Our focus for this column will be facts, opportunities and challenges, so if you want some 4th of July weekend inspiration, you'll find that with: Taking Chance and John Adams on the 4th of July. Let's press onto some eye-opening insights. Just the Facts > The total number of new RVs expected to be sold …
Manufactured Housing’s Declaration of Independence Read More »
Since you, me and everyone of our living friends, associates and acquaintances has both strengths and weaknesses, isn't it amazing how often some focus on the bad rather than the good? Isn't the better path to be aware of a weakness or problematic habit – address it – while gladly embracing all the good a …
Jumping July! Aware of the Bad, Focus on the Good in Manufactured Housing Read More »
Two news items relating to the CFPB hit back-to-back recently. As we are approaching the 4th of July, the irony of this struck me and should strike you or anyone else who cares about having a safe and free society, regardless of a person's politics. Let's share two quick thoughts that tee up the issue. …
Dodd-Frank and the CFPB: a Government That’s Big Enough? Read More »
Before describing the allegedly pending billion-dollar MHC deal, let me express the reason to discuss this at all. Manufactured housing is on a four year new home shipment incline, but we are still at historically low levels. As the Wisconsin Housing Alliance (WHA) Executive Director, Ross Kinzler, noted near the close of the Federated States …
Is a Billion Dollar + Manufactured Home Community US-Canadian deal hanging fire? Read More »
Blaise Pascal, who penned the original Pensées (French for 'thoughts'), would likely be disappointed in part of what follows; for that this scribe takes full responsibility. As we approach the 2014 MHI Summer Meeting Sunday-Tuesday, what should we expect? What should be our hopes following the event? What should we be talking about while there? …
Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) 2014 Summer Meeting Pensées Read More »
Three short topics today – the water's fine! – let's dive in and get started. Home of The Brave… "…Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave? O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave…" Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the summer in the U.S.A.. It is also …
Let me tag myself before tagging anyone else. Starting with typos – and moving on up to other errors – it is no fun to admit that we make mistakes. Self-proclaimed enemies will likely grab that sentence out of context, and flash it around online or by email to their 'supporters.' That's okay, because it …
Stumbling ahead? Manufactured Housing, “Doing it Badly” Read More »
Their headline was a strong tease. Indeed, there were two Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) representatives at the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Congress and Expo (C&E) event last week in Las Vegas. It was hardly an 'invasion.' Indeed, we knew the week prior to Congress and Expo that the pair had registered and paid to …
CFPB, MHI and MH Captive Finance Lending? Like “Screen Doors on a Submarine.” Read More »
Incoming calls and messages from pros like you are invaluable to our MH Industry supporting mission. This week is a great case in point. ELS and that huge judgment ought to be front page news for almost all in our industry. Why is it that it has been only a whimper in MH publishing – …
Suits, ELS Judgment, “Lost Wages,” Manufactured Housing’s Greenback Boogie Read More »
Please think back to the painful, dark days of 2008, 2009 and 2010. Or do you recall IBISWorld's shocking March 2011 manufactured housing report? Some of you will recall reading the following: Derek Thompson, associate editor at The Atlantic, penned a commentary that included these words: "At the center of a perfect storm of boomer …
Manufactured Housing: Out of the Ashes, Phoenix Rising Read More »
