Ben Carson addresses the manufactured housing industry in Las Vegas in 2018.
HUD Sec. Ben Carson is the Keynote at MHI’s Congress & Expo in Las Vegas
MHI’s Congress & Expo in Las Vegas hosted one of its most prominent keynote speakers in the show’s history this year, with a presentation and informal Q&A with Ben Carson, former Republican nominee for President and current U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary.
In the address, Sec. Carson reaffirmed to an attendance of more than 1,400 manufactured housing professionals his commitment to reforming the department’s manufactured housing program.
Sec. Carson stated the importance of manufactured housing as a source for addressing the nation’s affordable housing crisis and that HUD’s approach to the regulation of manufactured housing should change.
“According to the economists, we are experiencing the biggest jump in housing prices in four years – prices are rising while the supply of housing is getting smaller. It’s basic supply and demand,” said Sec. Carson. “That’s why everyone in this audience and the manufactured housing industry is so important – and that’s why I am here today. You are a big part of the solution to providing unsubsidized, quality, affordable housing.”
Sec. Carson Supports Manufactured Housing as Affordable Solution
A top priority of MHI has been creating a more cooperative regulatory environment at HUD for manufactured housing. Through ongoing outreach with the White House, HUD and Congress, MHI contends that the regulatory climate for manufactured housing at HUD needs to change.
“HUD is now positioned to usher in a new era of cooperation and coordination with your industry. Make no mistake, we understand how you are vital to our economy and to our agency’s goal of making safe, quality, desirable and affordable homes for millions of hard working Americans,” Carson said.
MHI President Dick Jennison opened Wednesday morning’s remarks, noting the uptick in the industry and the observations that the 2018 Congress and Expo has experienced its highest attendance in about a dozen years.
“Sec. Carson has continued HUD’s dedication to safe, fair and affordable housing for all Americans,” he said. “What better way to address need than with manufactured housing.”
In his remarks, Sec. Carson also recognized the work the industry is doing to make homes more affordable and to create good paying jobs. He noted that the administration appreciates all the efforts underway in the industry specifically highlighting the use of American suppliers and products when constructing manufactured homes.
This is report from the 2018 MHI’s Congress and Expo is made available to MHInsider readers through cooperation with the Manufactured Housing Institute, the only national trade organization representing factory-built housing.
The White House from Adventure Homes won a design award for homes larger than 1,800 square feet
MHI Awards Given for Manufactured and Modular Home Designs, Retailers and Communities
The Manufactured Housing Institute presented members of the manufactured and
modular housing industries with awards for outstanding achievements during its National Communities Council Spring Forum and National Congress and Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing in Las Vegas.
The annual awards recognize the country’s best manufactured home communities, retail sales centers, lenders, suppliers and industry leaders in new manufactured and modular home designs.
“The award recipients exemplify some of the best the industry offers,” said MHI President and CEO Richard Jennison.
“Manufacturers, suppliers, lenders, community owners and retailers work together to create innovative products using the latest technology to help the industry grow, all the while helping people to have a quality, affordable home,” he said. “Every year the bar is raised to build beautiful, affordable homes with the features homebuyers want and to make manufactured home communities even more desirable places to live.”
The 2018 award-winning accomplishments include:
Replacing older manufactured homes in a community with energy-efficient, solar-ready manufactured homes.
Providing a full range of lending programs for retailers and manufacturers, especially to help them rebuild inventories after the devastating storms last year.
Innovative home designs to meet homebuyer wants and needs.
Retail sales centers that go the extra mile for a smooth home-buying experience and give back to the community.
Company of the Year Awards
Every year industry leaders vote for the Companies of the Year that are considered the best in their industry sector. The recipients have shown leadership and commitment to the industry during the last year and were chosen by their peers to be honored with the prestigious awards.
Community Operator of the Year – (a tie): YES! Communities & UMH Properties
Manufacturer of the Year (3 plants or more): Clayton Home Building Group
Manufacturer of the Year (2 plants or less): Adventure Homes
Supplier of the Year: Style Crest, Inc.
National Lender of the Year: 21st Mortgage Corporation
Regional Lender of the Year: Cascade Financial Services
Floorplan Lender of the Year: 21st Mortgage Corporation
Manufactured Home Community Lender of the Year (a tie): Yale Realty; Capital Advisors and Wells Fargo Bank
Manufactured Home Community Broker or Supplier of the Year: ARA Newmark Manufactured Housing Community Group
Land-Lease Community of the Year Awards
The Land-Lease Community of the Year entries were judged based on a written statement supplied by the entrant, community aesthetics, marketing materials, site plan of the community, community and industry involvement, and the lease and covenants.
Land-Lease Community of the Year for the South: Woodlake in Greensboro, N.C., YES! Communities
Land-Lease Community of the Year for the Midwest: Woods Edge in West Lafayette, Ind., UMH Properties
Land-Lease Community of the Year for the West: Rosewood Estates in El Mirage, Ariz., YES! Communities
Land-Lease Community of the Year for the Northeast / Mid-Atlantic: Brook Ridge in Hooksett, N.H., JENSEN Communities
Retail Sales Center of the Year Awards
The Retail Sales Center of the Year award entries are judged based on an entry statement, management philosophy, retail center aesthetics, marketing materials and community and industry involvement.
Retail Sales Center of the Year for the South: Greenfield Housing Center, Garner, N.C.
Retail Sales Center of the Year for the Midwest (a tie): Three Stone Homes of Rogersville, Mo., and Clayton Homes of Frazeysburg, Ohio
Retail Sales Center of the Year for the West: Advantage Homes, San Jose, Calif.
Retail Sales Center of the Year for the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Oakwood Homes of Farmville, Va.
Design Awards
The design awards recognize excellence and encourage innovation in manufactured and modular home design and production.
Manufactured Home Design
New Manufactured Home Design – Small home under 600 square feet: The Heron by Champion Home Builders
New Manufactured Home Design – 1,800 square feet or less: Silvercrest Kingsbrook Series, Model 34 by Champion Home Builders
New Manufactured Home Design – Over 1,800 square feet: The White House by Adventure Homes
New Single-Section Manufactured Home Design: The Hudson by Adventure Homes
Modular Home Design
New Modular Home Design – 1,800 square feet or less: The Brooklyn by Champion Home Builders
New Modular Home Design – Over 1,800 square feet: The Lakeport by Champion Home Builders
New Modular Multi-Family or Duplex Design: Bresee Project by Palm Harbor Homes
Interior Design/Home Merchandising
The following interior design/home merchandising awards recognizes excellence in functionality of space/problem solving, visual impact/color and balance for a unified look.
Manufactured or Modular Model Home Interior Design: The Pecos, Clayton Homes of Mabank, Texas
Land Lease Community Clubhouse Interior Design: Sleepy Hollow in Fort Worth, Texas YES! Communities with Lifestylist Brands
Energy Efficiency
A new category this year is energy efficiency.
National Energy Efficiency Leader of the Year Award: The Village in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Newport Pacific Capital.
The MHI National Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing is being held on April 24-26 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. In fact, there were two pre-event networking opportunities available on Monday April 23. Participants could take part in the 14th Annual Golf Open or the 2nd Annual Hart King / Lutz, Bobo & Telfair Trap and Skeet Shoot.
A Great Day and a Great Event
The morning kicked off with a safety briefing and breakfast at the John Mull’s Road Kill Grill, located on site. In addition, everything that participants needed for the day was provided, round transportation, Range Safety Officer, Range Supervisor, 50 clays per person (two rounds), shotgun rentals, ammunition, ear plugs, safety glasses, shotgun fields and cleaning fees. Actually, the only thing you needed to bring was a little sunscreen and a willingness to have fun and get to know folks in the industry!
After the instruction, then it was off for Trap Shooting. Participants ranged from the very experienced to those who had never shot a gun. However, expert firearms instruction on the field from the Range Safety Officer made sure that everyone had a great time. Indeed, there were lots of cheers and rooting each other on as well as plenty of time to network.
After rounds of Trap shooting to warm up, it was off to the Sporting Clays. Teams were given Round Transportation and were able to have a little fun competition on the field. The course was fun and challenging for everyone and the beautiful Nevada weather made being outside wonderful.
This special networking event held at Nevada’s 5-Star outdoor shooting facility was for charity. It benefited the manufactured housing industry’s political advocacy to advance factory-built housing. Everyone involved agreed that it was a great day and a great event supporting a truly worthwhile cause.
Michigan Manufactured Housing Association (MMHA) develops media campaign highlighting the benefits of manufactured homes.
OKEMOS, MI—With a surge in the economy and a growing interest in manufactured homes, the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association (MMHA) created a television and coordinating online media campaign highlighting the multiple benefits of manufactured home ownership.
In 2016, 2,379 single-section homes and 1,487 multi-section homes were shipped to Michigan. The MMHA wants to continue the industry’s momentum and educate potential home buyers on manufactured housing quality, style, lifestyle and affordability.
“We are targeting those who are looking for alternatives to traditional built homes,” said Bill Sheffer, executive director of MMHA. “These are people who expect quality and style for their home but don’t want the wait or costs associated with stick-built homes.”
In early March, the MMHA launched a digital online ad and remarketing campaign to encourage potential home buyers to visit the MMHA website to learn more about the industry and find home sellers and communities in Michigan, at michhome.org. In the first 30 days of the online campaign, the ads delivered 840,000 impressions and nearly 1,800 clicks to the website.
In addition, the MMHA created a state-wide TV campaign airing on the Comcast cable network. Two, 15-second commercials were developed and displayed as “bookends.” The campaign will run thru April 22.
The “Discover the Potential” campaign features photos of trend-setting home features and beautiful communities while acknowledging there are more than 300 manufactured home communities and sellers in Michigan.
The Michigan Manufactured Housing Association is dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of manufactured and modular home living and connecting people interested in finding a community or home with its members. MMHA is one of Michigan’s oldest trade associations, founded in 1941. MMHA is a nonprofit association representing the manufactured and modular home industry in Michigan. MMHA works to improve the image of manufactured and modular housing by educating consumers, media and government about the quality, affordability, design and beauty of the homes.
For more information, visit the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association at www.michhome.org or contact MMHA, 2222 Association Drive, Okemos, MI 48864-5978; 517.349.3300.
Hospitality Has Remained a Central Theme for Sun Communities
Sun Communities started in Michigan more than 40 years ago, creating enjoyable and affordable manufactured home developments, places for families to live, play and grow.
Its success in development and community have allowed the company to go national, go public and begin operating retirement communities, snowbird RV resorts and northern family campgrounds. Diversity is an element of the company history and strategy that continues to strengthen corporate culture and Sun’s growth plan.
“The root of the business is on the family Manufactured Housing side,” Sun Communities President and COO John McLaren said. “That could be called the hub, and with that hub comes a very strong stable revenue base. It’s manufactured housing, and we all know that. It’s allowed us to grow into the complementary business lines.
“The important part of all of this is that it brings us today to a very balance portfolio,” he said. “We feel that our portfolio balance, along with our roots in land development, provide us with the widest net possible for future growth opportunity in affordable housing.”
Affordable housing, Retirement, Vacationing
McLaren said every bit of success the company has had to do with sustained company culture.
“I can’t emphasize the importance of our culture enough, and we talk about it every day,” McLaren said.
Sun Communities’ vision is to be “an inspired, engaged and collaborative team committed to providing extraordinary service to guests, residents and each other”. If the customer experience at the communities is what it should be, the residents and guests essentially become the sales force for the brand.
“We have many guests who enjoy both types of properties having two homes, one in a snowbird community and another in the north,” McLaren said.
The RV business is a lot more retail in nature than the MH side. But, there is a lot to learn from each side of the business. And that learning can apply to both industries, and can help accelerate growth across the portfolio.
“Our social media and overall marketing presence is very important, but… Nothing compares to the type of business and growth you can gain from the customer experience on the property and the word-of-mouth,” he said. “That experience on the ground is the real driver for us. It’s like having a sales force of customers on the ground, and that realization came largely from the RV business. We have a resident sales force.”
That kind of emphasis on customer experience at the community is difficult to achieve and maintain; requiring consistent effort on all levels.
“We’re a culture that really believes anything is possible,” McLaren said.
The Golden Rule
When he became chief operating office at Sun Communities in 2008, McLaren began touring properties. Managers everywhere had plaques hanging up with a customer service philosophy. It always seemed to be a dozen bullet points no one could remember.
“We needed to simplify this, and it starts with The Golden Rule, and everyone knows what that is,” McLaren said. “Treat others the way you wish to be treated. And then there are three words of paramount importance… communication, visibility and attitude.”
McLaren took it upon himself to knock on doors, and talk to residents and guests. He still does. He asks how they like their community and he listens. When Sun acquires new communities, which they’ve done quite a bit of lately, McLaren collaborates with management, asks questions and listens.
Communication, Visibility and Attitude.
“We understand that everyone has a bad day, and that can come from a lot of different places,” McLaren said. “But we ask that each of us stays in a positive frame of mind. And from there it gets back to the Golden Rule again.
To help with visibility of good communication and a positive attitude, Sun uses an internal portal. It’s a social network really, they call “The Fridge”.
“And our thought was that, when you were a kid and did something good, you wanted people to see it, you put it on the fridge,” McLaren said. “That’s the place. You posted it up and you were proud of it. And for us ‘the fridge’ is a place to come together, share knowledge, and to celebrate.”
Plenty to Celebrate
Sun Communities was 15+ years in business when they went public in December of 1993. The company had 36 properties. During the next decade it would grow to 136 communities and 45,000 homesites.
The industry, along with many others, slowed during 2002 through 2011. Then Sun Communities re-entered an expansion mode, acquiring communities, some community portfolios, and expanding existing properties.
“We’ve grown into 350 communities in 29 states and Ontario, with 122,000 sites total,” McLaren said. “The value of all of that growth is a little more than $4.5 billion in acquisitions.
“Some of it was through large portfolio transactions, but there’s also a large portion of what we call ‘onesies and twosies’,” he said. “We describe it in investors meetings this way with every acquisition since 2011 being a bit of dress rehearsal and thoughtful refinement for the next one.”
Expansion in all Directions
In 2017 alone, Sun Communities had $150 million in acquisitions. This includes nine operating communities with 2,700 sites located in California, Florida, Illinois and Michigan. The company has acquired land in Myrtle Beach for an 840-site RV resort. And it will open another new RV property, Cava Robles in California Wine Country, during the second quarter. There’s a third for Larksburg, south of Denver, along with new sites for MH developments under consideration as well.
The company doesn’t shy away from development because zoning is difficult. Or because entitlement takes time. In fact, they embrace the process.
“During 2017, we built 2,100 expansion sites on our existing manufactured home and RV properties, and we anticipate an additional 1,350 expansion sites to be built in 2018,” McLaren said.
Investments grade communities remain available, even if CAP rates are less generous than during previous times. Sun Communities expects to build onto a successful 2017 organically and through strategic expansion/ground-up development and acquisitions in many of its geographic locations across the country.
“We look at individual communities on their own merits and how those merits fit in with our portfolio strategy,” McLaren said. “Looking at Florida alone, there’s a reason so many people love to live in Florida. We have four decades of experience there, and occupancies have remained in the high 90s”.
“We are very proud of our culture and matching that with over 40 years of experience in property operations and development establishes a wonderful foundation for growth.. As an example, in 2017 our team gained 2,406 sites of occupancy. That’s like adding eight fully occupied 300 site communities to your portfolio on top of the future runway being developed. That’s exciting!”
John McLaren, President and COO of Sun Communities
Sun Communities had a good 2017 and the Future is Bright
In 2017, Sun Communities’ total revenues increased $148.8 million, or 17.9 percent, to $982.6 million compared to $833.8 million in 2016.
“Our strong 2017 results demonstrate our commitment to creating shareholder value by sustaining our high-quality portfolio and delivering best in class service to our residents and guests,” Sun Communities Chairman and CEO Gary A. Shiffman said in the company’s year-end reporting.
“We begin 2018 with an optimistic outlook and an enthusiasm to once again deliver industry leading organic growth,” he said. “Consistent annual rent increases, opportunities to capture occupancy gains, the ongoing development and lease up of our available expansion sites, and the opportunity to convert transient RV sites to annual leases over time provide us with a runway to deliver ongoing attractive results.”
Sun Communities’ measures on Wall Street have been bright across the board, indicative of its effective strategy and a strong market.
Core funds from operations for the year was $4.17 per share as compared to $3.79 in the prior year, an increase of 10.0 percent.
Same community net operating income increased 6.9 percent for the year compared to the year prior.
Home sales volumes increased 11.6 percent and 3.5 percent for the final quarter and year end, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2016.
Revenue producing sites increased by 2,406 sites for 2017 compared to a 1,686 site increase for 2016.
In Town for Congress & Expo? Take a look at Vegas Above and Beyond the Casinos
You know the casinos and hotels, but there’s more to Vegas than trying your luck at Blackjack. There’s so much to see and do, you might just have to extend your stay into the weekend!
If you plan to extend your stay while in Vegas for the Congress & Expo, make sure to check availability online ahead of time. Some attractions require tickets to be purchased in advance.
Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
The Eiffel Tower Experience
Lift yourself above the lights and commotion of the Las Vegas strip with the one-of-a-kind Eiffel Tower Experience. An iconic landmark on the city’s skyline, this attraction is 46 stories up and provides 360-degree views of all that happens below. The half-scale replica of the famed French tower is an ideal venue for date nights and photo ops. Especially romantic at night, the views of Vegas are unmatched. Have dinner on the 35th floor and stop by the Total Snapshot kiosk to purchase a commemorative photo of your “France in Vegas” experience above the strip. It’s a perfect keepsake for an unforgettable moment. https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-vegas/things-to-do/eiffel-tower For Group Sales For information, contact the Citywide Attractions Group Sales Team at (702) 322-0537 or by emailing CitywideAttractions@caesars.com.
Exhibits and Festivals Beyond the Casinos
Before catching a dazzling Vegas show, consider checking out one of the events or opportunities available to you this week:
Great American Foodie Fest
Head to Sunset Station this weekend, Thursday to Saturday, and you’ll find some of best gourmet food trucks in the country — many have been featured on the Food Network, the Cooking Channel and the Travel Channel. Past vendors include Cousins Maine Lobster, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Jogasaki Sushi Burrito. The event also will feature carnival rides, a beer garden, food competitions and more.
Do you hold a passion for the good, ol’ American Muscle car? Head to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, Friday to Sunday, to see your favorite Mopars, GMs and Fords compete in drag racing, autocross, pony car races and more! You can even get up close to your favorite cars at the MoPower Cruise and Manufacturers Midway, or catch some tunes at the Cannery Concerts.
Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection
You don’t have to be a military history buff to enjoy this exhibit. The samurai weren’t just warriors; as aristocrats, they were poets, calligraphers and philosophers who developed their own culture, influencing the greater Japanese culture for centuries. You’ll see more than 50 pieces of armor, from the 16th through 18th centuries, while experiencing the samurai’s art, culture and lifestyle. The exhibit is at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, until the April 29.
From gambling chips to how-to books to memorabilia, the Gamblers General Store has everything you’ll need to get a leg up in Roulette tonight. Located on Main Street, this 8,000 square-foot store is home to the largest collection of gambling books in the world — you’re sure to find a souvenir or two!
Housed in Las Vegas’ former courthouse and post office, the Mob Museum opened in 2012, after a decade-long restoration initiative. In 2000, the federal government sold the courthouse to the city for $1, asking that it be used for cultural purposes. The mayor at the time, himself a former criminal defense attorney who represented many reputed mobsters, took the case, suggesting a museum to document organized crime in the U.S. Exhibits include a wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, an electric chair and otherwise hard-to-access photos of the “mob’s greatest hits” — those slain as the subject.
Vegas might conjure up more images of cocktails and martinis than fine wines, but if you’re a wine person, you’ll find a home at the Rio Wine Cellar and Tasting Room. With more than 100 wines-by-the-glass to choose from, you’re sure to find a unique cabernet or muscato to tell your friends about (there are options for drinkers of the spirits, too!). The Wine Cellar boasts cult wines, global collectibles and an 1800 madeira from Thomas Jefferson’s cellar.
If you had a little too much fun last night, taking a stroll in the bright sun of the Fresh52 Farmers & Artisan Market might help you see more clearly! Inhale the fresh smells of baked goods and seasonal produce. Run your hands over handmade crafts — and exhale last night’s excesses, if needed. Support Las Vegas locals at their Inspirada-Henderson location on Saturday or their Eastern-Henderson location on Sunday.
Since 1951, the deserts just north of Las Vegas have been home to the Nevada Testing Site. Between 1951 and 1992, the U.S. tested more than a thousand nuclear weapons at the site. Learn the history and global influence of this site at the National Atomic Testing Museum. You’ll see nuclear testing equipment and step into a simulator, where you’ll feel the earth shake, just as if you were watching a nuclear test.
Just 17 miles west of the Las Vegas strip, take another breath of fresh air and explore the desert at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Here, you can take a 13-mile scenic drive, horseback ride, rock climb or simply hike across Aztec Sandstone cliffs, called “escarpments.” Perhaps you’ll end your stay in Nevada watching an orange sunset sink beneath these rust red rocks.
“ROC USA and Next Step have a history of collaboration and partnership dating back to the founding of our organization,” said Stacey Epperson, president and founder of Next Step. “We are so pleased to have Paul [Bradley] and his dedicated team join our network to further our shared goal of promoting factory-built homes as an affordable and viable homeownership solution in states and localities across the country.”
Park Plaza residents purchased their community through ROC USA
ROC USA partners with nine nonprofit organizations working in 21 states. The organization assists and provides resources to residents looking to convert their manufactured home community to a cooperative, or resident-owned, model.
ROC USA Network affiliates have helped 217 communities preserve nearly 14,000 homes in 15 states since 1984.
“The work done by ROC USA and Next Step really goes hand in hand. We are all committed to providing owners of manufactured homes with efficient, secure and affordable new home options,” said Paul Bradley, ROC USA’s founding president. “The Next Step staff were the first people I turned to when my mother was looking for a new HUD-code home to place in a ROC. That probably says it all, right there.”
Next Step works to bring energy-efficient, high performing and affordable homes to communities across the country. Next Step leverages expertise in the manufactured housing space to build relationships between leaders in the industry, nonprofit housing organizations, lending institutions and other key stakeholders to expand the use of factory-built housing as a viable, sustainable homeownership solution.
Next Step works with potential clients at a recent trade show
About Next Step Network ®
Next Step Network mobilizes a national network of mission-driven nonprofits, leaders in the manufactured housing industry and lending institutions serving home buyers and homeowners in their communities. Next Step’s system – Manufactured Housing Done Right® – connects responsible financing, comprehensive homebuyer education and delivery of high-quality, ENERGY STAR® manufactured homes at scale, creating a model that brings more value to the customer. Learn more at www.nextstepus.org.
About ROC USA ®
ROC USA is a non-profit organization with a national network of nine organizations and a national financing source for resident-owned communities. ROC USA Network affiliates have helped 217 communities preserve nearly 14,000 homes in 15 states since 1984. www.rocusa.org.
2018 JLT Report for Santa Fe Includes Information on 15 Communities, 2,614 Homesites
Datacomp today announced the publication of a new manufactured home community rent and occupancy report for Santa Fe, N.M.
JLT Market Reports provide detailed research and information on communities located in 136 major housing markets throughout the United States. Datacomp is the publisher of publisher of JLT Market Reports and the nation’s top provider of market data for the manufactured housing industry. JLT reports are recognized as the industry standard for manufactured home community market analysis. This includes the latest rent trends and statistics, marketing programs and a variety of other useful management insights.
Datacomp’s April 2018 manufactured housing market report for Santa Fe includes information on 15 “All ages” manufactured home communities in the metro area. Altogether, the reports include data representations for 2,614 homesites.
What is in the Report for Santa Fe?
The report for Santa Fe has Datacomp’s findings and observations, including specific information about each community’s marketing programs, the latest rent increase information and various management reports. The Santa Fe report will include year-over-year comparisons in rent, occupancy and other vital information.
JLT manufactured home community rent and occupancy reports offer details about investment grade communities in major markets. Data includes number of homesites, occupancy rates, average mobile home community rents and increases, community amenities, vacant sites, and repossessed and inventory homes.
JLT Market Reports also include management insights that rank communities by number of homesites, occupancy rates and highest to lowest rents. Established reports show trends in each market with a comparison of rents and occupancy rates to the same time during the previous year. Additionally, they include a historical recap of rents and occupancy from 1996 to present date in most markets.
The new Santa Fe Market is available for purchase and immediate download online at the Datacomp JLT Market Report website at www.datacompusa.com/JLT, or it may be ordered by phone in electronic or printed editions at (800) 588-5426. Each fully updated report for mobile home communities is a comprehensive look at investment grade properties within a market. This enables owners and managers, lenders, appraisers, brokers and other organizations to effectively benchmark those communities and make informed decisions.
About JLT Market Reports
Countless professionals for 20 years have trusted JLT Market Reports for timely and accurate management reports on land lease manufactured home communities. Datacomp issues manufactured housing industry data in the JLT Reports for 136 markets nationwide. In 2014, JLT & Associates merged its resources, skills and expertise with Datacomp, the industry’s oldest and largest national manufactured home appraisal company and number one provider of market data for the manufactured housing industry, and MHVillage, the premier website for advertising mobile homes for rent and sale nationwide. For more information, or to purchase complete JLT Market Reports, call (800) 588-5426 or visit www.datacompusa.com/JLT.
The Manufactured Housing Industry Converges on Paris Hotel in Two Weeks for the Manufactured Housing Institute’s Congress and Expo with HUD Sec. Ben Carson as keynote speaker
In two weeks, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson will take the stage at the National Manufactured and Modular Housing Congress and Expo in Las Vegas to speak and answer questions from manufactured housing professionals.
The Secretary will appear at the event’s general assembly 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25. Carson will answer submitted questions for about 15 minutes following his presentation.
HUD recently announced a “top-to-bottom” review of manufactured housing rules under Sec. Carson.
Therefore, the department is poised to make significant changes in the way the manufactured housing industry operates, likely implementing regulatory change that will have a positive impact on opportunity and potential growth for MH industry organization and individuals.
MHI’s 2018 Congress and Expo will take place at Paris Hotel and Casino and runs through April 26.
Following Sec. Carson at Congress and Expo will be Chris Fisher, of Ducker Worldwide. Fisher is an industry leader in business marketing techniques and technologies. He recently has worked with MHI in gauging the values and needs of emerging home buyers.
Thursday morning, Rick Robinson, MHI’s VP of state and local affairs, will present on fair housing rules. He will cover how state rules affect owners and operators of manufactured home communities. In addition, the “Fair Housing 101” presentation will include information on the rules around emotional support animals, including recent changes in state laws.
MHVillage/Datacomp will be at the annual event, which is among the largest in the industry with more than 1,200 attendees.
Furthermore, those attending will include about 120 exhibitors from all areas of the manufactured housings industry. Exhibitors and sponsors include manufacturers, community owners, investors, lenders and other product and service providers.
MHVillage exhibitor booth in Vegas
The Congress and Expo schedule is loaded with seminars on the most recent and relevant industry information. Also, each day includes open networking opportunities. Finally, for attendees who want to extend their stay, Monday pre-show activities include golf and a trap and skeet shoot.
There is still time to register for the Congress and Expo, and make accommodations for those traveling. And come see MHVillage in Vegas, we will be at exhibitor booth 300!
If you have been to MHVillage lately, you may have noticed a new look to our home page. We updated and released the new look just prior to the Tunica Show last month. We’ve tried to keep the same easy-to-use format manufactured home buyers have come to expect, while giving it a fresh new feel.
In addition, we updated the top navigation headers on MHVillage. This just means we’ve tightened up the top navigational headers as they appear across the site. Our goal is to get that out of the way, so home shoppers can see more information on the page. We want them focused on your listings.
More to come for MHVillage
However, it isn’t all about aesthetics. While having a more modern look on the site is pleasant to the eye, there is more to it. Traffic on the MHVillage mobile site continues to grow. Each month we see more and more traffic coming in on smartphones. This new look will be migrating to the mobile site, and from there, we plan on giving the entire site a facelift.
The new look will be using responsive design. This means that no matter what screen size someone is using, the website will respond to show that page correctly for the device.
Currently, most pages on MHVillage look great whether you are on a phone or using an extra large desktop screen, but there always is room for improvement. That improvement is one of our major goals for 2018. We will go over the whole site, adding improved function and style.
We also recently released a new account look that we have encouraged some of you to try. We’ll be rolling that out to everyone in the upcoming months. There will be a lot to see, including new features to help you with your business success this year!
In August, the RV/MH Hall of Fame will celebrate the 2025 class of inductees, five from each industry.
“Our selection committees held meetings to review...
information about each community’s marketing programs, the latest rent increase information and various management reports. The Santa Fe report will include year-over-year comparisons in rent, occupancy and other vital information.
In two weeks, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson will take the stage at the 
