mobile home park Archives - Other CMS https://test25.louieambriz.com/tag/mobile-home-park/ Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:22:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Harmony Speaks: A Conversation with Bayshore Commons’ Community Manager, John Medieros https://test25.louieambriz.com/harmony-speaks-a-conversation-with-bayshore-commons-community-manager-john-medieros/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=harmony-speaks-a-conversation-with-bayshore-commons-community-manager-john-medieros Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:22:45 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=643 Harmony Communities' property, Bayshore Commons, looks a lot different today than it did when Harmony first purchased the property nearly three years ago, on November 30, 2017. No one knows that better than John Medieros, Bayshore Commons’ Community Manager and a resident of the community since 2014. In this community spotlight, Medieros tells us what makes Bayshore Commons a great place to live.

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Bayshore Commons looks a lot different today than it did when Harmony Communities first purchased the property nearly three years ago, on November 30, 2017. No one knows that better than John Medieros, Bayshore Commons’ Community Manager and a resident of the community since 2014.

“This was a trailer park when Harmony bought it. Now they are turning it into a tiny home park,” says John – known as Johnny to his friends. “When they’re finished, it will be a community in every sense of the word.”

Bayshore Commons offers forty home lots – or spaces – and is slowly filling those spaces with new tiny homes. Currently, they have 21 tiny home units installed and eight of those are for sale.

Little House, Big Appeal.

What makes them appealing, Johnny says, is “they’re brand spanking new.” Many of the homes have a second floor loft, which appeals to many buyers. The homes have modern kitchen appliances, including mini stainless steel dishwashers, double door stainless steel refrigerators, and a stainless steel four-burner stove.

“The main office calls them ‘tiny homes,’ but I think they’re bigger,” says Johnny. “They feel like cottages.”

Community Improvements

Bayshore Commons Community Manager, John Medieros

“One of Harmony’s main priorities is cleanliness, keeping the park clean and safe,” Johnny explains. Since purchasing the property, Harmony made many improvements, including the installation of cameras and lights. “It feels nice, safe, and peaceful,” says Johnny.

Harmony Communities has plans to install an area for overflow parking and, upon acquisition, gave the community a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. “There used to be yellow homes everywhere. Now, there are different colors,” Johnny explains. “It’s bright and cheerful.”

The People Who Call Bayshore Commons ‘Home’

Residents of this growing community include a mix of working people and retirees. They enjoy proximity to shopping, restaurants, and Lake Chabot, which offers fishing, swimming, and twelve miles of hiking/biking trails.

A Manager Who Cares

Johnny is committed to maintaining a clean community and to serving both current and future residents by taking his time to assist them. He performs smaller, lightweight repairs as well as weeding and gardening, and says Harmony has a maintenance crew for bigger repairs. He also enjoys taking the time to show future residents the homes and apartments for rent. “I’m a friendly person,” he says. “I like talking with people.”

Bayshore Commons also has an apartment complex inside the park which includes eleven apartment units. “I grew up in apartments,” Johnny says. “I had a few landlords that were mean. I didn’t want to be like that. I wanted to be nice, friendly, understanding, and respectful.”  

And that he is, affirms Harmony Community’s Manager Sherrie Johnston. “John cares so much,” says Sherrie. “He goes above and beyond in everything he does.”

To learn more about Bayshore Commons or to arrange for a tour of one of the homes for sale, contact Harmony Community’s office at (209) 932-8747 or email info@harmonycom.com.

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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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The Benefits of Living in a Planned Community https://test25.louieambriz.com/the-benefits-of-living-in-a-planned-community/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-benefits-of-living-in-a-planned-community Wed, 01 Jul 2020 14:43:04 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=503 This article shares several benefits of living in a planned manufactured housing community.

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Whether you’re buying your first home, downsizing after retirement, or you’re somewhere in between, there are several reasons you should consider making a move to a manufactured housing community. Unlike an apartment building, a home inside a manufactured housing community gives you your own four walls and some outdoor space to enjoy, but without the maintenance and upkeep that comes with a larger home and yard.

These are just some of the benefits of living in a planned manufactured housing community:

1. The Beauty of Well-Kept Grounds

All manufactured housing communities have an onsite manager who oversees the care and maintenance of the grounds and helps to ensure a beautiful, well-kept community for all. The community manager can be a valuable resource for learning about the area surrounding the community as well since he or she is often a resident.

2. Fewer Bills to Keep up With

In many manufactured housing communities, utilities like trash, water, and even internet service are often included in your monthly rent. This means fewer bills in your mailbox, fewer due dates to keep up with each month, and fewer postage stamps to buy!

3. Less Outside Maintenance

Common areas are mowed and maintained by the property management, so you are only responsible for taking care of your own space. And because most spaces are relatively small, there is little, if any, landscaping required.

4. Safety

Many manufactured housing communities are gated, which reduces the number of outside traffic entering the community.

5. A Sense of Community

Particularly for seniors, living in a planned community provides a sense of belonging. In addition, seniors and other residents can often rely on their neighbors to provide help in the form of running errands, delivering groceries, picking up prescriptions, and more.

6. Expertise of Office Staff

At Harmony Communities, our staff is available and well-equipped to help residents who need help applying for permits. They will also help prepare documents for residents wishing to sell their home.

7. Ability to Share Resources

Contracting crews and landscapers working in the communities can be hired on the side by residents if they desire. This is particularly helpful for new residents of an area who may be looking for a trusted source to build a patio, install new windows, replace HVAC, and the like.

8. Amenities

Many manufactured housing communities provide amenities such as a pool, laundry facilities, recreational spaces, and more, which can only be used by residents and their guests.

In addition to offering affordable homes, manufactured housing communities provide convenient, relatively low-maintenance housing options that can be quite appealing for new couples just starting out, seniors who are downsizing, or anyone seeking a more affordable housing option. Consider one when making your next move!

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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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Eight Questions to Ask Before Renting an RV Space https://test25.louieambriz.com/eight-questions-to-ask-before-renting-an-rv-space/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eight-questions-to-ask-before-renting-an-rv-space Mon, 01 Jun 2020 16:47:24 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=489 If you're planning to take your RV on the road this summer, here are eight questions you should ask an RV park when making a reservation.

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With summer vacation season right around the corner, many RV owners may be making plans to take their rigs out on the road. Whether you’re planning on a one-stop vacation or taking a scenic tour of the west coast, here are some questions you should ask an RV park before making a reservation.

1. What amenities are available in or near the park?

Common amenities include bathrooms with hot water, playgrounds, swimming pools, and laundry facilities. Some parks have access to features like hiking trails, water sports, fishing, and other activities. Families traveling with young children may also want to ask whether there is space available for riding bikes or tossing a ball. Travelers of all ages often what to know what restaurants are nearby.

If there’s a specific amenity you’re looking for, be sure to ask about it before you make a reservation.

2. Who typically visits your park?

Couples looking to get away might prefer an RV park that isn’t frequented by families with young children, while families traveling with small kids might want to be sure their children can run and play outdoors without disturbing other guests.

In addition, park spaces in some resorts may be occupied by full-time residents, so you might also inquire about how many spaces in the resort are used for short-term rentals.

3. What hookups are available?

Options include:

  • Full hookups, allowing you to connect your RV to the site’s electricity, water, and sewer;
  • Partial hookups, which connect to electricity and water (and are typically sufficient for smaller RVs);
  • Dry hookups, which connect to electricity only; and
  • No hookups at all, also known as boondocking (which is more common in undeveloped areas).

If the space only includes dry (or no) hookups, you’ll want to make certain the site has community bathrooms with hot showers on site.

4. Is the space pull-through or back-in?

Back-in sites provide a wide enough clearance to back your rig into place and connect with available hookups; pull-through sites allow you to drive straight in. Which space you prefer likely depends on how comfortable you are backing up your RV. Pull-through sites are most widely preferred, especially when towing a car behind the rig.

Note: If you will be towing a car, you might want to ask whether it will be necessary to unhook, particularly if you are only staying for one night and don’t need to use the car during the length of your stay.

5. Will a lot of campground traffic pass through this space?

Parks are typically heavily-trafficked, but depending on the number of spaces in the resort and the space’s proximity to the entrance and exit, you may experience more traffic than usual in certain spaces as people come and go. Many RV resorts are gated, so be sure and ask about that as well. Gates help reduce the amount of daily traffic the resort receives.

6. Does the space receive mostly shade or sun? Are there shady common areas available within the community?

This is fully a matter of preference, but it’s helpful to know before you go.

7. How close is the space to the water and other amenities?

Do you want a scenic or waterfront view, or are you looking for a space that offers privacy? Do you prefer to be close to the playground and pool, or away from the hustle and bustle? If you’re planning to use the community bathroom facilities, you might prefer to be close to the bathhouses, whereas if you are planning to use the showers in your RV, you might opt for farther away from this heavily trafficked area.

For requests such as these, it’s best to make your reservation early, keeping in mind that parks may be filled to capacity during the busy season.

8 . Are buddy sites available?

If you’re traveling with family or in a group where you intend to park two or more RVs close together, buddy sites allow you to park campers awning to awning and enjoy your combined spaces together.

One final word of advice: While online bookings are convenient, it’s best to call and talk to the community manager first about what you’re looking for and any special requests you may have. He or she knows the ins and outs of the community and can assist you with finding the right spot to suit your needs, to help ensure that you and your guests have the best vacation getaway possible.

Happy Camping!

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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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Commercial Property Executive Covers Harmony Communities Latest Acquisition https://test25.louieambriz.com/commercial-property-executive-covers-harmony-communities-latest-acquisition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=commercial-property-executive-covers-harmony-communities-latest-acquisition Tue, 26 May 2020 09:07:14 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=481 Stockton, CA-based Harmony Communities, owner and operator of premier manufactured housing communities in the western United States, announced today it has acquired Carson Mobile Home Park, its first park in the state of Nevada.

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Harmony Communities is pleased to announce our most recent acquisition and our first park in the state of Nevada. Carson Mobile Home Park, located in the heart of the state’s capital, provides 54 large spaces for affordable, attractive double-wide manufactured homes.

“The demand for affordable housing is greater than ever before,” says Matthew Davies, Harmony Communities’ president and founder. “More than 8,000 full time residents have a place to call home in one of our communities; we’re excited to offer the opportunity for affordable home ownership to the people of Carson City, Nevada.”

Commercial Property Executive covered the story. You can read that article here.

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Five Tips for Designing a Small Yard and Garden Space https://test25.louieambriz.com/five-tips-for-designing-a-small-yard-and-garden-space/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-tips-for-designing-a-small-yard-and-garden-space Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:32:39 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=441 If spring has you itching to get out in the yard to do some gardening, this post is for you. An attractive lawn adds tremendous curb […]

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If spring has you itching to get out in the yard to do some gardening, this post is for you. An attractive lawn adds tremendous curb appeal to your home. Whether you are beautifying your space to sell, or just want to create a welcoming retreat for reading a book or enjoying the sunshine, there are plenty of ways to make a big statement with your tiny yard.

Here are five tips for designing a small outdoor space:

Tip #1: Use landscaping to either complement or mirror your home’s architecture.

Design your garden either symmetrically or asymmetrically to either mirror or complement the style of your home. Which option you choose is simply a matter of preference. Browse Pinterest for photos of yards you like or even walk around your neighborhood and see what appeals to you. You may begin to recognize similarities among the types of layouts that catch your eye. Then replicate that vision in your own yard.

Tip #2: Use containers and other elements to add a focal point.

Container gardening, hanging planters, and window boxes placed on deck railings are great options for adding color to a small space. Containers come in an assortment of colors and shapes, adding to the uniqueness of your outdoor space. Coordinate container colors and/or arrange containers in odd numbers to create a beautiful, easy focal point in your yard.

Emphasize your driveway and walkways leading to your porch or home by lining them with rocks or plant beds and incorporating focal points for interest. For example, a sculpture or flag adds a vertical dimension to your landscaping. Fountains serve not only as a focal point but add the element of sound.

Tip #3: Try creating a layered landscape.

Just as a forest includes everything from low groundcovers to ferns to shade-tolerant shrubs to tall overhead trees, your garden can also incorporate groundcovers, bulbs and crevice plants to create a beautiful layered landscape, while also maximizing your flower bed space.

Tip #4: Consider a themed garden.

For a unique and fun themed garden, choose plants in a single color or plants that all contain animal names (think: cattail, tiger lily, and lamb’s ear, for example). Just be sure that the plants you choose all have similar soil, water and light requirements to ensure ease in care.

Miniature plants like bonsai and fairy gardens are cute and on trend. While miniature plants like bonsai are typically kept indoors, they can be moved outside in the warmer months as long as they aren’t exposed to direct sunlight.

Tip #5: Leave some space.

When landscaping a small yard, remember to leave space. Overcrowded garden beds can result in plants receiving not enough water to thrive.

Bonus Tip: Choose plants/flowers for your garden that are easy to care for and will grow easily in your soil. Your local gardening supply store should be able to help you select plants that will grow well in your geographical area.

And remember, you don’t have to redesign your entire yard and garden at once. Start simple and then add plants and walkways as time and money permit.

A final note

Many communities have rules requiring that outside improvements be approved prior to starting work. Before you purchase any plants or pavers or hire a contractor to build that outdoor porch you’ve always wanted, check with your community manager first to find out what’s allowed in your community.

At Harmony Communities, homeowners don’t need to ask permission to do typical gardening in their own yards. Cutting down trees or installing a fence, however, does require prior approval. Permits are required for fences over 5 feet tall or when adding a deck or carport. Homeowners should turn in a copy of their permits to their property manager’s office.

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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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Harmony Communities Takes Steps to Protect Residents in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic https://test25.louieambriz.com/harmony-communities-takes-steps-to-protect-residents-in-wake-of-coronavirus-pandemic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=harmony-communities-takes-steps-to-protect-residents-in-wake-of-coronavirus-pandemic Mon, 16 Mar 2020 17:49:29 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=433 At Harmony Communities, we care about our residents’ health and well-being. Our concern is at an all-time high given the coronavirus pandemic that has hit our […]

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At Harmony Communities, we care about our residents’ health and well-being. Our concern is at an all-time high given the coronavirus pandemic that has hit our nation, particularly for our senior residents who are among the population that is most susceptible to this virus.

We are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our parks in light of these concerns. For example, posters illustrating proper hand-washing techniques are being placed in the public restrooms that exist on our grounds.

We encourage residents to follow the CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others. This includes:

  • Avoid handshaking. Use other noncontact ways of greeting instead.
  • Wash your hands regularly upon entering your home and workplace, and before leaving.
  • Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs and other high-touch areas.
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.
  • Stay home if you or a family member are feeling unwell.
  • For seniors and those with serious chronic medical conditions, take extra care to keep distance between people and avoid touching surfaces that others frequently touch, including elevator buttons and door handles. When it’s necessary to touch these areas, use a sleeve or tissue as a barrier between you and the surface.

Finally, we understand that many businesses and their employees are being hit especially hard during this time. If your family is experiencing hardship and having difficulty paying your rent, please contact us at (209) 932-8747.

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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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Celebrating Harmony Communities’ 30th Park https://test25.louieambriz.com/celebrating-harmony-communities-30th-park/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=celebrating-harmony-communities-30th-park Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:00:51 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=393 This month, Harmony Communities celebrates the opening of its thirtieth mobile home park. This post celebrates that milestone and looks back at how the company got its start. Today, as always, Harmony’s core values can be summed up in three simple words: quality, integrity, and teamwork.

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This month, Harmony Communities celebrates the opening of our 30th mobile home park. This milestone comes after thirteen years of intentional growth, starting with just two employees in a small California office. Now, we have a dedicated full-time staff of twenty and have branched out of California, setting up sustainable and beautiful manufactured housing communities up and down the West Coast and providing permanent homes for close to 3,000 residents.

Originally the passion project of real estate investor and founder Matthew Davies, Harmony Communities launched in 2009 as a vehicle to address the housing shortage on the West Coast. Although our company has seen unprecedented growth, our mission and vision have remained the same: to provide safe, beautiful, sustainable housing for low-income citizens and families. Harmony does this through our manufactured housing communities, which are constructed and curated to be more than just places to live – they are long-time homes as well as supportive communities. According to Dolly Zack, Community Manager at the Santa Nella Mobile Home and RV Parks, even our staff form bonds with the park residents. “There are a lot of nice and interesting people who come in, and you really start to become their family,” Zack says.

Aside from striving to make our communities welcoming as well as aesthetically attractive, we take tremendous pride in our commitment to the highest quality service. According to our Operations Manager Sherrie Johnston, Harmony’s core values can be summed up in three simple words: quality, integrity, and teamwork:

  • Quality: The quality of our service is second to none. We don’t cut corners, and we take pride in the communities we manage.
  • Integrity: We create clean, safe environments for our residents, and we consult with professionals on a constant basis to ensure we are providing the best housing we can.
  • Teamwork: We truly care about our employees and want them to succeed. We celebrate together and have fun, and we keep one another accountable.

In the coming years, our team intends to continue this legacy. “We want to continue to acquire new communities and broaden our portfolio as wide as we can,” says Johnston. “We want to continue to improve the quality of the service we provide.”

Please join us in celebrating Harmony’s milestone 30th park, as well as the continued success of our service and mission in the coming years.

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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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The Critical Importance of Homeowners’ Insurance for California Mobile Homes https://test25.louieambriz.com/the-critical-importance-of-homeowners-insurance-for-california-mobile-homes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-critical-importance-of-homeowners-insurance-for-california-mobile-homes Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:53:38 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=360 In light of recent natural disasters, including the deadly fires that ravaged both Northern and Southern California one year ago, the importance of homeowners’ insurance has never been clearer. Read more about the types of homeowners’ insurance coverage, and tips for purchasing homeowners' insurance here.

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In light of recent natural disasters, including the deadly fires that ravaged both Northern and Southern California one year ago, the importance of homeowners’ insurance has never been clearer. No matter the size or age of your mobile home, homeowners’ insurance is an inexpensive, low-risk way to protect your home should it be damaged or destroyed.

Though not required by law, some property management companies require homeowners to insure their homes whether they occupy or rent them. Additionally, if you plan to mortgage your home or move it to a mobile home park, there is a strong probability your lender and/or landlord will require you to have the proper coverage. 

Homeowners’ insurance can provide coverage for both your home and your property should it be damaged or destroyed. You will pay a premium each month which will vary based on the benefit amount you choose – that is, the amount your insurance company will pay you to cover damage to your home.

Many insurance companies include liability protection, meaning that they will defray the cost of any legal dispute arising from someone suing you for an injury sustained on your property. In terms of natural disasters, some companies exclude different types of damage – like fire or flood damage – in certain high-risk regions.  

Types of Coverages

  • Dwelling: This coverage helps the insured rebuild or repair the physical structure if it is damaged by a covered issue. For instance, the home would be covered if a fire burns down an exterior wall (assuming that fire coverage was included as a peril that would trigger coverage in your policy). This type of coverage can also protect a deck, roof, or covered patio.
  • Liability: If someone is injured on your property, for example, struck by a fallen tree, he or she could potentially hold you liable for any injuries sustained. Adding liability coverage your policy will cover the fees of your legal defense and could even help you pay damages if needed – only up to the coverage limit stated in your policy.
  • Personal Property: If your personal items are damaged or stolen, this policy might cover a percentage of their value. However, in most cases, you would need to first satisfy a deductible amount before your policy will pay out.
  • Other Structures: If your property includes structures that are not permanently attached to your home, like a shed or garage, this type of coverage may cover those as well.
  • Additional Living Expenses: If a covered loss renders your home unlivable, this provision in your policy would compensate the insured for any additional expenses they incur from having to live elsewhere. For instance, if your home burns down and fire damage is included in your policy, your insurer may pay for you to stay in a hotel temporarily while your home is repaired. Keep in mind that you may be responsible for paying any overages (amounts your policy doesn’t cover).

Tips for Purchasing Homeowners’ Insurance

  • Gather and compare multiple quotes: Before settling on an insurer or policy, it is important to shop around. For the harder to insure home, independent agents can help steer you in the right direction when shopping for homeowner insurance. Be sure to ask questions about what your policy options cover, especially regarding the basis of a claims settlement. In other words, confirm whether the coverage on your home includes replacement cost for both total and partial losses, or actual cash value on partial losses. Also, ask how the value of your home is determined and whether it is likely to depreciate over time.
  • Consider different coverage levels: In many cases, more coverage may not increase your monthly premium substantially. As such, do not immediately shy away from a larger coverage amount believing it will cost you more. When you choose your coverage amount, consider factors like the value of your mobile home, the personal property you would like to protect, and how much you would need to protect yourself in the event of a legal claim.
  • Confirm wildfire coverage: In many high-risk areas, fire damage is not covered. If you live in an at-risk area, be sure to ask your insurer if fire damage is included so you can ensure your home will be covered in the event of this type of natural disaster.

Think of your homeowners’ insurance as an investment in your home, your safety, and your security. While it can be difficult to imagine catastrophic events – or even minor inconveniences, like leaks and power outages – wreaking havoc on your home, it is best to put a plan in place before those events occur so you can ensure long-term safety.

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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.

The post The Critical Importance of Homeowners’ Insurance for California Mobile Homes appeared first on Other CMS.

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Managing Tiny Cities: Facts about the Infrastructure of Mobile Home Parks https://test25.louieambriz.com/managing-tiny-cities-facts-about-the-infrastructure-of-mobile-home-parks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=managing-tiny-cities-facts-about-the-infrastructure-of-mobile-home-parks Fri, 31 May 2019 16:26:52 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=298 Running a mobile home park is a bit like managing a microcosmic city. This is largely due to the complex infrastructure of mobile home parks. This article explains the various complexities of mobile home park infrastructure that aspiring mobile home park owners need to know.

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It’s not easy to manage a mobile home park, and it’s certainly not a get-rich-quick scheme. In fact, running a mobile home park is like managing a microcosmic city. This is largely due to the complex infrastructure of mobile home parks.  

At Harmony Communities, we often employ as many as eight workers to manage infrastructure issues when we purchase new parks. We expend ample resources ensuring we get the park structure in stellar, working order, from the streets to water and sewer, electricity, and gas utilities.  

What, then, makes the infrastructure of these parks so complex? There are several answers.  

Land vs. Home Ownership 

Although it seems counterintuitive, mobile home park owners don’t own the parks in their entirety: They simply own the land on which the mobile homes sit, while the individual homeowners own their mobile homes. To initially fill the lots, park owners may need to purchase the homes – but once they’ve been sold, the owners lose control over the homes themselves, maintaining ownership and authority only in the surrounding land.  

Mobile home parks aren’t like RV parks – the homes function like typical permanent, single-family homes. Some homeowners opt to live in their homes, while others choose to rent them out. At Harmony, we think of our parks as beautiful, sustainable, lasting homes for our residents. In fact, many of them will live in their homes for decades or even for life. 

Responsibility for Utilities 

From the water and sewer lines to electricity and gas, park owners are responsible for the utilities that keep mobile home parks running smoothly. Because homeowners rent the land from park owners, they also, in essence, rent the utilities.  

There are different types of utility systems in mobile home parks: 

  • PVC water/sewer lines  
  • PEX water/sewer lines 
  • Metal water lines  
  • Cast iron sewer lines  
  • Clay tile sewers 
  • Thin walled plastic sewer lines 

Park owners must maintain good working conditions for all underground systems. This may require upgrading old water/sewer systems like cast iron and clay tile to a PVC or PEX system. 

Keeping Infrastructure up to Date 

Park owners must ensure all infrastructure is maintained. This includes utilities, as previously mentioned, but also roads, sidewalks, plants and landscaping, and more. Unfortunately, sometimes older parks require tremendous expenditures just to get into working order, particularly if the piping is corroded or the hookups are decades old. Not only can it be expensive to replace infrastructure in a large park, but it can sometimes create a substantial amount of disruption for the residents who live there.  

In addition, park owners are tasked with making sure their tenants are able to easily patch into the utility hookups. Since the residents are renting the land – and the utilities – from park owners, it is up to the owners who manage the land to ensure the utilities are functioning properly and accessible to all residents.  

For all of these reasons, hiring good park management staff is key. Park managers work for the landlords but also represent tenants’ interests; they keep landlords apprised of park conditions, report on needed upgrades, and keep in touch with residents to ensure that needs are met. 

What Aspiring Park Owners Need to Know 

In short, running a mobile home park is complex. From managing the land itself to fielding maintenance requests, to ensuring the whole system is working as it should, there are multiple moving parts that need attention. Above all, a park owner’s number one priority should be ensuring the park as a whole is a safe, sustainable, clean, comfortable, attractive place that tenants can call home for years to come.  

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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. 

The post Managing Tiny Cities: Facts about the Infrastructure of Mobile Home Parks appeared first on Other CMS.

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Harmony Speaks: A Conversation with Dolly Zack, Community Manager https://test25.louieambriz.com/conversation-with-a-community-manager/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=conversation-with-a-community-manager Thu, 23 May 2019 21:35:37 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=283 Scores of families call Santa Nella RV and Mobile Home Parks home. Fresno native Dolly Zack has managed the parks since 2013 and has worked for Harmony’s founder, Matthew Davies, since he started the company in […]

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Scores of families call Santa Nella RV and Mobile Home Parks home. Fresno native Dolly Zack has managed the parks since 2013 and has worked for Harmony’s founder, Matthew Davies, since he started the company in 2007. 

Built in the late 1950s and dedicated by President Kennedy in 1961, Dolly explains, the parks were originally built for construction workers stationed in Santa Nella for projects. In the 1980s, though, the parks expanded to accommodate increasing demands for space – and now, more than 300 people collectively reside in the two parks.  

The Santa Nella RV park offers about 50 spaces for a variety of travelers treading the path to Monterrey on I-5. While some simply pass through, others stay for weeks, months, or even years. In fact, one resident lives in the park permanently.  

“The spots are pretty much always full!” Dolly says. “Some people are just stationed here for work. Others have parents buried in the Santa Nella Veteran’s Cemetery and want to be close to them.” Others, she says, are “snowbirds,” retirees who travel between North and South as the seasons change.  

Dolly explains that over time, she has really gotten to know some of the more long-term park residents. “There are a lot of nice and interesting people who come in, and you really start to become their family,” she says. In fact, for Dolly, some residents have quite literally become her family. “A lady came through and I recognized her last name. We got to talking, and we eventually figured out that my husband’s great grandfather and her great grandfather were brothers!” Another time, one of her distant cousins came through the park and they met for the very first time. “You never know who you’re going to meet here,” she laughs. 

Dolly takes great pride in making the park not only a comfortable place for travelers to rest but also a model of sustainability. “We have two entire rows of spots that are powered by solar panels,” she explains.  

But while the RV park is a temporary post for many, the adjacent mobile home park is a permanent home to even more, housing some residents for as many as 20 or even 30 years. Harmony owns 50 of the nearly 300 total spots in the park. Of the 50 Harmony-owned spots, some are owner-occupied while others are rented. Harmony itself has refurbished and sold many of the homes. 

Above: Solar panels provide sustainable energy for many park visitors.

“Our mobile homes are like houses,” Dolly says, “not trailers. The newer ones have sheetrock on the walls to make them sturdy. They are very nice!”  

Dolly knows this from experience as she lives in the park herself. When she was hired as Community Manager in 2013, Harmony provided her with a triple-wide mobile home with an office space attached. Living and working in the same space makes her job a 24/7 one, but Dolly says she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her work keeps her busy, from managing the property – including weed-pulling, maintaining flower beds, and mowing – to fielding maintenance requests, but she says that because the residents take such good care of their homes, few maintenance-related problems arise. “It makes my job much easier!” she says.  

In order to maintain these standards, though, vetting and welcoming new park residents is a complex process. When she interviews prospective tenants, she likes to meet the entire family. Harmony also runs a required credit check and asks all interested residents to complete a standard application. The result is a cohesive, kind, and supportive community. “There are really great people who live here,” she says. “Everyone gets along. There’s no drama. And when it’s nice outside, people hang out together in their yards and chat. It’s great to see.” 

Even when she isn’t working, Dolly says the residents still take care of her. Recently, a resident treated her to tickets to a local fair at Los Banos, an adjacent town. “It’s such a good place,” she says. “The people here are very nice and I’m so happy to be here with them.”  

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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.

The post Harmony Speaks: A Conversation with Dolly Zack, Community Manager appeared first on Other CMS.

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