As America copes with the financial crisis there are still areas throughout the country that are still doing relatively well in regards to property and home sales. People over extending and buying out of their price range helped to put the U.S. in this position. The necessity to have quality affordable housing will always be a need across the economic spectrum. This will definitely help the manufactured housing industry. Despite the negativity flooding the airwaves, TV and newspapers, there are some pockets of sunshine as far as the overall housing market is concerned.
There are even some up-ticks in housing activity in the hardest hit states, namely Nevada, California, Florida and Arizona. Certain elements of the bank and GSE bailouts and the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 help our industry. For example, the Act says that when a first time home buyer purchases a house between April 9 of this year and July 1, 2009, he or she will get a $7500 tax credit. It also establishes a “duty to serve” the manufactured housing industry. There is no easy way out of this economic downturn, but in these times of crisis, we must find the opportunities. This is the time to be creative and work collaboratively. The fastest, most effective way to turn this economy around is to shore up the housing sector.
Manufactured and modular homes offer the best cost per square foot and can allow people to have energy efficiency, additional space, amenities and upgrades that they may not have considered or been able to afford in a conventional site-built home. Factory-built homes have come a long way in the design and quality that they offer. Current or future home buyers can do their research and find sites online where manufacturers and retailers display various models and options. These web sites offer some solid information and resources to help consumer decisions. Anyone looking to upgrade their current living conditions may want to check out the new look in homes and may be surprised that a manufactured home payment is less than renting.
Linda Lindholm Executive Director
Government Relations
UTAH GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Utah’s outlook is called recessionary, the economy appears grim and relief may not be on its way any time soon, economists at the Utah Association of Appraisers said. Utahans now have 50,000 sub-prime mortgages and 70 percent of those mortgages carry adjustable rates that are resetting in 2008 and 2009. People at risk of losing their homes span the social spectrum. Other factors that raise the risk of foreclosure are high loan to value, piggyback and interest only loans. Analysts predict it could take another 12 months before things get back to normal. Some housing analysts are blaming certain kinds of loans, and it’s not just the sub-primes.
House foreclosures along the Wasatch Front are claiming more victims that just investors, developers, builders, real estate agents and lending institutions. The slump in Utah’s housing market has also put subcontractors in a crunch when more an more aren’t being paid because of the foreclosures.
The Beehive State dropped from second to 16th for home value growth. For more than a year, Utah held the honor of having the highest home-price appreciation among all the states, slipping to No. 2 several months ago. But in the latest report by a federal agency that tracks home values, Utah has fallen to No. 16, with an increase of 1.9 percent in the year.
A contingent of Utahans with disabilities are among 500 disabled Americans who have set up the first-ever tent city at a major government agency, HUD, to protest federal underfunding of affordable housing.
Landowner’s development plans highlight affordable housing dilemma. In Utah’s red rock mecca, Moab, like many other resort communities, property values are soaring and the term “affordable housing” is quickly becoming an oxymoron.
The Moab City Council is study and taking on decisions whether to rezone prime acreage near the heart of town from residential to commercial and whether to rezone mobile home parks to make way for new condominiums. The six acres are currently a residential zone adjacent to two mobile home parks where a resort wants to build time-share condos. Dale
Zabriskie Zabriskie & Associates
Money Making Web Sites
Web Sites That Make Money!
You don't have to be number one in Google to make your web site a success. What you need is to target your client and make sure they do more than just visit your web site. There are many web sites that get great traffic and little or no business. When I talk about having a strategy for your web site, it really boils down to two things: (1) accurately identifying your client and (2) getting a response from them when they visit your web site.
For example, if your business is in Utah, it won't help if your web site visitors are from New York. There are many parts in the design of a web site that will productively filter visitors that are local and able to purchase a home. Putting your client first in the design and strategy of your web site is critical to its success. Bringing a client in from a Google search has as much to do with design as with your ranking. I have web sites selling homes within 4 weeks of a launch and they were so far back in the Google search we couldn't find them. I am not whistling “Dixie”, these are facts. Identify your client.
The statistics of how many visits you have to your web site are fun and sometimes productive tools, but I will take quality over quantity any day. With having identified your client now let’s get what we call a conversion. A conversion is nothing more than having a client either call you or email you. Forget trying to pre-qualify online and all those fancy forms to fill out. You know if you can get them to call you that you will have a good shot at getting them to buy from you.
Too often a web site owner wants to impress with flash or some other device to dazzle the client, but all too often it really just wastes time. Create a simple path of steps that will make the client want to contact you. Get those conversions!
Imagine if 150 visitors came to your web site in a week. Mind you, we have “productively filtered” these visitors. Now of those 150, only 10 were conversions (you got a response) and of those 4 actually came in to the sales office and 2 were not qualified. Would you like to sell 2 homes in a week from your web site? Also, compare your web costs to your paper advertising costs. The web site is better in every way!
Get tough, be smart and make money.
Max Marble owns a web design service which matches businesses with happy customers! Specializing in strategies for businesses on the internet, it's simple, do what you know and do it well. Call at 503-378-7166 or email me now.
Calendar of Events
CALENDAR OF EVENTS October 27 – Pocatello – Community Dinner Ramada Inn October 28 –ID Education– Pocatello, Ramada Inn, Juniper Rm. October 28 – Twin Falls, Comm. Dinner, Rock Creek Restaurant October 29 – ID Education Twin Falls, Hampton Inn October 30 – ID Education, Nampa Civic Center October 30 – Community Dinner, Boise, Casa Mexico Banquet November 5 – Community Dinner, Red Lion, Copeland Room November 6- ID Education Lewiston, Red Lion November 6 – Community Dinner, Coeur d’Alene Inn, Idaho Rm. November 7 – ID Education Coeur d’Alene, C d’Alene Inn November 13-14 – Building Industry Show, Long Beach, CA November 20 - Idaho Board Meeting, Boise, Idaho November 24 - Idaho Building Safety MH Board December 9 – Utah Board of Directors, Salt Lake City, UT December 10 – Nevada Board of Directors, Reno, NV December 24-January 1 – Happy Holidays to all! January 13-15 – Louisville MH Show, Louisville, Kentucky February 19 – ID Board Meeting, Crane Creek, Boise March 18 – Utah Board Meeting, Salt Lake City March 19 – Nevada Board of Directors Meeting, Reno April 14-15 – MHI Congress, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV April 29-30 – Great SW Home Show, Tulsa, OK
News From Other States
OREGON – The Oregon Contractors Board adopted rules requiring that all contractors completing a new residentia lstructure on or after July 1, 2008 provide the owner or first purchaser with a recommended maintenance schedule. The information must be provided no more than 60 days after completing the structure or first occupancy. The maintenance schedule provides guidance on avoiding moisture related problems. Retailers may use the recommended CCB form found at http://ccbed.ccb.state.or.us/WebPDF/CCB. Publications/Maintenance to satisfy the minimum requirements of the law. The Oregon MHA Board feels that this new rule applies to manufactured homes and retailers need to comply. Retailers may develop their own forms and provide additional data to meet OAR 812-001-0240 requirements.
WYOMING– The Campbell County Commission is contemplating new building codes that could benefit future manufacturedhome owners. The county is putting codes in place that comply with those under the 2006 International Residential Code. The need stems from the credit turmoil and financial institutions hesitancy to lend money. The new uniform codes will provide assurances to homeowners and banks so they canget certificates of occupancy and receive financing.
INDIANA– Indiana’s MH and RV industries, forced to slowdown in light of economic circumstances, are rebounding and aggressively acting to maintain their portion of the market.Several manufactured housing and RV businesses have been sold to buyers outside of Indiana. IMHA and the RV Councilare sponsoring studies to find solutions for the manufacturers, many of which have experienced layoffs and plant closures.They are working with corporate leaders to draft legislation or other solutions that include steps and tips for companies.
CANADIAN MANUF. HOUSING INSTITUTE - Two years ahead of schedule, Canada’s homebuilding industry has already met the Kyoto challenge. Environment Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory shows that the residential sector not only met its Kyoto Treaty target for reducing GHG emissions, but also exceeded it with emissions down 8,5% from their 1990 level. The results reflect significant gains interms of the energy efficiency of Canadian homes, both new and existing. Average household energy use dropped 15 %.
ALABAMA – The Alabama Housing Association will be sponsoring the 2009 Tunica Home Show on March 25-27, 2009 at Harrah’s Convention Center in Tunica, Mississippi.The Tunica Show is the world’s largest manufactured/modular home show and a great time to see innovative homes.
WISCONSIN – Reliance on association dues is no panacea in these hard economic times. So the Wisconsin Housing Allianceis negotiating with other organizations to create provideror endorsement arrangements which include health and employee benefits programs, pest control, services, personal lines of insurance and extending educational offerings.
As America copes with the financial crisis there are still areas throughout the country that are still doing relatively well in regards to property and home sales. People over extending and buying out of their price range helped to put the U.S. in this position. The necessity to have quality affordable housing will always be a need across the economic spectrum. This will definitely help the manufactured housing industry. Despite the negativity flooding the airwaves, TV and newspapers, there are some pockets of sunshine as far as the overall housing market is concerned. 
Utah’s outlook is called recessionary, the economy appears grim and relief may not be on its way any time soon, economists at the Utah Association of Appraisers said. Utahans now have 50,000 sub-prime mortgages and 70 percent of those mortgages carry adjustable rates that are resetting in 2008 and 2009. People at risk of losing their homes span the social spectrum. Other factors that raise the risk of foreclosure are high loan to value, piggyback and interest only loans. Analysts predict it could take another 12 months before things get back to normal. Some housing analysts are blaming certain kinds of loans, and it’s not just the sub-primes. 
OREGON – The Oregon Contractors Board adopted rules requiring that all contractors completing a new residentia lstructure on or after July 1, 2008 provide the owner or first purchaser with a recommended maintenance schedule. The information must be provided no more than 60 days after completing the structure or first occupancy. The maintenance schedule provides guidance on avoiding moisture related problems. Retailers may use the recommended CCB form found at http://ccbed.ccb.state.or.us/WebPDF/CCB. Publications/Maintenance to satisfy the minimum requirements of the law. The Oregon MHA Board feels that this new rule applies to manufactured homes and retailers need to comply. Retailers may develop their own forms and provide additional data to meet OAR 812-001-0240 requirements.
