Making a single-wide a qualifying double

[Steve]

I live in a town in mountains of Montana. And, while there are stick built homes around, much of housing is singlewide (SW) MH's, or SW's with extensions, or SW's with additions as each family needed.

I have an 84 Fleetwood, a 14 by 70 with what I think is refered to as a kickout. There is also an addition on to the back comprised of a room which is 15 X 16.

It is a great home. But, it's still considered a single wide and as such I would much rather have something that anyone could buy if I chose to sell it. Hence, doublewide or larger is what banks lend on.

Clearly, I don't want to swap out MH's. So, I was wondering... Is there a way to make what was a singlewide to start with, a qualifying home via FHA etc. Like could I custom build and tie-in the extra width necessary or is this a case of no matter what I do, it will always be a single wide?

I'd appreciate the feedback.

Steve Hartman
Lincoln, MT

[rmurray]

It will always be a single section no matter what you do to it...FHA title 2 mortages does do single sections and the land they are on....But it is not done often and finding an originator at a mortage company who is famlier with the proceedure is hard...Then your home might have some issues for the FHA inspector related to the add-on...

Relax and enjoy your hame...If when you need to sell you find a determined qualified buyer..there will be a way to find your money...

[Anne]

rmurry - I have a question about this. Our neighbors' place originally was a single wide. Added on and added on. They are in the process of another remodel. They said that this last remodel will eliminate the last original "outside" single wide wall. Therefore, the house would now be considered stick built and worth more. The main hallway walls are still the original interior walls and the original single wide frame is still under the house. So, are they in fact, eliminating the single wide?

[rmurray]

Not in the eyes of a lender...Another buyer might have those feelings..but not a lender..