The Balance Group, Inc.
is a multidisciplinary team, created by Larry and Diane Korte. Larry’s ability to use technology in cost effective, user friendly ways and Diane’s years of advocating, educating and negotiating for the factory built housing industry, create a unique combination. They become valued members of their clients’ teams.

They personally understand professional trade associations and volunteer organizations, because between them, they have been everything from a member, to the Board President, task force and committee chairs, to invited guest speaker.

“Thank you again for the excellent work you are doing to create and maintain outstanding features on the KMHI web site. We have had many positive comments from members”
Thad Vann, Executive Director, KMHI

Larry Korte, Multimedia Developer

Larry Korte serves the Balance Group’s clients by developing and delivering their image and message effectively and professionally. Often partnering with graphic artists, Larry develops:

  • web sites 
  • computer based trainings 
  • presentations
  • training manuals 
  • e-mail broadcast systems 
  • electronic newsletters. 

Larry's involvement with housing construction includes: completing a General Contractor's class, attending George Porter's 15 hour Initial Certified Installers course for manufactured housing, remodeling houses for sale, attending home shows and touring factory-built housing production facilities. He plans to build his next home with factory-built housing.

Larry's background and talents provide the clients of The Balance Group with accessible, professional materials to promote their messages. He enjoys helping clients maximize the power of technology at a level that they can afford and learn to maintain for themselves. Resume*.

Diane Korte, Planner
Diane Korte, is a land use planner with over twenty five years of experience in both public and private practice. She has supported all aspects of residential development serving as a current planner, a long range planner, a federal grants administrator, and an environmental planner.

For the past seven years, Ms. Korte has consulted for factory built housing state associations.

For the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute:

  • Developed MH Land Use Policy Guides & Model Ordinances more...
  • Testified before Kentucky House and Senate. Legislation passed
  • Developed "Planning Commissioner's Training Module on Manufactured Housing" more...
  • Facilitated Strategic Planning Workshop more...
  • Developed a "Disposal of Uninhabitable Mobile Homes" program tied to a "Serving Kentucky" agenda more...

For the North Carolina Manufactured Housing Institute:

  • Planner for Raleigh Urban Design Home
  • Coordinator of: full day, half day, and Lunch & Learn conference sessions for local government officials more...

As a National Speaker:

  • Manufactured Housing Institute's
    "Developing with Manufactured Homes" seminars
  • American Planning Association 2003 National Planning Conference "From Brownfields to Homes" panel moderator and presentation developer
  • Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation's "Developing Community Assets with Manufactured Housing"
  • MHI Congress and Expo 2003
    "Cityscapes at the Mills of Carthage"

Ms. Korte has supported the Manufactured Housing Institute in negotiating national policy issues with the American Planning Association. On a practical level, she served on approval teams for two 350 unit land lease communities.

After sitting through years of public meetings where affordable housing projects of all types were met with fear and derision, Diane made a commitment to finding solutions for families living in substandard apartments and housing. An important part of this solution is manufactured housing. Educating decision makers at the local, state, and national levels on the benefits of manufactured housing is a key step. 

Experiencing the frustration of meeting with people unable to compromise on their stands, Diane was trained in consensus building, negotiation, and mediation practices and in the “Technology of Participation" to enable her to work successfully toward public dispute resolution.

Diane brings her enthusiasm and years of training and experience to each project she undertakes. Resume*.

* (pdf file, download free reader)