missing HUD plates

[JDoty2002]

Hi,
We are trying to sell a 1985 Kentwood modular home in Washington state. The appraiser came and looked at it, but he was unable to locate the plates anywhere. I contacted HUD, and someone told me that a modular home doesn't have HUD plates. Is this true? The loan officer at the bank won't grant the loan to the buyer without these plates. What should we do? HELP! I don't believe the manufacturer is in business any longer as the numbers on the paperwork are no longer the same and I couldn't locate this brand on the internet. Thanks for any info you may have. Janet

 

[Terry McCulloch]

I actually have never appraised a modular home but I believe if you were to ask the general population on this forum I'm pretty sure you will be helped out... good luck!!

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Does the home have a steel undercarriage? On the front cross piece of the steel undercarriage is a serial number etched into the metal. That is the serial number and should match the serial number that should be in proof of ownership documents. Check out the manufactured housing section of this forum. There is a sticky at the top with a website that can verify whether a home was constructed to the HUD building code or not. At the time a HUD code home leaves the factory a metal tag is affixed to the exterior of the home--AKA as HUD plates/tags/labels/seals.

That is what the loan officer is concerned about. If there is a steel undercarriage and the original building code that was followed while it was under construction in the factory cannot be proved, the loan cannot be resold to Fannie Mae. Your loan officer may only deal with Fannie Mae loan products. If there is a steel undercarriage and it was not constructed to the HUD building code, it is known as "on frame or chassis" modular home. Freddie Mac, FHA and VA will purchase/insure on frame modulars. Fannie Mae will not so that is why there is a big question.

With the serial number either you or the lender can verify whether the home was constructed to the HUD building code. If you are applying for a FHA loan, it is free--if not it will cost $50-75. But the original building code has to be verified prior to any loan process going forward.

 

[VolcanoLvr]

Janet...........

Have you found a paper certificate posted someplace inside the dwelling...it's white, with a map of the US on it? These are stuck inside a kitchen cabinet, in a cabinet in the laundry room, next to the electrical panel, sometimes on a wall in a closet. (We never know exactly where they will be!!)

Also, look in your documents file. Some people remove the certificate and keep it in the paperwork folder with the dwelling.

This certificate will have the HUD #'s on it.

If you're anywhere north of Everett, contact me...maybe I can be of add'l help.

dtowne (at) fidalgo [dot] net