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By David Finney of Bild Media A Great Website - Did you know that 75% of consumers say that they will judge a business’s credibility based solely off of its website? What does your website say about your business? Does it say that your business is modern, efficient, and offers a great product? Or does it say "Turn up the Backstreet Boys and let's do the Macarena!" As people drive by your lot, they will instantly judge your business based on how it appears from the street. The same happens on the internet: as consumers cruise the web looking for [...]

By Joanne Stevens of NAI Iowa Realty Commercial and Green Lake MHP Eleanor sat down after making a presentation for adding fifty additional mobile home sites to the Whispering Maples Mobile Home Community she managed.  Several people in the city council chambers stood up and applauded.  As Eleanor waited for the roll call vote of the city council members, she thought back to all the city staff, county board of supervisors, state legislators, and city council members that had visited Whispering Maples in the recent months.  The Whispering Maples residents played an important role in getting to this critical point [...]

Recently, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson wrote to Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Joseph J. Simons and Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Andrew Smith requesting that the FTC investigate certain websites that may be selling assistance animal documentation. “These certificates are not an acceptable substitute for authentic documentation provided by medical professionals when appropriate,” said Secretary Carson. “These websites that sell assistance animal certificates are often also misleading by implying that they are affiliated with the federal government. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their goal is to convince individuals [...]

The Manufactured Housing Institute announced that its Board has chosen Dr. Lesli Gooch as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer and Mark Bowersox as its President. Lesli and Mark, who currently serve as Executive Vice Presidents at MHI, will succeed current President and CEO Richard Jennison upon his retirement at the end of the year. “During their time at MHI, Lesli and Mark have been highly effective for our industry,” said MHI Board Chairman Tom Hodges. “We are very excited about them taking the helm at MHI and about the future of the organization under their leadership.” The announcement was [...]

On Thursday, November 21, Governor Evers signed Assembly Bill 117 into law, effectively making it 2019 Wisconsin Act 38. In 2015, Act 211 was implemented with the goal of improving the building permit process; however, many municipalities across the state began requiring home builders and contractors to submit a building permit both electronically and on paper. The purpose of Wisconsin Act 38 is to clarify the duplication that had been occurring in many municipalities. The Wisconsin Builders Association was the driving force behind this bill, proactively advocating for it since March of this year. The Wisconsin Housing Alliance signed in favor [...]

UMH Properties, Inc. has released a new paper about the promise of manufactured housing communities. Entitled, “Manufactured Housing Communities Provide a Supply-Side Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis,” by Aaron Potter, MBA, Assistant to the President, the paper outlines  major issues facing housing markets across the country and how manufactured home communities can help millions of families own homes that are affordable and of the highest quality. Very low-, low-, and moderate-income families are struggling to find quality, attainable housing   opportunities as the affordability gap expands. UMH’s paper explains the magnitude of the problem, noting both its severity and reach —almost one-third [...]

President Trump nominated Brian Montgomery to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the number two position at HUD behind Secretary Carson. Montgomery currently serves as HUD's Assistant Secretary for Housing and the Federal Housing Commissioner. He has served as Acting Deputy Secretary since January. He has been instrumental in elevating the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs' profile within the Department, creating a regulatory environment that encourages innovation and cost-effective construction techniques for manufactured homes. As a champion for affordable housing, Montgomery has prioritized and acted upon initiatives that create opportunities for  families to realize [...]

By The Wisconsin Realtors Association The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA) released a groundbreaking new study, “Falling Behind,” that shows a severe workforce housing shortage and highlights the need for bold bipartisan action now to address this growing concern. From a high of more than 30,000 single-family home permits authorized in 2004 to fewer than 12,500 permits authorized in 2017, Wisconsin is on the cusp of not being able to adequately provide housing for today's growing workforce needs. The detailed report showcases the primary causes of the workforce housing shortage and the subsequent results that this shortage brings to the state [...]

By Kramer, Elkins & Watt   In Wisconsin, over the last decade or so, ‘CCAPing’ (pronounced ‘see-capping’) has become a verb.  It’s how many of us check someone out, whether it be a friend, that creepy neighbor, our boyfriend’s wacky ex-girlfriend, a potential suitor, or a potential employee.  Stop right there.  Did you say, potential employee?  If you have ever CCAPed a potential employee or thought about it, the warning in this article is for you. What is CCAP? CCAP stands for Consolidated Court Automation Program, also known as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), and is available to anyone with an internet connection, [...]

Packers fans!  A member has graciously donated two premier club seats (face value of $738) to the Monday, October 14th Packers game against the Detroit Lions….with auction proceeds benefiting Tomorrow’s Home Foundation!  If you would like to make a bid on the tickets, please send it to laurie@housingalliance.us. (Or call us at 608-255-3131 or fax to 608-255-5595).  The highest bid by noon on Monday, October 7th will win the tickets!  Thank you for supporting Tomorrow’s Home Foundation!! Featured Events