Blog # 205 Copyright 2012 29 July 2012
Perspective. ‘Landlease communities, a.k.a. manufactured home communities, & before that, ‘mobile home parks’, are the real estate component of manufactured housing.’ GFA
I.
12 of the 25 Most Influential People in MHIndustry & LLCommunity Realty Asset Class Already Identified!
II.
Are These Four Dates & Locations on Your Calendar?
III.
‘The Two Percenters Speak Out!’ Upcoming expose’ also describes landlease communities ‘Victory over Vacancy’!
IV.
Our Very Own Tipping Point, and the Several Probable Consequences Thereof, Depending on Which Way We Tip
***
‘OK; hang on, and ready yourself for an interesting (I), exciting (II), surprising (III), and thought (& action?) provoking (IV) ‘read’ thru familiar territory, as well as the hinterlands (undeveloped areas), of manufactured housing and landlease community affairs.’ GFA
I.
12 of the 25 Most Influential People in MHIndustry & LLCommunity Realty Asset Class Already Identified!
Before 12 hours passed, after emailing last Sunday’s BEBA (‘Blast Email Blog Alert’) and imbedded website/blog address, we received more than a dozen written recommendations of manufactured housing and landlease community – related individuals to include on the ’25 Most Influential People’ list! Frankly, I was surprised and encouraged, regarding the speed and volume of response, to this matter, from the 1,000+/- MHIndustry & LLCommunity folk who receive our BEBA every Sunday. Unfortunately, the request for input has become a write – in campaign, in behalf of a state manufactured housing association executive.
Remember, the deadline for recommendations is 30 September 2012. All you have to do is contact me, anyway you wish, with the suggested name, and reason(s) for your recommendation(s). Mail to GFA c/o Box # 47024, Indianapolis, IN. 46247 or FAX via (317) 346-7158 or email: gfa7156@aol.com, or via the MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764. Tentative plan is to incorporate this ’25 Most Influential People in Manufactured Housing & Landlease Communities’ list into the 24th annual ALLEN REPORT (a.k.a. ‘Who’s Who Among Landlease Community Owners/operators Throughout North America!’), scheduled for distribution as a lagniappe in the Allen Letter professional journal during January 2013. This list will be a noteworthy and historical addition to this seminal report, as copies of it are always requested, filed and archived annually, in public (Library of Congress), business (e.g. RV/MH Museum & Library in Elkhart, IN.), and university libraries, mostly for research purposes. So, ensure your Most Influential Person(s) become an integral part of manufactured housing and landlease community history!
II.
Now There’re Four Opportunities For YOU to Learn, US to Network; & TOGETHER, Influence Our Business Futures!
August 6th, 2012. RV/MH Heritage Foundation’s annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, at the RV/MH Museum and library facility at 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, IN. I’ll be arriving earlier that day to meet with friends and associates in the MHBusiness, before heading for the RV/MH Hall of Fame at 5PM, for a reception before the induction banquet. Who and What to expect? Several hundred MH & RV folk participating in our industries’ only legacy preservation program! To join in the fun and celebration, phone (574) 293-2344. Tell Charlene, “George sent me!” She’ll laugh….
And at 8AM the next morning, meet me for breakfast, at the Golden Egg Restaurant, located on the West side of Route # 19, in front of the Hilton Garden Hotel, where several of us are spending the night. And if you ‘break fast’ with us, expect a special MHIndustry – related gift from me; I’ll be that pleased to see you! And at that time, also give me the name of your Most Influential Person in Manufactured Housing & Landlease Communities.
August 29th, 2012. ‘We Go to SECO!’ is becoming the motivating rallying cry for those of us headed for this Southeastern (Landlease) Community Owners symposium in Atlanta, GA. What makes the program unique? Two things: who’s planning and hosting the event; and, what’s on the agenda. In the first instance, ‘Landlease community owners are doing this for landlease community owners!’ In the second instance, consider these foci:
• Marketing Audit Reports on four landlease communities, complete with observations, recommendations, remedial actions taken, and end results!
• 21st Mortgage Corporation’s exciting and ground – breaking C.A.S.H. Program will experience its’ first regional presentation to landlease community owners!
• Roundtable Discussions led by Southeast landlease community owners, who’ll identify and help parse the Biggest Issues facing the realty asset class today!
• Introduction of a new, broad – based media advertising program designed to drive qualified homebuyer prospects to communities selling new homes on – site!
So, join US at the Hilton Doubletree Atlanta/Marietta Conference Center. Phone (770) 272-9441 to make a room reservation; and, chrisnicely@gmail.com OR davidroden@yahoo.com OR spencer@roane.com
September 12 – 14 2012. ‘Anyone who’s anybody in the landlease (f.k.a. manufactured home) community business, as an owner/operator, will likely be present at the 21st annual International Networking Roundtable in San Diego, CA.!’ That’s ‘been the case’ during the past two decades this special event has been planned and hosted for landlease community ‘players’ and a dozen of their preferred real estate – secured mortgage loan originators. So, if that sentence describes YOU, plan now to attend! How? Phone the MHIndustry HOTINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764, or go to community-investor.com website to obtain a descriptive brochure and register. Attendance limited to 250 landlease community owners/operators and mortgage originators. Don’t be left out this time.
And know there’re more than 22 educational opportunities, nine superb interpersonal networking (meal/social events) events, and landlease community deal – making occasions, during the 2 ½ day Roundtable, more than at any other MHIndustry or asset class event scheduled anywhere, at anytime, during the year! See YOU there!
October 7 – 9, 2012. First off, if you’re in the MHBusiness, and not a direct, dues – paying member of the Manufactured Housing Institute, you should be! To do so, phone (703) 558-0678 and talk to Dick Jennison. Furthermore, if you own/operate one or more landlease communities, you should be a direct, dues – paying member of MHI’s National Communities Council (‘NCC’) division. To do so, phone Bruce Savage via (703) 558-0678. Plan to attend MHI’s annual, & NCC’s division meetings, in Arlington, VA. In early October. Unlike the other educational and networking events just described, there’ll be more large home manufacturers and property portfolio owners/operators at this event, ensuring their particular issue views, regarding MH & LLCommunity ADVOCACY, are on the agenda and foremost in the minds of MHI & NCC staff members and lobbyists.
So, become a member, attend, and make your issue views known as well. If you don’t, you have no one to blame but yourself, if your business environment deteriorates, federal financial regulation increases, and you wonder why all this is happening to YOU.
III.
‘The Two Percenters Speak Out!’ Upcoming expose’ also describes landlease communities ‘Victory over Vacancy’!
This will be (already is) my penned response to the ‘Victory over Vacancy’ article featured in the July/August issue of the Institute of Real Estate Management’s® Journal of Property Management magazine. Their feature begins with a two page photo spread, depicting what appears to be corner and end views of either HUD Code manufactured home sections, or modular home modules – both unsheathed, parked on a factory floor somewhere.
However, there’s absolutely no mention whatsoever, anywhere in this feature, of any sort of factory – built housing, and how it might relate to the title of the piece: ‘Victory over Vacancy’. But, that in itself is not surprising. As a 30+ year, now Emeritus Certified Property Manager® member of IREM®, I can’t recall the last time their in – house organ, JPM, published anything about the landlease (f.k.a. manufactured home) community income – producing property type. Back in the 1980s & 90s, I regularly penned articles, on this subject, for the magazine; enough to be inducted into IREM’s Academy of Authors, but nothing during the past ten years or so.
And there is indeed a ‘Victory over Vacancy’ story to be told, about the landlease community realty asset class. At this point in time, I have no idea whether IREM’s JPM staff will accept the ‘response article’ I’ve penned, for publication in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Irregardless, it will run in the September issue of the Allen Letter professional journal. So, if not already a subscriber, phone (317) 346-7156 to become one today.
The intimate circle of subscribers to the Allen CONFIDENTIAL! business newsletter, will get an advance look at the expose’ and ‘Victory over Vacancy’ piece in the August issue.
IV.
Our Very Own Tipping Point, and the Several Probable Consequences Thereof, Depending on Which Way We Tip
This time next year, national ADVOCACY; manufactured housing RESEARCH; and, landlease community RESOURCES will likely be significantly different, in small or large part, from what we experience, benefit from, and appreciate today.
How so? While not prepared or authorized to provide details at this time – as they’ve yet to be worked out and codified, here’s how the landlease community Advocacy, Research, & Resource business terrain appears to this industry observer today:
Advocacy. Since January 1996, all matters pertaining to (then) manufactured home community national (political & regulatory) advocacy have been handled by the Manufactured Housing Institute’s National Communities Council (‘NCC’) division, despite suffering no fewer than six different ‘executive directors’, and a more – than – a – year leaderless hiatus, during the past 16 ½ years.
Lisa Brechtel is not returning to head the NCC division, and it appears Bruce Savage’s firm will continue in that leadership role for the time being.
At present, NCC’s elected leadership is dominated by representatives from the among the largest landlease community portfolio owners/operators. It remains to be seen, if and or how, this weighted leadership presence impacts the council’s agenda and focus.
Research. While still a routine focus for GFA Management, Inc., dba PMN Publishing, it’s expected, once the 24th annual ALLEN REPORT is published in January 2013, a measure of – if not all, realty asset class research will gradually be assumed by the newly formed Center for Manufactured Housing Studies, officed in Athens, OH.
David Funk, a landlease community owner/operator, is leading this effort to bring academic style and quality research to landlease communities, manufactured housing, and affordable housing.
It’s hoped, by many of us in the manufactured housing industry and landlease community asset class, the CMHS will, in time, become the long – awaited Think Tank for our sector of factory – built housing, realty asset class, and affordable housing.
Resources. This third of the landlease community triad of ADVOCACY, RESEARCH, & RESOURCES, continues to be handled by the aforementioned Indiana firm. And here’s specifically where the tipping point comes into play this year and next….
One goal might be to see Advocacy, Research, & Resources gel well together, within as few existing not for profit, or for profit – if need be, entities as possible! In fact, there’s already a joint project underway, testing such a triparte alliance, realizing change will still have to occur in the near to interim future. The project? Final editing of the new book manuscript tentatively titled, Book of Formulae, Rules of Thumb, & Helpful Measures. Content editors are Bruce Savage of the NCC (Advocacy), David Funk of the CMHS (Research), and Spencer Roane, MHM® of Pentagon Properties in GA, assisting the author with the Resources aspect of the work. It’s hoped this ‘book of numbers’ will be printed, bound, and ready for distribution, to all registrants, at this year’s 21st annual Networking Roundtable in San Diego, CA., 12 – 14 September. One more reason to go!
With that said though, there’s still precarious tipping ahead. Look at it this way: ‘WHO will lead the landlease community realty asset class into the future?’ An individual (Not me!), or one or more profit or not for profit entities? Let’s begin with the aforementioned Advocacy, Research, Resources triad. There’re at least three alternatives, and as of last month – a fourth, towards which this landlease community state of affairs might tip:
• MHI’s NCC division steps forward to add ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’, for landlease community owners/operators, to its’ day to day repertoire! Generally unknown, except to the 18 asset class pioneers who met 31 August 1993, to form the Industry Steering Committee predecessor to the NCC, the first of seven Strategic Objectives, penned at the time, read: “Share useful and accurate information within and outside the industry.” In today’s words, that’s landlease community ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’, based on Research, and in accords with issue and regulatory Advocacy. So, today there’s a very real opportunity for MHI’s NCC division to finally accomplish that Strategic Objective! Will it do so?
.
• MHI’s NCC division does NOT step forward, to add ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’, for landlease community owners/operators, to its’ day to day repertoire! Instead, it stands by the wayside, as this rare opportunity tips to another ‘for profit’ firm – like GFA Management, Inc., dba PMN Publishing, one willing and able to take over the responsibility of providing print and online media and communication, professional property management education and certification, as well as opportunities for national interpersonal networking, and deal – making. In a word, preserving today’s ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’ status quo, serving 50,000+/- landlease communities coast – to – coast.
• Or, in the minds of conscientious landlease community owners/operators, this Worst Case Scenario, where No One ‘steps up to the plate’, figuratively speaking – other than where the Research function is concerned, and this whole state of Resource affairs tips precipitously backward to where it was in 1980 – that’s 33 years ago, when there was NO knowledge of Who the property portfolio players were; NO property management ‘How To’ resources (books, forms), let alone PM training and certification; NO routine and regular print (monthly) and weekly (blog) communication among property owners/operators; and NO annual national interpersonal networking, educational, and deal – making opportunities designed specifically for landlease community aficionados. Wow! Is that even possible? It certainly is!
So, which way will landlease communities be tipping by the end of year 2012? Do YOU care? YOU should! What can YOU do, in the interim, to make your voice and preferences known? Just what was suggested earlier: BE where the action is, and talk with the Most Influential Persons in manufactured housing and landlease communities. BE a direct, dues – paying member of MHI’s NCC division, and stop relying on just what your state MHAssociation director may or may not be telling you about matters that’ll surely be impacting your near and interim business future! And know this, all parties involved in the first two of the three tipping point scenarios, will likely be present at the 21st annual Networking Roundtable in San Diego, CA., 12 – 14 September 2012. THEN would be an IDEAL time for YOU to get to know, maybe even influence, the future leadership of your preferred business model, the landlease community realty asset class!
• Oh yes, there is an additional, lately – emerging tipping point alternative. It’s one I’m uncomfortable writing about, in light of what you just read; but I’d be doing you an injustice if I didn’t share it, at least in part, with you. This fourth tipping point alternative, in some ways, is already in place. More than a dozen small mid – sized landlease community owners, some are small property portfolio operators, have already made their strong feelings known; that if the first two of the three above – described alternatives, don’t materialize in the relatively near future, they will NOT allow the third one (i.e. Return to 1980’s ‘nothingness’) to happen! Meaning? Well, YOU think about it. Frankly, I’m hoping our collective Advocacy, Research, Resources future will be nicely in place by ‘then’, and there will be no need for this fourth alternative.
And there’s this final, genuine concern, also expressed by other small to mid – sized owners/operators: If ‘the right people’, whoever ‘they’ be (My guess is passionate, capable, experienced, motivated landlease community aficionados), don’t assume control, ensuring continuation of Resources already in place, much of what exists today could well fade away due to benign neglect; in the end, effecting the third alternative by default. Pretty heady stuff wouldn’t you agree? What’re your thoughts on these alternatives?
Enough to think about during the week or two ahead? Certainly is enough for me. In the meantime, decide NOW when and where we’ll meet; where YOU will exert your influence as a landlease community owner/operator; and, be there! And while at one or more of the four upcoming events, engage in this telling exercise: Pay close attention to WHO is present and not present, from the major HUD Code home manufacturing firms, AND largest of the landlease community portfolio firms. You might be surprised who ‘doesn’t actively participate but inordinately influences’ industry and asset class issues and regulatory Advocacy matters.
***
George Allen, CPM®Emeritus, MHM®Master
Consultant to the Factory – built Housing Industry,
The Landlease Community Real Estate Asset Class &
Affordable Housing Purists and Enthusiasts Nationwide
Box # 47024, Indianapolis, IN. 46247.
(317) 346-7156
Blog # 205 Copyright 2012 29 July 2012
Perspective. ‘Landlease communities, a.k.a. manufactured home communities, & before that, ‘mobile home parks’, are the real estate component of manufactured housing.’ GFA
I.
12 of the 25 Most Influential People in MHIndustry & LLCommunity Realty Asset Class Already Identified!
II.
Are These Four Dates & Locations on Your Calendar?
III.
‘The Two Percenters Speak Out!’ Upcoming expose’ also describes landlease communities ‘Victory over Vacancy’!
IV.
Our Very Own Tipping Point, and the Several Probable Consequences Thereof, Depending on Which Way We Tip
***
‘OK; hang on, and ready yourself for an interesting (I), exciting (II), surprising (III), and thought (& action?) provoking (IV) ‘read’ thru familiar territory, as well as the hinterlands (undeveloped areas), of manufactured housing and landlease community affairs.’ GFA
I.
12 of the 25 Most Influential People in MHIndustry & LLCommunity Realty Asset Class Already Identified!
Before 12 hours passed, after emailing last Sunday’s BEBA (‘Blast Email Blog Alert’) and imbedded website/blog address, we received more than a dozen written recommendations of manufactured housing and landlease community – related individuals to include on the ’25 Most Influential People’ list! Frankly, I was surprised and encouraged, regarding the speed and volume of response, to this matter, from the 1,000+/- MHIndustry & LLCommunity folk who receive our BEBA every Sunday. Unfortunately, the request for input has become a write – in campaign, in behalf of a state manufactured housing association executive.
Remember, the deadline for recommendations is 30 September 2012. All you have to do is contact me, anyway you wish, with the suggested name, and reason(s) for your recommendation(s). Mail to GFA c/o Box # 47024, Indianapolis, IN. 46247 or FAX via (317) 346-7158 or email: gfa7156@aol.com, or via the MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764. Tentative plan is to incorporate this ’25 Most Influential People in Manufactured Housing & Landlease Communities’ list into the 24th annual ALLEN REPORT (a.k.a. ‘Who’s Who Among Landlease Community Owners/operators Throughout North America!’), scheduled for distribution as a lagniappe in the Allen Letter professional journal during January 2013. This list will be a noteworthy and historical addition to this seminal report, as copies of it are always requested, filed and archived annually, in public (Library of Congress), business (e.g. RV/MH Museum & Library in Elkhart, IN.), and university libraries, mostly for research purposes. So, ensure your Most Influential Person(s) become an integral part of manufactured housing and landlease community history!
II.
Now There’re Four Opportunities For YOU to Learn, US to Network; & TOGETHER, Influence Our Business Futures!
August 6th, 2012. RV/MH Heritage Foundation’s annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, at the RV/MH Museum and library facility at 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, IN. I’ll be arriving earlier that day to meet with friends and associates in the MHBusiness, before heading for the RV/MH Hall of Fame at 5PM, for a reception before the induction banquet. Who and What to expect? Several hundred MH & RV folk participating in our industries’ only legacy preservation program! To join in the fun and celebration, phone (574) 293-2344. Tell Charlene, “George sent me!” She’ll laugh….
And at 8AM the next morning, meet me for breakfast, at the Golden Egg Restaurant, located on the West side of Route # 19, in front of the Hilton Garden Hotel, where several of us are spending the night. And if you ‘break fast’ with us, expect a special MHIndustry – related gift from me; I’ll be that pleased to see you! And at that time, also give me the name of your Most Influential Person in Manufactured Housing & Landlease Communities.
August 29th, 2012. ‘We Go to SECO!’ is becoming the motivating rallying cry for those of us headed for this Southeastern (Landlease) Community Owners symposium in Atlanta, GA. What makes the program unique? Two things: who’s planning and hosting the event; and, what’s on the agenda. In the first instance, ‘Landlease community owners are doing this for landlease community owners!’ In the second instance, consider these foci:
• Marketing Audit Reports on four landlease communities, complete with observations, recommendations, remedial actions taken, and end results!
• 21st Mortgage Corporation’s exciting and ground – breaking C.A.S.H. Program will experience its’ first regional presentation to landlease community owners!
• Roundtable Discussions led by Southeast landlease community owners, who’ll identify and help parse the Biggest Issues facing the realty asset class today!
• Introduction of a new, broad – based media advertising program designed to drive qualified homebuyer prospects to communities selling new homes on – site!
So, join US at the Hilton Doubletree Atlanta/Marietta Conference Center. Phone (770) 272-9441 to make a room reservation; and, chrisnicely@gmail.com OR davidroden@yahoo.com OR spencer@roane.com
September 12 – 14 2012. ‘Anyone who’s anybody in the landlease (f.k.a. manufactured home) community business, as an owner/operator, will likely be present at the 21st annual International Networking Roundtable in San Diego, CA.!’ That’s ‘been the case’ during the past two decades this special event has been planned and hosted for landlease community ‘players’ and a dozen of their preferred real estate – secured mortgage loan originators. So, if that sentence describes YOU, plan now to attend! How? Phone the MHIndustry HOTINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764, or go to community-investor.com website to obtain a descriptive brochure and register. Attendance limited to 250 landlease community owners/operators and mortgage originators. Don’t be left out this time.
And know there’re more than 22 educational opportunities, nine superb interpersonal networking (meal/social events) events, and landlease community deal – making occasions, during the 2 ½ day Roundtable, more than at any other MHIndustry or asset class event scheduled anywhere, at anytime, during the year! See YOU there!
October 7 – 9, 2012. First off, if you’re in the MHBusiness, and not a direct, dues – paying member of the Manufactured Housing Institute, you should be! To do so, phone (703) 558-0678 and talk to Dick Jennison. Furthermore, if you own/operate one or more landlease communities, you should be a direct, dues – paying member of MHI’s National Communities Council (‘NCC’) division. To do so, phone Bruce Savage via (703) 558-0678. Plan to attend MHI’s annual, & NCC’s division meetings, in Arlington, VA. In early October. Unlike the other educational and networking events just described, there’ll be more large home manufacturers and property portfolio owners/operators at this event, ensuring their particular issue views, regarding MH & LLCommunity ADVOCACY, are on the agenda and foremost in the minds of MHI & NCC staff members and lobbyists.
So, become a member, attend, and make your issue views known as well. If you don’t, you have no one to blame but yourself, if your business environment deteriorates, federal financial regulation increases, and you wonder why all this is happening to YOU.
III.
‘The Two Percenters Speak Out!’ Upcoming expose’ also describes landlease communities ‘Victory over Vacancy’!
This will be (already is) my penned response to the ‘Victory over Vacancy’ article featured in the July/August issue of the Institute of Real Estate Management’s® Journal of Property Management magazine. Their feature begins with a two page photo spread, depicting what appears to be corner and end views of either HUD Code manufactured home sections, or modular home modules – both unsheathed, parked on a factory floor somewhere.
However, there’s absolutely no mention whatsoever, anywhere in this feature, of any sort of factory – built housing, and how it might relate to the title of the piece: ‘Victory over Vacancy’. But, that in itself is not surprising. As a 30+ year, now Emeritus Certified Property Manager® member of IREM®, I can’t recall the last time their in – house organ, JPM, published anything about the landlease (f.k.a. manufactured home) community income – producing property type. Back in the 1980s & 90s, I regularly penned articles, on this subject, for the magazine; enough to be inducted into IREM’s Academy of Authors, but nothing during the past ten years or so.
And there is indeed a ‘Victory over Vacancy’ story to be told, about the landlease community realty asset class. At this point in time, I have no idea whether IREM’s JPM staff will accept the ‘response article’ I’ve penned, for publication in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Irregardless, it will run in the September issue of the Allen Letter professional journal. So, if not already a subscriber, phone (317) 346-7156 to become one today.
The intimate circle of subscribers to the Allen CONFIDENTIAL! business newsletter, will get an advance look at the expose’ and ‘Victory over Vacancy’ piece in the August issue.
IV.
Our Very Own Tipping Point, and the Several Probable Consequences Thereof, Depending on Which Way We Tip
This time next year, national ADVOCACY; manufactured housing RESEARCH; and, landlease community RESOURCES will likely be significantly different, in small or large part, from what we experience, benefit from, and appreciate today.
How so? While not prepared or authorized to provide details at this time – as they’ve yet to be worked out and codified, here’s how the landlease community Advocacy, Research, & Resource business terrain appears to this industry observer today:
Advocacy. Since January 1996, all matters pertaining to (then) manufactured home community national (political & regulatory) advocacy have been handled by the Manufactured Housing Institute’s National Communities Council (‘NCC’) division, despite suffering no fewer than six different ‘executive directors’, and a more – than – a – year leaderless hiatus, during the past 16 ½ years.
Lisa Brechtel is not returning to head the NCC division, and it appears Bruce Savage’s firm will continue in that leadership role for the time being.
At present, NCC’s elected leadership is dominated by representatives from the among the largest landlease community portfolio owners/operators. It remains to be seen, if and or how, this weighted leadership presence impacts the council’s agenda and focus.
Research. While still a routine focus for GFA Management, Inc., dba PMN Publishing, it’s expected, once the 24th annual ALLEN REPORT is published in January 2013, a measure of – if not all, realty asset class research will gradually be assumed by the newly formed Center for Manufactured Housing Studies, officed in Athens, OH.
David Funk, a landlease community owner/operator, is leading this effort to bring academic style and quality research to landlease communities, manufactured housing, and affordable housing.
It’s hoped, by many of us in the manufactured housing industry and landlease community asset class, the CMHS will, in time, become the long – awaited Think Tank for our sector of factory – built housing, realty asset class, and affordable housing.
Resources. This third of the landlease community triad of ADVOCACY, RESEARCH, & RESOURCES, continues to be handled by the aforementioned Indiana firm. And here’s specifically where the tipping point comes into play this year and next….
One goal might be to see Advocacy, Research, & Resources gel well together, within as few existing not for profit, or for profit – if need be, entities as possible! In fact, there’s already a joint project underway, testing such a triparte alliance, realizing change will still have to occur in the near to interim future. The project? Final editing of the new book manuscript tentatively titled, Book of Formulae, Rules of Thumb, & Helpful Measures. Content editors are Bruce Savage of the NCC (Advocacy), David Funk of the CMHS (Research), and Spencer Roane, MHM® of Pentagon Properties in GA, assisting the author with the Resources aspect of the work. It’s hoped this ‘book of numbers’ will be printed, bound, and ready for distribution, to all registrants, at this year’s 21st annual Networking Roundtable in San Diego, CA., 12 – 14 September. One more reason to go!
With that said though, there’s still precarious tipping ahead. Look at it this way: ‘WHO will lead the landlease community realty asset class into the future?’ An individual (Not me!), or one or more profit or not for profit entities? Let’s begin with the aforementioned Advocacy, Research, Resources triad. There’re at least three alternatives, and as of last month – a fourth, towards which this landlease community state of affairs might tip:
• MHI’s NCC division steps forward to add ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’, for landlease community owners/operators, to its’ day to day repertoire! Generally unknown, except to the 18 asset class pioneers who met 31 August 1993, to form the Industry Steering Committee predecessor to the NCC, the first of seven Strategic Objectives, penned at the time, read: “Share useful and accurate information within and outside the industry.” In today’s words, that’s landlease community ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’, based on Research, and in accords with issue and regulatory Advocacy. So, today there’s a very real opportunity for MHI’s NCC division to finally accomplish that Strategic Objective! Will it do so?
.
• MHI’s NCC division does NOT step forward, to add ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’, for landlease community owners/operators, to its’ day to day repertoire! Instead, it stands by the wayside, as this rare opportunity tips to another ‘for profit’ firm – like GFA Management, Inc., dba PMN Publishing, one willing and able to take over the responsibility of providing print and online media and communication, professional property management education and certification, as well as opportunities for national interpersonal networking, and deal – making. In a word, preserving today’s ‘comprehensive Resource servicing’ status quo, serving 50,000+/- landlease communities coast – to – coast.
• Or, in the minds of conscientious landlease community owners/operators, this Worst Case Scenario, where No One ‘steps up to the plate’, figuratively speaking – other than where the Research function is concerned, and this whole state of Resource affairs tips precipitously backward to where it was in 1980 – that’s 33 years ago, when there was NO knowledge of Who the property portfolio players were; NO property management ‘How To’ resources (books, forms), let alone PM training and certification; NO routine and regular print (monthly) and weekly (blog) communication among property owners/operators; and NO annual national interpersonal networking, educational, and deal – making opportunities designed specifically for landlease community aficionados. Wow! Is that even possible? It certainly is!
So, which way will landlease communities be tipping by the end of year 2012? Do YOU care? YOU should! What can YOU do, in the interim, to make your voice and preferences known? Just what was suggested earlier: BE where the action is, and talk with the Most Influential Persons in manufactured housing and landlease communities. BE a direct, dues – paying member of MHI’s NCC division, and stop relying on just what your state MHAssociation director may or may not be telling you about matters that’ll surely be impacting your near and interim business future! And know this, all parties involved in the first two of the three tipping point scenarios, will likely be present at the 21st annual Networking Roundtable in San Diego, CA., 12 – 14 September 2012. THEN would be an IDEAL time for YOU to get to know, maybe even influence, the future leadership of your preferred business model, the landlease community realty asset class!
• Oh yes, there is an additional, lately – emerging tipping point alternative. It’s one I’m uncomfortable writing about, in light of what you just read; but I’d be doing you an injustice if I didn’t share it, at least in part, with you. This fourth tipping point alternative, in some ways, is already in place. More than a dozen small mid – sized landlease community owners, some are small property portfolio operators, have already made their strong feelings known; that if the first two of the three above – described alternatives, don’t materialize in the relatively near future, they will NOT allow the third one (i.e. Return to 1980’s ‘nothingness’) to happen! Meaning? Well, YOU think about it. Frankly, I’m hoping our collective Advocacy, Research, Resources future will be nicely in place by ‘then’, and there will be no need for this fourth alternative.
And there’s this final, genuine concern, also expressed by other small to mid – sized owners/operators: If ‘the right people’, whoever ‘they’ be (My guess is passionate, capable, experienced, motivated landlease community aficionados), don’t assume control, ensuring continuation of Resources already in place, much of what exists today could well fade away due to benign neglect; in the end, effecting the third alternative by default. Pretty heady stuff wouldn’t you agree? What’re your thoughts on these alternatives?
Enough to think about during the week or two ahead? Certainly is enough for me. In the meantime, decide NOW when and where we’ll meet; where YOU will exert your influence as a landlease community owner/operator; and, be there! And while at one or more of the four upcoming events, engage in this telling exercise: Pay close attention to WHO is present and not present, from the major HUD Code home manufacturing firms, AND largest of the landlease community portfolio firms. You might be surprised who ‘doesn’t actively participate but inordinately influences’ industry and asset class issues and regulatory Advocacy matters.
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George Allen, CPM®Emeritus, MHM®Master
Consultant to the Factory – built Housing Industry,
The Landlease Community Real Estate Asset Class &
Affordable Housing Purists and Enthusiasts Nationwide
Box # 47024, Indianapolis, IN. 46247.
(317) 346-7156