Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/251530
FEBRUARY 2014 21 THE JOURNAL No. 13 on Get It Quick Page Why can't we do this in the Manufactured Housing Industry? I would much rather have a home than a com- puter, most people need a home more than a computer, in fact without a home where would you put your home computer. If directions are important to the ease of use of a product then why can't we have some kind of "short and sweet" ones too, just like all suc- cessful computer companies? If you are think- ing "what about liabilities, we need to tell it all." Well you could still have the fat book just like the computer guys but you could also have large print big paper posters that give five or six major steps. And, you could give these things to the consumer, and community colleges, building officials and anyone else who would lis- ten. There are lots of things about out homes that are no different from conventional homes, but there are a few things that are very different. A computer is not a typewriter but it does have a keyboard. If you knew all about typewriters and nothing about computers, you would hate com- puters. They would make you crazy the first time two hours of work vanished from the screen, never to be found again. This could never happen with a good old typewriter! But, when you learn a few things about the computer you would never go back to a typewriter again. Being able to fix mistakes without retyping the whole document is wonderful! Once you be- come more familiar with computers you kind of trust them and you're your own ability to make them do what you want. You start this comfort level with some simple basic directions that will solve 98% of all the problems most people have. In fact most computer companies probably spend more time and money on the directions than they do on the labor to assembly the things. It is their primary tool in controlling ex- penses and generating consumer satisfaction. Here is what computer companies know and we need to learn: • Products must be understood by the con- sumer in order to be used correctly. • Correct usage produces good product per- formance and generates consumer trust. • The average consumer will not buy, even at a low price, a product he does not trust. • Trusted products build strong thriving in- dustries. • A thriving industry eagerly supports any en- tity that can build on and preserve trust between their products and the consumer. Therefore: Educating the consumer is the key to it all. Education cost time and money but free ig- norance is more expensive. Advertising is rarely education but education is definitely great advertising. If we can get only a small percentage of the support the conventional building industry has in all the schools and colleges around the na- tion we will greatly increase our market share. Doing this today is better than tomorrow; we have a lot of catching up to do. George Porter is a consultant to the manufactured housing industry. His Company is Manufactured Housing Resources, P.O. Box 863, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, (302) 645 5552, Web: www.george-porter.com. Some of his services are both in person and On-line training for certification in many states plus expert witness and investigation for the industry. Quick, Neat, Inexpensive Permanent, Safe Flex-Mend, a mending product that matches the appearance and texture of bottom closure materials used by most manufacturers in the mobile home industry today. Flex-Mend LV D ZRYHQ SRO\HWK\OHQH ÀOP currently meeting all requirements for use as bottomboard by the mobile home indus- try. It has been solid-coated with specially formulated high tech adhesive, and has an easily removed paper release liner. It goes on like a band-aid! Revolutionary Flex-Mend Flex-Mend™ is now available in 28" wide by 25', 50' & 100' rolls (233 sq. ft.) or in convenient tape form 4" x 180 feet or 6" x 180 feet. For the name of your nearest distributor call 1-800-462-1775 *Free Shipping RQTXDOLÀHGRUGHUV ZZZÁH[PHQGFRP \ 16 T J Given the current volume of loan applications landing on the desks of HUD attorneys in the various regions, adhering to HUD's requirements and ensuring that submittal packages are com- plete can make the difference in being able to close the loan in a timely manner. For these construction/permanent-combined loans, using an experienced broker/lender combination experienced in HUD construction requirements and contracts is important. According to one lender, HUD has been inundated with applica- tions for new construction loans which may take up to six to nine months after an "invitation" to submit an application, to process and close. However, the wait can be worthwhile. The lower interest rate coupled with a 40-year loan term makes new construction projects fi- nancially feasible. Continuing a long tradition, HUD's multifamily loan programs have been a major boost to the apartment market during the recent down- turn and will continue to support new housing projects in the future. Edward Hicks, (easteddie@aol.com) with over 45 experience in the m/h industry as a retailer, manufacturer, mortgage broker, RE broker, and de- veloper of m/h land lease, sub-division, cooperative, and condominium com- munities, currently lives with his wife of 34 years, happily in a HUD Code manufactured home in a Central Florida age 55+ condominium community. He may be reached on his cell phone at 813 300-6150. His website is www.mobilehomepark.com/ \ 18 T J