“The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions.” – maxim origin, Bernard of Clairvaux.   Improving manufactured home resale values is an important topic for everyone involved in the housing industry.  We learned from the National Association of Realtors (TM) Certified Business Economist (CBE) Scholastica ‘Gay’ Cororaton that manufactured homes can and do rise in value.     Barry …

A recent Washington Post (WP, the Post, or WaPo) report about a recent protest made it clear that manufactured housing is an important part of the solution to the growing affordable housing crisis in the USA. Here is part of what the WP report said. “The average price of a “stick-built” home in January was $382,700, according to the Census …

“Lucy and Desi” were TV and movie stars from the 1950s and 1960s.  The U.S. was rapidly changing in the post-World War II era. The Korean conflict came and went too, so veterans and millions of others were clamoring for affordable housing.   The nation was mobile, and millions were willing to move to get a better job. Those cute …

The manufactured housing industry is undergoing significant changes in both the United States and in Canada.     As we reported some weeks ago via our interview with award winning retailer, Alan Amy, billionaires and billion-dollar operations are literally buying into the manufactured home industry. Why? As Mr. Amy told MHLivingNews, ‘because it’s the housing of the future.’ Time Travelers, …

Mark Dillard is an award winner for communications.  It’s an honor given to him by his peers among manufactured home state associations in the manufactured housing industry. The Executive Director Dillard-led Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina (MHISC) created the infographic being shown further below on the topic of windstorms. For those who care about the American dream of home …

The sun rose slowly over Deadwood, SD that day. The hills and trees offered cover for a variety of animals, including big horn sheep, and mountain goats.   Outside the Inn at Deadwood, the manicured landscaping yielded naturally to the glass doors that welcomed tourists, gamers, and business professionals. It was in that convention center that a recent ‘peaceful battle’ …

“We recently did an audit of where we stand year over year, and we are up at a rate about double that of the industry’s growth,” said Stan Posey, sales manager at Sunshine Homes. “2016 was up about double the growth rate of the industry at large over 2015. So, the home buying market is responding positively to the residential …

Millions of Americans want the dream of home ownership to become their reality. More than half a century and trillions of dollars in spending have demonstrated that the noble intentions of the federal “War on Poverty” launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson has failed to move the needle. The poverty rate remains about the same now as then. Meanwhile, affordable …

The American Dream has long been defined as including home ownership.  While there are several positive economic signals in the early weeks of President Donald Trump’s Administration, it will take some time for millions to see their incomes go up enough to allow them to do what most of their parents or grandparents achieved – a home they could call …

The Class of 2016 includes: James (Jim) Miller, Nationwide Custom Homes; Joseph H. Stegmayer, Cavco Industries, Inc.; Ernie Friesen, All Seasons RV/Redding RV; Gary Bunzer, Bunzer Consulting, Inc. (second row l-r)Thomas R. “Tim” McGuire, The Coast Distribution System, Inc.; Ellen Kietzmann and Michael Hesse, Jay Hesse’s son, accepting for Jay Hesse (deceased) (front row l-r)William (Bill) Overhulser, Del Rey Industries; …

A Primer on Factory-Built Housing Claus and Kathy are preparing to pull up stakes and start a new life in Florida. Married for 30 years, they’d like their fresh start to begin with their first custom-built home. There was a time when folks who wanted a brand new custom residence had only one option: Find a contractor and wait six …

Malibu, CA — When does a “mobile home” get snapped up for a cool $4 million before it even hits the market? Answer: When it occupies a piece of rent-controlled real estate along the most desirable stretch of coastline in California. Welcome to Malibu, where three communities offer a beach house lifestyle for a fraction of what folks pay for …

“There are lies, damn lies and statistics.” Mark Twain “In my case, using what politely might be called “advocacy journalism,” I’ve used reporting as a weapon to affect political situations that bear down on my environment.” – Hunter S. Thompson “Minorities exploited by Warren Buffett’s mobile-home empire (sic)” The Seattle Times/Buzz Feed “…The Seattle Times account simply follows the long-time …

“The one issue that will prohibit affordable housing in the future — not only manufactured homes, but site-built — is local zoning and covenants.” — Jay Hamilton, executive director of the Georgia Manufactured Housing Association When you’re a single mother of three looking to secure your family’s future, you have to have a plan. One young Georgia woman thought she …

Reinventing HUD’s role in Quality Affordable Housing, Reducing Poverty and Dependency The cover letter and proposal outline below was provided to Congressman Jeb Hensarling, Chairman of the Financial Services Committee in response to a request for comments from interested parties on how to improve the delivery of services housing services by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and …