About Richard (Dick) Ernst, President
Dick Ernst has been in the manufactured housing finance business for over 49 years. He has owned his own business for the last 38 years, serving as President of Financial Marketing Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in factory-built housing finance (both chattel and mortgage), insurance, and warranty products.
Career Highlights
Most Recent
Dick has been contracted by Freddie Mac for the last four years as a Subject Matter Expert in manufactured housing to work with them on their Duty to Serve requirements and the CHOICEHome Program. This program provides financing parity with site-built homes for manufactured housing for the first time!
Dick & Kevin Clayton (President & CEO of Clayton Homes)
Industry Recognition
2014 MHI Chairman’s Award winner
2015 Received the “Soar with the Eagles” Award from the California Mobile Home Park Owners Association
In 2016, Dick was the Manufactured Housing Institute’s spokesperson for an on-camera interview with PBS’s Steven Fee.
2017 Dick received the Totaro Award from MHI’s Financial Services Division
2019 Dick was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana.
Major Projects
Dick created CountryPlace Mortgage as a subsidiary of Palm Harbor Homes and Cavco.
Dick created a Joint Venture Mortgage Company between Wells Fargo Mortgage and three industry manufacturers; providing a consistent source of funding for Construction, FHA, and Conforming mortgage loans for their customers.
Represented a large regional bank in the origination of FHA, VA and Conventional manufactured housing loans in 15 states. Originated over $300 million in loans.