Property Type

[JoseMiguel72]

Hello everyone. Got a 1004 order for a home in the Salton City area of California and want to make sure that I am identifying this property correctly. Most of the homes in the area are newer and on a slab foundation...although there are some manufactured homes (probably about 10% or less of total inventory). The order was placed as a 1004 but this home was giving me manufactured home vibes. The primary reason at first was the raised foundation, which again, is not typical of stick built SFRs in this area.

An inspection of the crawl space revealed engineered floor trusses. The beams they sit on are on piers. The perimeter of the home sits on what appear to be wood beams. The beams that sit below grade are wrapped in a vapor barrier material. I believe this is a permanent wood foundation.

The subject was built in 1980. There was no sign of any HUD labels or decals affixed to the exterior of the home. I was unable to located a Data Plate in the interior. I realize that these may have been removed (if they were ever there).

I have uploaded some photos. Based on these photos and what I have disclosed here, would you say this is a manufactured home, modular or stick built? I called the county and they don't show manufactured in their files. Any other phone calls I should place?

What's throwing me off is the foundation and the engineered trusses. I have never seen those trusses on a stick built home before. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Jose

P.S. I though about doing a search for a registered 433a but I believe I need the serial number of the manufactured home to do that (assuming this is in fact a manufactured home).

 

[Mike Ault]

Hello everyone. Got a 1004 order for a home in the Salton City area of California and want to make sure that I am identifying this property correctly. Most of the homes in the area are newer and on a slab foundation...although there are some manufactured homes (probably about 10% or less of total inventory). The order was placed as a 1004 but this home was giving me manufactured home vibes. The primary reason at first was the raised foundation, which again, is not typical of stick built SFRs in this area.

An inspection of the crawl space revealed engineered floor trusses. The beams they sit on are on piers. The perimeter of the home sits on what appear to be wood beams. The beams that sit below grade are wrapped in a vapor barrier material. I believe this is a permanent wood foundation.

The subject was built in 1980. There was no sign of any HUD labels or decals affixed to the exterior of the home. I was unable to located a Data Plate in the interior. I realize that these may have been removed (if they were ever there).

I have uploaded some photos. Based on these photos and what I have disclosed here, would you say this is a manufactured home, modular or stick built? I called the county and they don't show manufactured in their files. Any other phone calls I should place?

What's throwing me off is the foundation and the engineered trusses. I have never seen those trusses on a stick built home before. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Jose

P.S. I though about doing a search for a registered 433a but I believe I need the serial number of the manufactured home to do that (assuming this is in fact a manufactured home).

Never seen anything like that. For it to be a manufactured or modular home, somebody would have to transport it to the site. Is there a marriage wall in the middle of the interior where it was divided in half to be trailered to the site and then reassembled? Although the trusses scream "factory built modular" to me, just by looking at your photos it appears way too wide in all directions to travel down any highway intact.

 

[swandel1]

I have seen similar trusses when I lived in CT on site built homes, as well here in AZ. But I see your concern. I have never seen them used in this type situation. It is usually at ceiling height transitions. Can you go to building department and look at the permit? I am leaning towards modular home. Keep us posted on your discoveries.

 

[Surf Cat]

Man.... that looks like Clint Eastwood's going to walk out of that thing with his Poncho, gnawing on a cigar, ready to draw fast and take someone out.

I took a look at some homes for sale in that area and there's definitely manufactured homes on raised foundations. I think what throws this off is that it's stuccoed as opposed to the vinyl siding look of the other manufactured homes.

What's the property profile say for the home type? Since it was built in 1980, any past MLS listings?

 

[swandel1]

Couple other thoughts:
1) is there a flood plain there? I have seen instances where, in order to get a remodel permit, a house had to be raised to a minimum height above a certain flood level
2) there is a manufacturer that makes territorial style mfg homes. I can look it up if you need it. The ones I have done appraisals on had 9' flat ceilings, tile floors.etc. Have also seen mfg homes and site built with fake parapet walls. If you look over the top you see the typical sloped roof with asphant shingles.

 

[Dublin ohio]

Definitely not manufactured and highly unlikely it is a modular. It has to be 40' wide. That would be at least five sections. Looks like a house built on a post and beam foundation.

 

[sputnam]

Doesn't look like any manufactured dwelling I've ever seen. It could be a modular or prefab but, I agree with Dublin that it seems unlikely. Engineered trusses aren't limited to factory built dwellings. They aren't common on site built dwellings but, they do exist.

 

[Tom D]

In the 80's I saw some new row homes, big city, built with trusses. Because of their strength you could spread them further apart than regular, more expensive, solid joists. However, I think a problem came about with that joist spreading. Depending on the type of floor you put in, the spread out trusses didn't give as much sturdy support. Kinda got a bouncy feel to the floor.

If the county don't say man or prefab. I would want absolute proof if you contradict that.

 

[Dublin ohio]

but this home was giving me manufactured home vibes.

a little confused about the above. Not a single thing says mfg to me. All wood construction is the first clue as well as the physical size of the building. Although engineered trusses are not common. There are a few builders in my area that use similar trusses instead of dimensional lumber with the 2 x 4 set on the narrow edge

 

[Dublin ohio]

If I was concerned about anything, it would be the roof. It appears to be standard asphalt roll roofing which is not recommended for flat roofs. It typically only has a lifespan of 5-10 years.