FHA Foundation Perimeter Question

[David S. Roberson]

Your appraiser is wrong. Here are the skirting requirements:

PERIMETER WALLS/SKIRTING: Load Bearing or Non-Load Bearing.
a. A continuous concrete footing/wall must satisfy the frost depth requirements
b. MASONRY: Must have mortared head and bed joints, reinforced and grouted.
c. VINYL: Can be used above ground level only and is allowed, except in the Philadelphia HUD office areas.
d. TREATED WOOD: Can be above grade with concrete footings.
e. STEEL FRAME ANCHORED IN CONCRETE FOOTINGS: Can be used with a variety of wall surface materials, limited by those materials acceptable for below ground level use.

OK. This clearly says vinyl is acceptable. I take that to mean a vinyl siding skirt is acceptable.

 

[David S. Roberson]

Per Chapter 1 - General Information of the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing--Page 1-1, C. Definition of permanent Foundation. Permanent foundations must be constructed of durable materials; (for example) concrete, mortared masonry, or treated wood - and be site built. It shall have attachment points to an anchor and stabilize the manufactured home to transfer all loads, herein defined, to the underlying soil or rock. The permanent foundations shall be structurally developed in accordance with this document or be structurally designed by a licensed professional engineer for the following: 1. Vertical stability--- 2. Lateral stability------.

Exterior Foundation Wall: Foundations placed directly below the exterior perimeter walls of the unit. These walls may, or may not be structurally used as bearing walls under horizontal loads. If these walls are not used structurally they are called non-bearing skirt walls.

Foundation Types:
Type C: Foundation system supported and anchored at chassis only, to equally spaced piers.
Type E: Foundation system supported at chassis and exterior wall but anchored for uplift and overturning at exterior wall only
Type I: Foundation system supported at chassis and exterior wall but anchored for uplift and overturning at exterior piers only.

National Homeownership Center Reference Guide:
Manufactured Homes:
Foundation Compliance
Chapter 1
Appraisal and Property Requirements
Page 1-09d

1. All foundation systems, new and existing, must meet the guidelines published in the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, dated September 1996 (For a copy, see Mortgagee Letter 97-36). A certification attesting to compliance with this handbook must be obtained from a licensed professional engineer and included in the insuring file. This procedure does not apply when the current FHA borrower refinances their loan. It is applicable for all resales.

2. HUD Handbook 4145.1, Rev-2, Section 3-4. C. Criteria for Existing Properties, dated Feb. 1990 states: "The foundation design information in HUD Handbook 4930.3, Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, Appendices A,B and C, may be used to verify the design of the existing system. Provide a licensed professional engineer’s certification to verify compliance with the handbook guidelines and with the requirements set forth in paragraph 3-4.B." HUD Handbook 4930.3 was republished in the Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing.

3. Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing (PFGMH). This guide as well as software can be ordered by calling (800) 245-2691 or from the web at http://www.huduser.org

The only thing this tells me is that exterior perimeter walls are called non-bearing skirt walls.



HOWEVER, the Arlanta HOC office tells me that the guidelines indicate the skirting must be a durable material. That's not what the guidelines say. They says the FOUNDATION must be a durable material. The exterior perimeter is not the foundation, it is the exterior perimeter.

Show me where the guidelines actually address the specific materials type for SKIRTING. It's not there.

Consequently, I follow the directive I received from the individual at the Atlanta HOC, even though I do not believe it to be correct.

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

OSU: Where are the statements you posted below in HUD documents located on the HUD.gov website?

 

[cjolson]

This is exactly what I was Talking about. No where in any of the hand books can I find where it say's that vinyl is not acceptable. I have called several times to the Atlanta Hoc and always get put on a waiting line and eventually have to leave a message. I did contact the Appraiser friday afternoon and the lady told me the reason that the treated wood wouldn't be acceptable is because she had never seen it used around here before and there would be issues with termite infestation. I also spoke with the Structural engineer about this again and he said that as far as he knew the vinyl skirting was acceptable and he was not sure what they are talking about. I guess I will try to contact the Hoc monday and go from there.

 

[Mr Rex]

Heres the answer:

http://FAQ.FHA.gov/cgi-bin/answers_...SZwX2N2PTEuMjAmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

[David S. Roberson]

Thank you, Mr. Rex!!!!!!!!

 

[David S. Roberson]

Now the site has been disabled. I suppose a specific answer to this question was not an appropriate government action.

 

[Mr Rex]

David, its been moved to here:

http://www.fhaoutreach.gov/FHAFAQ/

BTW, you can sign up to get updates from FHA, heres the info on how to sign up from one of their e-mails:


Some industry folks have asked, "How do I sign up my entire staff for FHA email updates?" It is easy... Just list your staff email addresses like this:

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You can send in one email address or thousands. Email your list to: jerrold.h.mayer@HUD.gov

If you have a mortgage or real estate industry friend who you want to subscribe to the national hoc reference guide mailing list, there are 3 other ways to sign up: 1. send them this link: http://www.HUD.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ref/hsgregst.cfm they can sign up for the email list there; or 2: forward them this email; or 3: Visit: http://www.usa.gov/ and subscribe at: http://apps.gsa.gov/FirstGovCommonSubscriptionService.php

To unsubscribe - go to: http://www.HUD.gov/subscribe/index.cfm and click on "National Homeownership Center Reference Guide" and follow the unsubscribe instructions on that page.
____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[CANative]

Some industry folks have asked, "How do I sign up my entire staff for FHA email updates?" It is easy...

Jerry's such a nice, down to earth kind of guy, isn't he?

 

[Mr Rex]

Jerry's such a nice, down to earth kind of guy, isn't he?

I wonder if he is licensed or certified?