Well, I never...

[Charlotte Dixon]

First time we got asked for the stupid photo of the Tags, we had to drive sixty odd miles down every dirt road and cow slide in three counties to get back to the subject. Now, we do it on every single one because it saves headaches.

That does it. I never did before, but now I'm taking photos of the things on that note! :roll:

 

[Dee Dee]

Caterina,
I think you hit the nail on the head with the snowload issue. Now that you mentioned it, I realize that this same issue is probably the reason that there are very few modular homes in the county that I service the most.
I'll have to check with the two counties that I work in the most and see just exactly what the codes require.

Jo Ann,
Interesting post...I'd like to see some of the factory built homes that you mentioned.

 

[Joe Sloan]

FHA requires the Manufactured Home to: (Joe's paraphrase)

1. Have sequential red tags. Photos not required but take them anyway.
2. Be in its original placed location( Previous Dealer lot OK)
3. Permanent Foundation per fat book.
4. Crawl Space for thin inspector to get under.
5. No attic is OK.
6. Typical stuff like positive drainage, utilities working VC's etc for completed construction.
7. No trailer talk allowed in report.

The following stuff is include on my form to lender's primarily to keep them from asking for their own list. ( I check the statements I agree with and leave any others blank.)

Good luck with the tra... Manufactured Homes.


Joe Sloan

X The manufactured housing unit is permanently affixed to a foundation.
X All wheels, axles and hitches have been removed and the unit is no longer mobile.
X Grading and drainage are acceptable.
X The manufactured housing has been anchored.
X All foundations, both perimeter and piers, have footings that are located below the frost line.
X The manufactured housing unit has been built to Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards established by HUD in June 1976.
X The subject has been installed to and conforms to the local and state building codes.
X The subject has assumed the characteristics of site built houses in the area.
X The subject has adequate crawl space, and subject has not been previously installed.
X The subject is being taxed as Improved Real Estate. (Title to chattel surrendered to land at closing.)

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Dee Dee:
This weekend I'll find some urls for various articles and manufacturers on the internet for you. Some of them have articles and illustrations of the construction techniques. All fascinating (I think).

Joe:
Be carefull about that statement regarding drainage and frost lines, etc unless you are a registered engineer that dug a hole next to the foundation (the support underneath the home--not the perimeter enclosure) to see how deep the footings are and have knowledge of where the frost line is located in that specific area. I have a paragraph in my addendum about the items I could observe and receive documentation on. If the client insists on a check list, almost everything has a comment that I am not a licensed engineer or contractor or home inspector and the client needs to contact one of those professionals.

Also suggest taking a photo of the data plate inside the home (letter sized piece of paper with a map of the USA) and write down in your notes all the info at the top-manufacturer, factory location, serial number, HUD number if listed (those are two completely separate items that can be cross referanced but for two unrelated purposes), etc. Also put a condition on the VC sheet for HUD that an inspection by a licensed engineer of the foundation that has been installed would be required to determine if the foundation and perimeter enclosure meets HUD's guidelines per their specific requirements in the "fat" book.

 

[David S. Roberson]

The only frost line I'm an expert on is the one in my freezer.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Yes you did!