Another Example of Utilizing The Cubic Foot vs The Square Foot     In my previous post on this subject we discussed downsizing into a more modest lifestyle utilizing the CUBIC FOOT vs the SQUARE FOOT with tiny Park Model homes.   This is another example of just how creative and beautiful these little abodes can be and how roomy, airy and open you can make them.    The opportunities with these tiny homes is infinite. However, do be careful before placing one in your back yard as they are not permitted for permanent placement in most jurisdictions in the San Diego area.      But the good news is they are allowed in RV, Mobile and Manufactured Home Park Communities. By definition they are an RV but in reality once you've done something like what you see in the photo you're not going to be ... 11/03/2014

Well Baby Boomers Outlive There Retirements? This Is Very Sobering     Today, America is blessed with about $21.7 trillion dollars according to the Investment Company Institute. But with 78 million Boomers hitting their retirement years will that be enough? That's the big question. When our parents retired, "The Greatest Generation", the average lifespan was 65 years old. Today many Boomers are living into their mid to late 80's in relatively healthy condition. There are more Centurions than ever before in history.  While all of this sounds good what does it really mean for our economy and that 21.7 trillion dollars? Are Boomers saving enough money today to carry them through their "Golden Years" without having to be a burden to society or worse our families?  How many Boomers are goin... 11/03/2014

 How You Can Utilize The Cubic Foot vs The Square Foot     For those who desire to down size or are looking for a 2nd home. There are some very viable solutions. PARK MODELS are becoming a craze along the North San Diego Coastal Community.   Let's start with this tiny cleared and graded 30x30 900sf lot in the this tiny  56 space Manufactured Home Park Community in Leucadia, California.     Due to side to side 3 foot setback requirements on each side of the  home that reduces the total width of the buildable space down to an 24 feet overall. You can build to the front lot line to the street so that gives you an overall lentgh of 27 feet. The average Park Model is about 12 to 14 feet wide. So you could put ao 324sf to a 378sf Park Model with a 4 foot extended loft.       Install the more ... 11/02/2014

The "COTTAGE" Industry  That's Sweeping The Nation   Part 2     There are some wild and crazy things that are taking place in several Manufactured Home Park Communities on the North San Diego Coast. This is indeed a series you will want to follow as it could be the beginning of a whole new niche in the  REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.     The Home in the photo above started out as a 14x27 378sf PARK MODEL on a 24x30 864sf foot lot in a "MANUFACTURED HOME PARK COMMUNITY" not an "RV PARK".   So what does this mean?  Well, for openers PARK MODELS are cowboy gunslingers from the Wild Wild West inasmuch as  though Park Models are technically managed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) they are not regulated by them with respect to what can be done once th... 11/02/2014

Fastest Growing Part of Factory Built Housing? Panelized Construction   Historically and even now when Most of us think of Factory Built Housing the first thing to enter our mind is Mobile, Manufactured, Modular and even Park Models. But those days could becoming a thing of the past; perhaps never to return.    Part 5   For those who may have missed Parts 1-4 please take a few moments to review the following links in order to gain some perspective with this series .   In Part 1  we discussed the  difference between an  "RV", "Park Model" and a " HUD Manufactured Home".    In Part 2  we discussed the difference between a  "TRAVEL TRAILER" and a "MOBILEHOME"     In Part 3  we discussed the difference between a  Pre HUD "MOBILEHOME" and a  HUD "MANUFACTURED HOME".   In Part 4 We discussed ... 10/29/2014

Should local Jurisdictions Have Authority  Over Manufactured Home Park     California courts have established guidelines for when local ordinances are preempted by state law.   The general rule is that, if an otherwise valid local ordinances conflicts with preemptive state law, it is invalid.   A “conflict” exists if an ordinance “duplicates, contradicts, or enters an area fully occupied by state law, either expressly or by implication”. In addition, preemption is implied if the area is so fully covered by state law as to indicate it is exclusively a matter of state concern; it is partially covered by state law but the state coverage indicates that a paramount state concern will not allow additional local action; or there is partial state coverage but the adverse effect of a local ordi... 10/26/2014

  Local Jurisdictions Have little Authority Over Manufactured Home Parks   This issue often surfaces with residents and local citizens throughout California. Perhaps this will set the record straight.   STATE OF CALIFORNIA, BUSINESS, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF CODES AND STANDARDS 1800 THIRD STREET, SUITE 260, P.O. BOX 1407 SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95812-1407(916) 445-9471 FAX (916) 327-4712 From TDD Phones 1 (800) 735-2929 www.hcd.ca.gov April 21 2008 Information Bulletin 2008 – 10 (MP) TO: Local Government Planning Agencies Local Building Officials Mobilehome Park Operators and Residents Mobilehome Park Interested Parties Division Staff Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor SUBJECT: VALIDITY OF LOCAL ORDINANCES RELATING TO INST... 10/26/2014

The "COTTAGE" Industry  That's Sweeping The Nation   Part 1   This very confusing yet extremely important segment of the Real Estate Industry could become a future housing boom.    It's a very complex subject and can't be addressed nor understood in a single post. So for those Real Estate Professionals, Stakeholders and future homeowners I'm going to do the best I can to present some facts and issues that you need or may want to know about if you're interested in downsizing.          While researching the ongoing controversy regarding  'PARK MODELS' permanently placed on a site and whereby the occupants/residents/tenants/owners reside permanently I've come to an interesting realization.   There are probably hundreds of old and worn out 1st generation "Trailer Parks" and "Mobilehome Park... 10/26/2014

  The Difference Between A "HUD MANUFACTURED HOME" and A "MODULAR HOME"    Part 4    For those who may have missed Parts 1-3 please take a few moments to review should you have any interest in "FACTORY BUILT HOUSING".   In Part 1 we discussed the  difference between an  "RV", "Park Model" and a " HUD Manufactured Home".    Part 2 we discussed the difference between a "TRAVEL TRAILER" and a "MOBILEHOME"   In Part 3 w discussed the difference between a Pre HUD "MOBILEHOME" and a HUD "MANUFACTURED HOME".   Now for the 4th Part in this series.       This is a "HUD MANUFACTURED HOME"               This is a "MODULAR HOME"       No, your eyes are not deceiving you. What you see in these two photos is exactly what you could see on a private lot or parcel in Anywhere, USA. Contrary to popular b... 10/26/2014

Difference Between A PRE HUD "Mobilehome" & a HUD "MANUFACTURED HOME" Part 3 In Part 1 we discussed the difference between an "RV", "Park Model" and a "HUD Manufactured Home".  In Part 2 we discussed the differencebetweena "TRAVEL TRAILER" and a"MOBILEHOME"  "MOBILEHOMES" were built before June 15, 1976. For all intent and purpose they were a slight cut above their little brother the traditional "TRAVEL TRAILER". A Mobilehome was wider. Usually between 10 and 12 feet wide compared to the legal trailering width of 8 feet allowed for autos and pick up trucks . It was longer. Usually longer than 36 feet. It came in multiple sections commonly referred to as a "SINGLEWIDE", "DOUBLEWIDE"  or "TRIPLEWIDE". It was generally constructed with thin walled framing much like its little brother the "... 10/25/2014

The RV Industry Needs Help From Its Big Brothers In Real Estate     This may not be directly Real Estate related but the RV Industry needs a little help from Real Estate Industry Professionals and Stakeholders. HUD could start impacting and interfering even more with other Conventional Housing Standards in the future.       If HUD gets its way on this it will impact the amount of living space that exists in these already very small living quarters.   Having been a Manufactured Home Dealer, Contractor and Developer for the past 3 decades this is very near and dear to me. Our niche, as many of those folks that follow my blog know, is in "Factory Built Housing". However, we are also involved with Park Models in mobile and manufactured park communities in coastal communities.     When the s... 10/21/2014

CAVEAT EMPTOR No Longer Part of  Real Estate Vernacular       Gone are the days of CAVEAT Emptor, Latin lingo for "let the buyer beware".  In the past a buyer had to do all of their own "due diligence" whence purchasing a property and were forced to buy it at their own risk.       Not so in today's wild and wicked real estate World, however. Today the consumer is in the drivers seat and and has much more protection than ever before what with the many laws that put the responsibility of "DISCLOSING" the overall condition of a property on the shoulders of the "SELLER" and the BROKER/AGENT.     Buying and selling property in today's World is a very complex challenge and becoming more complicated every year as there continues to be myriad and abundant disclosure requirements and forms, form... 10/20/2014

What Is A Power of Attorney?   In the real estate world today with an ever increasing numbr of senior citizens it is not unusual to find yourself as a client in a position where you must intrust and/or rely on your REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL to act and make decisions on your behalf.    In general there are two types of a "POWER OF ATTORNEY". One is known as a     "SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY".     This authorizes a licensed Real Estate Professional to perform certain    "SPECIFIC  DUTIES".   The other is called a       "GENERAL POWER of ATTORNEY"   This extends the licensed Real Estate Professional the ability to transact all the business on behalf of a principal. In this situation the Real Estate Professional is then considered the   "ATTORNEY-IN-FACT"   However, do be extremely careful wh... 10/19/2014

                        AGENCY In Real Estate and                What You Need To Know As A Client. While I was taking my 45 hour continuing education course I found it helpful to take some time while studying the material to regurgatate it in my own written words as I've found it's a great way to better assimilate the often times very technical and legalistic terms. So I thought I'd share them with the many folks who may not understand all the technical nomenclature, lexicon and nuances about the Real Estate Industry. Hope this helps     For the average lay person who is unfamiliar with much of the legalese pertaining to the relationship between they and their broker/agent here's some information that may help you better understand that relationship The Definition of "AGENCY" in The Re... 10/19/2014

What's The Difference? RV, Park Model, HUD Manufactured Home As An ADU Part 1  To set the record straight it's time to bring some clarity to often spouted MISNOMERS & MISREPRESENTATIONS about the Prefab aka "Offsite" building industry vs the Ground Up (site/stick built) option. There's especially much confusion and misunderstanding throughout all facets of the Real Estate Industry about the differences between a Recreation Vehicle aka RV, travel trailer and Park Model industry vs the HUD Factory Built Housing Industry i.e. Trailers vs, Mobile-homes vs, HUD Manufactured Homes, vs Modular Homes. To better inform those who are interested we are going to provide some information in a 4 part series that just may help Real Estate Professionals and prospective buyers, investors and industry st... 10/18/2014

Surfer's Point Resort A Unique Opportunity In "Shared Ownership".   We're looking for 12-15 million to build this 4 to 5 star waterfront Shared Ownership Hotel, Resort & Spa. The shared ownership portion (24 1&2 BDRM villas) whence all villas have been sold will yield a 30 to 40 million dollar return. There will also be 5 dedicated hotel suites that will yield a daily rack rate with about a 97% year around occupancy.   There will also be a concierge service and trasportation to and from the airport and train services and to and from local beaches and golf courses. Great surf breaks are just across the street at "Pontos" a well know beach surf break.   We're looking for construction and long term take out funding. Let us know if you're interested and we'll send you a complete performa. P... 10/14/2014

Driveways Can Be Fun & Come In All Shapes & Sizes         One of our favorite things to do no matter where  we've ever traveled over the years is search for the myriad variations and combinations of streets, roads, sidewalks and driveways connecting the many beautiful hard scapes that compliment their environments and open areas.   There is such a mixed bag of choices and you never seem to run out of stylistic and shear artistic beauty           But one thing I know I never want is blacktop/asphalt or your standard, mundane and monotonous  issue of dull and boring gray concrete.      In the beautiful and charming downtown city of Charleston, South Carolina it was extremely unusual to see any old warn out traditional gray concrete flat work.   It certainly wasn’t consistent with the pred... 10/10/2014

Real Professionals Are Hard To Find.   When You Get One Keep Them.   This week we proudly salute    CHAD OF ALL TRADES      Chad of All Trades or "COAT" has earned a reputation throughout San Diego for his quality custom-designed deck stairway and patio achievements.     Be it a meandering and open custom designed redwood deck with overhead trellis and patio cover          Or a beautifully designed and meandering concrete block and wood- framed, stucco sided,  wrought iron handrail,  multi-dimensional deck and stairway combination         Chad of All Trades INC. has an exclusive design especially for you. He prides himself and has earned his reputation for never building the same deck twice.          If  ever you’re in search of a competent, qualified and experienced contractor and sup... 10/02/2014

I Would Like To Thank     My Lovely Bride For 40 Yrs of   Love & Happiness     Thank you honey for all the love and joy we've shared together these past 40 years and for our 5 wonderful Children and the 14 Grandchildren they've been blessed with and are sharing with us. It's been a wonderful journey and there isn't another person in this World I would want to share it with.     Our wonderful  and very fortunate life together has taken us on journeys we'll always cherish and provided us with life experiences we'll never forget and given us opportunities that have provided us with a wonderful life and family.        Here's to another 40 years or as many as God is willing to grant us. I will love you always!   CHEERS! 09/12/2014

   Lest We Ever Forget.   A Salute To America   On This Very Infamous Day.        May we always remember those fallen on     9/11/2001 09/11/2014