Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/140471
ufactured home has far greater reach than someone who upgrades the insulation in an old home, and every new HUD code manufactured home is inspected and federally certified. Imagine if we could find a way to say to a customer "Sir if you spend X dollars for an upgrade it should save you X dollars a month and because of this the bank will allow a 10% increase on your debt to income ratio for buying and/or a credit on you down payment and/or a lower interest rate. Plus the federal government will give you an upfront credit that can be applied to your down payment. And if you demolish or recycle an inefficient home the utility companies will match that grant. FHA Title II loans already require that if you are replacing an existing home on a property it must be demolished or utilities be cut off. Ultimately, I would like the Federal government to give homeowners the option and an incentive to save money by purchasing a Energy Star certified manufactured home. Where you could legitimately say to a customer if you purchase a home with these things you would: • A) saves money on your electric bill; • B) your builder, energy co. and bank participate in a program that offers a grant applicable for down payment for buying Energy Star; • C) reduced DTI because you will be saving on electric cost (all participation would be voluntary); • D) the government will give you a tax credit for buying energy efficient. Think of a comprehensive nationwide program that would be voluntary but not piecemeal from one state to the next, with a more definite framework. If you want it, it exists. If you don't want it, you don't have to participate. All of these ideas should accomplish several things depending on the size of any program. • First, helping marginal customer get new homes. • Second, help low income customers have more disposable income. • Third, lower debt ratios for low income households. • Fourth, ease overvaluation of real estate. • Fifth, eliminate inefficient buildings from the power grid. • Sixth. recycle parts of demolished structures (perhaps for the needy, homeless, or veterans). • Seventh, increase American dream of home ownership. • Eighth, increase US manufacturing and jobs creation. • Ninth, save oil and other energy sources on a national level (including transportation of materials). • Tenth, eliminate costly weather delays for construction. • Eleventh, lead to a recycle business for old manufactured homes. • Twelfth, helping customers who currently can't buy because: > they spend any down payment on current inefficient homes; > they have difficulty budgeting for a home because energy cost currently eat up most of their disposable income; > customers who genuinely want to help the environment and the economy. (in the past 10 years I have seen these customers gain in numbers). It would seem like this would be a WIN/WIN/WIN/WIN situation. It is hard to see any down side if everyone looked at all this carefully and got on the same page. Even contractors of site built homes can benefit if it resulted in more land/home deals with improvements on manufactured housing. Thanks Blaine Gilless Customizing your manufactured home is as easy as 1-2-3 with "the original" R-COTEC Skirting, Steps, & Chimney Housing! • R-COTEC's insulation value is R-5 and can be increased. Panels are a higher EPS density, 1-1/8" thick and surface coated in a variety of brick, stone and stucco colors. Panel sizes are 24", 30", 36", and 48" high by 48" wide. When installed according to manufacturers' instructions, each panel is supported in steel framing. • An R-COTEC skirting installation will not only reduce your utility costs, but also keep your crawl space dry and clean and frozen water pipes become non-existent. • Provides frost protection for shallow foundation systems. • Blow out resistant. R-COTEC Skirting remained intact from the high winds of hurricane Katrina - where the roof and siding was blown off from the house. • R-COTEC Skirting system has been installed in homes in every state for over 16 years. • The R-COTEC Skirting package is complete. All you have to supply is necessary screws to attach to home and installation labor. • R-COTEC SKIRTING - many times imitated - never duplicated. 3 2 1 Lakewood, NY 14750 • 716-763-1825 • 1-800-854-7657 • e-mail: rcoprods@netsync.net • Website: www.rcoproducts.com No. 7 on Get It Quick Page JULY 2013 9 THE JOURNAL