Work on the siding, footings, plumbing, electrical, roofs, beams, landscaping and
Modular Units for Seniors Nearing Completion Read More
USA Today ran an article Wednesday on the ten best green homes if 2010, including an over-all winner. Number seven on the list was a home in St. Paul, Minnesota, one of a dozen models designed by Hive Modular, a Minneapolis-based prefab company, and built by a factory partner. The paper
USA Today Names Top Green Houses Read More
