safety

[luckikim]

the other day we had an atrocious storm. on the local news there was the usual warnings about unplugging appliances - tvs, microwaves, computers...interesting about tv's since one would have had to have been watching tv to see the warning...in any event the only warning in capital letters was mobile homes and it said "GET OUT!". since i am considering purchasing my first mobile home in this area (wilmington, nc) in the near future, i was wondering...is there a particular TYPE of mobile home they are referring to? can someone clarify and offer any advice on this subject? much appreciated. also, has anyone dealt with ciinvestmentsusa.com? they seem to have some really nice used homes and was curious as to the experiences buyers may have had with them. thanks!!

[rmurray]

Check out the sites listed here...

http://www.builtstronger.com/myths.html



Many Americans have been victimized by an outdated conception of manufactured homes—one which has been perpetuated in the news media... IN FACT, manufactured homes held up well, even when compared to site-built homes. That this was be the case should not really surprise anyone: since 1999, manufactured homes have been built and installed to standards tougher than any but the most recent codes for site-built structures. (see [www.builtstronger.com])

Consumers Union seems to agree with this pont of view see [www.consumersunion.org] and learn that "average appreciation rates of manufactured homes packaged with owned land are statistically in line with the site built market, and there are few inherent reasons that a home built in a factory should perform differently than one built on site"

Studies conducted at two Universities revealed that the determining factor of appreciation in both types of homes was their location. Maintenance also plays a major role. If a home of any kind is built or setup in a bad neighborhood or area it will probably depreciate no matter what. In a good area or neighborhood they will generally appreciate in value depending on the local housing market and economy. In the case of a manufactured home, if it is setup on a permanent foundation with a concrete pad, blocked properly and anchored properly, with good drainage so water does not sit under the home and if one buys from a reputable dealer who uses good setup people, the home will be no different than a site built home. It would appreciate in value at the same rate as a site built home in the same area. The cost of manufactured homes is significantly lower than the cost of site-built homes. This gives them an instant appreciation between what the home actually cost the homebuyer and what its market value is. In some cases, a multi-section manufactured home has sold for more the second time than the first. Properly setup and well taken care of, you are talking about a fantastic investment potential." (from [www.rebelhome.net])

[admin]

This is from an article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune this past week -

"Since July 13, 1994, new manufactured homes have had to meet much tougher federal standards for construction. These modern manufactured homes are built to withstand hurricane-force winds.

A report by the University of Florida School of Building Construction, published this year, concludes that modern manufactured housing is comparable to -- and in some cases better than -- site-built structures, but that the negative portrayal of manufactured housing by the media has helped foster the public perception that factory-built homes are inferior.

In 2003, the Florida Affordable Housing Study Commission reported, after a one-year study, that modern, manufactured homes are as safe and well built as site-built homes. The AHSC's final report concluded, "Improvements in construction materials and technology, uniform standards, increased energy efficiency and installation technology have made the current generation of manufactured housing a much-improved housing choice. This improved quality is the result of the performance-based HUD code, especially the 1994 revision, and subsequent improvements to that code."

But the facts go far beyond studies and reports. During the hurricanes of 2004-05, not one manufactured home built since 1994 was structurally damaged, even during Hurricane Charley's Category 4 winds of 145 mph. This was proven when inspectors at the state Bureau of Mobile Home Construction, housed in the Division of Motor Vehicles, performed careful inspections of more than 30,000 manufactured homes in the path of all the storms.

Saying these homes are not safe to occupy in high winds is simply not true."

[Dr T]

Always use common sense. I have been living in manufactured homes since 1963.
Located in Indiana (tornado area) and Florida (huricane)...If you look around at all the bad storms...you will see new homes flattened...you will see block buildigs crumbled...so if the storm is calling for evacuation...GO.
If your manufactured home is tied down properly and maintained...no loose siding..carport & awning posts, than use caution...be prepare with a storm kit (water, battrey for radio etc. etc)
Electric issue...out a good surge protector and your main electric box...and learn how to see the lighting & count till you hear the thunder to determine how far the elctrical storm is.
Hope this help...think smart...stay happy

[luckikim]

Thanks for your response. Evacuation during a major storm is just that, common sense. My question was directed to a (severe) thunderstorm we had last year and not a hurricane or tornado or storm of that magnitude. The warning was if you were in a MOBILE HOME, to get out. It was specific to mobile homes and again not of the magnitude of a tornado or hurricane. I wanted clarification on that particular circumstance and why a call would be given for a mobile home specific evacuation for a thunderstorm.

[Sylvia]

Mobile home parks are almost always on the outskirts of towns. Most tornadoes don't go all the way through towns because I think I've heard the temps are different and warmer once you get into a town and they veer away. Therefore the damage to a town is normally on the outskirts. It isn't the structures per say I think, but more the location of the structures.

[mccoyae]

Here in tornado alley Oklahoma, that same warning is frequently issued. Mobile home parks do seem to suffer alot of storm damage just from the fact they are on open flat land and clustered together. And as the word "mobile" indicates, alot of these homes are older (not built to HUD specs), single wides that are not properly tied down since some people tend to move from park to park. A mobile home that is not properly set and tied down will get knocked around like a cardboard box. If you are purchasing a new manufactured home and are dealing with a reputable dealer that will set your home to the manufacturer's specs, you should not have to evacuate unless you are definitely in the path of a tornado. Check the wind rating of the home you are considering as different areas of the country have different codes. And you could always put in a storm shelter. Our home is on our own land at a lake and I have no qualms about remaining in our home during some of the hellacious storms we have.

[Sylvia]

ANYONE who is in the path of a severe storm should evacuate. It doesn't matter if you are in new or older mobile or manufactured home or even a house without a basement. Tornadoes aren't picky. Having witnessed them first hand, they're nothing to mess with.