Manufactured homes are built to conform to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Code), rather than conforming to building codes at their individual destinations. Today's manufactured homes come in many shapes and styles, and often do not resemble a typical single or doublewide mobile home. Here are some tips to help home buyers recognize manufactured housing.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
- A manufactured home should have a metal tag on the exterior of each of its transportable sections. Walk around the structure, looking for a small, red metal identification plate. If it's not there, look for holes that indicate something might have been removed.
- If you cannot find a tag locate the electrical panel box inside the home and open its door. Look for a data plate, which contains details about the home, including its date of manufacture. If the plate is not there, look in kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets. (Modular homes have data sheets, with references made about building inspections--which wouldn't be included for manufactured housing.)
- Go back outside and look underneath the home. Manufactured homes are built on a non-removable steel chassis, which should be visible underneath. 'Double wide' manufactured homes are assembled from two units joined lengthwise, usually where the roof peaks.
- Manufactured homes arrive on their own wheels. Can you see where wheels were attached? Are they still there?
- Look again at the ends of the structure. Is there a vertical trim piece that indicates where two segments have been pieced together? Can you see where a 'tongue' might have been bolted to the structure? (Holding the 'trailer hitch' used to pull it to the home site.)
- Are interior walls made from drywall or paneling? It's by no means a sure identification, but many manufactured homes (especially older homes) do not contain drywall.
- Manufactured homes often have less of a roof pitch than a 'stick built' home. Keep in mind that manufactured structures vary in design, and newer homes in the manufactured category may look very much like modular or site-built houses.
- If you still aren't sure, ask for a property disclosure from the home owner. The owner or listing agent should verify (in writing) what type of structure it is.
Tips:
- Manufactured homes are built to conform to the same code, no matter where they will be delivered. Modular homes and site-built homes are both built to conform to all local building codes at their final destinations.
- Not all lenders will grant mortgages for manufactured homes. And if they do, there may be specific requirements. Some do not make loans for single wide manufactured homes. Some will not grant a loan for a home that is not on a permanent foundation. Manufactured housing qualifies for Blogger: Information On Home Buying Articles and News - Create PostFHA and VA loans.
- Many home buyers purchase manufactured housing as part of a land-home package.
- Some communities and housing developments have restrictions against manufactured housing. Some deeds may forbid you to place a manufactured home on land, even if there are many manufactured homes surrounding the parcel. Get the facts before you purchase land for a manufactured home.
- If the home's identification plate is missing, HUD can retrieve historical information from details on the interior data plate. If both items are missing, you may need to gather prior financing history from the current owners in order to complete your own financing.
