Help! Is a mobile home always a mobile home?

[Rebecca]

Here is an unusual question. Is a mobile home always a mobile home or at some point of renovation does it become a stick built house? I live in Maine and I bought a house that I thought was over the stigma of a mobile home. The house was completely remodeled two years ago and 70% was added onto the existing mobile home frame. The new part is all stick built. I have been turned down for financing because the mobile home was built in 1975, but only a small portion of the metal frame still exists. The walls and systems were all done over. The house has a new roofline with a cathedral ceiling in the living/dining room. It is still on piers with a wooden skirt. The town has the house listed as a stick-built and are taxing me accordingly. The two different appraisers I have had in were impressed with the house, but when they get back to their office they end up calling me and asking me if the house was a mobile home. There must be some record somewhere that this is a mobile home. Three questions: 1. When does a mobile home cease being a mobile home? 2. It has been suggested that all I need to do is add a foundation; what type of foundation would you suggest? 3. Do appraisers have a secret computer system that tells them that this is a mobile home? Sorry, 4 questions: Any suggestions on places that offer a re-fi on a non-traditional structure?
Thanks for all of your help.
Rebecca

[Rebecca]

One last thing, my insurance company has the house listed as a modular home and based the replacement value on that opinion.

[rmurray]

1)...Never..

2)..bad advice

3)..No but the frame is a dead give away..

I have no idea where to lead you for finance..The problem here is that this a 1975 model..pre-HUD years...Most large mortgage companies have restrictions that do not allow them to mortgage pre-HUD homes..If this home were a 1977 model you might be able to make it work...The best advice I can give is to talk to local lenders about non-traditional mortgage possibilities..If there are any..