How can I find out whether I have a modular or mobile home???

[macable]

I bought a home on a permanent foundation "as-is" on 3/4 acre lot and payed cash. I remodeled it and planned to move into it, but my wife changed her mind about selling our present home. I am trying to sell the home and have run into problems with buyer financing. Underwriter thinks it is a "double wide". I could find no tags or stickers anywhere in or under the structure. It is apparent that it is factory built, but I don't know "modular or double wide". I found the "serial numbers" on the front crossmember. Do these mean anything to you? Serial numbers - (GB1144NC1735A, GB1144NC1735B) I am in North Carolina and am thinking the "NC" means it was built in NC. Any idea what the "GB" might represent?

[David Oxhandler]

Generally a serial number and a steel frame under the home are prime indications that it is a HUD code manufactured home.

Someone in the MH business in your area may recognize the maker of the home by the serial number. Contact the North Carolina Manufactured and Modular Homebuilders Association at 800-849-6311.

You can try your state department of motor vehicles. As you have a serial number they may be able to research the origins of the home if it was titled originaly through the DMV.

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), is HUD's monitoring contractor for the Federal Manufactured Housing Program IBTS maintain all reported certification HUD labels since 1976 from manufacturers production reports. They can cross reference by the serial number to find the original builder of a manuftured home.

You can submit a request online A minimum research fee of $25 will be charged even if the home is not found due to insufficient information, the home is not a manufactured home, or the home is found to be pre-HUD.

[macable]

Thanks for the suggestions. The county tax department listit as a "modular" amd when I had it appraised, the appraiser noted the tags where removed and listed it as a "modular on frame". Does the fax that it has 2x6 wall framing and attic access mean anything to you, it seemed to be significant to the appraiser in his assessment?

[David Oxhandler]

Most manufactured homes have been built with 2x6 walls since 1993 when Hurricane Andrew pushed tighter building standards onto the HUD code.

Most county property inspectors know little about manufactured homes. If the HUD tags were removed than it is probably a HUD manufactured home, or there would not have been any tags to remove.

It is imposable to tell from here. Contact the three sources I suggested in my post above to confirm which code your home was built to.

At this point in the economic madness it will be difficult if not imposable for any buyer to get financed on just about any home purchase. Have you considered owner financing?