The executive summary of this article could read something like this.  Accurate housing or other fact checks are useful.  Pulling back the curtain on popular reports, to see what’s not stated, can be beneficial too.  When affordable housing shoppers hear about reports like the ones posted or linked below, its wise to step back to look anew at what the …

In just over three weeks, this video below entitled “Seattle is Dying” by KOMO, a local ABC TV affiliate there, has broken 2.1 million views. It is an hour-long and compelling documentary that ends with hope based upon some promising solutions.  But it first lays out one troubling fact and example after another.   Misplaced compassion is part of their …

Preface. Mistakes happen. People can learn from them, or not. Mature adults should ideally not allow themselves to be defined by errors – because everyone has their share of mistakes and ignorance. Rather, people of all ages and backgrounds are better defined by their behavior after an error has been uncovered.   How is a mistake addressed? Is it swept …

Facts are at times uncomfortable.   At others times, the realities of life are truly a puzzle. What follows is arguably the single-most covered topic in the mainstream news media involving mobile or manufactured home living at this time. After the ubiquitous Drudge Report – one of the top news sites on the planet – linked Millie Francis’ story on …

“We as an independent manufactured home producer’s association have often worked successfully with resident groups, on issues of mutual interest. We don’t deal with community related issues directly. I believe that people of good will may agree or disagree on details, and still have mutual respect. Let me express my sincere condolences to those touched by the loss of Ed …

In the windows of some manufactured homes and other dwellings, there will be a menorah visible tonight.     In manufactured home communities from coast-to-coast, you’ll find Christmas lights on homes, which perhaps are more properly called Advent lights before December 25th, and Christmas lights on and after that date. Some places and communities will even have holiday decorations and …

In all 50 states, affordable housing is an issue today. In all 50 states, it is difficult for renters to afford rental housing, based upon a wage of $15 an hour.     According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical renter could own a manufactured home for less than the cost of their rent.     According to …

Affordable quality housing is one of the most critical issues of our time.  So too is affordable home ownership, which should be the ideal goal over rental housing. A challenge is zoning and land use, which is highly politicized, and thus is often misunderstood.  What follows is adapted from the comments letter addressed as shown below.  This features a video …

People generally don’t buy something that they don’t understand, misunderstand, have concerns about, aren’t motivated to have, or are otherwise unable to buy. Until understanding, interest, desire, opportunity, need, and the means to buy all come together, no purchase is made. There are more details. But in a nutshell, those two sentences above sum up the answer to the headline …

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

The scores of Elvis impersonators one can find are the only reminders needed that he is still seen as the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ today, as he was by millions in years gone by.   When you are a star, it seems surprising to people that someone with money and fame would pick a mobile home for their personal …

Fear affects decision-making every day. But often, “F.E.A.R.” is an acronym for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” Our research indicates that the solution to the affordable housing crisis is hiding in plain sight, but fear and prejudice have kept it from being widely embraced. In this analysis, we’ll discuss what experts – including those outside the industry, sources such as the …

ABC News did the following exposé about the host of problems found in the conventional “site-built” housing industry.     The above is one of many such videos.  See another example in a local news video, below.     This isn’t to pick on what D.R. Horton, or any other conventional ‘site-builder.’ Rather, we start with a point that the …

Disclosures.  Among the most common requests we get from home shoppers is a variation on this question.  How do you recommend we determine which company or location to buy from? Because the responsibility for due diligence is with the buyer, this article is being provided as a public service. This column will be the first in a periodic series of articles …

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