Asked to comment on decking attached/detached

[andrew81]

A client is selling a loan on a manufactured home to fannie mae. the underwriter has asked that i go back out to the property to photograph if the front deck (stoop) is connected to the home. they would like for me (a 3rd party) to determine if it is attached or detached before ordering an inspection report. i have no problem with photographing the attachment/detachment, i have no problem with getting paid a trip fee, i have no problem with the request in and of itself.

i have three questions;
do you check if decks/porches/whatever are attached?

if it is attached, do you think this a structural modification?

is this something i should have commented on in the other 200+ manufactures home appraisal reports ive completed? the form itself says "Describe any additions or modifications (decks, rooms, remodeling,
etc.)" in which i describe any such items. but have never considered them to be structural modifications.

Manufactured homes that have an addition or have had a structural modification are eligible under certain conditions. If the state in which the property is located requires inspection by a state agency to approve modifications to the property, then the lender is required to confirm that the property has met the requirement. However, if the state does not have this requirement, then the structural modification must be inspected and be deemed structurally sound by a third party who is regulated by the state and is qualified to make the determination. In all cases, the satisfactory inspection report must be retained in the mortgage loan file.

 

[Riick]

IF I remember correctly, rle of thumb was that FHA did not want to see anything permanently attached to a manufactured home, such as steps, addition, etc. I'd think a deck would come under that heading.

Rationale? These structures are engineered to carry what's built at the factory, and not 5% or 10% more; add steps that eventually pull on sidewall, sidewall bows.
.

 

[andrew81]

do you check if decks/porches/whatever are attached and is this something i should be commenting on?

 

[CANative]

do you check if decks/porches/whatever are attached and is this something i should be commenting on?

Yes. It is a requirement and I do it. I have done this almost since the day I started. The issue is well described by in the HUD handbooks but is applicable to all mobile and manufactured homes.

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell for certain without crawling around under the deck. I check awning attachments too.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Yes, lenders have always asked us to comment on any structure attached to the home and if it effects the integrity of the home. Which also means you need to comment if the structure is not attached to the home so you will not have to address it later.

 

[CANative]

Page 269 of the 2019 Selling Guide

Manufactured homes that have an addition or have had a structural modification are eligible under
certain conditions. If the state in which the property is located requires inspection by a state agency
to approve modifications to the property, then the lender is required to confirm that the property has
met the requirement. However, if the state does not have this requirement, then the structural
modification must be inspected and be deemed structurally sound by a third party who is regulated
by the state and is qualified to make the determination. In all cases, the satisfactory inspection report
must be retained in the mortgage loan file.