Manufactured Make & Model #?

[G-man]

Appraised a double wide manufactured home a week ago. Wrote down all the information from the data plate on the inside, HUD numbers, date of manufacture, serial #'s. Now underwriting wants a make and model for the home :blink: . Didn't see this on the data plate. Do manf. homes have make & models somewhere? Is someone at underwriting thinking this is a mobile home or something? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Manufacturers are not always consistent, but yes, the name of the manufacturer should be there (which would be the make), along with the address of the plant where the home was constructed and actual date it was constructed. Sometimes the model is also there, always the serial number and sometimes the HUD label number or at least parts of the HUD label number. For example I am doing an appraisal on a home that has the Clayton Homes, El Mirage, AZ constructed 11-08-1999; 2000 Chaparrel Model 28' x 64' and then the serial number. The actual dimensions of the home are 26.5' x 64.1'. The information on the data plate for the HUD number matched the number on the HUD label on the exterior. And the serial number on the data plate matched the serial number on the ownership records. However the ownership records had a size of 24' x 52' crossed out and 24' x 68' (which included the hitch) written down.

Did you take a photo of the data plate? If so, maybe you could enlarge your photo big enough to see the make, model, date of construction. Do you have access to the ownership records? Do they match up with the data plate, they might have the make and model on them also depending on your state's system of records.

Fannie Mae's new check list that will be required August 24, 2003 asks questions about the retailer's name (that won't be available for a resale), Manufacturer's name, trade/model name, year manufactured (that is important because the year of manufacture is sometimes different than the year in ownership records), the serial number from the HUD Data plate, and the number from the HUD label that is on the exterior. So photos and lots of notes will and are necessary.

By the way even old mobile homes constructed prior to June 15, 1976 have data plates--but no information about HUD numbers since HUD code didn't exist until that date. All manufactured homes since that date were required to have the HUD numbers on the data plate, but not all manufacturers got completely into the swing of things for several years, newer models are more sure to have the info.

 

[Bobby Bucks]

G-Man I typically can find the make and model on that sheet of paper glued to the inside of the cabinet over the washer/dryer area.....quite often, it's been removed.....the owner might have it in their persoanl files. I have also gathered this information from the tax office, the deed of trust, the department for building permits, environmental departments ie. sewer/well permits or from mapping departments. When I can't find it with a resonable amount of effort I make that comment and leave it up to the LO. Good luck.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Also, check to see if your state has a manufactured home title web site. We have one here in TX, if you have the HUD tag numbers there is a 70-80% chance it will have all the information you need.

 

[Wally Jones]

And the make/model usually (in our state) appears on the title. (We're not lucky enough to have a website for it like Tim. ) If the owner can't find their title, talk to your client and see if they already have a copy sitting the file folder. After due diligence, as Mister Bucks said, let the LO take care of it.