Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Homes on the National Mall Signals Change of Perspective

June 1, 2019

2nd Annual Innovative Housing Showcase Homes on the National Mall

Industry Professionals Greet Legislators for Display of Homes on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The early June spectacle of the first-ever Innovative Housing Showcase is more than a collection of homes on the National Mall.

Our homes sit amid the iconic memorials. They’re lined by world-famous museums. The concepts that have taken lifetimes to build are situated adjacent the White House and Capitol Building. The Innovative Housing Showcase, with homes from our industry, is a signal that will flash brightly in the American consciousness.

Innovative builders are hosting law and policymakers through the week. Manufactured housing professionals who invest in and plan out affordable, safe and healthy places to live are awash in a new light.

They’re on a stage they’ve never known.

Homes on the National Mall Skyline Champion Home — A new home from Skyline Champion Corporation.

Let’s face it, many legislators have not entered today’s manufactured home. Likewise, tourists, softball teams, children playing, joggers and many other everyday Americans on the National Mall this week will have a different feel for what the industry does.

Builders, community owners, retailers, the lenders and suppliers who support them, the teams that make each operation hum, should all feel proud this week.

How Should Homes on the National Mall Be Leveraged?

Homes on the National Mall spa bathroom — The spa bathroom in a new Cavco Home.

The collection of homes on the National Mall means that the general perception of manufactured housing and other factory-built homes is in a new phase.

There should be an expectation of an easier conversation.

Industry professionals should anticipate an enhanced marketplace for manufactured homes, and what most professionals have understood for so long — There is a great place to live that a majority of Americans can afford.

Who is Showing Homes on the National Mall?

homes on the national mall congresswoman Kathleen Rice — Congresswoman Kathleen Rice of New York comes to Homes on the Hill presented by the Manufactured Housing Institute to say a few words about the value of manufactured housing.

There are a variety of builders and building solutions professionals exhibiting homes on the national mall. From the manufactured housing industry there are three homes. Skyline Champion is showing a pair of new homes, and UMH Properties has a home on display that was built by Cavco Industries.

When Sam Landy, president and CEO of UMH Properties, stepped on the National Mall and took in his first glance of our industry on a grand stage, he was nearly speechless.

“Wow…wow, wow, this is fantastic!” is what he said.

Skyline Champion President Mark Yost spoke during an opportunity for exhibitors to pitch their company or product. Rather, he spoke about what motivates him and his colleagues.

“Every night half a million people in America are homeless,” he said. “A third of American families are putting more than 30 percent of their wages in housing expenses.”

From the printing press to the farm plow to the assembly line, our nation has benefited from fearless leaders breaking the mold to meet the greatest needs of our citizens.

Now, it’s housing’s time.

“Attainable, affordable housing needs to be innovative,” Yost said. “That’s what you’re seeing here today.”

Homes on the National Mall Steve Quick Joe Stegmayer kitchen — Steve Quick, left, and Joe Stegmayer, of Cavco, in a home being shown on the National Mall with UMH Properties.

Details on the Manufactured Homes on Display in Washington, D.C.

Cavco Industries and UMH Properties

Cavco Industries, in its commitment to providing housing solutions to help families squeezed out of the market in many places, built a new floor plan that is ideal to go into a manufactured home community. The 1,085-square foot two-section home was constructed in Rocky Mount, Virg., and will go to a UMH Properties community in Pennsyvlania.

The home has two bedrooms and two bathrooms with an open floor plan and center island kitchen. The home has a spa bathroom, floating entertainment center, oversized bedrooms and stainless steel appliances. It also includes energy efficienct features such as:

Energy Star rated
Low-E vinyl thermal windows
LED lighting
Insulation is R28 (8” minimum insulation thickness) in ceiling – R11 (3 ½” insulation thickness) in the sidewall – R22 (7” insulation thickness) in floor
High Efficiency rated furnace and water heater
Programmable thermostat

Skyline Champion Corporation

Skyline Champion brought a pair of homes with thermal efficiencies. These include ceiling insulation up to R-49 and R-21 for the wall insulation. They also have energy heel trusses and ventilation baffles, weather wrap and vapor barrier. The homes also are built with:

Designs to meet or exceed geographical load requirements
Tongue and groove decking
2×4 or 2×6 wall framing
2×4 or 2×6 flooring

Manufactured homes on the national mall — MHI Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs Lesli Gooch and MHI President Dick Jennison talk with new FHFA Director Mark Calabria (center) about what manufactured homes have to offer.

Manufactured Housing Institute Plays a Vital Role

MHI, the national association for factory-built housing, paved the way for each of the new manufactured homes to be placed on the National Mall at the Innovative Housing Showcase. Each of the homes required permitting, and clearance from HUD as well as the National Park Service.

In addition, each of the homes on the mall already has been purchased and will be routed to land-lease communities in surrounding states.

“These beautiful new homes not only serve to inform government officials and the public as to what is possible in manufactured housing today, but will be lived in by individuals and families who want to buy a new manufactured home,” MHI President Dick Jennison said.

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, of New York, came to MHI’s Homes on the Hill event Tuesday afternoon and toured the homes. The Congresswoman noted the need for affordable housing and praised the industry for the solutions it provides.

“Going through these homes is alike a dream come true for me,” Rice said. “Thank you for all you do in providing these quality homes.”

HUD Secretary Ben Carson Gives Opening Remarks

Homes on the National Mall — Carson arrives on the National Mall after getting a ride in a 3D printed car.

HUD Secretary Ben Carson rode onto the National Mall in a 3D printed utility vehicle designed and manufactured by Oakridge National Laboratory. It was a grand entrance with a standing applause from the 200-plus people in attendance.

Carson, too, spoke of the value of homeownership. But it was more than the idea of offering someone who wants to buy a manufactured home the quality, design and technology for nearly half of the cost per square foot compared with site-built construction.

“HUD and our partners are now clearing a road for millions of Americans to prosper by driving the development of a new generation of homes, that are both affordable, and the other thing we’re highlighting is resilience.

“But this is not just a journey of financial stability,” he said. “But one of deep personal pride.”

Carson thanked the exhibitors for coming to D.C. at their own expense to show homes on the National Mall.

“You’ve come here to display some of the things that will make the American populous aware of some of the tremendous advancements that have been made,” He said. “But also, to make our legislators aware of what’s going on too.”

The Pros and Cons, Dos and Don’ts of Filling Vacant Mobile Home Lots

Michael Power

May 30, 2019

What is the Best Strategy for Filling Mobile Home Lots?

It’s the community owners’ lament: In filling vacant mobile home lots, do I rent, lease-option or sell with outside financing my community-owned homes?

Author’s note: Swim in safe harbors! My 30 years of experience in being the operating partner in 25 MH communities, buying, selling, renting, or leasing over 2,000 mobile homes and speaking to national and regional meetings of community owners over the past 10 years, positions me as uniquely qualified to have pointed opinions on the content I am sharing. However, my opinions and comments here are for informational purposes only, and here is why: when dealing with contractual agreements of any kind, seek out the advice of good legal counsel before implementing any new concepts or processes. In other words, “forewarned is forearmed”.

These are the points I will cover in regard to filling vacant lots:

Requiring outside chattel financing and only “selling” homes in my community
Renting homes fast-tracks a community fill-up
Taking the angst out of the lease and an option to buy

Outside Chattel Financing

In a perfect world for community owners, chattel financing would still be prevalent… but it is not. Limiting yourself to outside financing or cash sales slows the sales faucet down to a trickle. This option is best used when an owner has a high-quality community with a limited number of vacancies. Say, two to four homes at any given time. If so, upgrade your community, bring in quality homes and cherry-pick your buyers.

The Renting of Manufactured Homes

Filling Vacant Site community operator Renting manufactured homes to fill vacant lots is the best option when you have substantial vacancies because of the ability to go about quickly filling vacant sites. At my 300-site community in metropolitan Atlanta, we own 200-plus homes and rent an average of eight to 12 every month. We offer each prospect, in writing, three options to get into a home. Purchase with outside financing at a discounted rental rate; lease and an option with a $2,000 option fee; or just rent.

In four years of ownership: Zero financed sales, three lease and an option, and 200 homes rented. In the mid-2000s, I was involved with 22 communities. We owned 1,500 homes, and virtually everyone we drew in by marketing preferred to rent.

Caveat to Renting Manufactured Homes

This was all in the management of mid-size family parks in the Carolinas, so those with 55+ communities or communities in upstate New York, Oregon, Washington state and the like — where single-family rents are through the roof and there is minimal housing availability — likely would have a different experience.

If you have a community with 15-plus vacancies, then the fastest fill-up will be the true rental model.

Filling Vacant Lots — Photo courtesy of UMH Properties, Inc.

The Lease AND an Option to Purchase

My view on the LO (lease/option to purchase) is that this model should not be used to dump an older home on someone just so you can avoid the expense and time of repairs. The opportunity should be used to stabilize your tenant base by slowing resident turnover in your community. A $2,000 or $3,000 option fee can help restrain the occupant from impulsively “jumping ship.”

My recommendations: Do a quality remodeling job to attract a more desirable, more stable tenant. Accept that the majority of your residents will be living week-to-week. There is limited disposable income to pay for emergency repairs. I have seen the need to replace a hot water tank result in a move-out when they can find a $99 move-in special somewhere.

So, offer the lease-and-an-option tenant the ability to have the community repair more expensive items during the term and add that cost to the end of the lease. Require them to complete small repairs (less than $200) themselves, but if needed, the CO will do it and add the cost to their next month’s rent.

Caveats to Lease and an Option

Don’t offer to “sell” a home using an LO or rent-to-home program. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it will be viewed as a duck (sales contract), and you may be in trouble.

Don’t offer a contract where a percentage of the monthly payment is credited to reduce the principal balance of the home. That is “amortization” or, in other words, a “loan.” Quack, quack. Optioning real estate or other things such as businesses or homes has been a viable legal transaction technique in the United States for years. It works best like this: Determine the monthly payment you need, the term you want and determine the reasonable residual cash value of the home at the end of the lease term. It cannot be zero, or that is amortization! Quack, quack.

There are two contracts, not one. An option contract, which is an agreement to sell the home at a predetermined price and at a predetermined time in the future for a one-time fee (i.e. $3,000); along with the agreement that the optionee will lease the home and follow through on the payment and upkeep terms through the end of the lease period.

The optionor agrees to deliver the title unencumbered, if the lease optionee elects to exercise the option at that time and meets all the terms of the lease. The lease of the home itself is a separate document.

Recommendation: You are selling an option, not selling the home. If you agonize over the legality of the “lease and an option,” then don’t do it. Just rent the home.

Ensure MH is Part of Federal Efforts to Address Housing Shortage

Dr. Lesli Gooch

May 29, 2019

Join MHI in Continued Industry Progress on Capitol Hill

Throughout the 2018 election cycle, the issue of the affordable housing shortage echoed in races across the country. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), the national advocate for the manufactured housing industry, has been on Capitol Hill to meet the members of the 116th Congress and help them understand how manufactured housing can address the affordable housing challenges they heard about on the campaign trail.

Our consistent presence on Capitol Hill and cultivation of strong bipartisan relationships are working to ensure that manufactured housing is part of the national dialogue about ways to address the nation’s affordable housing shortage.

Manufactured Housing is Vital to the Nation’s Housing Stock

Manufactured homes are already helping millions of Americans who otherwise would not be able to afford a home. And there is great potential for manufactured homes to play a larger role in helping solve the housing shortage in our country. Through MHI’s advocacy efforts, we are ensuring policymakers embrace the quality and desirability of manufactured housing and support our industry’s growth.

And we are letting them know how much people love living in today’s manufactured housing. MHI’s extensive independent research of manufactured housing residents in 2018 shows a high level of satisfaction regarding the decision to live in a manufactured home.

Both renters and owners are happy living in manufactured homes. They cite affordability as the top reason they chose manufactured housing. Two-thirds of residents are satisfied with their manufactured homes and are likely to recommend this form of housing to others.

What MHI is Doing On Capitol Hill to Address Housing Shortage

MHI has worked to ensure that the manufactured housing industry’s priorities are well-positioned in the 116th Congress. It has secured champions across government so that federal rules and regulations support the industry’s efforts to provide quality homes at affordable prices.

We are working on a number of federal policy fronts to move the industry forward, including:

Working to improve the supply of financing for manufactured housing
Ensuring the HUD Code is up-to-date, cost-effective and encourages innovation
Advocating for manufactured housing across federal agencies
And making sure that Congress and federal officials are aware of the benefits of manufactured housing

MHI and many other manufactured housing professionals will be working on Capitol Hill during the MHI Fly-in next week, with many participating in the inaugural Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall.

MHI’s access to Washington policymakers is as strong as ever. We have an excellent message that answers the housing affordability concerns we hear. We plan to continue our constant and comprehensive efforts with Congress and the presidential administration on behalf of the industry.

Be Part of the Industry Voice in Washington

We have found that direct engagement is a big boost. MHI members talking to their elected representatives and federal agencies is an important part of advocacy. Members of Congress and senior staff members rate direct outreach from a constituent to be extremely compelling in determining whether to take action on an issue. There is strength in numbers.

We ask that you help us continue the positive momentum for manufactured housing by continuing to participate in our “Call to Action” efforts.

As a constituent, your voice can help to make sure our advocacy is as effective as possible. Effective advocacy is a partnership. MHI strives to provide the resources you need to feel comfortable reaching out to your elected officials. We believe you will find the experience of engaging with your elected officials impactful, interesting and rewarding.

To participate in our “Calls to Action”, visit MHI’s advocacy page at www.ManufacturedHousing.org, and click on “Advocacy and Issues.”

With MHI’s advocacy page, we make contacting your U.S senators and representatives easy. It only takes a few simple clicks. MHI composes the letter for you, which you can edit as needed. All you have to do is insert your contact information and click “Submit”.

Attend the MHI Fly-In for a Legislative Update, Tour Homes on the Hill

On June 4, MHI members from across the nation will have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill to meet with U.S. senators and representatives.

The power of in-person meetings with members of Congress cannot be overstated. Legislative meetings are an exceptionally impactful component of MHI’s comprehensive and highly successful advocacy approach. We hope that you will join us for our Homes on the Hill and 2019 Legislative Fly-In.

MHI has positioned the industry to build on our previous progress and will work to ensure that manufactured housing is a key part of Congress’ work to address the nation’s affordable housing shortage.

The approach has always been to build strong relationships across the political spectrum. And thanks to the efforts of our members, we are confident manufactured housing will remain a part of the affordable housing and housing finance discussions.

Clayton Launches New “Unbuilt” Campaign

Patrick Revere

May 21, 2019

Clayton Homes cutout Unbuilt campaign — The "Unbuilt" campaign kitchen cutout to a Clayton Homes factory floor.

Clayton Homes Shows Manufactured Homes Built in 3-Dimensional “Unbuilt” Advertising Campaign

Clayton Homes launched the Unbuilt campaign, an interactive facility tour with digital tools to help educate home buyers.

The new campaign details how off-site construction methods and building materials enhance performance and aesthetics.

The campaign is the result of a partnership with London-based production studio Taylor James, Ltd.

How Clayton’s Unbuilt Campaign Works

Unbuilt is a unique digital experience that animates the deconstruction of an off-site-built home – highlighting materials and features as users scroll through the page. The cutting-edge animations and 3-D computer-generated imaging provide a unique user experience.

“Off-site construction methods and materials are modern, efficient and often misunderstood,” Clayton CEO Kevin Clayton said. “Never before have customers seen such a visual, animated look inside how our homes are built. We developed these tools to provide a world-class digital experience as part of an educational initiative to help make the home buying process easier for consumers.”

Interactive Facility Tour an Added Feature to Unbuilt Campaign

To complete the Prefabulous® digital experience, Clayton also launched the Interactive Facility Tour webpage. Users take a virtual tour through a Clayton facility and experience the innovative off-site construction process from start to finish.

“Our home building facilities leverage cutting-edge technology and automation to gain efficiencies that make homeownership more attainable,” Clayton said. “We’re very excited to lift the veil and show people how this state-of-the-art building method comes together to produce our beautifully designed, quality-built homes.”

Unbuilt and the Interactive Facility Tour are a continuation of Clayton’s Prefabulous® advertising campaign that launched nationally Feb. 11 — featured in Ad Week and The Drum. With Prefabulous®, the company’s mission is to elevate the manufactured housing industry and educate the public about this innovative, efficient and modern method of construction.

unbuilt campaign billboard — Have it Made billboard for the Unbuilt campaign

HUD Withdraws Regulatory Inspection for Carport Ready Homes

Patrick Revere

May 21, 2019

Regulatory Action Overturned Following 2-year Review

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has rescinded a regulatory obligation for carport ready homes. The HUD directive necessitated an added round of inspection for any carport ready home.

The 2017 ruling had an adverse effect on the production and sales of carport ready homes. It added time and cost for inspection and approval.

MHI Worked on Rescinding Letters for Carport Ready Homes

“MHI has been advocating for HUD to rescind HUD’s 2017 carport letters since they were first issued, arguing that they are contradictory to statute and current regulations and create an unnecessary and time-consuming hurdle to the production of carport-ready homes,” the Manufactured Housing Institute states in response to the May 20 revision.

“The requirement that carport-ready home designs go through the AC (alternative construction) approval process negatively impacted the availability of this feature, which is an extremely popular and sought-after amenity for many consumers,” MHI added.

The Office of Manufactured Housing Programs in the summer of 2017 issued letters to Design Approval Primary Inspection Agencies (DAPIAs) advising that a carport meets the definition of “add-on”. Therefore, carport ready homes should receive approval on design and construction according to the process for “Alternative Construction” (AC) of manufactured homes.

HUD’s Position on Carports, Other Additions

HUD is the primary federal regulatory body for manufactured housing. It uses such requirements to ensure manufactured homes remain within the code for health and safety provisions after substantive changes to the design or construction of a home.

The department’s Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee reviewed the need for carport ready homes and other add ons to be regulated. The two-year review included consideration of MHI input, as well as public comments and testimony from other industry professionals.

“Considering feedback that the department received from the public and the MHCC and the forthcoming regulatory revisions concerning ‘accessory buildings or structures,’ HUD is taking deregulatory action and is rescinding the 2017 carport letters,” HUD said in its announcement. “Although the 2017 carport letters are being rescinded, manufacturers remain obligated to comply with HUD’s existing regulations.

“Moreover, manufacturers should remain cognizant of how a home’s performance and safety may be affected when designing and manufacturing homes for homebuyers who intend to add carports to their homes,” the statement said.

Register for MH FacTOURy Summit, June 17-18

Patrick Revere

May 21, 2019

MH FacTOURy Summit factory tour — Fairmont Homes builders frame out a new home in the Nappanee, Ind. facility.

Attend Education Sessions, Indiana MH Plants

Registration is open for the MH FacTOURy Summit, June 17-18 in Elkhart, Ind.

The sit-down education sessions in conjunction with walking tours of local manufactured housing plants are geared toward industry professionals who want to learn more about home building, home buying and sales.

The event, in its fourth year, is presented by the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association and MHVillage. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for MH FacTOURy Summit remain available.

Ron Breymier is the executive director for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association.

“We and our industry partners have put together a compelling schedule of educational seminars and factory tours for manufactured housing professionals who want to learn more about the latest building techniques, as well as marketing practices, finance options, purchasing and sales strategies,” Breymier said.

The summit will feature a full day of home seminars at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, Ind., on June 17. Factory tours at several area facilities will take place on June 18. Participating manufacturers include Adventure Homes, Champion, Clayton Homes, and Fairmont Homes.

Bruce Thelen, senior vice president at Sun Communities, Inc., will begin educational sessions with a presentation on “Building a Culture of Service to Achieve Results”.

The seminar day will include a continental breakfast, luncheon and reception for attendees.

MH FacTOURy Summit education sessions — RV/MH Hall of Fame, Elkhart, Ind.

Schedule of Speakers/Presenters at MH FacTOURy Summit

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Bruce Thelen, Sun Communities: “Building a Culture of Service to Achieve Results”
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Morning Break
10:15 – 11:30 a.m. Darren Krolewski, MHVillage: “Social Media Mastery”
11:30 – 12:15 p.m. Lunch
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. MH Financing Options
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Dee Pizer, Zeman Homes: “How to Buy the Right Manufactured Home”
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. John Ace Underwood, SellingEDGE: “Lead Management: Your Marketing May Be Your Goldmine”
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Break
3:30 – 4:45 p.m. MH Manufacturer Panel
4:45 – 6:00 p.m. Reception

Manufactured housing community owner/operators and retailers can find more information, stay updated and register for MH FacTOURy Summit 2019 by visiting the event website at mhfactourysummit.com.

2019 MH FacTOURy Summit Hotel Reservations

Hotel reservations in association with the MH FacTOURy Summit are available at Four Points by Sheraton Elkhart, 3254 Cassopolis Street on or before May 31. Rooms are available for Sunday, June 16 and Monday June 17. Reservations need to be made by calling the hotel directly at (574) 333-3707.

Ask for the “Indiana Manufactured Housing Association” room block for the discounted rate of $105 per night.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available for 2019 FacTOURy Summit

Manufactured housing industry suppliers can attend the 2019 MH FacTOURy Summit as an event exhibitor. Also, sponsorship opportunities remain available. More information is available at the event website mhfactourysummit.com.

Innovative Housing Showcase on Capitol Hill Set for June 1-5

Patrick Revere

May 21, 2019

Innovative Housing Showcase affordable housing bus tour YIMBY

Forces Combine for Big Housing Week in Washington

Innovative and affordable housing will be the central topics in Washington, D.C., June 1-5 as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development hosts its inaugural Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall.

In addition, the Manufactured Housing Institute will hold its annual Fly-in legislative update that same week, moved up to coincide with the new national event.

‘Innovative Housing Showcase’ on the National Mall June 1-5

HUD Sec. Ben Carson announced in March that the department would host the showcase June 1-5 on the National Mall.

Organizers position the event as one that should “educate policy makers and the broader public on the new housing innovations and building technologies that are addressing affordable housing challenges across the country.”

The homes on the National Mall will feature solutions to make housing more affordable for American families and more resilient during natural disasters, HUD said in its announcement.

The Showcase is Open to the Public, Free of Charge

Seventeen exhibitors are scheduled through the week to show new products, programs and services related to innovative and informative housing. Those exhibitors include Cavco Industries, Skyline Champion and UMH Properties, all representatives from the manufactured housing industry. Other exhibitors include Boxabl, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and Snap Space Solutions.

Schedule for Innovative Housing Showcase

Each day during the Showcase is designated for a target audience. Following is an overview of HUD’s schedule for the Innovative Housing Showcase.

Saturday, June 1: General Public Day with opening remarks from HUD Sec. Ben Carson as well as a professional panel moderated by Rich Binsacca, of Professional Builder Magazine.
Sunday, June 2: State/Local Government Day includes a presentation on the latest building innovations and technologies as well as a talk on local solutions to housing problems.
Monday, June 3: Federal Government Day includes remarks from FHFA Director Mark Calabria and a panel on disaster recovery and mitigation.
Tuesday, June 4: Capitol Hill Day includes opening remarks from the National Association of Home Builders CEO Jerry Howard as well as a discussion on impacts of housing policy.
Wednesday, June 5: Industry Day includes a panel on “A Holistic Approach to Veteran Housing and Healing” as well as a forecast on what the next 10 years may hold for real estate.

Homes on the Hill and MHI Fly-in June 3-4

The Manufactured Housing Institute, the nation’s lone representative for all aspects of the factory-built housing industries, invites its members to Washington, D.C., each year for a legislative update. This year the event has been moved up a week to coincide with HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase.

Following is MHI’s schedule for its two days:

Monday, June 3
2 p.m.: Orientation and Issues Meeting
5 p.m.: Networking Reception
Tuesday, June 4
7:30 a.m.: Breakfast and Issues Meeting
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Meetings in Congressional Offices
Noon: Lunch and Champions of Homeownership Awards
4:30 p.m.: Networking Reception

MHI members can still register for Home on the Hill, and sponsorship opportunities for the event remain as well. Also, association members are eligible for special pricing on hotel reservations at The Liaison while occupancy remains.

Check Back Regularly with MHInsider Through June 5 for Updates on Housing News from Washington, D.C.

MHVillage, the publisher of MHInsider magazine and blog, as well as Datacomp Appraisal, will have team members on Capitol Hill during the first week of June to provide insight, news and updates for manufactured housing professionals.

HUD Sec. Carson Points to Manufactured Housing for Affordability

Patrick Revere

May 7, 2019

Carson Talk to Manufactured Housing Professionals Centers on Cooperation for a Greater Good

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson levied his commitment to manufactured housing during his address at the MHI Congress and Expo in New Orleans.

Carson, a former neurosurgeon and presidential hopeful, addressed manufactured housing professionals for consecutive years at the annual event.

Addressing over 1,400 industry attendees, Sec. Carson said, praised factory-built options for Americans in need of an affordable housing option.

“manufactured housing is an active ingredient in the medication we are prescribing for a stronger America,” he said.

The Manufactured Housing Institute’s continued outreach to HUD resulted in the Secretary’s strong remarks. In addition, last Wednesday, he spoke to HUD’s Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee in Washington, D.C.

Objectives for Affordable Housing

Carson told attendees that the nation’s housing shortage is an issue of supply and demand. He said HUD’s strategy is focused on increasing supply.

“Since the key constraint on supply is the cost of new construction and development, the solution to the problem is to change the cost side of the equation,” he said. “Manufactured housing has emerged out of the limestone and stepped into the limelight, to address precisely this need.”

His talk highlighted the benefits of land-lease manufactured home communities, as well. They “combine affordability with a sense of neighborhood and lifestyle,” he said. “The fact that manufactured homes can be so beautifully done – and in fact are often indistinguishable from site-built homes – is manufactured housing’s best-kept secret.”

That secret deserves to be told, he said. Carson advised that political leanings giving way to common goals can help tell that story.

Sec. Carson Affordable Housing Packed House — HUD Sec. Ben Carson spoke about affordable housing to a packed house at the MHI Congress & Expo in New Orleans.

Industry Priorities Focus on Refined Regulatory Policy

A top priority of MHI is expediting changes to the federal code on manufactured homes, their finance and placement.

Through ongoing outreach with the administration, HUD, and Congress, MHI has pushed for a regulatory climate that favors manufactured housing.

Manufactured housing is the greatest form of non-subsidized affordable housing.

“For every family that’s not subsidized, you’re saving taxpayer money,” he said.

“The foundations of a better tomorrow are built with the new techniques and new technologies of today, and for manufactured housing, that time is now,” he said.

MHVillage, Datacomp Earn MHI Supplier of the Year for 2019

Patrick Revere

May 7, 2019

Award Presented at 2019 MHI Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards at Congress & Expo

Datacomp and MHVillage, longtime partners in the manufactured housing industry, have been named MHI Supplier of the Year in association with the 2019 MHI Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards at the annual Manufactured Housing Institute’s Congress & Expo, held this year in New Orleans May 6-8.

Datacomp was founded in 1987 and is the largest independent provider of market-based manufactured home appraisal, inspections and competitive market data. MHVillage, founded in 2004, is the largest marketplace for mobile and manufactured homes with 25 million visitors annually, representing more than $3 billion worth of mobile home sales and rental transactions.

MHVillage and Datacomp were chosen from a field of about a dozen industry entrants in the supplier category. The Supplier of the Year award was announced and presented May 7 to MHVillage/Datacomp Co-Presidents Michael Boers and Darren Krolewski.

“It is as an honor to receive this award among a field of so many deserving suppliers to the industry, and to be named alongside the top manufacturers, communities, retailers, and lenders in the manufactured housing industry,” said Boers. “We are proud of the work we do in appraisal, inspection and market data. And our leadership team owes a great amount of gratitude to our staff and the clients we serve.”

News and Industry Trends from The MHInsider

The MHVillage/Datacomp team focused on communicating to MHI the value of products and services developed during 2018. This includes the launch of The MHInsider magazine. The MHInsider is a high-quality manufactured housing industry news publication that circulates to 31,500 readers nationwide.

The MHInsider magazine, which followed the July 2017 launch of the MHInsider blog for manufactured housing professionals, has served to cement MHVillage as the premier technology, advertising and publishing organization in the manufactured housing industry.

“The last of the former industry journals ceased publication in late 2016, and created what we saw a real void in manufactured housing news for industry professionals,” said Krolewski, who also serves in the role of chief business development officer for the companies. “We took it upon ourselves to fill that void, and do so in a way that truly captured the tremendous work being done by our manufactured housing colleagues from all corners of the industry.”

In 2019, The MHInsider magazine expanded publication from quarterly to bi-monthly. This is an effort to better serve manufactured housing professionals in access to industry trends, features and news.

For advertising opportunities with the MHInsider magazine and blog, please contact MHInsider account Executive Joy Adams at (616) 988-4297. For editorial feedback and contributions, please contact MHInsider Publisher Patrick Revere at (616) 888-6994.

Readers can sign up at MHInsider.com to receive the MHInsider print magazine in the mail. Industry professionals also can read an electronic version of the magazine, and stay upon industry news via the MHInsider professional blog.

A Productive Year for Datacomp/MHVillage

Datacomp/MHVillage opted to profile in its successful application for Supplier of the Year the following achievements:

JLT Market Reports

JLT Market Reports within the last year has expanded coverage of community rent, occupancy and other integral operating details to more than 170 major markets. Datacomp acquired JLT Market Reports in 2014. JLT Market Reports have been the gold standard for manufactured housing community information for more than 25 years.

Home Listing Partnership

The Florida Manufactured Housing Association and MHVillage entered a vital operating partnership in 2018. It includes home listings powered by MHVillage through a branded “Find A Home” feature that can be accessed through each organizations’ website.

Continued and Expanded Association Work

Datacomp and MHVillage are active members of MHI. In addition, they are members of regional and local organizations that include associations in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, and Texas.

National Advisory Roles

Datacomp Co-President Michael Boers serves as chairman of the Fannie Mae Manufactured Housing “Duty to Serve” Advisory Council. He also serves as a member of the MHI Financial Services Committee Board of Directors

Programming, Sponsorship and Promotion of Industry Events

The partner companies provide programming, sponsorship and promotional support to numerous industry events. This includes The Louisville Show, The Tunica Show, The International Networking Roundtable, SECO Conference and others.

The team at Datacomp/MHVillage applauds the industry for its hard work and dedication during the last year. Both companies are eager to continue valuable partnerships and growth during a productive 2019 for the manufactured housing industry.

Excellence in Manufactured Housing: 2019 MHI Award Winners

Patrick Revere

May 7, 2019

Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards

UMH, YES Skyline Champion, Palm Harbor, Three Stone, Advantage Homes Among 2019 Winners

The 2019 MHI Congress & Expo in New Orleans is officially underway with more than 1,400 registered manufactured housing professionals in attendance.

During Monday’s pre-event programming, a pair of land-lease communities won awards for Excellence in Manufactured Housing, presented at the National Communities Council spring meeting.

excellene in manufactured housing memphis blues — An aerial view of the expansion to Memphis Blues, a UMH property in Tennessee. Photo courtesy of UMH Properties.

UMH Properties – Eastern Region Land-Lease Community of the Year

UMH Properties, which owns and operates communities in eight states, won for land-lease community of the year in the eastern region. The award-winning community is Memphis Blues, a new gated community developed in 2017. Memphis Blues is a first-of-its-kind community, featuring all rental homes. And it sits just minutes away from the heart of Memphis.

Each home in Memphis Blues has an open floor plan, central air, dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator. In addition, the homes include personal patios, sheds, landscaped yards, and two-car driveways.

Community amenities feature a basketball court, dog park, business center, and outdoor pavilion. Memphis Blues is 100 percent occupied with 39 homesites. Two more phases of expansion will add another 97 homesites.

The award was received by Sam Landy, president and CEO of UMH Properties, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary.

UMH Properties also won the Excellence in Manufactured Housing Award for Interior Design. The award was accepted by UMH Director of Pubilc Relations Kristi McGovern and Director of Marketing Abby Goldberg.

Yes! Communities – Western Region Land-Lease Community of the Year

Yes! Communities, a nation-wide community owner and operator, won the Land-Lease Community of the Year for the Western Region. The award-winning community Chalet City, an all-ages community in Crowley, Texas.

Chalet City sits on 40 acres, and in 2018 received more than $200,000 in community improvements. Its amenities include a swimming pool, soccer field, basketball court, dog park, and a newly remodeled clubhouse.

Karen Hamilton, chief operating officer and David Whitworth, senior vice president of western operations accepted the award for YES! Communities.

Yes! Communities also won the Excellence in Manufactured Housing award for Community Operator of the Year, accepted by Hamilton and Steve Schaub, CEO of Yes!.

Excellence in Manufactured Housing Retailer of the Year Awards

Three Stone Homes and Advantage Homes earned the Retailer of the Year awards, for the east and west regions respectively. Three Stone is located in Rogersville, Mo. The retailer began operating in 2013, and has grown at an annual rate of 30 percent during that time.

“The vision of Three Stone Homes was to develop a retail sales center that would serve as a premier showplace for their home product lines,” MHI’s Rick Robinson said during the presentation. “They wanted to make sure customers saw that affordable homes could still be beautiful through the use of quality construction and functional design.”

Advantage Homes operates 11 locations in California from its headquarters in San Jose, Calif.

“Owners Todd and Cindy Su are building a national brand with core values of teamwork, a culture of employee happiness, a focus on customers and by prioritizing giving back to the community,” Robinsons said in his introduction for the Sus. “They host several events throughout the year including Easter egg hunts, back-to-school supplies giveaways and helping seniors in communities with yard work as part of their goal to make a positive difference in their community.

Manufacturers of the Year at MHI Congress & Expo in New Orleans

Clayton Homes won the Manufacturer of the Year award for a builder with three plants or more, and Adventure Homes won the award for Excellence in Manufactured Housing award for a builder with less than three plants.

excellence in manufactured housing supplier of the year — Datacomp/MHVillage accept the 2019 Supplier of the Year award at MHI’s Congress & Expo in New Orleans.

Supplier of the Year for Excellence in Manufactured Housing

Datacomp and MHVillage won the 2019 MHI award for Supplier of the Year. Company Co-presidents Darren Krolewski and Michael Boers accepted the award.

“It’s a privilege to do what we do in the industry,” Krolewski said. “We appreciate your support, particularly with The MHInsider magazine through advertising and keeping connected with us to let us know what’s happening in the industry.”

National Lender and Floorplan Lender of the Year

21st Morgage won a pair of awards in the lending category, for floorplan lending and national lender of the year.

In 2018, 21^st Mortgage registered record loan volume, originating more than $1.5 billion in manufactured home loans. At the end of last year, 21st was serving more than 181,000 customers with about $9.4 billion in new and used home loans.

Cascade Financial Services Excellence in Manufactured Housing — George Dover and Cody Pearce from Cascade Financial Services added to their collection of MHI awards in 2019.

Regional Lender of the Year for Excellence in Manufactured Housing

Cascade Financial Services, of Chandler, Ariz., won the annual award for Regional Lender of the Year. In 2018, Cascade expanded its chattel loan offerings and continued to strengthen land/home financing programs. A great deal of its growth comes from a commitment to technology that streamlines and improves the loan process, for the customer as well as the company’s originators and services.

Lender/Broker of the Year

Yale Realty and Capital Advisors won the award among lender/brokers. The company has been dedicated to preserving and expanding the manufactured housing industry since it entered the business 14 years ago. Yale’s primary focus is to see communities maintained and improved, creating viable places to live for many years to come.

“Relationships and meeting client needs are the heart of Yale’s business and have been the key to their growth and success,” MHI’s Robinson said during the presentation. “Prior to an owner thinking of sale, the Yale team engages with the owner in order to help maximize the community’s occupancy and the tenants’ experience in the community.”

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EVENTS

Industry Professionals Greet Legislators for Display of Homes on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

How Should Homes on the National Mall Be Leveraged?

Who is Showing Homes on the National Mall?

Details on the Manufactured Homes on Display in Washington, D.C.

Cavco Industries and UMH Properties

Skyline Champion Corporation

Manufactured Housing Institute Plays a Vital Role

HUD Secretary Ben Carson Gives Opening Remarks

What is the Best Strategy for Filling Mobile Home Lots?

These are the points I will cover in regard to filling vacant lots:

Outside Chattel Financing

The Renting of Manufactured Homes

Caveat to Renting Manufactured Homes

The Lease AND an Option to Purchase

Caveats to Lease and an Option

Join MHI in Continued Industry Progress on Capitol Hill

Manufactured Housing is Vital to the Nation’s Housing Stock

What MHI is Doing On Capitol Hill to Address Housing Shortage

Be Part of the Industry Voice in Washington

Attend the MHI Fly-In for a Legislative Update, Tour Homes on the Hill

Clayton Homes Shows Manufactured Homes Built in 3-Dimensional “Unbuilt” Advertising Campaign

How Clayton’s Unbuilt Campaign Works

Interactive Facility Tour an Added Feature to Unbuilt Campaign

Regulatory Action Overturned Following 2-year Review

MHI Worked on Rescinding Letters for Carport Ready Homes

HUD’s Position on Carports, Other Additions

Attend Education Sessions, Indiana MH Plants

Schedule of Speakers/Presenters at MH FacTOURy Summit

2019 MH FacTOURy Summit Hotel Reservations

Sponsorship Opportunities Available for 2019 FacTOURy Summit

Forces Combine for Big Housing Week in Washington

‘Innovative Housing Showcase’ on the National Mall June 1-5

The Showcase is Open to the Public, Free of Charge

Homes on the Hill and MHI Fly-in June 3-4

Following is MHI’s schedule for its two days:

Check Back Regularly with MHInsider Through June 5 for Updates on Housing News from Washington, D.C.

Carson Talk to Manufactured Housing Professionals Centers on Cooperation for a Greater Good

Objectives for Affordable Housing

Industry Priorities Focus on Refined Regulatory Policy

Award Presented at 2019 MHI Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards at Congress & Expo

News and Industry Trends from The MHInsider

A Productive Year for Datacomp/MHVillage

Datacomp/MHVillage opted to profile in its successful application for Supplier of the Year the following achievements:

JLT Market Reports

Home Listing Partnership

Continued and Expanded Association Work

National Advisory Roles

Programming, Sponsorship and Promotion of Industry Events

UMH, YES Skyline Champion, Palm Harbor, Three Stone, Advantage Homes Among 2019 Winners

UMH Properties – Eastern Region Land-Lease Community of the Year

Yes! Communities – Western Region Land-Lease Community of the Year

Excellence in Manufactured Housing Retailer of the Year Awards

Manufacturers of the Year at MHI Congress & Expo in New Orleans

Supplier of the Year for Excellence in Manufactured Housing

National Lender and Floorplan Lender of the Year

Regional Lender of the Year for Excellence in Manufactured Housing

Lender/Broker of the Year

EVENTS

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