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Manufactured Home Builder Clayton will pay mortgage if buyer loses job

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According to The Daily Times, the manufactured home giant Clayton has plans to boost sales this year.

“We’re making this commitment: If someone buys a home and then loses their job because of the economic downturn, we will make payments on their home for three months,” said Kevin Clayton, president and CEO. “It won’t cost the buyer a dime.”

“We hope no Clayton homeowner ever needs this help, but we know by offering this benefit we can help ease some concerns and help more families become homeowners,” Clayton said.

The article reports that this program seems to have been manufactured with potential first-time home buyers in mind, who can also take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit passed as part of the Economic Recovery Act.

“Similar programs to help home buyers have given them a tax deduction, in effect reducing their taxable income,” said Clayton. “This program actually reduces the taxes they owe dollar for dollar over a three-year period. That’s a huge difference.”

The Daily Times reports that “Clayton’s Payment Protection Program, which will continue for 24 months, is applicable for new homes purchased between now and the end of June. If the monthly mortgage payment includes homeowners insurance and property taxes, Clayton absorbs those costs as well.

Chris Nicely, vice president of marketing, said the Clayton Homes program differs from some others that suspend payments after a job loss but add the missed payments to the back end of the loan.”

“The big difference is there is no cost to the consumer,” Nicely said. “If you happen to lose your job, even for a week, we will make three mortgage payments to help you get back on your feet.”

April 17, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Finance and Refinance, Laws & News, Production

UPDATE – Fleetwood Enterprises in loan talks with BofA

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Update on Fleetwood Enterprises from Reuters

“By Chelsea Emery

NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) – Motor home maker Fleetwood Enterprises Inc (FLTWQ.OB) is negotiating with Bank of America (BAC.N) for bankruptcy financing and hopes to present a plan to a bankruptcy court as early as next week, according to court documents.

Company spokeswoman Rivian Bell was not able to specify the amount of debtor-in-possession financing being discussed. Such financing is a loan made to a company to help it fund operations while it restructures under bankruptcy protection.

Fleetwood, which also makes manufactured housing, has asked the court to approve emergency funding to pay workers’ compensation benefits to third-party administrators, according to the company’s filing with the Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California in Riverside on Monday. A hearing was scheduled for 11 A.M. PDT today (Tuesday).

Fleetwood filed for bankruptcy on March 10, hurt by high fuel prices and the U.S. economic recession that had limited sales of its motor homes. The U.S. housing market decline has also slashed demand for its manufactured homes.

It is shuttering its travel trailer division and seeking a buyer for its motor home and manufactured housing units.

“There has been outreach to strategic and financial buyers and there has been interest,” said Bell, adding that she was unable to clarify further.

The Fleetwood case is In re Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc, US Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California (Riverside), No. 09-14254. (Reporting by Chelsea Emery; editing by John Wallace)”

March 18, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Finance and Refinance, Laws & News, Production

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

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Here’s an interesting article published by MHI (the Manufactured Housing Institute) on how the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will affect Manufactured Housing:

“On February 17, 2009 President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law. Key provisions advocated by the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) and its affiliates the National Modular Housing Council (NMHC) and National Communities Council (NCC) were included in the final economic stimulus package. In particular, the law authorizes a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.”

“Does this tax credit apply to manufactured and modular homes? Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit including manufactured homes, modular homes, site-built homes, even houseboats!
This also includes homes placed on private land or in a land-lease  Community, a condominium, or a cooperative.Mobile Homes financed using a personal property loan are eligible.”

Read more of the original article via MHI at:

http://www.manufacturedhousing.org/admin/template/brochures/721temp.pdf

March 3, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Finance and Refinance, Production, Uncategorized

5 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score from Business Pundit

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Here’s an informative article found on Business Pundit’s blog at http://www.businesspundit.com/5-ways-to-boost-your-credit-score/

1. Use credit cards. No credit history is just as bad as a horrible credit history. If credit cards make you nervous, only use yours to pay off a monthly bill, or when you go out to eat. Manageable debt is better than not having a credit score at all.

2. Keep your balances small to nonexistent. Don’t max out your cards unless you can pay them back down quickly. Use half or less of the full balance on each card when you make purchases. Keeping balances near the maximum will negatively affect your credit score.

3. Avoid late payments. Serial late payments can trash your credit score. Pay down the minimum amount each month, if not more. (Note: Many credit card companies will wipe your first late payment off your records if you say it was an accident. After that, you’re on your own.)

4. Avoid acquiring too many credit cards. Not only does this complicate your debt life, but it reflects badly on your credit score. There’s no ideal number of credit cards, but try to keep it below six (including store cards).

5. Do not open more than one credit card at a time (this lowers your accounts’ average age), or close too many credit cards (resulting in less credit available). Both actions reflect poorly on your credit rating.

Honorable mention: Don’t declare bankruptcy–it will ruin your credit for up to a decade.

March 2, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,