strapped down to foundation for FHA?

[George A Easton]

what is the FHA stance on a manufactured home being "strapped" down. i always check if the axles and tow hitch are removed and note the type of foundation, but i've never heard of the house having to be physically strapped down for FHA purposes. i mean it makes sense from a wind resistence perspective but from my HUD training, i saw no mention of this. incidentally, i do have a recorded affidavit of afixture. so is the lack of tiedowns a callout for required repair?

 

[Caterina Platt]

George,

We appraisers don't try to make determinations about wind shear and adequate tie downs. That stuff is meant for the engineers to deal with.

If the lender has provided you with a certification from a licensed engineer regarding the foundation meeting FHA minimum requirements, include it in your report and move on.

If not, use check box 4 and condition it for the underwriter's receipt of that certification.

 

[George A Easton]

thanks Catarina. my head was swimming when i looked at 4930.3G. the homeowner told me that the didn't have the place anchored and was going to do it once his refinance was complete. i said "um, i'm pretty sure you should have that done before i come out, or i'll have to charge you another $100 to visit once it's installed. i'm not your LO, but you might want to clarify that on their end". they guy's already sunk $350 with me when his loan was supposed to go conventional and now he's going FHA and i'm already having to charge him again to revisit and do an FHA inspection. i guess i'm too nice

 

[Caterina Platt]

Ah. Well, unfortunately he's going to have to sink at least another $200 or $300 merely into the certification report. That's an FHA thing that you just can't get around. It does take the onus and the liability off of you though.

It does seem that the borrowers that can least afford them get the most expensive set of requirements at times.

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

I agree with Caterina--your FHA appraisal report is marked "subject to" an inspection by a licensed engineer to determine if the installation and foundation meets the requirements in the Permanent Foundation Guidelines for Manufactured Housing. The recorded Affidavit of Affixture is only a paper trail that enables the manufactured home to be taxed as real property--it has absolutely nothing to do with anything physically. While at the subject did you see a professionally installer's insignia? Was the blank for anchoring checked in some way or blank? If checked with an X or Y, tie downs were installed by the professional installer. Which indicates compliance with local and state requirements--although tie downs are not required in the state of Arizona. However, FHA requires an inspector from a licensed engineer in addition to local and state requirements.

 

[RSW]

This may help.