manufactured homes Archives - Other CMS

Tips to Help Adults Get Back on the Bike

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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Ways to Become a Better Friend

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:40:23 +0000

Be the friend you want, Build the friendships you can keep.

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Tips for Landing the Ideal Summer Internship

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:54:20 +0000

Tips and tricks to landing a summer internship. Do your research and find the perfect fit, something that is going to add value to you, your life, and future!

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Winter Steps To Help Your Spring Garden

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 08:30:00 +0000

Winter Steps To Help Your Spring Garden

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What’s Happening in Manufactured Housing in 2024

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 23:11:19 +0000

What’s Happening in Manufactured Housing in 2024

As has been the case for several years, the lack of affordable housing in the United States ranked in 2023 among the nation’s most discussed and contentious issues. It was part of the debate over how to handle the homeless crisis in this country as well as the cratering of many cities’ once-vibrant downtown business districts. Elected officials and entrepreneurs across the country spent the year conceiving and implementing strategies intended to restore the American dream of home ownership.

One upside to the crisis is the rising recognition of manufactured housing as a high-demand asset. Seemingly gone forever is the stigma that once plagued the industry, replaced with an increased demand for modern units and communities outfitted with all the amenities to meet the needs of a growing clientele.

So what does 2024 hold for manufactured housing? More of the same, industry insiders report.

Production: With interest rates and inflation slowing, research suggests that manufactured home production in 2024 will resemble that of 2023. Cumulative production was at 75,040 homes as of October, a 23.8 percent decrease from the 98,506 homes produced over the same interval in 2022, according to data from the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform.

Hot Markets: The most desirable housing markets in recent years — particularly those in the Southeast, such as Florida, Texas and Colorado, but also Utah, Colorado and Montana in the West — will likely continue to appeal to developers and prospective buyers alike. Part of the reason? Their comparatively light tax burdens.

Price Point: A large part of manufactured housing’s 21st century popularity has been its comparative affordability and those conditions will certainly continue in 2024. With the federal government now reporting the median price of a traditional single-family home at around $400,000 — a sum beyond the reach of many prospective buyers — manufactured homes’ popularity can likely only grow.

Developing Demographics: An emerging trend is manufactured housing’s newfound popularity among younger households. Until recently, manufactured homes mainly catered to 55+ retirees looking to downsize or buyers seeking a stepping stone to a larger home. Given the nation’s seemingly endemic sky-high housing costs, all sorts of age groups are interested in quality, less expensive options. Moreover, data reveals these younger buyers are staying in their manufactured homes longer due to those same budget restraints.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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Cost Savings Make Manufacture Homes Increasingly Attractive for First-Time Buyers

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 23:33:24 +0000

Cost Savings Make Manufacture Homes Increasingly Attractive for First-Time Buyers

For generations of Americans, purchasing their first house was a celebrated rite of passage, that moment when young couples, having committed to each other, established a home wherein they can flourish, raise children and contribute in a substantial way to the community and the nation. That, however, was then.

The reality today is that buying a house remains little more than a pipe dream for many Americans. There are a number of social and economic factors contributing to this crisis, not the least of which is a growing population and a national housing inventory that cannot keep pace. With economic forecasts projecting little change in the situation anytime soon, more and more Americans are considering purchasing manufactured homes. If you are one of them, here are some of the economic benefits to bear in mind in the debate between conventional homes and manufactured ones.

Affordability: Manufactured houses can provide quality housing at prices up to 50% less per square-foot than their standard counterparts. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the average sale price of a new manufactured home to be around $88,200, compared to the average traditional home price of $408,800. The exact cost will depend on the model, of course, just as used and new mobile homes also vary in price. Also bear in mind that manufactured homes can be secured with a down payment of as little as 3%.

Energy Efficiency: Modern manufactured homes are designed to be energy-conscious, meaning you can save a considerable amount of money on heating bills compared to a conventional home. Energy-efficient windows and doors, roof, wall and skirting insulation are utilized during the build to reduce heat loss, and investing in insulated curtains is another great way to save money on your heating bills.

Lower Maintenance Costs: There are costs involved with owning and maintain any type of property, whether it’s a manufactured home, an apartment or a conventional house. That said, manufactured homes in general are made with less expensive materials, which means parts are easier and cheaper to fix or replace.

Lower Taxes: Manufactured homes are not considered as real estate property, which means you won’t have to pay property taxes. The average annual property tax in the United States is more than $3,000, which means you will save a lot in this area from living in a manufactured home.

Site Fees: Lot rent and ownership is the amount you pay for the plot of land where your manufactured home will sit. Typically, lot rent also will include water and sewage, garbage collection, the upkeep of the grounds. In some parks, lot rent also includes internet, cable TV and some utilities, such as electricity. Even with a mortgage to pay on top of this, your overall rent and mortgage cost will be under $1,000, which is much cheaper than a conventional home.

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Job Interview Rules That Everyone Needs to Know

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 19:33:27 +0000

Job Interview Rules That Everyone Needs to Know

For all the media attention surrounding the nation’s ongoing economic uncertainty, there is no denying that America is a job-producing colossus, with hundreds of thousands of new hires each month. That’s a lot of people filling a lot of positions … but only after having survived the dreaded job interview process.

Landing the job you want has been and always will be a competition. You need the professional experience, for sure, and a sharp resume will certainly get your foot in the door but then it’s up to you to ace the interview. In that regard, here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare to meet a potential employer.

Just the Highlights: Job candidates are guaranteed to be asked some version of “Tell us about yourself” and “Why are you interested in our company?” You might think you can just repeat what’s on your resume, but that would be a mistake. What potential employers want to hear is a concise walk through your career, one that hits all the highlights but doesn’t drag on to the point of boredom. The ability to do this effectively demonstrates your intelligence and professionalism.

Tailor Your Response: Tailoring your questions and answers to the person interviewing you is one of the most important unwritten rules. If the person across the table is a potential co-worker, your answers should reflect your commitment to effective collaboration and being a team player. A manager, by contrast, wants to hear in concrete terms what experience and capabilities you can bring to the organization overall. Differentiating your responses in this way will substantially enhance the image you wish to get across.

Body Language Tells Its Own Story: Another unspoken rule to keep in mind is that a candidate’s body language can speak as loudly as their words. When you enter that office, be aware of how you’re sitting, what you’re doing with your hands and your facial expression. Maintain eye contact and offer facial cues to show you are being an active listener. These are small gestures that can make a big difference.

Do Not Follow-Up: Hearing nothing back after an interview you thought went amazingly well can be frustrating but realize that the silence is usually not personal. Indeed, it’s most likely due to other interviews being conducted or internal bureaucracy. Never, ever nudge a potential employer with a “Just following up!” email; that simply will not speed up the process. The ideal strategy is just to have patience and if you receive no feedback after a reasonable time, move on.

Ask Around: No matter how great the interview makes you feel about a prospective employer, check whenever possible with people who actually work at the firm. Talking with colleagues who have worked with your potential new boss is going to give you a much more accurate portrait of what the management and company culture is truly like.

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How to Secure Your Manufactured Home from Theft

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 23:55:15 +0000

How to Secure Your Manufactured Home from Theft

Property crime in America during the pandemic dropped to levels not seen since 1960. That statistic should hardly be surprising, given the fact the vast majority of us were stuck at home. Of course, it is likewise logical that the property crime rate has ticked up over the past two years.

No one knows for sure what the future holds, but it is always a safe bet to take whatever precautions are necessary to protect your residence and property. That is even more important for owners of manufactured homes, whose units tend to be more vulnerable to theft compared with traditional housing. Here are a few timely tips to help you protect your unit and the belongings within.

Lock It Up: The easiest way to prevent theft in your manufactured home is to lock your doors and windows when you leave, whether it’s for a few minutes or a few days. Unfortunately, standard door locks may not be enough to deter experienced thieves. The solution is to invest in a single-cylinder dead bolt lock, backed by a reinforcing strike plate with three-inch screws. The dead bolt should be at least one inch thick and extend at least one inch into the door frame when locked.

Slide to Safety: Sliding doors and windows can present a special security challenge, as thieves have become adept at bypassing a dowel or pipe in the slider track by simply lifting the doors or windows out of their slide channels. You can help prevent this by tightening adjustment screws to eliminate “play” in a door or window or, better yet, buying a bolt lock.

Key to Theft Prevention: It seems odd to have to note this in the 21^st century, but some homeowners still leave a spare key outside their unit for convenience’s sake. They suffer under the delusion the key is “hidden” – truth is, thieves know all the places to look. The solution? Leave a duplicate set of keys with a trusted neighbor or friend.

Let There Be Light: Knowing that thieves prefer to operate under the cloak of darkness, it is essential homeowners keep all entryways, pathways, stairwells, porches, yards and parking areas well lit. Mount lights up high on your unit so thieves can’t easily unscrew lightbulbs. You also can enhance your security and cut your electric bill by installing a motion detector on outside lights. Finally, keep tree branches and shrubs trimmed away from your manufactured home to eliminate potential hiding places.

Use Your Illusion: There are things you can do to make your unit look lived in even in your absence. You can have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers; arrange for someone to cut the grass or shovel the snow; or ask a neighbor to park a car in your driveway. Use timed switches on your lights, TV and stereo so that they turn on and off randomly, rather than on a set schedule. Turn your telephone ringer down or off; this way a burglar is less likely to hear the ringing of unanswered calls and realize no one is home.

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Find the Manufactured Home Community That’s Best For You

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 22:41:50 +0000

Find the Manufactured Home Community That’s Best For You

With thousands of manufactured home communities operating across the country, it can be a daunting challenge identifying the few in your preferred region that might best suit your needs. After all, no two communities are alike and who has time to visit even more than a handful that might prove ideal?

Fortunately, you can simplify that process by identifying a few top priorities, such as the items below. There is no doubt it is worth the effort, as the answers could well determine where you live next.

Location, Location, Location: A no-brainer, to be sure, but still worth mentioning here. Is the manufactured home community of your dreams near the ocean or in the foothills, in the heart of the city or the heart of the country? The other factor to keep in mind regarding location is proximity to family, if you prize that.

School’s In Session: If you have children, school quality is an important factor to consider.
It pays to check with a real estate agent or local government to find out which schools are in the area and how they rate. Generally, the higher the rating is, the better. Also, look into after-school enrichment programs for your students.

Shop Right: By and large, manufactured homes come with less storage space than their traditional counterparts, which might well make it harder to keep up with everyday essentials such as food and toiletries. For all practical matters, proximity to grocery stores in your favored price range should definitely influence where you decided to make your home.

Traffic Patterns: Whether you’re moving across the street or to the other side of the country, knowing how busy major roadways are in and out of an area that can help you decide whether a community is right for you. It’s important to strike a good balance between convenience and minimal traffic so that you don’t spend more time on the road than necessary.

This Is the City: No community is an island, so make sure to research the city you’re considering and its surroundings. Find residents’ online reviews to get a better feel for what living there is truly like. Knowledge of past issues concerning crime and possible hazardous sites near the manufactured home community will let you know what risks might be involved.

Lowdown on Utilities: When considering a potential community, it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible with the state of its utility services. This includes finding out what the water pressure is like, is Wi-Fi available, how often the garbage gets picked up and what’s the average monthly electricity bill like. Getting this information beforehand will ease your transition into the new community.

Nights and Weekends: An area’s social life is another important factor in determining which manufactured home community is best for you. Find out what other cultural and recreational activities are available. Access to nearby shopping, restaurants and even sporting events can make life that much more enjoyable.

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How to Conduct Midyear Financial Checkup

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 23:11:45 +0000

How to Conduct Midyear Financial Checkup

While summer is more readily associated with baseball, barbecues and beach parties, the season also provides the ideal opportunity to take stock of your saving and spending with a midyear financial checkup. As of July 1, the first half of the year is the rearview mirror, so reviewing the current state of your finances will enable you to determine whether you are on track to meet your annual goals.

It also can prove invaluable come tax time, as the checkup can reveal whether you are earmarking enough money each month for state and federal taxes. Confirming this now – and making any needed adjustments – lessens the likelihood you’ll encounter any unwelcome tax season surprises. Here are a few steps you can take to help you accurately assess your midyear financial health.

Is That 401(k) OK?: Retirement will be here before you know it, so double check to ensure you’re doing all you can to make it a happy and prosperous one. Make sure you’re contributing enough to your 401(k) to collect any employer match to which you are entitled; after all, who wants to leave free money on the table? Your goal is to max out your tax-favored retirement plan – 401(k), 403(b), IRA – to build that nest egg and access any potential current-year tax deductions.

Cut the Debt: There is no escaping some debt, of course; think student loans and home mortgages. Credit cards, however, regularly come with double-digit interest rates that can wreak havoc on your budget and overall quality of life, particularly with the Fed prepared to raise rates at least one or two more times this year. The most effective debt-reduction strategy is to tackle the card with the highest rate first, while continuing to make minimum monthly payments on the others to avoid late fees. Once that first debt is eliminated, move on to the next highest rate card until you are debt-free. In the interim, make sure you don’t pay for any new purchases with plastic.

Saving for A Rainy Day: Mid-year is also an opportune moment to ensure your emergency fund is up to snuff. Financial professionals recommend having three to six months’ worth of living expenses set aside in a liquid, interest bearing account, such as a money market fund or savings account, for life’s little emergencies. If you don’t have an emergency fund, there’s no time like the present to start one.

Where Does the Money Go?: The National Foundation for Credit Counseling suggests consumers, regardless of their financial position, track their spending for at least 30 days annually to get a better sense of where their money is going and to establish better spending and saving habits. Write down every cent and put your spending into categories. Look for opportunities to liberate cash flow by cancelling memberships in clubs you don’t use, slashing your cable bill and swapping one trip per year for a staycation.

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