Permanent Foundations

[C. W. Huff]

I am planning to buy a manufactured home and place it in East Texas when I retire in 2004. I am trying to decide whether or not to put in on a permanent foundation. I don't know how it is in Texas, but in the state I live in now, (VA), some lending institutions will not finance a manufactured home unless it is placed on a permanant foundation. I have been told that it is also easier to insure, and that it will appreciate in value more if it is placed on a permanant foundation. Since I plan to live there the rest of my life, would that be the best way to go? Somehow I just don't feel good about it being just placed on Blocks. I just don't know that much about house construction, and need some help.

[JOE M.]

Concrete slab is the way to go. should appreciate like stick built if on its own land and maintained well.

Joe

[rmurray]

The term "permanent foundation" is not very well defined...most often it refers to a home set on piers of blocks..on top of some sort of locally approved footing...The home would have to be anchored to the ground and the running gear removed(some lenders require the hitch also be removed)..

The FHA and VA..have a much more detailed definition...It will involve a masonry perimeter wall (still decorative not necessarily structural), re-bars in the footings and the anchors embedded in concrete...This foundation is usually required to be engineer certified and/or FHA inspector reviewed...

Your VA idea of permanent will be much different than that in TX..

To keep all future finance tools available (by current regulations and rules..of course these could change)...specify a FHA designed foundation...This will meet all lender rules..

[C. W. Huff]

Permanent Foundations

Thanks Joe and Murray for your input. Will check out all possibilities before I make my final decision. You have given me things to consider. Thanks again.

[Norm]

Try www.suresafe.com

[Kristi phillippe]

3 years ago I purchased a double wide on 5 acres of land. I had an apprasial done..and the home met the FHA requirements for a permanent foundation. I am now in the process of selling this home so that I may build my new home, and there are problems arising over the foundation...I am being told that my home does not qualify for FHA (I am puzzled over this because I HAVE an FHA loan on it...that is how we financed it 3 years ago) I was wondering if there have been changes to the FHA requirements for "permanent foundation"...what my home is on is a system of runners and piers. the Concrete is poured to the required depth in the ground..then there are concrete blocks above ground. there is not a block wall of concrete around the perimeter...just standard skirting. If I do need to change something...would replacing the skirting with the "block foundation"--concrete blocks around the entire perimeter....make this home comply with FHA requirements?