mhinsider_novdec2025_issue

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The Louisville Manufactured Housing Show Returns to KEC Jan. 14-16

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Champion® Homes Donates Value Of New Home To Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity

San Jose, Calif., Partnership Creates First ADU To Condo Conversion

PUBLISHER Patrick Revere | patrick@mhvillage.com

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from the publisher

Patrick Revere is vice president of communications at MHVillage and publisher for the MHInsider magazine and blogs. His background is in print news, language, and communication.

THAT’S A WRAP!

MHInsider magazine, in each issue, takes a long look at work well done by manufactured housing professionals; organizations or individuals profiled perhaps for a singular inspired moment, or for successes earned through the years or decades. Design and Build is the theme of the annual print finale. In recent years, it has also carried the unveiling of the MHinsider Industry Awards, a staff and reader favorite to be sure.

In addition to the award winner profiles, our November/ December offering takes a look at an abundance of recent news out of Washington, D.C., and introduces readers to a first in California — an ADU to condo conversion. Columnist George Allen takes a look at the career and leadership ideals of the legendary John Crean. Eastern Union’s Marc Tropp joins us with insight on how the affordability of factory-built homes drives lender interest, and we provide insight on upcoming industry events.

Thank you to our readers, our advertisers, and all of the manufactured housing professionals who follow MHInsider on the web, in print, and along the circuit of industry shows. We appreciate your hard work, and look forward to seeing you again soon!

Have Industry News, Events, or Editorial Content You'd Like to Share?

Contact our Publisher, Patrick Revere at (616) 888-6994, or patrick@mhvillage.com

INDUSTRY

TRANSACTIONS

RHP Properties Purchases AllAge Manufactured Home Community Near New York

RHP Properties has purchased the Metropolitan Manufactured Home Community in Moonachie, New Jersey, adjacent to Teterboro Airport, and will rename it Metropolitan Reserve as part of a rebranding initiative. Located just outside New York City, Metropolitan Reserve is an all-age, family-friendly community with 241 homesites. It is one of the most affordable housing options within a desirable commuting distance to New York City. Metropolitan Reserve stands out as an ideal option for professionals seeking accessibility to both a diverse and robust job market and quality of life, as well as for families and retirees looking to enjoy a welcoming community with access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of the greater NYC area. In addition to on-site amenities such as a clubhouse and swimming pool, the community is minutes from the Meadowlands Sports Complex and the American Dream mega-mall. “We're excited to welcome residents into a thoughtfully managed community that offers a strong sense of connection,” RHP Properties CEO Ross Partrich said. “With its access to jobs, transit, and everything the NYC area has to offer, Metropolitan Reserve supports the lifestyle and opportunities that individuals and families are looking for and can afford.”

San Diego Community Changes Hands

Grandview Terrace Mobile Estates, a 55-plus manufactured home community in San Diego, has been purchased by Keith Management for $35 million. The 200-plus homesite community sits on more than 25 acres close to interstates 5 and 15. The community has a swimming pool and a clubhouse with recreational facilities. HARRI5 Brokers worked with the buyer in the deal.

FG Communities Closes on North Carolina Property

FG Communities has acquired a Greenville, South Carolina community with 88 homesites on about 22 acres. “Greenville is a popular area and one of the fastest growing cities in South Carolina. We believe that this growth will continue and that the park will be a beneficiary of this growth,” FG Communities CEO Michael Anise said. The area is known for a vibrant culinary and arts scene, and outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

Flagship Buys Kentucky Community

Flagship Communities, a real estate investment trust, has acquired from Empower Park, LLC a 504-homesite manufactured home community in Georgetown, Kentucky. The purchase is being funded using cash on hand along with about $17 million in assumed debt that carries an average interest rate of 3.5 percent, according to a Flagship release. “The acquisition of this MHC demonstrates our growth strategy by sourcing »

high-quality opportunities within our existing footprint, which enables us to generate economies of scale and operational synergies,” Kurt Keeney, Flagship Communities president and CEO, said. “Through the removal of old homes and the installation of new amenities, this acquisition is already well-positioned to be a desirable home-ownership option.” The community includes a pair of municipal-grade playgrounds, four new basketball courts, a new dog park, and a new community center. Flagship Communities Chief Investment Officer Nathan Smith said the acquisition “aligns perfectly” with the team’s acquisition criteria. “We look forward to welcoming more new residents in the months ahead to this great community, which is located near major employers and highly rated schools,” Smith said.

Broker Manages Portfolio Sale

Marcus & Millichap, a leading broker with expertise in manufactured housing, has managed a five-property, 656-homesite portfolio sale in Florida. The Gasparillo Portfolio, at the time of sale, was more than 90 percent occupied. The parks are in Thonotosassa, Gibsonton, and Ruskin, all in the outlying Tampa area.

PERSONNEL

Chicago-based Community Owner

Promotes Executive to Top Spot

Zeman Homes has promoted Michael Bailey to CEO, replacing interim CEO Jeff Fannon. Bailey had been Zeman’s executive vice president, and in his new role will continue to focus on strategic growth and expansion of the company’s businesses, capital raising, and strategic partnerships, while also overseeing the day-to-day operations. Bailey spent more than 10 years with Equity Lifestyle Properties, most recently as a senior vice president overseeing the company’s property acquisition strategy. He also worked in the commercial real estate industry with Nye Commercial Advisors and earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from the University of South Florida. Fannon will return to his previous role, serving as vice chairman for Zeman Homes. “We are thrilled to expand Michael’s role at Zeman Homes, including a greater emphasis on managing overall operations and major corporate decision-making,” Zeman Homes Chairman Ed Zeman said. “Equally, he will continue to tap into his past experience in executing growth strategies in the manufactured home industry, whether that’s through acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and internal growth initiatives.”

Zeman Homes was founded in 1983 by Bud Zeman and is one of the largest privately held operators of manufactured home communities and RV resorts in the United States. The company owns and/or operates more than 50 communities and more than 11,000 sites nationwide.

Champion Names Chief HR Officer

Alan Robertson has joined Champion Homes in the newly created position of chief human resources officer. Robertson has more than 15 years of experience in human resources and talent acquisition. He earned an MBA from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. Robertson joined Pulte Homes in 2018 and most recently served as vice president of human resources, supporting manufacturing and field operations teams. His expertise includes talent development, succession planning, compensation, and merger and acquisition integration. “Alan’s home-builder experience and business-first leadership style will help us continue to execute our long-term priorities and support our 9,000 team members,” Champion Homes President and CEO Tim Larson said.

Roots Management Advances Executive to CFO

Roots Management Group, an owner and operator of manufactured home communities, has appointed Sarah McCombs Taylor to the position of chief financial officer. Taylor oversees all financial activities for the company, guiding strategic planning, financial reporting, asset management, and data initiatives. She brings more than 16 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, and operational leadership. Taylor is known for building high-performing teams and delivering practical solutions to complex financial challenges. Her leadership style blends analytical and technical expertise with a collaborative approach, fostering innovation and continuous improvement. Taylor joined Roots in April 2024, serving as the senior vice president of accounting. “Sarah brings a proven track record of financial leadership and strategic insight to our team. Her depth of experience in both the public and private sectors, combined with her ability to lead high-performing teams, will be instrumental as we continue to grow and strengthen our position in the manufactured housing industry,” Roots President and CEO Tom Stapley said. MHV

D.C. JOURNAL

Innovative Housing

Showcase features

Manufactured Housing

By Patrick Revere

Centerpiece

‘One-of-a-Kind’

The Innovative Housing Showcase, an annual event hosted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, took on a new look this year, in a new season and with a truly one-of-a-kind housing offering.

Clayton, the industry’s largest builder, showed a home — The Cypress — on the National Mall in D.C. that was built and delivered from Bean Station, Tennessee, and is now permanently placed in a Westville, Indiana neighborhood. The home is the first-ever single-section CrossMod® home. CrossMod, a product registered by the Manufactured Housing Institute, has been on the market for several years, offering HUD code homes with specific attributes that can fit into nearly any neighborhood in America. CrossMod homes have a pitched roof, hardwood cabinets, and energy-efficient appliances and features, as well as an attached garage and a front porch. This type of home, attached to a permanent foundation, makes it eligible for a conventional mortgage. Up until the Fall of 2025, all CrossMod homes have been multi-section offerings. The new, smaller, single-section CrossMod allows the same benefits on smaller lots, in new or existing communities. »

“Today’s

typical American family striving to become homeowners face many hurdles and often wait longer to purchase their first home. For all U.S. households, that means about 75 percent are unable to afford a median-priced new home. We are thrilled single-section CrossMod homes will now offer attainable homeownership solutions for a wider range of budget and lifestyle needs.”

Built to Thermal Zone 3 standards, the home has 2x6 exterior construction for added strength and more space for insulation. Clayton’s Cypress floor plan is 990 square feet, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, using a smaller footprint and front-loaded layout ideal for neighborhoods and urban lots. In most markets, single-section CrossMod homes are expected to be available for about $200,000, including the cost of land.

Andrew Bryant, Clayton’s business development manager for CrossMod homes, said the CrossMod team and the builders in Tennessee spent a lot of time listening to customers — other builders, developers, and homeowners — about how the home should come out.

“What do you like in a house?” Bryant asked during a tour of the new home, perched in the nation’s front yard between the Capitol and the Washington Monument.

It’s hard to beat the view, more than one person said.

“Triple windows in the bedroom to capture as much of that natural light as possible. That’s a big one,” Bryant said. “And those jump ducts are standard in all of our CrossMod homes, as well as flat craftsman trim throughout, not just in the front of the house.”

Bryant said a smaller, and more efficient CrossMod allows Clayton to get a finished home to a developer for about $75 per square foot.

“That allows the builder to do what they do well, which is foundations, front porch, garage, and sidewalk,” he said.

“The single-section CrossMod home is a very attractive solution for builders and developers,” Clayton Home Building Group Chief Operating Officer Colt Davis said. “The frontloaded design and size make them well-suited for development on narrower lots, increasing inventory without straining existing infrastructure — a critical advancement in the effort to expand affordable housing.”

This type of home installation averages about 60-70 days, Bryant said, and typically can be purchased upon completion at about $110 to $125 per square foot.

New Durham Estates, where the home will land in Indiana, operates on a land-lease model. If a home is being placed on the owner’s land, the home cost increases depending on the value of the land and the need or desire for curb and gutter.

Tom Fath, a third-generation manufactured housing community owner, is the owner of New Durham Estates, which opened in 1967 and was operated by Tom’s grandfather Mel Fath.

By the end of the year, when the home via Tennessee and Washington, D.C. makes its 30-plus hour, 1,200-mile journey, it will be joined by another Clayton single-section CrossMod from Middlebury, Indiana.

“We should be able to wrap all of this up in November,” Tom Fath said. “We’ve been really busy this year, and it’s been like that for about three or four years. By the end of 2025, we will have brought in 18 new homes during the year.

“We have family that lives here, and a lot of the local fire, police, council members,” he said. “New Durham Estates make up about a third of the population of our town.” »

“Homeownership is central to the American Dream. A home is much more than just four walls and a roof. It’s much more than just a financial investment. It is the foundation upon which Americans build lives of independence, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. These bedrock American values have defined us since the founding of our great nation and turned our country into a beacon of prosperity and hope.”

— HUD Secretary Scott Turner

National Housing Stakeholders, Advocates Meet on the Mall

A great number of housing leaders, from Washington and from locales coast to coast, were on the National Mall for the Innovative Housing Showcase during the second week of September.

Among the federal leaders to attend the event was HUD Secretary Scott Turner, who came to the venue multiple times during the week, including for a Fox Business interview in the middle of the small village of manufactured homes.

Turner commended all of the housing professionals who took time out of their work routine to get homes on the National Mall and share with stakeholders their vision of the future of housing; new designs, efficiencies, and technologies that make the Innovative Housing Showcase the spectacle that it is.

“We have to bring the cost down,” Turner said during the interview. “We have to bring the supply up. That will

give Americans the opportunity to own the home they live in.”

He said HUD is working with stakeholders in to eliminate regulatory barriers that are holding back the potential for a great number of new homes on the market. He called HUD “a great convener.”

“We recognize it and we are working hard on it every day,” Turner said. “We need interest rates to come down because those rates have a direct impact on the cost of housing.

“If these rates come down, the supply can come up,” he said.

Manufactured Homes Make the Centerpiece of Innovative Housing Showcase

Along with the Clayton home on the mall, the industry also showed a Champion home, a Cavco Industries home, and a home from Ritz-Craft. The Clayton and the Cavco homes each featured SmartSide Expert finish siding from LP Building Solutions. More than

5,000 people toured the homes during the week, according to HUD.

— The Gerry is a three-bedroom, two-bath home with a welcoming front porch and a large, open kitchen. The 1,527-square-foot home by Ritz-Craft was shown in partnership with GAF Energy, which provided integrated solar shingle roofing and energy storage solutions for an all-solar home.

— The Axis Modern, a three-bedroom, two-bath home from Cavco, has 1,680 square feet and provides a pair of flex rooms that can be used for an office, dining room, or sunroom. It was built in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

— Brommer, from Champion, is a 1,153-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a large, open kitchen-dining and living area, designated utility space, pantries, and a main bedroom and bath with a walk-in closet. It was built in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

Each of the three homes brought to the National Mall in partnership with

UMH Properties will go to a manufactured home community where it either has been or will be purchased or rented.

“The Innovative Housing Showcase offers lawmakers, policymakers, and the general public a unique opportunity to tour these homes in person and experience modern, attainable housing solutions that address the nation’s affordable housing crisis,” UMH Properties President and CEO Sam Landy said.

Each of the homes was brought to the mall in cooperation with HUD and MHI, which simultaneously coordinates its MHI on the Hill event to have industry representatives meet at Senate and House offices to convey industry priorities to lawmakers, staff, and policymakers.

Part of HUD’s endeavor during the Innovative Housing Showcase was to provide a platform for decision makers to discuss housing policy, priorities, and initiatives. Panelists and moderators, including elected officials, took to the stage under a tent on the mall much of Tuesday, Sept 9. About 200 people attended the sessions.

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, participated in a talk entitled “The American Home is the American Dream.”

“Manufactured housing has excelled well beyond what anybody gives them the credit they deserve,” Flood said. “We have to embrace this industry.”

Flood said manufactured homes shouldn’t be put out only on the edge of town. Buyers deserve to live next to the park and near other city services, too, he said.

Dennis Shea, executive vice president of the Bipartisan Policy Center, said there has been significant progress on housing in Washington.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is great for housing,” he said. “We are leveraging the tax code to incentivize private investment in affordable housing.”

ROAD to Housing Act passed in Senate Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs 24-0.

“You don’t see that a lot in Washington, D.C.,” Shea said. “One of those (provisions) is to remove the permanent chassis requirement from the federal standard.”

Shea noted that the requirement has been used as a “blocking device” in local government.

“It is our most affordable, unsubsidized housing in the United States,” Shea said.

In a discussion on home finance, Jed Mason, of Mindset, a bi-partisan public policy center, said the use of “alternate data” such as payment of utility bills, or rent payment history, can help gauge an applicant’s ability to pay.

Discover the Credit Human difference

“In some ways, I think technology development in home finance was set back a decade by the credit and finance crisis,” Mason said. “Now we’re ready, I think, to take advantage of some of these tools.”

Financing for accessory dwelling units, ADUs, was discussed, but not just in regard to finance of the dwelling itself, but in terms of the owner or potential owner’s financing for the primary residence.

“If you know you are going to rent the ADU at that home, you can use the (prospective) revenue to help finance that home,” Mason said. “It’s not just an ADU thing, it’s not just a rental thing, it’s a home ownership facilitation tool.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family sat with MHInsider under a tent along media row. Despite a day of »

Where we’re committed to:

Making a complex process smooth and simple.

Crafting lending programs with your needs in mind.

Improving the lives of the people we serve.

rain, many of the expected public officials came to the showcase.

Jones pointed to a recent roundtable that HUD was involved in to discuss how to reduce the cost of financing a home.

“I think that is the first time that’s been done in a long time, if ever,” Jones said. “It really was an opportunity to listen and talk about what changes we can make.”

He said he is encouraged by the recent code updates for manufactured housing. Jones said he and his team have visited four manufactured housing communities in recent months.

“Clearly it’s a real opportunity to bring more affordable housing to the market,” he said. “And we are here to showcase the different types of innovative housing, the different shapes and sizes that are needed in the marketplace.”

United States Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer took to the main outdoor stage that afternoon, along with Turner, and Ambassador Monica Crowley, the U.S. Chief of Protocol within the U.S. State Department.

“Thank you to those companies here and all across the country for the work you do and for creating the jobs that come with building affordable housing,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

“This is affordable housing,” she said, waving her hand across the spectacle.

“Three bed, two bath, $200,000, you have it right here.”

Turner concluded his final visit to the showcase with high praise for the build ers and their partners.

“This is really a great display of the brilliance of America,” Turner said. “Look what we’re doing here today, and we’ve just scratched the surface. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else or with anybody else.” MHV

EXPERTISE WHERE IT MATTERS.

At Berkadia, our team boasts over 75 years of combined Manufactured Housing experience and a strong understanding of local markets.

We use this knowledge to create solutions that fit the specific needs and conditions of each region, helping your investments succeed where it matters the most. Visit berkadia.com/manufacturedhousing to learn more.

MORTGAGE BANKING

KEVAN ENGER

Senior Managing Director, Head of Manufactured Housing 407.481.9920 kevan.enger@berkadia.com

IAN HILPL

Senior Director 689.244.5558 ian.hilpl@berkadia.com

BRIAN HUMMELL Director 614.318.5482 brian.hummell@berkadia.com

HUNTER LAROCCA Director 407.227.9643 hunter.larocca@berkadia.com

INVESTMENT SALES | MORTGAGE BANKING | SERVICING

ART TUVERSON

Senior Managing Director, Head of Manufactured Housing 949.283.5020 art.tuverson@berkadia.com

ARON PROCUNIAR

Associate Director 949.742.1961 aron.procuniar@berkadia.com

EVENTS & TRADE SHOWS

If you have an event or gathering you would like to have listed with MHInsider, please scan the QR code below:

MHI’S NCC FALL LEADERSHIP FORUM

Wednesday, Nov. 5 — Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

Chicago | Westin Michigan Avenue

The NCC Fall Leadership Forum held each year draws more than 400 attendees and is the only strategic executive-level event of the year for national community owners. The meeting is geared toward professionals involved with manufactured home communities as an owner/manager, manufacturer, service provider, broker, lender, or consultant. Organizers and presenters explore new ideas, examine trends, and offer a unique industry perspective.

LOUISVILLE MANUFACTURED HOUSING SHOW

Wednesday, Jan. 14 — Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

Louisville, Ky. | Kentucky Exposition Center

The Louisville Manufactured Housing Show is the nation’s largest indoor show for manufactured home professionals. The annual gathering is organized by the Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation, supported by the state associations of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. The show brings out an array of new manufactured home designs, the latest in technology, the best in supplier offerings, and a look at all the newest amenities and offsite-built options.

MHI WINTER MEETING

Monday, Feb. 16 — Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Atlanta | JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead

Hosted each February, the MHI Winter Leadership Roundtable is the first MHI members-only event of the year. This program brings together MHI members to hear from industry experts on topics relevant to a broad group of manufactured housing professionals. Event sessions are followed by an open forum.

UNLOCK THE BENEFITS OF

INTERNATIONAL BUILDER’S SHOW

Tuesday, Feb. 17 — Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Orlando | Orange County Convention Center

The NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) is the premier global annual event to connect, educate, and improve the residential construction industry. It is a hub for new product launches, construction demonstrations, industry thoughtleader sessions, home tours, workshops, and panel discussions. Manufactured home and modular home professionals will showcase their products and services in the convention center and in the outdoor village.

BILOXI MANUFACTURED HOUSING SHOW

Monday, March 16 — Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Biloxi, Miss. | IP Casino Resort and Spa

The South Central Manufactured Housing Institute each year hosts the Biloxi Show for manufactured housing professionals. It is North America’s largest indoor/ outdoor manufactured home trade show, featuring an outdoor village with nearly 50 homes on display, an impressive indoor exhibit hall that showcases the newest features from industry suppliers, as well as educational training to help build a business.

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The Louisville Manufactured Housing Show Returns to KEC Jan. 14-16

The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation will host The Louisville Show Jan. 14-16, 2026, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The federation is composed of five member state associations — Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio and the annual event draws thousands of manufactured housing professionals from across the country.

The Louisville Manufactured Housing Show is the largest indoor display of factory-built homes in the Midwest. Nearly 200 service and supply exhibitors will be set up and ready to talk about industry solutions. Plus, attendees can tour more than 40 model homes built by some of the nation’s leading manufacturers.

“The Louisville Show is the industry’s chance to tour the latest model homes on display,” MMHF President Eric Oaks said.

“We’ve been proud to help maintain the show’s 65-year legacy by making it one of the biggest industry celebrations every year.”

Attendees can also learn from industry leaders who will share insights on industry trends for 2026 and beyond. More than about 150 industry professionals submitted suggestions for session topics. Each day, sessions will feature speakers and panelists who will provide insight and information regarding trends in the areas of sales and marketing, home finance, community operations, development, industry advocacy, and an economic overview.

“Last year was a resounding success for the Louisville Show, and we’re keeping the momentum moving forward for 2026,” 2026 Louisville Show Chairman Byron Stroud said. “This year’s Louisville Show will be a can’t-miss event for any manufactured housing professional.”

The show, which is the annual precursor to the spring selling session, also offers a VIP option for receiving advanced credentials, allowing attendees to skip on-site registration. Those who upgrade to VIP access will also be invited to an exclusive opening reception and two VIP breakfasts at the show.

Organizers for the Louisville Show have arranged for an expanded hotel footprint in downtown Louisville, offering discounted room rates at the event headquarters, the Hyatt Regency Louisville, as well as at the nearby Marriott Louisville Downtown. Attendees who prefer to stay near the airport and Kentucky Expo Center have the option of booking at special rates at the Courtyard by Marriott Louisville Airport, Tru by Hilton Louisville Airport, and SpringHill Suites Louisville Airport. For more information on attending the 2026 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show, visit www.thelouisvilleshow.com. MHV

ADVANCED DURABILITY FOR LONGER LASTING BEAUTY

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A PIONEER IN MANUFACTURED HOUSING

• $2.4 billion in total enterprise value

• 144 communities, 26,800 homesites, 12 states

• Housing approximately 23,000 families

As a publicly traded REIT (NYSE:UMH), we have been providing quality a ordable housing since 1968. Our portfolio provides high pro t margins, recession resistant qualities, reliable income streams and the potential for long-term value appreciation.

• 8,200 total acres, 4,000 acres in Marcellus and Utica Shale regions

Property featured: SEBRING SQUARE, Sebring, FL Homes for Sale and Rent. Take the Tour Today! For more information, visit www.umh.reit or contact ir@umh.com

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CHAMPION® HOMES DONATES

VALUE OF NEW HOME TO GREATER CLEVELAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Champion Homes has offered to donate the value of a new modular home to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity as part of a joint effort to build more affordable homes in Cleveland.

“Champion Homes is committed to building high quality, affordable homes using offsite construction,” Champion Homes President and CEO Tim Larson said. “The need is great, and Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has been a fantastic collaborator as we work together to make homeownership a reality for more families.”

Local stakeholders attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 24 in Cleveland, during which tours were offered to experience the quality of construction and the home’s design aesthetics.

Seven more modular homes, also built by Champion Homes in collaboration with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, will be available to tour on the same block.

Larson, along with Executive Vice President of Business Development Wade Lyall and Regional Director of Sales Steve Peel, attended the event with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity President and CEO John Litten. »

“This home will help a local family build a stronger future,” said Litten. “Together with Champion Homes, we’re helping revitalize this neighborhood and changing people’s living situations for the better.”

Greater Cleveland Habitat will sell the home to a local family at no profit and with an interest-free mortgage. The monthly housing payment will be no more than 30 percent of the homeowners’ monthly income.

The 1,493-square-foot home comes from Champion’s Strattanville, Pennsylvania, manufacturing facility. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a covered front porch, ENERGY STAR® kitchen appliances, windows, and doors. Modular homes are built according to local, state, and regional building codes, typically on a faster schedule than sitebuilt homes, and at a reduced cost.

There are 10 homes in the neighborhood near Grovewood Avenue and East 164th Street on the city’s northeast side that show Champion Homes’s history of work with Greater Cleveland

Habitat for Humanity. They include four modular homes on West 83rd Street and five others on Matherson Avenue, all built by Champion’s Sugarcreek, Ohio, manufacturing facility.

“Being able to put in 10 new houses at once changes a neighborhood,” Peel said. “That’s 10 new driveways, sidewalks, and garages. Because we’re able to build homes at a faster pace with offsite construction, we can quickly make a real difference in a neighborhood.”

Habitat for Humanity works to eliminate substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes. It also advocates for fair and just housing policies, and provides training and access to resources to help families improve their living conditions. Greater Cleveland Habitat is one of 967 active Habitat affiliates across the country, and has served its community since 1987.

Champion Homes is a leading producer of factory-built housing in North America. It employs more than 9,000 people and operates 46 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and western Canada. The company has a portfolio of manufactured and modular homes, ADUs, park models, and modular buildings for the single-family, multi-family, and hospitality.

In addition to its core business, Champion Homes provides construction services to install and set up factory-built homes, operates a factory-direct retail business with 82 retail locations in the U.S., and operates Star Fleet Trucking, providing transportation services to the manufactured housing and other industries from several dispatch locations. MHV

The Louisville Show has drawn manufactured housing professionals together for over 60 years. By attending the year’s first major event you can:

CONNECT with over 4,000 industry professionals that attend the show

EXPLORE the latest industry trends and innovations from leading manufacturers

DISCOVER new ways to grow your business

LEARN from industry experts across 3 days of educational seminars

SAN JOSE, CALIF., PARTNERSHIP CREATES FIRST ADU TO CONDO CONVERSION

In what stakeholders are calling a historic milestone for housing in California, Apex Homes and the City of San Jose have created the state’s first accessory dwelling unit to condominium conversion. A recently enacted state law, Assembly Bill 1033, allows ADUs to be sold separately from a property’s main residence, marking the beginning of a new chapter in affordable homeownership.

The City’s Public Works Department completed the parcel map review for the project in 90 days, and AlphaX RE Capital navigated a 29-day application review, demonstrating the potential efficiency of the new policy.

Supported by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and city leaders, the effort is intended to solve challenges to local housing affordability and demonstrates how ADU condos can expand pathways to ownership at more accessible price points. The breakthrough offers families the chance to invest in homeownership without the barriers of soaring single-family home prices, the mayor’s office stated.

Community Impact, National Model

The implications of the milestone in California extend beyond San Jose. With housing affordability at a crisis point nationwide, ADU condominiums present a replicable model for cities across the country. By converting underutilized land and rethinking zoning and ownership structures, municipalities can create new

streams of attainable housing while supporting community stability and wealth-building.

While AB1033 opened the door for this achievement, area stakeholders stress that further policy support is essential. Scaling ADU condo conversions will require ongoing collaboration between cities, states, and developers to streamline permitting, financing, and resale protections that keep units affordable.

“With San Jose leading the way under AB1033 and unlocking the ability to sell ADUs as individual homes, the doors are

now open for families who have been priced out of the market for too long. Apex Homes can now deliver homeownership at more attainable price points, giving families the opportunity to build equity and stability,” Apex Homes founder and CEO Stephanie Yi said. “California has shown what’s possible. Now it’s time to expand policies and partnerships that will make ADU condominiums a cornerstone of solving America’s housing affordability crisis. By taking this first step, we are showing how small but powerful innovations in housing policy can make a real difference. Apex Homes is committed to helping California families access ownership opportunities and with expanded policies and partnerships that will make ADU condominiums a cornerstone of solving America’s housing affordability crisis.”

Apex Homes already has plans to continue building dozens more ADU condominiums across the Bay Area, with the longterm goal of helping to establish a sustainable, scalable model for affordable homeownership nationwide.

“We’re thrilled to share that a buyer has already been secured, and we are moving into contract on this first-of-its-kind ADU condominium,” Yi said. “This sale is a proof point that innovative design and ownership models can open the door to homeownership for families that might otherwise be locked out of the market. For the buyer, it means an attainable entry point to build equity and stability. For the city and for Apex Homes, it validates that rethinking how we design, permit, and sell accessory homes, supported by forward-looking policy like AB1033, can

deliver real community impact. By documenting every step of the process, from construction through closing, we’re not only helping one family into a home, but also creating a playbook that other builders and policymakers can replicate.”

ADU development in California has seen rapid growth in recent years. San Jose has doubled the number of ADUs permitted in the past five years, issuing more than 1,500 permits since 2022, and completing more than 1,100 final building approvals. The city continues to support homeowners and developers through tools such as the ADU Condominium Checklist and dedicated “ADU Ally” staff to streamline permitting and guide conversions. MHV

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Since 2004, manufactured housing professionals have placed their confidence in MHVillage to generate high-performing leads that consistently deliver the highest returns for their marketing budget.

The sixth annual MHInsider Industry Awards tell a decades-long story of hard work, ingenuity, perseverance, and passion for innovative thought and business leadership. The manufactured housing professionals at Datacomp and MHVillage, through MHInsider magazine, are honored to recognize these deserving colleagues for their high achievements.

For the 2025 rendition of the awards program, we took a slightly different route. As we took time to consider the merits of all of the previous award winners, it became apparent that we should reach back out to those winners to ask for suggestions on potential candidates and nominees. With a broadened list in place, our MHInsider editorial board helped select among nearly 100 candidates for the industry awards. Deliberations continued among our internal team and external advisors until consensus was reached for the 2025 recipients in five categories.

ADVOCACY • INFLUENCER LEADERSHIP• LEGACY • VISIONARY

Congratulations to all of the winners. And thank you for all of the work you do!

2025 MHINSIDER INDUSTRY AWARDS

In Recognition of the Highest Achievements in Manufactured Housing

2025 Editorial Board

George Allen

Barry Cole

Ron D’Ambra

Kevan Enger

Suzanne Felber

Dawn Highhouse

Maria Horton

Darren Krolewski

John Neet

Karl Radde

TC Sheppard

ADVOCACY AWARD

The Advocacy Award honors efforts toward outreach and education that reach beyond professional position or title.

BILL BOOR of Cavco Industries

Bill Boor is president and CEO of Cavco Industries, one of the largest providers of factory-built homes in the country. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Manufactured Housing Institute, the national advocacy organization for factory-built homes. Boor travels nationally to conduct MHI business, to speak on behalf of the industry at state or regional events, and to advocate for manufactured housing at the highest levels in Washington, D.C. In May, Boor testified before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance during a hearing entitled “Expanding Choice and Increasing Supply: Housing Innovation in America.” Boor provided valuable information to the subcommittee and maintained a stoic demeanor under heated questioning. “To fully realize the potential of manufactured housing, it is imperative that Congress, federal agencies, and state and local governments take decisive actions. Restoring the primacy of the HUD Code, removing outdated requirements such as the permanent chassis to facilitate innovation, supporting the development and preservation of land-lease communities, overcoming local zoning barriers, and expanding financing options for the range of home types available, such as CrossMod homes and duplexes, are critical steps that can significantly boost the production and accessibility of manufactured homes,” he told the members. Under Boor’s leadership, Cavco’s first commitment is to solve affordable housing issues nationwide. Boor takes this mission seriously with his “people first” approach, while advocating for vital change to advance the affordable housing industry.

What do you believe are Advocacy Award winner Bill Boor’s greatest achievements?

Both at Cavco and as chairman of MHI, Bill Boor has helped drive changes that will have significant and lasting impacts for the manufactured housing industry. During his tenure as MHI chairman, the industry gained significant attention, and he embraced the opportunity to advance policy solutions that elevate housing innovation and expand attainable homeownership. His efforts at Cavco to showcase the benefits of HUD code changes on enabling two- to four-unit home types have paved the way for significant progress on expanding the scope of manufactured housing to include additional home types, such as those built without a chassis. He led the successful effort against the Department of Energy’s rules that conflicted with HUD’s construction standards and has helped advance legislative changes to affirm HUD as the primary regulator. Bill has testified before Congress twice during a time of intense partisanship and division. His ability to translate complex policy into compelling, actionable narratives resonated with lawmakers and helped the industry gain visibility, allies, and champions in both Congress and the administration. These accomplishments and the significant policy momentum established by MHI under his leadership reflect Bill’s strategic mindset, disciplined preparation, persuasive communication, and deep commitment to expanding attainable homeownership for all Americans.

— MHI CEO Lesli Gooch

What do you believe are Influencer Award winner Ron Breymier’s greatest achievements?

Ron’s list of professional accomplishments and accolades is lengthy: RV/MH Hall of Fame inductee, State Director for U.S. Senator Dan Quayle, Sagamore of The Wabash recipient, RV/MH Heritage Foundation board member, RVIA’s David J. Humphreys RV Industry Unity Award winner, Executive Director of IMHA-RVIC (twice!), and the list goes on and on. Despite his awards and tremendous successes over the years, I feel Ron’s greatest achievement is that he is a true family man who carries himself with grace and dignity.

— IMHA-RVIC Associate Executive Director Matt Rose

What are the award winner’s personal skills or character traits that you feel have contributed most to these successes?

Ron’s amazing passion to fully understand the value of affordable housing is essential to his success. He has been one of Indiana’s strongest advocates, leading the charge to preserve and protect manufactured housing and access to it. In fact, his ability to recognize the challenges has transcended his passion on the national level by seeing the country’s housing crisis and realizing that manufactured housing is the solution. He works tirelessly to ensure that we pass good legislation and avoid those bills making it harder to have access. Ron’s “true to his word” approach has made him a trusted resource for legislators, which has helped us continue to make manufactured housing a great choice for low to moderate income buyers in this environment.

— Park Lane Finance Solutions Market Development Manager Eric Oaks

INFLUENCER AWARD

The Influencer Award honors individuals who, by their presence and authentic implementation of ideas, have created widely held business practices and wholesale improvement for the industry.

RON

BREYMIER

of MHARVIC - Indiana Assoc.

For 27 years, Ron Breymier has worked to protect the RV and manufactured housing industries, as the executive director of and principle lobbyist for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association – Recreation Vehicle Industry Council, and through myriad volunteer efforts. He negotiated a change to state law that allowed the transport of 40-foot long RVs and 16-foot wide manufactured homes on Indiana highways. Breymier, in the last four years alone, has helped pass 27 pieces of state legislation that help improve and protect the industry. He serves on the board for the RV/MH Heritage Foundation in Elkhart, and serves as treasurer for the Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation, which is responsible for the 65-year run of the annual Louisville Manufactured Housing Show. He is also a member of the Governmental Affairs Society of Indiana, has worked with the business school at the University of Indiana on a paper that positioned manufactured housing as a solution to the state’s affordable housing challenges, and helped organize the Future of Housing Institute at his alma mater, Ball State University. Breymier is the recipient of multiple other awards, including Sagamore of the Wabash award from the governor of Indiana and the Jim Moore Excellence in Communication Award from MHI.

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LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Leadership Award honors individuals who have earned the highest levels of industry achievement through their corporate or organizational leadership approach.

RODERICK

KNOLL of

Manufactured Housing Resources Group

Roderick Knoll has provided pre-construction services to developers of manufactured housing land-lease communities since the 1980s. He prepares market studies, arranges construction and permanent financing, brokers land, and completes communities. Among the more notable communities he has helped bring to the market is New Colony Village in Walkersville, Maryland. Knoll is a board-certified appraiser and has been a member of the Urban Land Institute and the National Association of Realtors. Knoll has been instrumental in conducting MHI’s annual Developers Seminar, held each spring in association with the Congress and Expo, an add-on element that is the counterpart to the National Communities Council Spring Forum. He earned a B.A. from Southern Methodist University, where he studied real estate, finance, and economics. For Neighborhood Works of America, he taught courses on underwriting for non-profit developers, the basics in blueprint reading, and an introduction to factory-built housing. He also was a co-author with colleagues Donald Westphal and Craig White for a 2001 book entitled “Renewing Your Manufactured Home Community: A Community Owner’s Guide to Upgrading.”

What do you believe are Leadership Award winner Roderick Knoll’s greatest achievements?

Roderick's ability to organize seminar items in informative and entertaining ways, both for our MH industry and nonprofit housing entities, has been of great value. I have partnered with him on many joint projects over the years, and have always found him adding to the success of those endeavors.

What are the award winner’s personal skills or character traits that you feel have contributed most to these successes?

Roderick's communication skills, both in person and in written reports, have been essential to his success. His honesty in delivering recommendations that may not always please clients but accurately predict potential outcomes demonstrates his integrity and professionalism. Manufactured housing professionals like Roderick have significantly enhanced the industry’s image and reputation.

— Landscape Architect Donald Westphal

What do you believe are Legacy Award winner Dennis Hill’s greatest achievements?

Despite facing many challenges throughout his years, Dennis considered his greatest achievement completing 50-plus years of producing trade shows for the manufactured housing industry. He did love the industry. He cherished his friendships and relationships built during those years with those in every aspect of the industry. He handled each show from inception, planning, and organization, both before and on-site, all with a small two-person office that started out in the basement of his home. And, of course, his family, dogs, and cats were his BIGGEST achievement!

— Wife Nancy Hill

What are the award winner’s personal skills or character traits that you feel have contributed most to these successes?

Dennis was good at listening, understanding needs, and being respectful even when disagreeing. He had a flexibility in dealing with a variety of people to make sure a show came off without a hitch. He showed a high degree of persistence and a strong work ethic. He was a force to be reckoned with… with a sense of humor.

— Event Planner and Friend Michelle Middleton

LEGACY AWARD

The Legacy Award honors manufactured housing professionals whose overall career contributions are certain to create meaningful and lasting industry improvement and excellence.

DENNIS HILL

JUNE 13, 1943 - JULY 2, 2023

of Show Ways Unlimited

Dennis Hill was the talent behind Show Ways Unlimited and the hundreds of manufactured housing industry trade shows he and his team organized. Hill started with the Atlanta show, which was outside at the farmers market. Based in Roswell, Ga., Hill was good at motivating people and took great joy in seeing a show come together. The goal, Hill said in a 2017 interview with MHInsider, was to “create something durable.” Subsequent Show Ways events were held during the course of more than 50 years in Kansas City, Mo., Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Louisville, Ky., Tulsa, Okla., New Orleans, La., Tunica, Miss., Omaha, Neb., Nashville, Tenn., and Atlantic City, N.J. The Louisville Show remains the largest gathering of industry professionals each year. It is sponsored by five state associations and boasts the largest collection of model homes displayed indoors anywhere in the United States. During Hill’s decades of putting on shows, he had many people around him, including a 22-member board, to help organize a trade show from earliest planning through working with partners and vendors, to securing space and getting show homes organized and speakers assembled. He said running shows was an experience that got his blood flowing, something akin to a political campaign with all the months of planning that must coalesce into action.

VISIONARY AWARD

The Visionary Award honors those who have brought to market the coolest concept or product, the idea that makes the job easier, the offering better, the customer experience more meaningful.

ROB

RIPPERDA

of Texas Manufactured Housing Association

Rob Ripperda is the vice president of operations for the Texas Manufactured Housing Association. He has created every data and statistical report, tool, and program in use at TMHA, in a state that many observers view as a leading indicator of market trends. Ripperda has been at TMHA since 2012. He worked at Dell prior to that for several years in systems and programming. He earned a bachelor’s degree from UT Austin and a Master’s from Georgia Tech. By digging through titling and shipment data in Texas, Ripperda created systems and reports that are widely known in the industry. He created the association’s system for tracking pending legislation, reading bills, and conducting research that provides a solid base for detailed analysis that can be applied to policy or proposed policy directed toward specific state congressional districts. The association recently launched a new website, too, which houses the many reports on production, placement, and market data it shares with its 5,000-plus members.

What do you believe are Visionary Award winner Rob Ripperda’s greatest achievements?

Rob is a creative powerhouse whose contributions to the manufactured housing industry come to life through a suite of innovative data products. He built and maintains practical tools, such as the ‘Mobile Homes for Sale’ Google Search Trends tracker and the Manufactured Home Builders Stock Price Index, that turn scattered signals into informative indicators. He also serves as a conduit to academic researchers, amplifying the industry’s visibility through collaboration. For example, he spearheaded the Texas Manufactured Housing Survey, a monthly barometer that gives a real-time read on manufacturing activity, pricing pressure, and backlogs, as well as hard-to-measure factors such as regulatory burden and supply-chain pressure. Rob is a critical player in the manufactured housing industry, creating widespread value through his ingenuity, relentless energy, and technical expertise.

— University of Southern California Microeconomist Wes Miller

What are the award winner’s personal skills or character traits that you feel have contributed most to these successes?

Rob is entirely self-motivated and is endlessly curious. He has tremendous drive and an unparalleled work ethic. He has a strategic and politically savvy mind and can solve problems from a multitude of different approaches. Knowing him like I do, and working with him now for well over a decade, I can say he is just getting started. The new tools and collaborations in our future will be a sight to see.

— TMHA Executive Director D.J. Pendleton

AFFORDABILITY HELPS DRIVE LENDER INTEREST IN MANUFACTURED HOUSING

By Marc Tropp

Over the past decade, lenders and investors have shown steadily growing interest in America’s manufactured housing sector. And, affordability plays a big part in the industry’s appeal.

According to the U.S. Census, the total annual shipment of manufactured housing units nationwide was 103,314 in 2024. This figure marked a 161 percent increase since 2014, when shipments equaled 64,331. Two years prior to the most recent annual number, the 2022 figure of 112,882 units was the highest since 2006.

Along with the rising number of actual units shipped, anecdotal evidence demonstrates growth in the manufactured housing sector in recent years.

My own experience provides an example: In 2019, I attended my first annual meeting hosted by the Manufactured Housing Institute. The event is populated by investors, banks, brokers,

While my company is generally agnostic in respect to the categories of real estate we will help finance, our presence in the manufactured housing field has grown noticeably in recent years.

The number of manufactured housing transactions closed by our firm over the most recent five-year period was 170 percent greater than the number closed during the prior five-year period.

and various support companies. My records indicate that there were 778 registered attendees that year.

Six years later, in 2025, 1,239 attendees were signed up to attend. That’s a 59 percent increase in turnout. Plus, over this period, MHI has hosted a growing number of successful meetings.

Another anecdotal example involves the experience of the company for which I work, Eastern Union. Our firm, in existence for 24 years, arranges commercial mortgages nationwide for a spectrum of asset types.

While my company is generally agnostic in respect to the categories of real estate we will help finance, our presence in the manufactured housing field has grown noticeably in recent years.

The number of manufactured housing transactions closed by our firm over the most recent five-year period was 170 percent greater than the number closed during the prior five-year period.

Our firm’s deals in this space have also become considerably larger in size over the past 10 years. Comparing average deal size during the last two five-year periods, the figure has more than doubled: the most recent five-year period was 107 percent higher than the number for the previous five-year period.

In 2011, I was soliciting financing bids on a 124-pad manufactured housing property in the mid-Atlantic region. Our efforts attracted two bidders.

Fast forward 14 years, and I find myself seeking bids on the same asset. I presently have more than a dozen lenders bidding for the chance to finance this same property. All factors held equal, that amounts to more than a sixfold increase in lender interest.

Why is there so much interest in financing these properties over the past decade?

As I see it, a key driver of growing lender interest in manufactured housing is the fact that the sector essentially stands as America’s last surviving model for affordable, single-family living.

A 2020 article by MHI CEO Lesli Gooch states that manufactured housing is “the most affordable option available for single family homeownership. [It offers] affordability and quality to consumers because of technological advancements, cost savings, and efficiencies associated with the factory-built process. This process uses the most innovative and efficient building practices available.”

Similarly, as described in a March report in Shelterforce, factory-built homes “are more affordable than traditional single-family homes for many reasons. They’re cheaper to build, and therefore buy, partly due to logistics — smaller size, lower-priced materials, mass production, and reduced construction labor costs.” »

LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE AS

The cost of single-family homes has been rising, as discussed in an April report published by North American Community Hub Statistics. Over the past five years, U.S. home values have increased by roughly 9 percent per year on average, while over the past 10 years, they’ve risen about 7 percent per year on average. In other words, “national home prices saw an exceptionally rapid climb in recent years, far above historical norms.”

Homebuyers intuitively recognize the benefits of buying an affordable home. As spelled out in a recent GoBankingRates. com financial advice column, “If you choose a home that you can easily afford, then you’re likely to have less stress every month when it’s time to make your payment. If you choose a truly affordable house, you’ll be less likely to make late payments or worse, default on your mortgage.”

Buyers of manufactured homes themselves cite affordability in their decision-making: A 2022 MHI study cited by MHInsider showed that “70 percent of residents cite affordability as the key driver for choosing manufactured housing.”

Tuned in to the needs of their market’s end-users, many stakeholders in manufacturing housing emphasize affordability in their marketing messages.

For example, as seen in a 2021 post by Inspire Communities, a real estate investment trust with more than 110 manufactured housing communities nationwide:

"One of the most recognized benefits to manufactured homes is their affordability. Manufactured homes have become a great option for first-time home buyers and retirees with a limited budget."

Because they are mass-produced and built on assembly lines, manufactured homes cost less to make…[and] manufactured home buyers historically spend up to 20 percent less on housing than those building or investing in traditional, stick-built homes.

Likewise, Three Pillar Communities, an operator of more than 80 communities nationwide, states that one of its primary principles is to “provide communities that are objectively affordable.” MHV

Marc Tropp is a senior managing director with Eastern Union, a national commercial mortgage brokerage. He leads the company’s mid-Atlantic regional office in Bethesda, MD. Tropp has closed more than 100 manufactured housing transactions. He has se cured more than $2 billion in financing across all industry sectors in his career.

Established in 1993, Harmony Communities continues to expand its footprint, which now includes 54 Communities in 14 States and 4 Canadian provinces.

In recognition of our continued growth, we are proud to announce our rebranding as HARMONY INTERNATIONAL.

This change reflects more than a new name—it signifies our renewed commitment to enriching the lives of our residents through enhanced services, stronger community values, and a lasting positive impact.

OUR BUYING OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME

Transact to ensure that the buyer and seller both benefit from the experience

Perform with integrity and credibility

Complete confidentiality

Simple and straightforward closings

Direct contact with our company principals

Privately owned and operated

Respect and dedication to our residents

Buying MHC’s in the USA and Canada

LANIKAI LANE OFFERS A UNIQUE RESIDENT EXPERIENCE

By Patrick Revere

Developed in the early 1960s by the Ecke family, longtime ranchers and horticulturists, Lanikai Lane is a 14-acre coastal community with 146 homesites within a very short walk of Carlsbad State Beach.

Jim Joffe, who runs J&H Management and has been responsible for operating the all-ages community for nearly a decade, said the residents benefit from the broad business and hospitality experience of the owners, who continue in partnership with the city to operate the nearby Flower Fields, a global attraction.

“So when they do improvements here, they start from that perspective and move up from there,” Jim Joffe said.

The community has an eclectic array of homes, including quite a number of vintage homes that have undergone extensive renovation and expansion.

It is a unique setting that offers coastal views and access to all the activities on the long, wide strand: Swimming, surfing, fishing, camping, scuba diving, volleyball, and beach combing. Carlsbad, in general, is one of the most desired leisure and retreat locations in Southern California.

Shane Joffe, Jim’s son, led a group of 28 manufactured housing professionals on a tour of the property while in the area for MHI’s Annual Meeting in late September.

He said the average annual resident turnover in the community is 7.5. During their decade of managing the property, more than 20 homes have been replaced. When a home within the community becomes available, it sells quickly. Recently sold homes at Lanikai Lane have gone for more than $400,000, and homesite rent averages $3,200 per month.

“I know that sounds like a lot, and it is in most settings, but you have to remember all of the other homes around us are multi-million dollar properties,” Shane Joffe said. “These are vacation homes for many people, but we do still have a good number of residents here who are living in their primary home.”

There are great views, particularly from some of the two-story homes. However, in recent years, the owners have limited the allowable height for new or remodeled homes as a matter of preserving sight lines for residents in the smaller homes.

J&H is family-owned and operated. It started in 1986, and now has nearly 60 employees, including about 10 who are related in some way to the ownership. One of the projects they helped manage was the installation of the gate at the front of the property.

“It’s just like the curb appeal for a home. You need that curb appeal with a community, too,” Shane Joffe said. “It just really sets the tone.”

Currently, J&H is looking to expand the pool area at Lanikai Lane. It will be placed further from the clubhouse and will incorporate fire pits, grilling stations, and added landscaping and common spaces.

Inside the clubhouse, there is a game room, library, grand fireplace, and a kitchen. One of the common areas on the property is a nicely tucked-away and landscaped sitting area with a bocce ball court.

“These owners are very committed to purchasing the right new homes when they need to replace the older homes,” Shane Joffee said. “And they’re a great example of how to create a valuable resident experience.” MHV

THERE’S AN EASIER WAY TO FIND ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES

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Paletz Law Continues to Grow, Innovate for Manufactured Housing Clients

REAL ESTATE LAW FIRM CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS

In its 30-year history, Paletz Law, based in Troy, Michigan, has grown to become one of the largest real estate law firms representing property owners and landlords in the Midwest.

Founded by Susan Paletz in 1995, Paletz Law has since changed the way property owners approach the legal process. Paletz Law has not only survived but grown through trials, including the Great Recession and the COVID pandemic, and is now stronger than ever with 14 attorneys specializing in landlord-tenant matters.

The firm has vast experience in the manufactured housing community business, representing organizations from large multi-state operators and third-party management companies to small privately held businesses. It also works in multiple areas of the real estate sector, bringing best practices to the forefront for all of its clients.

“Paletz Law can adapt to many unique challenges. The staff is fully versed and experienced in helping landlord and property owner clients tackle a wide range of issues,” CEO

Matthew Paletz said. The Paletz Law practice includes a deep bench of experience and representation dealing with landlord-tenant, creditors’ rights in bankruptcy, fair housing defense, real estate litigation, claim and delivery, and collections consultation.

Paletz Law has also differentiated itself from much of its competition by developing its own in-house proprietary case management platform called the Paletz Portal.

“Our integration solutions work seamlessly with most common rental management software platforms, while the portal provides real-time case monitoring,” Paletz Law COO John Mione said. “This approach empowers clients to track eviction cases, improve delinquency management, and increase efficiency throughout the legal process.”

From developing new technology to meeting with legislative leaders regarding bills that could impact its clients’ daily business, Paletz Law works to make clients more successful. Matthew Paletz said he, his staff, and team of attorneys are now entering their fourth decade of business with an ongoing commitment to matching their clients’ entrepreneurial enthusiasm with dynamic legal skill and technological innovation.

The firm continues to innovate, integrate, and advocate for property owners throughout Michigan and Ohio. MHV

By George Allen, CPM Emeritus, MHM-Master

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

John Crean ‘Driving Fleetwood Enterprises to the Top’ from ‘The Wheel & I’

Why “crème de la crème” or “best of the best”?

There are two reasons. First, the late John Crean was indeed one of the first, and certainly most celebrated, manufacturers of trailers, as they were called, and mobile homes. His 436-page book “The Wheel and I” has a multicolor dust cover, gold-tinted engraved book cover, along with gilt-edged pages and a yellow ribbon page marker, all packaged in a heavyduty cardboard box. It is the largest and most ornate autobiography shelved in the RV/MH Hall of Fame library in Elkhart, Indiana.

Crean began his life and career story with a summary. “I really had no choice but to be my own boss, because I was no damn good working for anyone else. Once I became my own boss, I was able to take my business from my father-in-law’s garage to the Fortune 500, and I had a hell of a lot of fun along the way.”

These sentiments are echoed by KIT Manufacturing Company founder Dan Pocapalia in his autobiography “I Love a Challenge!” He writes, “…one particular individual stood out. He was a tall, 6’ plus, blonde Swede whose job was to hang exterior metal. He told me, in no uncertain terms, this industry was the berries and someday he would be Number One. His name was Johnny Crean, the founder and CEO of Fleetwood Enterprises. He certainly lived up to his prediction.”

His earliest trailers?

“It wasn’t like I was designing the Eiffel Tower. Trailers were simple. You’d buy a chassis from a

supplier and on that you’d build the floor with two-by-twos nailed together, with cardboard on one side and plywood glued on the other. You’d bolt it onto the chassis, and put linoleum on it. You’d build the sidewalls on a jig table, and nail those to the floor. You’d buy the cabinets ready-made, install them, then put the top on, wire it, put in the light fixtures, varnish the inside, paint the exterior and put a stripe on the outside, which was aluminum siding you’d mold and paint. You’d do that on an assembly line, with maybe a half-dozen trailers in progress… The industry (at the time) was putting crummy paper insulation in the floors, and I skipped that. The trailers weren’t very far off the ground, but everyone was putting steps on them that cost $10. I left those off, too.” (Editor’s note: lightly edited)

John Crean offers practical business advice throughout this book. Here are a few examples. “A piece of advice I’d suggest to anyone is to learn your business on someone else’s dime. If you want to make widgets, go to work for a widget company. Do well and work cheap, and you’ll get promoted. As long as you learn how to make all the widgets, how to sell them, where to buy the material and everything else, then you can go off and take a crack at it yourself.

“…almost always promote from within the company…grow through earnings and never borrow money.”

During tight times in the 1950s, Crean created what he called the WUPCA, a weekly unit production cost analysis.

“Every week you divide your overhead figure for the plant by the number of units made, so you know how much per unit the overhead is. You divide the labor cost by the number of units, and then the unit material cost, on which your purchasing department keeps you current. When you do the arithmetic on that, you wind up with your net profit for the week. The managers can just look at that figure, multiply their share of it by 13, and have an idea of what their quarterly bonus will be.”

He took the opportunity in compiling his biography to provide an unabashed view of finance at the time for the homes he sold.

“…mobile homes have never provided as good an answer to the affordable housing problem as I would have liked. They’ve always been hard for prospective buyers to finance, because they haven’t been tied to any real estate like a conventional home.”

Crean also always took a great amount of pride in testing his company’s products. »

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“When I’m testing out a motor home, I move myself into it. Where am I going to have my clothes? Where do my socks go? Does the kitchen layout work for me? Those are the simple things that matter.”

‘Tweaking the Engine’

In a chapter labeled “Tweaking the Engine,” Crean summarizes an era in business experience by stating that the 1970s were a challenging time for both the mobile home and RV industries. Manufacturers had to contend with oil embargoes, smaller cars that wouldn’t tow anything of weight, tightening government regulations, and very high interest rates.

Crean states there was a time when Fleetwood was only making “house trailers”... It had exited the “travel trailer business” when the company was teetering. He gave those factories to his partners. He said by the end of the 1950s, most companies had settled on making “either house trailers or travel trailers,” with only a few manufacturers making both.

The raft of new government rules regulating the industry was the “least troublesome” for Fleetwood, Crean said.

“Other manufacturers were running around like the world was ending, but that was because so much of their product was substandard,” he wrote.

A Strained Relationship

Crean said he recalled the early impression he made on Glenn Kummer, who started with Fleetwood in the ’60s and eventually became president and CEO. Kummer apparently referred to Crean as “one lucky sucker, who didn’t do anything and was fortunate to have managers who could make things work.”

After many years in the industry, Crean had a growing desire to launch Crean Acres, a subdivision in California.

“I’m planning to provide the financing... I’ve got the money. Thanks to Glenn’s shenanigans, I sold off my remaining Fleetwood shares when I was ousted, and am sitting on a boodle of money instead of a bunch of sinking Fleetwood stock.”

Well, the company survived that and other hard times, and was acquired in 2009 by Cavco Industries.

Kudos to Crean

Crean admitted he was never big on awards and honors.

“One I’m very proud of was when the 1999 Builder magazine – the homebuilding industry’s trade publication – named me one of American housing’s most influential leaders of the past century, alongside names like Franklin Roosevelt, William Levitt, and Frank Lloyd Wright.”

High praise to be certain.

John Crean died in 2007 at 81. Today, he is remembered by the manufactured housing industry as one of its 1985 enshrinees at the prestigious RV/MH Hall of Fame. His book is for sale at the store in the hall. His successor at Fleetwood, Glen Kummer, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. MHV

George Allen is a nonfiction author, internet blogger, and magazine columnist with expertise in manufactured housing and land-lease communities. He also is a retired lieutenant colonel of U.S. Marines, with a combat tour in the Republic of Vietnam and service during Desert Storm. Read his autobiography, “FromSmittyAlpha6 to MHMaven” available via www.educatemhc.com, and also his “Chapbook of Prayer” and “Chapbook of Business Management & Wisdom” as well as other interesting titles. Allen can be reached at gfa7156@aol.com, (317) 881-3815 & GFA c/o Box # 47024, Indianapolis, IN. 46247.

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