George Allen / EducateMHC Blog Mobile Home & Land Lease Community Advocate & Expert

April 29, 2017

FINAL WARNING! To land lease community owners!

Filed under: Uncategorized — George Allen @ 5:33 am

Blog # 444; Copyright @ 30 April 2017; community-investor.com

Perspective. ‘Land lease Communities’, previously manufactured home communities, & ‘mobile home parks’, comprise the real estate component of manufactured housing.

This blog posting is the sole national advocate voice, official ombudsman & historian, research report, & online communication media for North American LLCommunities!

To input this blog &/or affiliate with Community Owners (7 Part) Business Alliance, a.k.a. COBA7, use Official MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764

COBA7 Motto: ‘U Support US & WE Serve U! Goal of its’ print/online media = to
‘Not only inform & opine, but transform & improve MHBusiness model performance!’
_____________________________________________________________________

Final Warning!

Land Lease Community Owners Losing Autonomy
(i.e. ‘self-government, independence’) as Businessmen & Women!

Here again is COBA7’s explicit Goal for our industry and realty asset class; to,

‘Not only inform & opine, but transform & improve the manufactured housing business’ model performance in general, & that of land lease communities in particular!’

To this end, and since no one else except MHARR is sounding the ‘losing autonomy’ alarm; here’s our FINAL WARNING for you! But first, some background history…

You likely already know what happened at the turn of this century. As an industry, we (deservedly) lost our ‘easy access to chattel capital’ for new HUD-Code homes sold and sited within (then) manufactured home communities. To date, even ‘reasonable access to chattel capital’ continues to elude us. Shortly after the dawn of this century, we suffered the S.A.F.E. Act, when our national advocate(s) did not see this first wave of state, then federal financing regulations, coming, to negatively impact our traditional business model:

Supplying truly affordable, quality housing to citizens least capable of buying housing of almost any sort!

S.A.F.E. was followed by onerous $ regs from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (‘CFPB’). And such, the first step in the ‘lost autonomy’ die was cast.

Well, what you probably don’t realize, is this: Thanks to now near universal enforcement of installation regs dating back to year 2007, but lying dormant until present administrator of HUD’s manufactured housing program came aboard, moving them – along with Dispute Resolution, forward – we’re faced with forced levies of $5,000+/- per retrofitted rental homesite, when installing a new HUD-Code home on them!

What will this mean to your business plan, your business model? Hmm. Let’s say you’re going to site two dozen new HUD-Code homes during the balance of 2017. Well, that could require a minimum outlay of $120,000.00 in (unexpected & unbudgeted) capital expenditures for you, and ultimately, your homebuyer/site lessee customers! Are you ready for this expensive addition to your business model? Are your homebuyer/site lessee customers willing and able to pay a minimum of $5,000.00 more for their new home?

Yes, this present and emerging manufactured housing business environment is every bit that bad for land lease communities too; i.e. again, 1) lack of reasonable access to chattel capital to seller-finance on-site housing transactions; 2) increase in onerous financial regulations at state and federal levels; and now, 3) unnecessary replacement of perfectly good concrete runners and piers with expensive new ‘below the frost line’ concrete foundations for new HUD-Code housing installations in LLCommunities.

Some suggest there’s a fourth (4) ‘losing autonomy’ factor afoot – a conspiracy no less, to force all regs, along with major business decisions, re policy & procedures, back ‘inside the Washington beltway’, to benefit regulators and largest of home manufacturers and property portfolios. But that’s an expose’ for a subsequent blog posting at this website.

I fear less for the largest property portfolio firms, given their significant inherent economies of scale, resulting in super low operating expense ratios and mega profits. It’s the smaller portfolio folk, and owners of small to mid-sized land lease communities, I fear for most today. How so? Not only do they, the smaller owners/operators, now incur – for the first time in their careers, risks involved in buying and servicing new HUD-Code homes on-site (i.e. Since there are 10,000+/- fewer independent – street – MHRetailers filling vacant rental homesites today, than in year 2000); and they must oft supply seller-financing under the oversight and pressure of aforesaid onerous state and federal financial regulations. And now, going forward, will be wasting valuable, scarce capital upgrading rental homesites, that frankly, don’t need upgrading (i.e. Properly graded and drained sites, along with well-installed perimeter skirting, prohibits freezing under homes!).

A pre-WARNING question.! Just WHO, today, is representing land lease community owners on the national level, to 1) regain reasonable access to chattel capital; 2) reduce the burden of financial regulation on the only type affordable housing serving low to middle income citizens; and, 3) demand a roll back of the wholly-unneeded foundation retrofit requirement, and/or obtaining blanket approval of Frost Free Foundation methodology, when so-approved by HUD-Code manufacturers? Answers? MHARR vigorously holds forth on all three fronts; MHI touts # 1 & 2, but is generally and inexplicably silent on # 3; and, COBA7 is not yet in position (i.e. domiciled in Washington, DC.) to wield much influence or pressure to these ends – except in commentaries like this.

There is a possible dark horse in this race back to PROSPERITY (i.e. measured in new HUD-Code housing shipments) or frankly, OBLIVION (i.e. given a serious reduction in the number of new housing shipments, due to reasons # 1, 2,& 3 cited above). And that ‘horse’ could well be HUD, the federal agency tasked with manufactured housing oversight, if, for the first time since 1976, the department overtly markets and effectively promots manufactured housing as this nation’s most affordable type shelter – to citizens unable to afford $250,000.00 site-built behemoth homes.

Is anyone at HUD listening? Does anyone at HUD care? If so, NOW is the time to HELP! And begin, by backing off the apparent ‘power grab’ to end state control of all new home installations, then address the matters described in previous paragraphs.

The consequential WARNING! If not one, but all three ‘business model changers’ are not sunset or ameliorated in the near future, expect to see fewer new HUD-Code homes shipped into land lease communities, hence fewer new HUD-Code home shipments! After all, we shipped only 81,136 new homes in 2016; up yes, from 48,789 during the industry’s nadir year 2009 – but way way below that short-lived renascence of 1998, when 372,843 new HUD-Code homes rolled down the highway! And don’t forget, there’s an estimated 250,000 vacant rental homesites to fill throughout the U.S. Neither manufactured housing, or its’ land lease communities subset, can afford yet another body blow, like the three or more we’ve suffered since the turn of this century. And frankly, HUD’s new and historic public and ongoing endorsement of its’ regulated housing type, as preferred affordable housing, would go a long long way facilitating manufactured housing’s eventual recovery.

SO, who will stand in behalf of manufactured housing and land lease communities, to protect this most affordable housing type available today for the U.S. citizenry? Manufactured housing political interests are well represented by two national advocates, even in their disunity. But land lease communities have little to no national representation. (Not everyone will agree with the latter statement, but it is true). The leadership vacuum is upon us! Who will lead to restore our autonomy as businessmen and women in the manufactured housing industry and throughout the land lease community real estate asset class?

***

We welcome your response to this blog posting, and ideas for restoring autonomy, via Official MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764 or gfa7156@aol.com

***

George Allen, CPM & MHM c/o COBA7, Box # 47024, Indianapolis, IN. 46247

April 21, 2017

Make Your Views Known! (&) Juxtaposition of MHARR/MHI Priorities!

Filed under: Uncategorized — George Allen @ 11:20 am

Blog # 443; Copyright @ 23 April 2017; community-investor.com

Perspective. ‘Land lease Communities’, previously manufactured home communities, & ‘mobile home parks’, comprise the real estate component of manufactured housing.

This blog posting is the sole national advocate voice, official ombudsman & historian, research report, & online communication media for North American LLCommunities!

To input this blog &/or affiliate with Community Owners (7 Part) Business Alliance, a.k.a. COBA7, use Official MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764.

COBA7 Motto: ‘U Support US & WE Serve U! Goal of it’s print/online media = to
‘Not only inform & opine, but transform & improve MHBusiness model performance!’
______________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION: Some will view the following blog message as akin to spitting into the wind, pissing up a rope, or standing on Superman’s cape. Maybe. But how else will we, the grassroots businessmen and women who comprise the greater manufactured housing industry & land lease community asset class, make our views known and get them acted upon? If you have workable ideas, please tell me via gfa7156@aol.com
Ready? Let’s go….

I.

You’ve Asked For It; Now It’s Happening!

WHAT?

Opportunities to Express Your Views Regarding Manufactured Housing Issues

I knew this was an area of considerable pent-up demand throughout the manufactured housing industry and land lease community real estate asset class, but had no idea how timely, volatile, and far reaching this matter is.

TIMELY, because until the national election of a new administration this past November, the MHIndustry & LLCommunity owners/operators had endured, and continue to face, an onslaught of new regulatory measures relative to HUD-Code home fabrication and installation, as well as difficulty sourcing chattel capital needed to finance new home sales transactions on-site.

VOLATILE, because Free Enterprise businessmen and women, particularly of the smaller variety, have too oft been left out of ‘communication & policy-making circles’ of at least one national advocacy entity – thus, they’re tired of being victims of trade association benign neglect, and focus of regulatory agencies in Washington, DC..

FAR-REACHING, in that pent-up demand for opportunities to express views regarding manufactured housing issues, extends coast-to-coast throughout the industry and realty asset class! How do I know this? During the past two months, I’ve visited and or talked with frustrated Free Enterprise businessmen and women, even a few like-minded state association executives, in PA & NY; New England; FL & GA; the Midwest; and AZ & CA. They, for the most part, are fed up with the status quo, and want to address regional and national forums where their views can be expressed publicly.

Already, four such opportunities are scheduled during the remainder of year 2017. Why not pick one or more of the following venues to attend, to make your views regarding manufactured housing issues known – for passage onto our national advocates, and others, who influence the present and future of our industry and realty asset class.

• Annual Conference of the Illinois Manufactured Housing Association (‘IMHA’), 17 May, at the Rosemont Hilton/Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, IL. Here, a ‘State of the Manufactured Housing Industry & Land Lease Community Asset Class’ presentation will be followed by an hour long Open Discussion of Manufactured Housing Issues! To register, phone Frank Bowman via (217) 528-3423 or visit www.imha.org Trust me; you don’t want to miss this unique and historic opportunity to Make Your Views Known to MHIndustry Leaders & Trade Press!

• MHAlive! There’ll likely be a ‘think tank’ session, from 9-11AM on 7 August, at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, IN. The board room is already reserved for this seminal event – and we can move into the amphitheater or library if need be. For info, phone (317) 346-7156 or gfa7156@aol.com. And plan to attend the Hall of Fame Induction Banquet that eve, phone (574) 293-2344 for tickets. As I’ve told you before, Mike Sullivan, CPM; Spencer Roane, MHM; Christine Lindsey, MHM; and, David Gorin, of RV fame are among the ten to be feted at this event.

• 26th Networking Roundtable, this year, introduces the ‘first ever’ National Manufactured Housing Input Day! This occurs 7 September, during this 6-8 September event in Indianapolis, IN = birthplace of manufactured housing! The plan is to build upon discussion items gleaned from the previous two venues, to prepare an MHIndustry & LLCommunity issues agenda for year 2018! So, don’t miss this opportunity to input! For an invitation to participate, gfa7156@aol.com

• SECO Summit in the South, 11&12 October, at the Marietta Hilton Hotel & Conference Center in Marietta, GA. This is the fastest growing regional MH trade show in the U.S.- exhibiting new Community Series Homes! While not yet on the formal agenda, there’ll be opportunities for you to express your views, positive & negative, about the industry & asset class – along with their issues. Contact? genevieve@SECOConference.com

Yes, I realize this is heavy-duty East coast and Midwest venue scheduling. However; if your state MHAssociation is planning a major gathering of members during 2017, consider adding an opportunity for manufacturers and community owners/operators to express their views on manufactured housing industry issues. And if you need an impartial moderator to stimulate conversation, and take your members’ message (i.e. views) to our national advocates, let me know via gfa7156@aol.com

As a related aside. Observe how the three final bulleted venues are not listed on the quasi-official meetings schedule posted by one national advocacy entities. Ask ‘Why?’

And by now, you should be asking yourself. ‘Why are there no opportunities for this sort, for sharing important and timely manufactured housing issue(s) at the MHCongress in Las Vegas, NCC leadership forums, and periodic meetings of national advocacy entities?

***

Postscript to Part I & Introduction to Part II

Read this carefully & thoughtfully. All you’re about to read in Part II following, in the first instance, was in my opinion, crafted in an (association) vacuum, with little to no input from direct, dues-paying members; and in the second instance, only with input from small regional HUD-Code housing manufacturers. That’s what Part I seeks to address and correct during the months ahead. What? 1) Identify industry and asset class issues of concern to grassroots businesses, large and small, throughout the U.S! Then, 2) Offer said input to MHARR, MHI, & COBA7 for consideration and possible action. And finally, 3) If ignored, publicize these issues in the print and online trade press for all to see and read.

***

II.

WOW!

Here’s a Heady Juxtaposition of Contemporary MHIndustry Issues, Side by Side, Both Published the very same day!

Let’s begin with the HOUSING ALERT, dated April 19, 2017, from the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI’). Here’s the solitary headline:

“Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act Included in Financial CHOICE Act”

Now, that’s good news to everyone in manufactured housing and those owning/operating land lease communities, re: MHI’s’ “…reform legislation (that) provides regulatory relief for main street and community financial institutions.” For additional information on this timely and important legislation, contact MHI’s Senior VP of Government Affairs & Chief Lobbyist, Dr. Lesli Gooch, at (703) 229-6208 or lgooch@mfghome.org

&

Then there’s this REPORT AND ANALYSIS, dated the same day, April 19, 2017, from the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Affairs (‘MHARR’). Their headline reads:

EXCLUSIVE REPORT & ANALYSIS, listing no fewer than seven bullet points:

• HUD Defies President Trump’s Regulatory Reforms. (Time after time after time)

• Latest HUD Meeting shows need for (MH) program shake-up (Starting at the top)

• De Facto Regulations dodge regulatory reforms/2000 Law (Dr. B. Carson: Help!)

• Industry must resist HUD Installation power-grab. (Stakes? State/federal control)

• Strict Oversight of HUD Program Budget Must Continue. (Factories/contractors)

• DOE Manufactured Housing Energy Rule Takes Another Hit (Flaws cripple rule)

• MHARR Response Highlights Urgent Need for Securitized Chattel. (FHFA to ensure secondary market for seasoned loan securitization is mandatory for GSEs)

Now, all that too, is good news to everyone in manufactured housing, and owning or operating land lease communities. But MHARR’s continuing, strenuous efforts to secure regulatory relief for the industry and asset class must be occurring in a near vacuum as well, since one rarely reads or hears of parallel or similar efforts by any other national advocate for manufactured housing and land lease communities! For additional information on these seven matters, contact Mark Weiss, esquire, at MHARR via (202) 783-4087.

All this begs several pithy, and certainly timely, questions:

Why can’t these two national advocates for manufactured housing ‘get their act together’, in our (businessmen & women nationwide) behalf, and present a united and powerful lobbying presence to legislators in our nation’s capitol? (‘Ah, the perennial – and heretofore ignored and unresolved manufactured housing industry conundrum!’)

Where’s COBA7 in this mix? It’s now well established, the Community Owners (7 Part) Business Associates, is the sole provider of valuable research, resources, print & online publications, networking & deal-making opportunities, and professional property management training & certification for land lease community owners/operators nationwide – but is not yet their lobbying arm, leaving that to MHI’s NCC division. LLCommunity members, of any advocacy entity, should be asking: ‘What tangible products & services am I receiving from this trade group, or am I just paying for lobbying?’

MHARR frequently calls for the formation of a new national advocate for post-production segments of the manufactured housing industry and land lease community asset class. Might this be an unnecessary addition to national advocacy, if/when said segments actively and effectively share in the ongoing leadership of existing national trade entities? Do you see either alternative happening anytime soon? (‘Neither do I!’)

***

April 15, 2017

Stop Erroneous Shipment #s Reporting! (&) Civil Revenge Responses!

Filed under: Uncategorized — George Allen @ 5:06 am

Blog # 442; Copyright @ 16 April 2017; commuity-investor.com

Perspective. ‘Land lease Communities, previously manufactured home communities, & ‘mobile home parks’, comprise the real estate component of manufactured housing.

This blog posting is the sole national advocate voice, official ombudsman & historian, research report, & online communication media for North American LLCommunities!

To input this blog &/or affiliate with Community Owners (7 Part) Business Alliance, a.k.a. COBA7, use Official MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764

COBA7 Motto: ‘U Support US & WE serve U! Goal of its’ print/online media = to
‘Not only inform & opine, but transform & improve MHBusiness model performance!’

______________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION. Part I. As an industry, why do we continue to ‘shoot ourselves in the foot’ by reporting conflicting data about the very same important subject: monthly HUD-Code manufactured housing shipments!? Part II. Civil revenge, ‘deep state’ machinations, & lack of assistant secretary appointments at HUD affecting manufactured housing? Yes! Part III. 26th Networking Roundtable planning now well underway. Same educational & networking format but new twists, topics, and an MHM class, for starters! Part IV. A model offering of seminar topics for state MHAssociation execs & board chairpersons.

I.

Let’s Be Very Clear About This!

The official total number of new HUD-Code manufactured homes shipped from factories, during February 2017, according to HUD’s contractor ‘for keeping statistical score’, the Institute for Building Technology & Safety (‘IBTS’) was 7,312 units, NOT the 7,318 reported elsewhere. To underscore this reality, know HUD, MHARR, & COBA7 concur with the 7,312 unit total!

As a means of achieving manufactured housing industry unity, ‘getting everyone onto the same #s page’, when it comes to reporting new HUD-Code homes shipped monthly, should be a no-brainer, but it hasn’t happened to date. If YOU have influence where it matters, in this regard, do your part to bring everyone onto the same page when it comes to reporting this monthly total of units shipped. Otherwise we continue to not only appear to be, but are, a major industry divided!

II.

‘Civil Revenge & Manufactured Housing – a WARNING!’
prompted immediate positive, supportive responses.

This first response occurred while we were still sending BEBAs (‘Blast Email Blog Alerts’) to 1,000+/- recipients.

“You did your job – and you warned them, George! that’s excellent…Now…any bets on how many, if any, will heed the warning, and get off their ass, and on their feet, and out of the grass, and into the (political) heat?”

Then this, from yet another manufactured housing aficionado:

“I enjoyed your civil discourse comments George, and diligence is needed always. MHI’s future continues to amaze me, since (in this responder’s opinion) they represent HUD better than the industry, and while I prefer ‘no national code’, either way our (national advocacy) groups should rep US.”

And, there’s more to this matter than earlier reported.

First off; turns out it’s difficult to rid the U.S. government of ‘deep state’ political appointees left over from the previous administration, until new assistant secretaries (e.g. at HUD) can be appointed, approved, and active. Maybe by August, if not much sooner.

In the meantime, pressure your national (manufactured housing) advocacy entity of choice (.e.g. MHARR &/or MHI) to unify their respective lobbying efforts, and liaise with Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, to refocus policies and agenda at HUD – backing off suffocating installation regulations, and openly promoting non-subsidized HUD-Code housing, as the only real answer to the U.S. affordable housing crisis!

Finally, do your part, to bring Democrat civil revenge activities to an end! Enough is enough. We do not need a shadow government in Washington, nor do we need two presidents leading this nation, nor do we need ‘deep state’ foot-dragging and anti-Trump machinations slowing down the restoration of American culture, military power, and more. In my opinion, the longer these, and similar negative measures continue, the more political ground the Democrat Party will loose over time, as they’re tagged ‘sore losers’, unfit to lead in the future.

III.

26th Networking Roundtable Planning Underway!

Where will YOU be on 6-8 September 2017? Hopefully, participating in one or more of the very special activities being planned for this year’s ‘Return to Indiana Event’! Yes, you read that right. Manufactured housing got its’ start in Indiana 70+/- years ago, and this will be the first time the longest-running national trade event will occur in the state. Watch for details.

So, what are some of the special activities being planned for this year’s gala event, beside it being held during National Land Lease Community Week?

• A Manufactured Housing Manager class planned for 6 September. Perfect opportunity for you to bring one or more trusted on-site or regional property managers, to become trained and certified as an MHMs – you too!

• New and exciting emphasis on land lease community deal-making! We’re departing from the community investors symposium format of years past, and introducing a new and exciting way to view, value, & invest in LLCommunities!

• First ever ‘National Manufactured Housing Input Day’; where your views and hopes for the industry & realty asset class matter. Be present to express them. It’s hoped this becomes a perennial source of grassroots input to national advocates.

• ‘How to Buy, Sell, & Seller-finance New HUD-Code Homes On-site in LLCommunities!’ A digest & expansion of pithy material presented at last year’s ‘Two Days of Plant Tours & Home Sales Seminars’ in Elkhart, IN.

• A COBA7 strategic planning session, for affiliates committed to ensuring the alliance moves into the future as LLCommunities’ primary source of statistics, resources, print/online communication, networking, & PM training/certification

• And yes, there’ll be the usual full array of educational and networking sessions during the 2 1/2 days we’re together, including an update about the charitable activities of MHGives. However, no MHI PAC $ solicitation this year.

We are excited to bring the 26th Networking Roundtable to Indianapolis, IN. If you’ve not visited before, it’s one of the cleanest cities in North America, and awash with great eateries, and things for attendees and guests to enjoy. More details to follow….

IV.

Special Message to State MHAssociation Execs & Board Chairpersons

Emulate NYHA’s Northeast Super Symposium VI (11-13 April 2017) to Better Serve Your Members!

Want filled-room learning experiences for your members? Consider these offerings, among the many, featured in Albany, New York, this past week.

• The day before your official program begins, host the one day Manufactured Housing Manager, professional property management training & certification program, taught by Katie Hauck, MHM & Kathy Taylor, MHM. Today, more than 1,000 MHMs own/operate LLCommunities nationwide & in Canada! gfa7156@aol.com

• Begin your program with the Official State of the Manufactured Housing Industry & Land Lease Community Asset Class presentation – the only such overview that includes ‘all you wanted to know about LLCommunities but didn’t know who or what to ask!’ (317) 346-7156

• Invite Dr. David Funk, LLCommunity owner, and professor at Roosevelt University, to hold forth on ‘Understanding New Housing Economics’ – and how they relate directly to manufactured housing and land lease communities. (740) 591-4738

• Today’s hottest topic industry wide? ‘How to Sell More Homes into Land Lease Communities’ – well covered, with passion, by Ken Corbin. (888) 823-4945.

Of course there was much more on the agenda at the recently completed New York Housing Alliance’ annual Northeast Super Symposium VI – but these are highlights easily transportable from that state to yours.

And don’t forget; if lease-option, as a means of seller-financing new HUD-
Code home sales on-site, is permissible in your state, add that timely topic to your agenda as well. Spencer Roane, MHM, is considered to be the national duty expert, so to speak, on lease-option methodology. Contact him via (678) 428-0212. And ask him to cover PQW when he ‘presents’, it’s a game changer when it comes to reducing loan defaults.
***

April 8, 2017

Civil Revenge & Manufactured Housing – a WARNING

Filed under: Uncategorized — George Allen @ 7:34 am

Blog # 441 Copyright @ 12 April 2017; communnity-investor.com

Perspective. ‘Land lease Communities, previously manufactured home communities, & ‘mobile home parks’, comprise the real estate component of manufactured housing.

This blog posting is the sole national advocate voice, official ombudsman & historian, research report, & online communication media for North American LLCommunities!

To input this blog &/or affiliate with Community Owners (7 Part) Business Alliance, a.k.a. COBA7, use Official MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764.

COBA7 Motto: ‘U Support US & WE Serve U!’ goal of its’ print/online media = to ‘Not only inform & opine, but transform & improve MHBusiness model performance!’
_______________________________________________________________________

Civil Revenge & Manufactured Housing

A WARNING…

‘Specifically; will Democrats Civil Revenge Campaign Spill Over Into the Business Arena in General, Manufactured Housing & the Land Lease Community Realty Asset Class in Particular?

Since last November (Think Presidential Election) I’ve watched and read, then commented in the secular press, on the number and variety of angst measures pursued by Democrats’ in their civil revenge campaign, over having lost said election big time.

In the Midwest, college professors – not surprisingly, have gone on record, on the editorial pages of local newspapers, favoring such outlandish schemes as:

• Encouraging the Democrat Party to form a shadow presidency! Here’s what professor DC penned: “Am I suggesting a type of shadow presidency (by Democrats), a visible alternative to the Trump administration and reasonable critic of its’ extreme policies? Yes, that is exactly what I am proposing.” My rejoinder? At its’ worst, that’s potentially seditious. How so? It’s akin to what 18th century colonists did, relative to the King of England, until they could no longer abide ‘taxation without representation’ – then they revolted! Is that what Democrat civil revenge will lead to this time around? Let’s hope not.

• Demand the seating of co-presidents or bipartisan executives to run the U.S. Seriously. Another professor, quotes from David Orentlicher’s 2013 book, Two Presidents Are Better Than One: The Case for a Bipartisan Executive, “having two presidents, one from each political party, would serve us better.” Really? And from which two parties should they be selected? Libertarian and who ? Probably not the answer the author had in mind; however, that suggestion demonstrates how half-baked this idea really is.

Now we hear hearing rumors of ‘deep state’ machinations against the Trump presidency! What’s ‘deep state’? To some, if not many, a U.S. conspiracy theory, characterized by career government employees, intent on influencing national policy sans regard for democratically-elected leadership! Hmm. Anything in that short paragraph ‘ring a bell’, sound an alarm, where manufactured housing land lease community installation regulations are concerned? It should. Think about it….

My ‘take’ on this? A month or two ago, I’d have said, “Heck no. This is simply a change in administrations; no harm, no foul!” After all, there was discontent when President Obama took office; as he’d never had a real job – other than as political organizer; and certainly never ‘made payroll’ during his adult life. But the Republican party, to its’ credit, and in accords with more than two hundred years of tradition, did not launch a civil revenge campaign! On the other hand, look what’s happened, and continues to occur unabated, as the losing political party, this time around, continues to do everything in its’ power to be a visible force of opposition to President Trump.

Today, nothing surprises me, where the Democrat campaign of civil revenge is concerned – especially in the underground arena of ‘deep state’. Washington is awash with ‘career government employees’ who believe they enjoy tenure of sorts, along with power, to ‘more than influence national policy the way they view it’, even if opposed to corrective measures sought by the new, democratically-elected leadership.

So, where does this ‘deep state’ talk leave us, relative to the manufactured housing industry and land lease community real estate asset class? For now, I suggest vigilance! We sure don’t need more regulation, but if we don’t actively support the lobbying efforts of MHARR and MHI; we’ll surely get that. Start here by asking, are there career government employees within HUD that should be changed out , the sooner the better?

***

April 1, 2017

‘CAlling All Land Lease Community Owners!’ (&) Keep 7 September open on your calendar…

Filed under: Uncategorized — George Allen @ 4:36 am

Blog # 440 Copyright @ 5 March 2017; community-investor.com

Perspective. ‘Land lease Communities, previously manufactured home communities, & ‘mobile home parks’, comprise the real estate component of manufactured housing.’

This blog posting is the sole national advocate voice, official ombudsman & historian, research report, & online communication media for North American LLCommunities!

To input this blog &/or affiliate with Community Owners (7 Part) Business Alliance, a.k.a. COBA7, use Official MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764

COBA7 Motto: ‘U Support US & WE Serve U!’ Goal of its’ print/online media = to ‘Not only inform & opine, but transform & improve MHBusiness model performance!’
_____________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION: This weekly blog posting probably needs no introduction. It’s clear from the first two lines in Part I, land lease community owners have some important decisions ahead. Part II. A mystery? You bet. Details to follow….

I.

Calling All Land Lease Community Owners!

As LLCommunity owners, we’re close to having to decide whether to ‘continue suffering perennial benign neglect toward our realty asset class’, by one or another of the national manufactured housing trade advocates,

OR

We take control of our collective free enterprise destiny, by demanding equal representation, helpful research, useful resources, regular print & online communication, networking & deal-making opportunities, and professional property management training & certification!

*****

OK, backing up a little, just what is ‘benign neglect’. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it’s (Now read this carefully):

“…an attitude or policy of ignoring an often delicate or undesirable situation that one is held to be responsible for dealing.”

With that definition in mind, what contemporary manufactured housing national trade association, or advocacy arrangement, in Washington, DC., comes to mind? Specifically, what national body, or entities, actively and overtly, promote land lease communities (a.k.a. manufactured home communities) – i.e., the ‘delicate or undesirable situation’ of a ‘modern lifestyle featuring affordable housing’? Frankly, None Come to Mind! And therein lies ‘the rub’.

As land lease community owners, are you (we) prepared to continue on into manufactured housing’s future, subject to this attitude of benign neglect, or do you (we) want – even demand, much more?

You’re going to have to make such a decision, to that end, sooner than you realize.

Why?

Because the day is fast approaching, when and where the Community Owners (7 Part) Business Alliance, or COBA7, a division of GFA Management, Inc., dba PMN Publishing, will no longer be willing or able to shoulder the ‘seven part product & service’ agenda alone – those unique features so many LLCommunity owners/operators, in the U.S. and Canada, rely upon as matters of daily and weekly routine.

Some examples follow. After 28 years, if and when the annual ALLEN REPORT (a.k.a. ‘Who’s Who Among LLCommunity Portfolio Owners/operators Throughout North America!’),, is no longer researched, published and distributed among 500+/- property portfolio ‘players’, who will maintain that exclusive and confidential data base, to annually update our benchmark statistics? No One comes to Mind!

Today, more than a dozen Signature Series Resource Documents, or SSRDs, are updated ‘one-per-month throughout the year’: e.g. 19th annual National Registry of ALL Lenders; ‘Who Ya Gonna Call in 2017?’ directory of consultants; official MHIndustry lexicon; the Industry Briefing Sheet (official record of annual MH shipments going back to 1955); directory of factory-built housing manufacturing firms; and much more. Who will continue to trim and carry those torches to light the way for LLCommunity owners to come? No One Comes to Mind!

And communication. Not only has the manufactured housing industry taken a major hit in this area, during the past decade or so – but the LLCommunity realty asset class, frankly, has no regular news reporting and op/ed sharing than what occurs within the pages of the Allen Letter professional journal, the Allen CONFIDENTIAL! business newsletter, and this weekly blog posting at the community-investor.com web site. Who will pick up the slack in these three areas? No One Comes to Mind!

Networking and deal-making? This is the sole area where there’s a fair amount of activity and cross-pollination, via the annual Networking Roundtable, SECO Summit in the South, Super Symposium in the Northeast, the MHCongress in Las Vegas, and two NCC Leadership Forums.

Professional property management training and certification. This area is pathetic. Are you aware, of all the realty asset classes, LLCommunity ownership and management, has fewer Certified Property Managers (only 100+CPM members of the Institute of Real Estate Management) and 1,000+ Manufactured Housing Managers (‘MHM’s) via COBA7, than any other income-producing property type? There’s not even a viable Accredited Community Manager (‘ACM’) program at this time. Is it any wonder we continue to suffer an ongoing public image challenge? Who to champion this worthy cause? No One Comes to Mind!

*****

So, what’s in the wind?

COBA7 is routinely invited to state MH meetings (KY, IN, IL, NY, New England, GA, PA, TN, AZ, etc.) and various corporate venues, to teach MHM classes, share the ‘Official State of the MHIndustry & LLCommunity Asset Class’ lecture, and explain ‘How to Buy, Sell & Seller-finance New HUD-Code Homes On-site in LLCommunities!’ And that’s good.

However, COBA7 is NOT invited to share this knowledge and experience with attendees at the annual MHCongress in Las Vegas, or Leadership Forums, even after offers have been made to do so! Yet the annual Networking Roundtable showcases speakers from one or another of these national advocacy entities; and, until this year, has been a major means for collecting PAC $ Funds. What’s wrong with this picture? It’s obvious. Via benign neglect, the national advocates are not supporters of research, resources, communication, networking/deal-making, and professional property management training and certification provided by anyone but themselves – and their ‘offerings’ leave much to be desired.

My guess is, by year end 2017, COBA7 will undergo some major changes. Already, MHM classes are well taught by two MHMs. Several writers now assist with research and report/directory writing. But there’s still much to be shared. The question is, ‘Who will do it?’ No One Comes to Mind!

In the meantime, if a land lease community owner/operator, your affiliation with COBA7 is important and telling! We already rely on affiliate fees to underwrite the ‘seven areas of products and services’ provided to YOU. Your affiliation with COBA7 is nothing short of ‘telling’, to national trade advocates who presently do little in behalf of our realty asset class nationwide! So, affiliate today, if not already on board with COBA7!

And sure would appreciate your input on this timely and challenging matter(s). GFA

II.

7 September 2017

National Manufactured Housing Input Day?

Could be. Watch here Sunday mornings for details if/as they emerge.

After all, why patronize national meetings where your views on industry and realty asset class issues are not sought, implying they are worthless.

No, we’re planning a new and different venue for manufactured housing aficionados and land lease community owners/operators. Yes superb interpersonal networking and education will be on the agenda; but most important of all:

‘What is it YOU want to tell our national elected and salaried leaders?’

They will be individually invited to participate. Whether they attend or not, will tell YOU how much, or little, your input is valued. But no matter. If they don’t attend, your input will be featured in print and online trade media – publications that will also be invited to participate in the first National Manufactured Housing Input Day!

If you’re one of the aforementioned leaders or publications, and would like to volunteer to help plan and facilitate this first National Manufactured Housing Input Day, reach me via the Official MHIndustry HOTLINE: (87) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764.

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