Serial Number

[lisa]

I have a manufactured home that everyone has classified as a "Custom Home" seller has taken every precaution to hide the fact it is manufactured. Cabinets have been replaced, doors replaced, electrical box replaced and the serial number on the steel beam has somehow been removed. The manufacturer of home is now out of business, the dealership can not locate any information on the home so now I can get the information I need to do the financing for the new buyer. Any other ideas on how to get the serial number so I can verify the HUD tags?

[David Oxhandler]

Are the red HUD tages in place on the exterior rear side (as it would go down the road) of the home?

[MobileHomeInspectors.com]

Hello,
You might check with the city or county building department if a permit was pulled for the installation of this home, the information you need might be there.
Good Luck,
Greg Filian
MHI

[lisa]

The red tags have been removed as well. The permit obtained doesn't even reference the fact that they were placing a manufactured home on the property.

[David Oxhandler]

Pre-code homes had the numbers on the I-Beam....The serial number on most modern manufactured homes - built since the late 70's is located the front steel bumper ... the hunk of steel that the hitch was attached to. You may have to remove the skirting to find it and may need to clean the steel and even sand off rust. If the home was built in the last 20 years that is where the serial number can usually be found.

number may be either vertical or horizontal


When you purchased the home there was some type of closing. Call the company or lawyer that handled the closing. They may have some records that indicate the serial number.


When your home was installed it is likely that permits were required from the local building authority. Check with the permit office. Most times the serial number of the home is required info on the permit application.


Additionally you can check with your local property appraisers office. The folks that figure out what your real estate taxes are each year. In many states a record of the brand year and serial number of the home is maintained by the property appraiser to assist in determining taxation values.

[lisa]

I have had an inspector visit the home to see if he could locate the serial number but he was not able to find any. I have since located the dealership but with the way my luck has been going, he stated he does not have access to records from '92. The manufacturer states they can't help since the dealership did not turn in the warranty card (since the dearlership handles any repairs). Assessors office has no information.

The new title company states a new serial number can be obtained (although it will take 6 to 8 weeks to do so). If a new serial number is obtained can new HUD tags be obtained as well?

[David Oxhandler]

What type of inspector. Was he a specialist in manufactured homes? did he take down the skirting and check the hitch bumper??

I have never heard of a new serial number being issued?? You need to get a clarification from the person at the title company who told you this Who would issue it??

GO back to the dealer and find our who has access to the records for 1992. Most states consider the initial sale of a manufactured home as a motor vehicle sale and dealers must do title work. If the dealer has no record the DMV or whoever handles MH registration in your state will have a record of a purchase for someone at the address where the home was delivered and set.

The state cant assign a number to a unit that they have no recode of and if the builder has no way to pull up the records on your home it seems that they could not issue a new number either.

Serial number are just that... numbers issues in serial order as homes come off the assembly line. It seems doubtful that this is an item that can be retrofitted I have heard of replacement titles but you need to have the serial number to obtain that.

GO to the title company that handled the closing when you purchased the home and land (not the new one). They might have a record of the Serial Number... in many states that number needs to be included in transfer of ownership in a home/land purchase. If they dont have it they will have a history of who owned that property prior to your purchase. You will need to back tract through the transfers of ownership back to the original owners.

You might get the best advice from your states Manufactured Housing Association.... Find the contact info for your state at the MH Yellow Pages

This is not going to be easy and may require you kissing a lot of frogs prior to finding the prince. Chase down all the possibilities.

What state are you located in ?

[lisa]

I am in Indiana

[David Oxhandler]

Contact the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association

3210 Rand Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46241
317-247-6258
[email protected]

[lisa]

Thank you for the information. I am keeping my fingers crossed.