The Manufactured Housing Forums

The dealer claims he doesn't know and can't find out the cause of a fire in the home we purchased 1998 16x68 Patriot. He did not reveal to us the house had a fire. We just lost out last house to a fire and would most definitly not have purchased this home, but with limited funds we are stuck and need to go on. The damage seems to be in contained in the utility room. The inside of the breaker box is black with smut. the house has new carpet,and flooring in the kitchen and dining area. so there is no smell. The original hot water heater is still there.
Just need to track down how and where the fire started and how much actual damage there is. Paint can cover up a mulitude of sins.
Thanks for any advice.
JOY

Some states have a disclosure law. If your state does and the dealer did not disclose the fact of the fire, you may have legal recourse. If the home was not moved after the fire, you might be able to check with the fire department to find out the cause. You may have to hire an inspector (engineer) to find out the real extent of the damage. Good luck.

You are dealing with a smart dealer...He refuses to tell you anything except that there was a fire...He does not want to create any liability for the future for him...

There are many pitfalls possible here..The only way you can tell about the cause is to have a professional fire investigator look over the home..A professional home inspector might be able to accurately estimate the repair costs...

If this home was totaled by an insurance company there will be no marketable title...Salvage titles cannot be transferred in most states with out complete government inspections..Be sure the dealer has a proper title so that if you repair this home, you can sell it in the future...Almost every state would forbid a dealer from selling a home in this shape..most state require the used home to meet thew HUD habitability standards...This might well keep you from getting an occupancy permit until it is fully reconditioned from your local government..

I am NOT a fire investigator but it does sound like it might have started in the electrical box...Again..it would be well worth the few hundred dollars it takes to have a proper professional home inspection....A few dollars now might well save thousands later and a lot of heartache..Sounds like you have had enough of that already..