Riverview Homes, Inc. is Recognized for Workplace Safety

     Riverview Homes, Inc., through its devotion to employee safety, has been recognized by our insurance carrier for our safety programs. Riverview has been recognized by Hutton-Blews Insurance and Motorists Mutual Insurance for our efforts to create a safe workplace. Through Riverview’s many different efforts over the past 10 years, including an approved safety committee, monthly safety meetings, mandatory monthly safety “tool box” talks, on site safety inspections, sales lot safety inspections, and other means, our lost time due to accidents has been dramatically reduced. “A safe work place is not only the right thing to do, it is also good business,” explains Robert Fanelli, President of Riverview Homes, “We have devoted much time and resources to this very important issue and it has paid dividends from the first day we started.” “Another important part of Riverview’s program is the cooperation we have received from every employee. Everyone understands the importance of a safe workplace.” “We are very proud to be recognized by our insurance carriers in this way, and we plan to make more improvements going forward.”

Riverview Homes, Inc. Named A Major Event Sponsor

     Riverview Homes, Inc. of Vandergrift was presented an award for being a Major Event Sponsor of the 2010 Apollo Relay For Life.  Relay For Life is the primary local fund raising activity of the American Cancer Society. The Relay offers everyone in the local community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. The Apollo, Pennsylvania Relay For Life is now 15 years old after completing its 2010 campaign. Over the 15-year history of the Apollo event, local teams have raised more than $2 million towards the cure of cancer. 


     Robert Fanelli, RHI President, explains,“Riverview Homes has been involved in the relay for years, but behind the scenes. My wife Kim has been an active fundraiser and each year Riverview’s involvement got a little bigger, until this year when we made the step up to a major event sponsor. We are proud to be part of this great event and we are thankful for the recognition.”

Riverview Homes, Inc. Celebrates 1 Year with "Kiducation"

     Riverview Homes, Inc. teamed up with “Kiducation” 1 year ago to turn donated clothing
and shoes into funds for libraries and schools and other local charities.  “Kiducation”, is part of Community Crusade for Children, Inc., a nonprofit organization, which turns donated clothing into much needed funds for local charities, libraries and schools. “Our first year is just now coming to an end and we are all very happy at the results,” explains Robert Fanelli, President of Riverview Homes, Inc. 
     
     “Kiducation" contracted Riverview Homes with the proposal to let them place their pick up bins at our retail sales locations,” explains Robert Fanelli, “Our locations are in good areas along well traveled roads which are perfect for their needs.” Mr. Fanelli explains the process, “Basically, if you have unwanted, useable, clothing and shoes, you can take them to the pick up bins located at 7 of our locations.  “Kiducation” empties the bins on a regular schedule, and they turn the donated clothes into funds, which are then distributed to local schools and charities including the American Cancer Society.” Mr. Fanelli continues, “Riverview Homes has never done anything quite like this in the past, so we did not know what to expect. We were very happy when our first check to the American Cancer Society arrived.” “Along with the check we found out that “Kiducation” collected over 20,000 pounds of used and unwanted clothing and shoes at our 7 locations and we hope to do better next year.”

Manufactured Home Installation Training

Pictured are the Riverview owners, managers and set up people taking the continuing education requirement presented by Mark Conte and Mike Moglia of DCED, the enforcement arm of the Commonwealth of PA for this very important aspect of manufactured home installation.

     Pennsylvania law requires that any installation work performed on a manufactured home be inspected by a licensed manufactured home installer. The law requires the home be inspected to make sure that it was installed to the manufacturer’s installation requirement. To become licensed an individual must complete a 2-day state training course and complete state approved continuing education every 3 years.
     
     Doug Rehak, Chairman of the Board of Riverview Homes and a licensed installer explains, “Many service complaints filed by homeowners are later found by the manufacturer to be related to poor installation. Proper installation has always been a key part of Riverview’s customer satisfaction and one reason that we use our own set crews and set foreman on every installation job we do.” Riverview Homes has taken the intent of the PA law one step further to insure the absolute best possible installation. Mr. Rehak further explains, “Each home built by Riverview Homes has a licensed installer on site while the work is being performed, additionally Riverview sales managers are licensed installers, so that installation issues can be discussed during the sales process and to show our complete belief in this system my partner and myself are also licensed. Additionally, each home is inspected upon completion by an independent licensed installer. This process helps to assure that every home meets or exceeds the manufacturers installation requirements and helps to insure Riverview customer’s complete satisfaction with their
new home.”

MHWC’S Award Of Distinction

     Riverview Homes, Inc., was recently awarded by MHWC for completing 10 full years of membership in the company’s exclusive Extended Warranty Incentive program. The MHWC Incentive program was established as a way to reward builders who demonstrate quality construction and superior customer service. Membership in the MHWC 10 year warranty program is granted only to those builders who demonstrate technical competence, financial stability, and professional building ethics. “Riverview Homes, Inc. is proud to be recognized for our outstanding customer service," explains John Fanelli, VP of Riverview Homes, “At Riverview, we have always prided ourselves on keeping our customers happy and providing the best possible service.”

Find A Desperate Builder

     One recent afternoon while searching the Internet for news and information about the modular and manufactured home industry I came across an advertisement for a program designed to help home buyers get the best price on their new home construction project. Being curious I “clicked”. The program promised to explain how to find and negotiate with “Desperate” builders who would be willing to build your home project at a distressed price.  Again the advise was to find a “Desperate” builder, not a home that was built and now needs sold by a desperate owner or a desperate lender, but a builder who is desperate to build something that is not already built at a very reduced price. 

     Now I am smart enough to know that I do not know everything about the housing industry, but a near lifetime of working in a family owned home construction business has taught me enough to know that this advise is INSANE at best when given for free and this advertisement was asking people to pay hard earned money for it.  Of all the advise I would give someone about finding a home builder, “Desperate” would not be on that list of a builders must haves.  I might suggest to find a builder that knows about “Value” or understands the importance of being “Honest” and “Respectful”.  Find a builder that is “Respected” for their “Integrity” and “Fair Mindedness”.

     Let us be clear, I do understand the importance of price, but a builder who is desperate to build something at a rock bottom bargain price will not be above bending the edges a little bit to make some money, how do you think they got so desperate to begin with??  A desperate builder might not be thinking about the long term, I would guess they are thinking about making the next payroll.  By the way, desperate can equate to failing.  A desperate builder will not be thinking about quality of work or customer service or your satisfaction, why would they, they are desperate and probably will not survive long enough for those things to be an issue to them, but they may be an issue to you. 

     Don’t take me wrong, I believe in the free market.  If someone is willing to do a job for next to nothing, that is a business decision and as a company Riverview Homes could elect to compete or not.  My only point is to say that the two old adages of “You get what you pay for” and “Let the buyer beware” are truer today than at anytime in the recent pass.  You might be getting a great price, but great price and great value is not the same thing.  Nothing can make the home building process more upsetting and troubling than having a builder who is not thinking long term.  The home buyer is more than likely getting a 30 year mortgage and planning on living in this home for decades, why on Earth would you want to have a failing home builder to build you a new home.

Riverview Homes, Inc. Teams Up With "Kiducation"

 

     Riverview Homes, Inc. a builder of modular and manufactured homes has teamed up with “Kiducation”, a part of Community Crusade for Children, Inc., a nonprofit organization, to turn donated clothing into much needed funds for local charities, libraries and schools. Pictured are Robert Fanelli, President of Riverview Homes, Inc. and Amy Gestner a Top 5 Riverview salesperson placing the first bag of donated clothing.

     
     “Kiducation” contracted Riverview Homes with the proposal to let them place their pick up bins at our retail sales locations,” explains Robert Fanelli, “Our locations are in good areas along well traveled roads which are perfect for their needs.”  Mr. Fanelli explains the process, “Basically if you have unwanted, useable, clothing and shoes, you take them to the pick up bins, put the items in the bin, “Kiducation” empties the bins on a regular schedule, and they turn the donated clothes into funds, which they then distribute to local schools and charities including the American Cancer Society.”  “Of course I did a background check on this charity and I must say how impressed I was with their credentials and the great work that they have been doing locally.  Riverview Homes is proud to be cooperating with such a well respected charity.”  The 8 white pick up bins are now in place on the Riverview display centers. Visit www.riverviewhomesinc.com to find our nearest location.

PMHA Announces Election Results

     PMHA announced the election results for the additions to their 2009-2010 Board of Directors.  John Fanelli, Vice President of RHI, is returning as Southwestern District Director.  He currently chairs the Retailer Committee and works closely with fellow retailers on legislative and regulatory issues that threaten the viability and affordability of factory built housing.   

Retail Finance Seminar and Plant Tour

     Riverview Homes, Inc. has just completed its most successful Retail Finance Seminar and Plant Tour.  “We had more than 60 home buyers attend,” says Robert Fanelli, President of Riverview Homes.  “We have provided these seminars in the past as a service to our customers, but we have not had the volume of response like we did this weekend.  I take it as a very good sign of a strong local housing market and the huge amount of positive interest in our product.”


     As in the past, the seminar included a presentation by Riverview Homes about the company history & services and about the modular home industry in general.  Additionally, representatives of the finance industry gave informative presentations about the mortgage process.  The guests were given a complete guided tour of the Pennwest factory and concluded the day by viewing the model homes that the factory has on display, which are all set up, furnished, and decorated.