We offer you today – and every day – in the fabulous month of February the widest array of insightful and business building featured articles, exclusive blogs and Daily Business News anywhere in the factory built housing industry. Where else can you find MHI and MHARR news, exclusive Industry in Focus Reports, Inspiration, Words of Wisdom, the Cutting Edge, Industry Voices, Cup of Coffee with interviews with…plus our Masthead for commentary and more?
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It is always a pleasure to introduce the featured writers that make our monthly Featured Articles possible. Each of these pros and their organizations provide you with insights that can advance or protect your career and company's work.
With no further ado, let's jump into this month's Featured Articles, thank you!
Featured Articles and Reports for Vol. 4, No. 5, 2013
Alphabetically by Category
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT & FAIR HOUSING (LEGAL)
• Contempt! Orange County Superior Court Judge Rules Huntington Beach Mayor, City Council Members, City Attorney To Stand Trial For Contempt of Court.
by Rob Coldren, JD
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On December 10, 2012, Orange County Superior Court Judge Luis Rodriguez issued an order barring the City of Huntington Beach from reconsidering the conversion of Pacific Mobile Home Park to resident ownership. But a week later, six of seven City Council members voted to affirm a prior vote authorizing reconsideration, with the encouragement and support of elected City Attorney Jennifer McGrath.
• Manufactured Housing Community Expense Summary
by Todd Fletcher
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The ARA National Manufactured Housing Community Group is pleased to present our recently completed 2011 Manufactured Housing Community Expense Summary (we are always one year in arrears as only the prior year will give us a full year of results). Included in the analysis are over 100 communities we have evaluated over the past year with complete 2011 actual expenses.
• Superstorm Sandy Evacuees and the 80/20 Older Housing Rule
by Nadeen Green, JD
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I wasn’t able to come up with a catchy title for this column but hopefully it will get read (heck, you are reading it, so at least I know that there is one of you). Super storm Sandy displaced so many people, many of whom were (and still are) looking for current housing.
• Promoting Your Community “A successful promotion is a successful perception of value.” (WOW!) Advertising . . .
by Chrissy Jackson
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To begin our foray into the world of promoting, let’s start with some of the more conventional schools of thought that apply to basic promotions everywhere. The most basic of all is advertising. Obviously, you must be aware of the total bombardment the general public receives from different types of advertising messages.
• Should I Report This to My Insurance Company?
by Kurt Kelley, JD
Business owners Mobile Insurance serves often ask me whether to report a loss to their insurance company. Payment of any part of a claim is in the short term best interest of the client.
FINANCING
• What Has HUD Done For The M/H Industry Lately?
by Eddie Hicks
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The infrequently used FHA207m loan guarantee program which is a part of the HUD multi-family programs and has been active in its present form for over 36 years, has been successfully used in many parts of the country. Funded by private lenders, it provides for up to 90% of the cost of new development or pays off the debt on existing communities plus advances up to 90% of any costs of rehabilitation.
GENERAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY TOPICS
• The 2013 Tunica Manufactured Housing Show It’s All about Southern Hospitality March 27 – 29, 2013
by Keith Bennett
Continuing the fun that accompanies another year at the world’s largest manufactured housing show, are TWO FREE LUNCHES that will be provided for attendees. The lunches offer a convenient and delicious way to luncheon at the show site to maximize your time and ensure you get the most out of the networking experience.
• Employee Paperwork: The FEDS are Coming
by Kurt Kelly
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If you have been worried about America’s spending binge not resulting in action, here’s some fine news. The Federal government is putting your money (actually, much of the money is borrowed) to work. A $138 million federal employee compliance worksite enforcement effort is underway in 2013.
• One Example of Many Why Association Membership Pays!
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
We receive emails and PDFs from associations from across the country. These often contain news items that are relevant mostly to that state or region. For those with eyes to see, virtually all of them underscore the value of association membership.
• A Cup of Coffee with… Andrew Peters
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1) Who, What and Where: (Your name, and your formal title at First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation = FGMC).
Andrew Peters, CEO, First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation.
MANAGEMENT
• Visionary Troubles!
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
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I was meeting recently with the regional managers of one of my clients, doing an introductory session. During the course of our discussion, the topic of a prior client arose. Mama taught us if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all, but I've learned that there is almost always something nice you can say about practically anyone! So I focused in my response on what was good.
MARKETING
• Three reasons you aren’t being found on Google
by Beth Monicatti Blank
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Imagine the millions of websites in existence. Now imagine the daunting task of search engines such as Google and Bing to properly index your website to allow for successful ranking on consumer searches. Their job of matching search words to your website can be helped tremendously by following these simple suggestions.
• Marketing Magic: How to Invest $1 to Gain $43
by L. A. 'Tony' Kovach
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We hear or read about all sorts of gimmicky “get rich quick” opportunities, but the legitimate one that is the most often overlooked is the one already in your own hands. Can you guess what it is?
It is the investment in successfully promoting your own business, sales and/or location!
• Automating Your Processes
by Scott Stroud
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When someone asks you what the difference is between a factory-built home and a site-built home, what do you tell them?
Consumers might ask the question in terms of features – what they get or give up with a factory-built home. But your answer has to do with something else entirely – the method or process by which the home is constructed. In a word: automation.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION
• You’ll be happy when_______???
by Tim Connor, CSP
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Whatever you are doing in the factory-built housing world (or outside of it), happiness is what we seek. So let me help you finish the above sentence for you. You will be happy when you…
• ZigOn Better Than Good
by Zig Ziglar
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As many of you know, I have more than ever to say. I feel like I'm just getting started! And that's why I've written Better Than Good — I've got some things to share with you that I believe will motivate you the same way they have motivated me.
