It seems people here and the general public gets hung up on the HUD plate issue to determine whether or not a home is a munufactured house or a modular house. If this is for a Fannie Mae loan, it is defined as a manufactured home if it has a permanent chasis, regardless of whether or not it was built to HUD specs. If it is a munufactured home according to the Fannie definition, then whether or not it was built to HUD specs determines whether Fannie will do the loan. If it is a so called on frame modular and that "frame" is really a chasis, then, according to Fannie Mae, the house is a manufactured home no matter what it is called. Here is the applicable guideline:
VII, 102.07: Factory-Built Housing (06/15/07)
We will purchase or securitize a conventional mortgage secured by factory-built housing (such as a manufactured home, and modular, prefabricated, panelized, or sectional housing). Any dwelling unit built on a permanent chassis and attached to a permanent foundation system is a “manufactured home” for purposes of Fannie Mae’s guidelines. Other factory-built housing (not built on a permanent chassis), such as modular, prefabricated, panelized, or sectional housing is not considered manufactured housing and is eligible under the guidelines stated in this Guide. We specify certain eligibility criteria that apply to any mortgage that is secured by a manufactured home, and other criteria that apply only to other types of factory-built housing.
A.Manufactured homes. The manufactured home must be a one-family dwelling unit that is legally classified as real property. The towing hitch, wheels, and axles must be removed and the dwelling must assume the same characteristics of site-built housing. The manufactured home must be built in compliance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards that were established June 15, 1976 (as amended and in force at the time the home is manufactured) and that appear in HUD regulations at 24 C.F.R. Part 3280. Compliance with these standards will be evidenced by the presence of a HUD Data Plate that is affixed in a permanent manner near the main electrical panel or in another readily accessible and visible location.