Chris Nicely, Author at LearnMH

Pew Recognizes the Promise of Manufactured Housing

Posted on July 9, 2025 (July 9, 2025)

As the United States grapples with an escalating housing affordability crisis, manufactured housing—modern, factory-built homes—has emerged as one potential solution. Here is recent research by The Pew Charitable Trusts that underscores both the promise and the challenges of this housing option. Manufactured homes offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional site-built houses. Even after accounting for […]

Selling in an Uncertain Market

Posted on June 10, 2025 (June 10, 2025)

Reports continue to tell us that buyers are pushing back. However, manufacturer lead times are shrinking; interest rates are up; application volume is down; and the sales pipeline is shrinking. Now these are NOT the signals of a catastrophic recession, but rather a slowdown or a pause, in which buyers are waiting to see what […]

How Smart is AI?

Posted on April 10, 2025 (April 10, 2025)

Over the past couple of years, I find myself turning to Artificial Intelligence for in depth analysis and input. It keeps better and better as I understand how to use it and ask the right questions. Recently, I was asked to comment on “How Smart is AI” and I paused to understand more fully what […]

Innovations in Residential Housing: Shaping the Future

Posted on January 21, 2025 (January 21, 2025)

At the recent Louisville MH Show, I had the privilege of moderating a panel of experts discussing innovative trends shaping the factory-built housing industry. As housing demand accelerates, the residential construction sector is adopting groundbreaking innovations to address critical challenges in quality, affordability, energy efficiency, sustainability, and versatility. From accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to multi-story, […]

5% of New Housing Starts Sell for Less Than $250,000

Posted on October 3, 2024 (October 3, 2024)

The opportunity for attainable homes continues to present itself to the factory-built housing industry. We discuss the opportunity at conferences, meeting rooms, strategy sessions, but continue to account for only 8-12% of new housing starts – all new housing starts. Innovation and expansion is difficult because it usually requires something more or different from what […]

Lookin’ Good, Feelin’ Good in Biloxi

Posted on April 4, 2024 (April 5, 2024)

The Biloxi Home Show gave everyone a lot to celebrate. With almost 50 homes on display (set up in a matter of days, instead of months), and over 90 exhibitors, 2200+ registrants found a lot to be excited about. Kicking off the Show was a 6 member lender panel with representatives from Triad, 21st, Credit […]

8 Tactics That Will DRIVE More Business

Posted on January 30, 2024 (January 30, 2024)

2024 is promising to be one of variable results with rates stabilizing and possibly even decreasing, while demand continues at record levels. Driving traffic is going to be KEY in your efforts to increase sales. If you do nothing, you can expect nothing. Stay aggressive, engage your buying public and get the conversation started. Retailers […]

Innovation and Transition by Industry Lenders

Posted on January 24, 2024 (January 24, 2024)

The Louisville Show exhibited the innovation and transition the industry is making in exterior design and interior features. But there is more going in factory-built housing than what you can see. I was fortunate to moderate a panel of lenders who shared some indication of what we might expect in 2024. All five panelists stated […]

“Building the Future” Premier Reveals Construction Secrets

Posted on December 19, 2023 (January 17, 2024)

LearnMH had the opportunity to preview the eagerly anticipated docu-series, “From Book Work to Blueprints: A High School Class Builds a Modular Home”. The first episode debuts today, December 19. A group of Perry Central High School students in Indiana embarked on an extraordinary challenge—constructing a modular home inside their school, to be ultimately delivered […]

Home Buyer Demographics are Changing

Posted on November 21, 2023 (January 17, 2024)

The landscape of home buyers is undergoing a significant transformation, reflecting shifting demographics that shape the housing market. Traditionally dominated by Baby Boomers, the face of homebuyers is now evolving to include a more diverse range of age groups, preferences, and lifestyles. Millennials, born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, have emerged as a dominant […]

Author: Chris Nicely

Posts by Chris Nicely