Can you change a wind rating of an existing home by remodeling

[Gayla]

I have a wind rating I double wide, built in '06. It currently sits in south central Texas, but I would like to move it to the Texas coast where the rating has to be a class II. Can I do modifications to my home to make it a rating II? I have my home paid for and that is why I would prefer to do modifications vs. buying another one. Can you put a different roof, ad brick, stucco siding, or anything to change it's rating? Also I do not have a title to this home, it was purchased as a HUD forclosure on existing land and I was told by HUD that I would not receive a title to it. So another question, can it be moved without a title. I have owned mobile homes years ago and they all had titles to prove ownership, has that changed? Thanks for any help you can give me.

[David Oxhandler]

The answer on renovating to change wind ratings is no. Certification is done in the factory to a federal HUD standard. I don't know of any authority who could set the renovation standards, make the inspections or re-certify your home.

Contact the building permit authority for the location where you would like to move the home, to see if they have the ability to make any exceptions and if so under what conditions.

As to title issues. Texas permits MH titles to be retired. Once a home is declared to be part of the real-estate title transfer is no longer required in Texas.

If you have the correct serial number(s) and proper proof of sale you should be able to get a reactivated title. Contact the Texas Dept of Housing and Community affairs Manufactured Housing Division.

Direct Dial - (512) 475-2200
Toll Free - (800) 500-7074
SOL Processing Fax - (512) 475-1109
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[Gayla]

Thanks so much for your help. I appreciate it.