Who fired The Shots That Started The Civil War & Where Did It Happen?       You can't possibly go to Charleston, South Carolina and not visit historic Fort Sumter. It was indeed very informative not to mention relaxing boat ride on the Charleston Harbor       The really fantastic thing about our trip to this beautiful, sacred and historic are all the wonderful folks we've had the opportunity to meet on our journey.   Everyone wants to help you. If you look lost or are even acting like you're looking for someplace a perfect stranger will stop and ask you if you need help. These cute kids pointed towards the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square (340 Concord St.)     Once on the water and on our way we found a rail on board that we were comfortable leaning on. It's only a... 09/09/2014

So Many Places To Walk & Things To Do & See In  Beautiful Charleston   Janis and I started a tradition a few years ago whereby we would take one or more of our 14 Grandchildren from one or more of our 5 fantastic Children on a Historic Trip somewhere in America when they started to study US History. For this we have never been disappointed.   On our most recent trip we were to take our 9 year old Granddaughter, Jewel Arendsen, daughter of my oldest son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Amber. to Charleston.   However, on the eve of our departure while in our hotel room I became very ill with a flu and had to cancel. Thank goodness the airlines were so understanding and allowed me to re-book my flight while Janis and Jewel, Chad and his oldest son Jarrek pressed on.    When Janis returned sh... 09/08/2014

The Architectural Beauty of Charleston Does Have It's Gaps & Voids     Yesterday on our 8 mile trek around beautiful Charlston proper's lush and beautifully manacured streets and neighborhoods we were fortunate to see one beautiful home after another. We were so drwan into all the beauty that when we got back to our hotel and looked at "MyMapWalk" app on my Iphone we were astonished that we had walked 8 miles and it only seemed like a mile.   Inasmuch as the overall beauty and charm of most of Charleston is pronounced and obvious throughout the city's neighborhoods and countrysides every street and neighborhood like any in the United States or the   World for that matter does have its blighted and undesirables.    However, I have to say that those areas and homes were few and far betwee... 09/08/2014

  Charleston's Awesome Eclectic Architecture & Rich History Is Amazing      Yesterday Janis and I walked in awe for 8 miles with jaws dropped marveling at the wonderment and beautiful of this sacred City.   Not being a local or an in depth student of the diversity of the architectural scene we can only appreciate what we see on our daily walks through the streets and along the seasides of this very spiritual and and historic city with history beginning before the American Revolution and through the Civil War. Charleston was the first State to secede from the Union and Fort Sumpter was one of the first battles. Not having a guided tour to tutor our walk I had to asume after some research that this was a variation of traditional Georgian Architecture.   Below is a an elevation of a typica... 09/07/2014

Charleston Single House? Or A Double Decker Hybrid Manufactured Home?           I know, call me crazy what with all the absolutely beautiful architecture that abounds in beautiful downtown Charleston but this one caught my attention.   While on our daily 6 mile walkathon as we take in all the rich history and eclectic but beautiful and rich architectural beauty we couldn't help but stalk in awe all the SINGLE HOUSES that salt and pepper the downtown landscape.       The Charleston Single House as it is called is a style found predominantly throughout the downtown and surrounding areas. They are perfect for the long narrow lots that were carved out of the early Charleston days.   The earliest Single Houses were built in a variety of  architectural designs i.e. Federal, Victorian and even... 09/07/2014

Two Minutes To See How quick & Simple Your Building Solutions Can Be       Albeit  the actual time line is somewhat of a hyperboly this will still give a builder, developer, planning department, permitting official but more importantly the homeowner a basic understanding of just how easy, safe and clean Factory Built Manufactured & Modular alternatives can be.     Yes, there is still the basic permitting, site work, infrastructure, soft scape, hard scape and appurtenances that will have to be performed.      But overall this keeps the whole home-building process and experience extremely simplistic and eliminates weeks, if not months, of strangers invading your property and having to deal with material, tools and equipment losses due to pilfering and weather and typical building related ... 09/06/2014

  New law gives mobile home owners more say over conversions     AlbeitThis article first appeared in Oct of 2014. Albeit rather dated I felt a need to pass it along to our followers who are involved in the process of Mobile & Manufacture Home Conversions.            By Sandy Mazza, Daily Breeze POSTED: 10/04/13, 8:20 PM PDT | 1 COMMENT   With one sweep of his pen, Gov. Jerry Brown has given clarity to a contentious issue at California mobile home parks that the city of Carson has been spent several years and hundreds of thousands of dollars challenging in court. The law,signed by Brown late last month and going into effect Jan. 1, will give mobile home park residents more say in whether their rented spaces can be converted to resident-owned lots. The law, SB 510, contains a large part... 09/06/2014

 Here I Go Again. I Just Gave Away Another Commission.         Call me CRAZY or call me OLD or call me OLD & CRAZY.But I just did it again.   I met a couple of young families last week and just couldn't bring myself to charging them a commission so I introduced them to one another and went on my way.         No, I'm not a multi-gazillionaire by any stretch albeit I've had a very fortunate and blessed life. But at 69 years old and having been gifted 5 beautiful children who have spawned me 14 absolutely adorable Grandchildren I just seem to have a more difficult time trying to earn a commission from young families nowadays.   I know someone has to do it and I have a 25 year old nephew who is on his game and well on his way to making a fortune in the wierd, wild and wacky World of Real Es... 09/06/2014

Surfer's Point Resort In Leucadia, Ca Looking to Become a Reality soon   If you love the funky beach and surfing culture of some of North San Diego Coastal beaches you won't want to miss out on this opportunity.   Look for it in 2015. For information contact: TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments   760 815-6977 email: surferjohnarendsen@gmail.com             09/03/2014

How Would You Like Your Manufactured Home Park Community To Look?       Earlier I posted about the before and after of converting your MOBILE or MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITY from a RENT/LEASE to a RESIDENT OWNED COMMUNITY and some of the very dramatic transitions that most of these communities experience in doing so.   In this post I'm going to discuss some very important requisites to consider before attempting this very involved and what can be a very expensive undertaking.          The very first thing to consider is whether or not your Mobile or Manufactured Home Park Community is in the path of progress or is in a less desirable, appealing or even a blighted area where an undertaking such as this would probably not serve your best interests.       Knowing about the NEIGHBORHOOD you ... 08/30/2014

  Pride of Ownership? Rent vs Resident Owned? Gentrification!    A Win Win!     Let there be no doubt that folks who have a vested interest in their homes have more of an incentive and motivation to Improve & Maintain their Investment.   We have been working in several Mobile & Manufactured Home Park RENT/LEASE Communities that have processed through the steps and are now a "RESIDENT OWNED "CONDO CONVERSION"  Community    Here is an example of what has happened to a once aging and ailing Huntington Besch "MOBILE HOME PARK COMMUNITY" whence it finally received it's final approval.    The photos below are indicative of the transformation this once  "RENTAL MOBILE HOME PARK"  is currently transitioining into throughout this 100 space "CONDO CONVERSION".        Above: The value of this circ... 08/20/2014

  Information For Completing The   MANUFACTURED HOME   Recovery Fund Claim   PART 3     The following FAQ's are from the  California Housing & Community Development's TITLE 25 Mobilehome Parks Act, Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL).   This is being presented in its unedited and    unabridged format with minor enhancements for   easier reading.   This is being presented in its unedited and    unabridged format with minor enhancements for   easier reading.   For the past several years we've been representing homeowners who have been victimized by various unsavory and unethical acts perpetrated by various professionals and/or non professionals in the Manufactured Housing Industry.    These Industry Professionals and/or Non Professionals vary from licensed contractors, unlicensed tradesmen or ... 08/19/2014

MANUFACTURED HOME RECOVERY FUND - FACT SHEET Part 2   The following FAQ's are from the  California Housing & Community Development's TITLE 25 Mobilehome Parks Act, Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL).   This is being presented in its unedited and    unabridged format with minor enhancements for easier reading.   This is being presented in its unedited and    unabridged format with minor enhancements for   easier reading.   The Manufactured Home Recovery Fund (MHRF) administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is a source of last resort recovery for purchasers, sellers, and investors of a mobilehome/manufactured home/multi-unit manufactured housing (hereafter simply referred to as manufactured home) who have lost money as the result of failure to honor warranties... 08/18/2014

The California Manufactured Home Recovery Fund (MHRF) Part 1       As an Expert Witness in the Manufactured Housing Industry for the past 3 decades I've been involved with dozens of cases whereupon a plaintif (homeowner, homebuyer, resident/tenant) has had to resort to a law suit in order to realize a personal or financial loss in a Manufactured Home Purchase or Sales transaction or as a Resident/Tenant of a Manufactured Home rent/lease Park Community.   Even after long, arduous, emotional and even expensive hearings, arbitration and trials that plaintiffs  have so overwhelmingly deserved to win justice is not always served.   In many instances defendants (contractors, Manufactured Home Dealers, Real Estate Brokers, Manufactured Home Community Owners and Managers) have refused to pay or... 08/18/2014

Manufactured Home Park Abuse & Sales Dispute OMBUDSMAN Complaint FAQ's.   PART 3   Albeit the Manufactured Housing OMBUDSMAN program is not a cure all nor can they provide you with legal representation they are a very valuable RESIDENT & CONSUMER source for what you can and cannot expect from a complaint or concern you may have regarding your rights as a MANUFACTURED HOME Owner who purchased a Manufactured Home and/or Resident/tenant living in a Mobile or Manufactured Home Park Community.   Not all Manufactured Housing complaints need to be represented by expensive attorneys. There are certain inherent rights that purchasers of a Manufactured Home or Resident/Tenants of a Mobile or Manufactured Home Park Community have.   We hope you find this information useful.   Due to the volume of ... 08/18/2014

  AFTER YOU FILE A COMPLAINT Against A Park Owner or Dealer Part 2       Here's what you can expect after filing a complaing with the California Manufactured Housing OMBUDSMAN       Skip to Main Content Contact HCD | Feedback/Comment | Subscribe to Email Lists Statewide search: Search this site: This Site California HOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CODES & STANDARDS HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT   Complaint Process Office of Mobilehome Ombudsman Filing a Complaint • What Happens Next Frequently Asked Questions Manufactured Home Recovery Fund Occupational Licensing Query Other Related Resources WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU FILE A COMPLAINT? The Ombudsman’s Office reviews each complaint to determine if the Ombudsman has jurisdiction. If the Ombudsman’s Office has jurisdiction, the complaint will be refer... 08/18/2014

FILING A COMPLAINT Against A Manufactured Home Park Or Dealer PART 1    When a resident/tenant of a Manufactured Home Park Community or a person/s who has purchased a Factory Built Home from a State Licensed Manufactured Home dealer has experienced mistreatment, harrassment, bullying or some form of abuse know that you have a place to go for help.    The California Housing & Community Development Department  (HCD) offers the OMBUDSMAN PROGRM.   If you feel you are a victim of any form of mistreatment there are alternatives that you can use other than having to retain expensive legal representation that could cost you not only a lot of money but valuable time and frustration.   As a General & Manufactured Home Contractor, Manufactured Home Dealer and Developer, Real Estate Broker, Proper... 08/18/2014

What Is The Office of The Mobile & Manufactured Home Ombudsman?     This is a very important adjunct and resource to resident/tenants of rent/lease Mobile & Manufactured Home Park Communities. If you're the victim of landlord abuse, harrassment or bullying this is where you go.     The following FAQ's are from the  California Housing & Community Development's TITLE 25 Mobilehome Parks Act, Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL).   This is being presented in its unedited and    unabridged format with minor enhancements for   easier reading.   Skip to Main Content Contact HCD | Feedback/Comment | Subscribe to Email Lists Statewide search: Search this site: This Site California HOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CODES & STANDARDS HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT   Complaint Process • Office of Mobilehome Ombudsm... 08/17/2014

Preempted Ordinance Provisions In the Manufactured Housing Industry.   Part  2   In our previous post, "Local Ordinance ProvisionPreempted In Manufactured Home Communities", we discussed "HCD regulations govern both park construction and manufactured home installation standards and procedures.   Now we would like to present you with some examples of "Preempted Ordinance Provisions In the Manufactured Housing Industry"       Because we recieve calls, emails and texts seveal times a day regarding this and severa other subjects and because we have been working on these types of profects for several years we are presenting the Active Rain Community in order to provide anyone involved with a Manufactured Housing transaction the latest information regarding the regulation of Manufactured Home... 08/15/2014

Preempted Ordinance Provisions In the Manufactured Housing Industry.   Part  1   In our previous post, "Local Ordinance Provision Preempted In Manufactured Home Communities", we discussed "HCD regulations govern both park construction and manufactured home installation standards and procedures.   Now we would like to present you with some examples of  "Preempted Ordinance Provisions In the Manufactured Housing Industry"       Because we recieve calls, emails and texts seveal times a day regarding this and severa other subjects and because we have been working on these types of profects for several years we are presenting the Active Rain Community in order to provide anyone involved with a Manufactured Housing transaction the latest information regarding the regulation of Manufactured Ho... 08/15/2014