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!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Eight Questions to Ask Before Renting an RV Space appeared first on Other CMS.

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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Communities Takes Steps to Protect Residents in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on Other CMS.

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 30^th park, as well as the continued success of our service and mission in the coming years.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Celebrating Harmony Communities’ 30th Park appeared first on Other CMS.

It is important to note that the types of large forest fires impacting communities across California are very difficult or impossible to fight with simple precautions like the ones outlined below; when a fire gets as large and aggressive as the ones we have been seeing on the news, the solution is usually evacuation while professionals fight the fire.

However, there are certain measures that communities and homeowners can take to reduce the risk of fire spreading across grounds as well as to reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place. At Harmony Communities, the grounds of each of our properties are cared for by professional landscapers/groundskeepers. Some of the things they do to mitigate fire risk include:

• Introducing more native vegetation.
• Appropriate tree spacing.
• Keeping trees and shrubs properly pruned, disposing of forest debris.

In addition, we encourage homeowners to take certain steps that can help reduce their risk of damage from fire and other emergencies:

• Keep your roof, gutters, and eaves clear of debris, and clear any other potentially combustible personal debris from around your home (like dry grass, brush, stacks of firewood, etc.).
• Maintain any personal irrigation systems you may have in place.
• If you see forest debris that may need removing, please let us know.
• Secure your home’s eaves and vent openings.
• Upgrade your windows and drapes. Windows are exceptionally vulnerable to fire as the intense heat can go right through and catch drapes and furniture on fire. The easy solution is replacing the window fabric with a more heat-resistant product. Windows can break as well, so smaller tempered units are more stable than large windows. A good choice is to install outside non-combustible shutters which can be quickly closed in an emergency.

While wildfires have been top of mind recently, far more homes are damaged and destroyed every year across America by home fires that could have been prevented. To reduce the risk of a home fire, do not use your stove or oven to heat your home. Keep batteries and battery-powered flashlights available. When needed, use flashlights instead of candles. Check to make sure that electrical cords on space heaters are not damaged and do not pose a tripping hazard. 

Other important safety tips to keep in mind:

• Make sure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working properly. It is recommended that you replace the batteries at least once a year. As a reminder, pick a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day. 
• When freezing temperatures are expected, your water pipes need protecting. Insulate water pipes to avoid bursting. Leave water taps slightly open so they drip continuously. Drain and turn off outside water spouts. 
• Always, always have a fire extinguisher ready to use. Ideally, fire extinguishers should be inspected at least once a year to assure they will operate effectively and safely when needed. 

Safety is paramount at Harmony Communities. As well as community maintenance and landscaping, we ensure there is adequate park lighting, we take care of and maintain our roads on a scheduled basis (no potholes large areas of cracking), and we help residents with tree care and split costs when necessary. Finally, we have an emergency phone that is answered 24 hours a day. If any resident needs assistance, please contact (209) 670-6264.

The post Wildfires and Other Emergencies: Ensuring Your Health and Safety appeared first on Other CMS.

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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Nonetheless, all hope is not lost for mobile home owners who want to seek financing for their homes. If you own a mobile home, you can seek traditional financing for your home. Before doing so, however, it is important to understand your options and to apply for the most favorable type of financing. 

Types of Mobile Home Financing

There are two primary ways to finance a mobile home: with a traditional mortgage or through chattel financing.

Traditional Mortgaging

If you own the land on which your mobile home sits and if your home is permanently affixed to the land, you can apply for a traditional mortgage, much like you would for a site-built home. 

A mobile home mortgage is secured by the same protections as a traditional home, as well as consumer protection laws like various state foreclosure and repossession laws that don’t apply to personal property loans. You will also have the option to apply for an FHA loan or a loan backed by Fannie Mae.

When applying for a mortgage, the key is to find the lowest, most favorable interest rate available to you. In doing so, keep in mind that your first offer may not be your best. As such, it’s a good practice to shop around before settling on a lender. 

Chattel Financing

If your mobile home is not affixed to the land, or if you lease the land on which it sits, your home will be classified as personal property rather than real estate. If this applies to your home, you will need to apply for a chattel loan instead of a traditional mortgage, which only applies to real estate. 

A chattel loan involves a slightly different financing structure and will allow your lender to hold a lien on the property, much as it would if you were financing a motor vehicle. Also, chattel loans carry much higher interest rates, which can start at close to seven percent (and will be even higher if you have a low credit score). 

At the same time, however, these types of loans are generally assigned a shorter repayment schedule, which lowers the total amount of interest paid throughout the life of the loan. Also, your closing costs will likely be much lower, and you will be able to close on your property more quickly.

Know Your Options

Before you take the step into financing your mobile home, make sure you understand what type of financing structure will apply to your particular property. Always make sure to shop around to find the best rate available and find an advocate who can help you ensure you are taking the right step forward given your particular financial situation and goals.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Mortgaging Your Manufactured Home appeared first on Other CMS.

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.  

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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. 

“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.”  

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.