Industry News Manufactured Homes CA, AZ, UT, NM, NV

Sales of new single-family houses were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,269,000 in December, 2.9 percent above the revised November rate of 1,233,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The performance capped a record-breaking year where a record 1.282 million homes were sold, up 6.6 percent from the previous annual record of 1.203 million set in 2004.

"There is no denying that 2005 has been a tremendous year for the housing industry," said NAHB President David Pressly, a small-market builder and developer from Statesville, N.C. "Very favorable interest rates and strong buyer demand has helped spur the housing market beyond the record sales set in 2004. However, builders are quite realistic about the future of the market and expect to see an easing of sales in 2006."

For December, the median sales price of new houses sold in December 2005 was $221,800; the average sales price was $272,900. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of December was 516,000. This represents a supply of 4.9 months at the current sales rate.

New-home sales across all regions for the year were mixed. Sales were up in the South by 13.3 percent and up in the West by 3.4 percent for 2005. Sales dropped in the Northeast and Midwest by 2.4 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively, for the year.

There are many states, counties, cities and communities that try to regulate manufactured homes out of their areas because of misconceptions about the difference between the old "mobile homes" with metal roofs and sides and Manufactured Homes. Today's modern Manufactured Homes are well constructed, eye appealing and long lasting when properly setup. These homes are, in many ways, better than the average stick built or site built homes of today. Generally there are a few misconceptional reasons for trying to exclude Manufactured Homes. Some of these are: they don't fit in, they look funny, they cheapen the neighborhood, they bring in riff raff and they are cheap ugly homes. This is the same as being prejudiced about anything without all the information.

Senate Bill SB6593 require that Manufactured Homes be allowed in any setting with a minimal amount of regulation other than what is afforded to other housing in the same area. This means that there are not supposed to be restrictive requirements that are designed just to keep manufactured homes out of a community. There can be reasonable requirements to have them fit in with the existing neighborhood such as wood or vinyl siding instead of metal which one hardly ever sees anymore except on some single wides. Or it could be required that the homes be set on a block, brick or concrete foundation so they look similar to the other homes in an area. There is also a manner of setup called a "pit set" where a hole is dug approximately 18 to 24 inches in the ground and the home is setup so the floor line is approximately at ground level. There are many ways to setup a manufactured home in such a way as to have it compliment the neighborhood.

What can you do when a government entity tries to regulate manufactured homes out by restrictive codes? You can try to educate them and educate the community. You can get your state Manufactured Housing Association to try to help you in getting proper zoning laws written. You can let your state and local legislators know that what they are doing is basically illegal and if you have the time and money, as a last resort, you can take them to court. There are ways to make complaints to H.U.D. but it usually takes a long time for them to act on it. The best way is to work with your state and local authorities and manufactured home dealerships to get laws passed that will be in accord with federal law regulating the manufacture, sale, and placement of this modern, beautiful, affordable housing.