There’s a lot of misunderstandings and untruths about mobile homes and manufactured homes. In this article, we are covering the most frequently asked questions about mobile homes.
Mobile homes aren’t perfect but they are a great housing choice for many families across the country.
More families could have a chance at owning their own home and getting out of expensive housing if they would just look past the stigma attached to manufactured housing. That’s what we aim to do every day here on Mobile Home Living. With this article, we hope to put a few issues to rest once and for all.
Lies about Manufactured Homes
Unfortunately, people that have never been around manufactured homes don’t know the first thing about them and are often the main culprits to spread misinformation and mistruths.
To put it bluntly, people that spread the mistruths about manufactured housing have never lived in one, or even been around one for that matter.
They don’t know what they don’t know.
It’s no secret that mobile homes have a few stereotypes and stigmas. A lot of people believe that everyone living in manufactured homes is poor and that our homes are made with 2×2’s. Neither is true.
If we can get the truth out about mobile homes there will be less stigma. These mobile home questions and answers should help a bit.
Common Mobile Home Questions and Answers
What’s the difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home?
his is the most asked question we get so we’ve written an entire article dedicated answering it here.
The simple answer:
A mobile home was built before June 15, 1976. A manufactured home was built after this date.
June 15/July 1, 1976 is the day when national HUD regulations took effect. This means all factory-built homes have to be built to a standard mandated by HUD.
Most people do not care which term is used. The industry, however, goes absolutely mad if anyone uses the term mobile home when speaking of a home built after 1976. They wanted to shed its poor branding and start anew so they used the HUD law as a catalyst to do that (or try to, anyway). You can read more about the industry’s fight against the words mobile home in our article No, I Will Not Stop Using the Term Mobile Home – Get Over It.
What are Labels, Titles, and Certificates?
All transportable sections of manufactured homes built in the U.S. after June 15, 1976, must contain a certification label (commonly referred to as a HUD Tag) on the home.
We’ve published an exhaustive guide to mobile home titles here.
The red metal plates you see on the back end of a manufactured home is a manufacturer’s certification that the home was built in accordance with HUD’s Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (commonly referred to as the code or the standards). The Standards cover Body and Frame Requirements, Thermal Protection, Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Safety, and other aspects of the home. The Standards are published in the Code of Federal Regulations under 24 CFR Part 3280.
A Data plate is not a plate but a white sheet of paper:
How can I find the make, model or manufacturer of my home?
If your home was made after June 15, 1976, there should be a compliance certificate (HUD Data Plate) in the home. It can be on the inside of a cabinet door, under the sink, around the breaker box, etc. There should also be a red plaque on the exterior of the home that will give you the basic information such as the manufacturer and the model year.
There may also be a manufacturers plaque around the end or front door of your home. This will be the case for some homes made before 1976, too. It’s more a form of advertising but it will give you enough information to get you started.
You can also look on the tongue or frame of the home for a stamped number. This is the homes serial number. It is just like a vehicle’s VIN number and can identify the model and manufacturer.
You may be able to get a rough idea of the year of the home by looking inside the toilet tank (assuming it’s the toilet that came installed in the home).
Do mobile homes attract tornadoes?
Absolutely NOT!
The fact we feel it necessary to add this to our mobile home questions and answers section blows my mind but it’s a misconception that is alive and well.
Unfortunately, meteorologists are a top source of this stupidity. These are highly educated people that went to college to study weather patterns! There are Youtube videos of several meteorologists saying that a mobile home park is pulling a tornado toward a town. They may be joking but it isn’t funny.
Storms, wind, rain, and snow are not attracted to any certain type of home.
A tornado’s deadly force does not selectively discriminate between the site-built and manufactured home or “mobile homes” (those built prior to the HUD Code’s implementation in 1976).
Mother nature hates us all equally and without prejudice.
Can Manufactured Homes Withstand Hurricane Winds?
In areas prone to hurricane-force winds (known as Wind Zones II and III, according to HUD’s new Basic Wind Zone Map) the wind safety standards require that manufactured homes be resistant to winds up to 100 miles-per-hour in Wind Zone II, and 110 miles-per-hour in Wind Zone III.
This zone map shows wind zone, roof load zones, and thermal zones.In both of these zones, the standard for manufactured homes is now more stringent than the current regional and national building codes for site-built homes located in these wind zones.
This PDF released by FEMA about Understanding and Improving Performance of New Manufactured Homes During High-Wind Events is helpful for anyone wanting to know more on the subject.
An important element in the adequate wind safety of a manufactured home is the proper installation and anchoring of the home according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Installation standards are regulated on a state-by-state basis. When properly installed and anchored, the manufactured home’s wind resistance is significantly improved. For each new manufactured home sold, the manufacturer must include installation instructions to properly support and anchor the home. This requirement is part of the windstorm protection provisions of the HUD Code.
There is no meteorological or scientific basis to think that manufactured homes attract tornadoes. The reality is one of coincidence: most manufactured homes are located in rural and suburban locations, where meteorological conditions favor the creation of tornadoes.
A tornado’s deadly force does not selectively discriminate between the site-built and manufactured home or “mobile home” (those built prior to the HUD Code’s implementation in 1976).
In most of the country (non-hurricane-prone areas), manufactured homes are built to withstand sustained winds in the range of 70 miles-per-hour. Above this range, a manufactured home will experience some form of damage. Only in the case of severe weather, such as a tornado, are these areas likely to experience winds in excess of 70 miles-per-hour.
It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of all tornadoes have winds in excess of 112 miles-per-hour.
A direct hit from a tornado will bring about severe damage or destruction of any home in its path.
If a manufactured home has a below-ground basement, the home’s residents should seek shelter there. If a home, site-built or manufactured, does not have a below-ground basement, the residents should seek immediate below-ground or another appropriate shelter from the storm’s possible effects. During a tornado warning, a tornado has been detected. Residents should seek shelter in an interior room with no windows.
Can manufactured homes gain value or appreciate?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions about mobile homes of all.
Manufactured home can and do appreciate. Of course, there’s a lot of variables that play into that appreciation.
In October 2018 Market Watch published an article titled Mobile-home values might rise as fast as regular homes—here’s why that matters.
If your manufactured home is permanently installed on owned land the combined property can appreciate.
If your home is on a rented or leased lot it will rarely appreciate. The average rate of depreciation is 2.7% -3.6%.
Data comp Appraisal Systems looked at 185 manufactured homes in the state of Michigan. They compared the average sale price to the average resale price several years later. The study found the average value of the home had increased by $190, from $26,422 new to $26,612 used. That doesn’t seem like a lot but let’s dig deeper:
To further break down the numbers:
- 97 of those homes increased in value by an average of $2,985.
- The remaining 88 decreased in value by an average of $2,822.
While it was close, more homes appreciated by over two thousand dollars than not.
For even further analysis and information you should read our article, Manufactured Homes Can and Do Appreciate.
Are mobile and manufactured homes more prone to fire?
No. The reason you think that is because the newspapers and TV stations don’t know how to feature any positive stories regarding mobile homes and journalist can be lazy and biased. Four stick built homes and a mobile home could catch fire tonight and they would only report the mobile home fire.
How many positive news stories regarding mobile homes have you seen?
On a serious note, Foremost Insurance did a national fire study and found that site-built homes were more than 2 times as likely to experience a fire than manufactured homes.
They found that 17 site built homes out of 1000 had home fires as opposed to only 8 per 1000 manufactured homes.
Are manufactured homes energy efficient?
Mobile homes weren’t very energy efficient at all.
Modern manufactured homes are just as energy efficient as a site-built home.
In 1994 there was a new federal law initiated to make all homes more energy efficient and the regulations have continued to be updated.
HUD went so far as to divide the country into 3 regions and manufactured homes produced for each region have to meet the performance zones and snow loads for each (see the zone map above).
Here’s what NMHOA says about it: A new thermal zone map for manufactured housing identifies three regions: the southeastern states are grouped from South Carolina to Texas in Zone I; the mid-zone of the nation is grouped from North Carolina across to California in Zone II, and the remaining northern part of the country is grouped together in Zone III.
HUD’s new standards require that manufactured homes comply with one of three alternative options: design the home’s overall thermal efficiency to account for heat loss through the insulated surfaces of the thermal envelope (better known as Uo-values) for three zones; adjust Uo values with credits for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment; or by totally redesigning the home with new innovative technologies that use no more energy than published Uo values.
Zone II, including Oklahoma, requires an Uo of 0.096. These efforts are ensuring that manufactured homes remain affordable, not only in start-up costs but for the life of the home.
Common Complaints from Homeowners
While this isn’t technically a frequently asked question about mobile homes it is an issue that needs to be covered.
Many complaints from manufactured homeowners are about the quality of their homes. They talk about the staples and glue or the flimsy insulation or the smaller framing.
Modern manufactured homes are available in different build qualities and prices. The more affordable models are the most popular because they offer a beautiful energy efficient and environmentally friendly home at a great price.
However, a $19,999 single wide is not going to be built like a site-built home. It will have staples and glue and smaller framing because it’s a more affordable method of home construction.
You absolutely get what you pay for in manufactured housing. That’s the beauty of them!
Have another Frequently Asked Questions about Mobile Homes?
Comment below and we’ll do our best to get you the information you need.
As always, thanks for reading Mobile Home Living®!
Most mobile home doors have to be cut as standard home doors run 80″. However a storm door I replaced with a regular stormer 36 x 76. They do stock them. I have all new cabinets, but they are pantry type and had to be cut an inch. No problems with the weight. This was all a DIY project also!
Hi, I have a question about the weight that the joist can bear in a double wide mobile home sitting on 2′ wide pier and beams. We are redoing our kitchen island and we are putting on a butcher block top that is about 100lbs, The island is 55″ by 25″. We are surrounding the island with shiplap tongue and groove, my question is how much weight can the joist bear per square feet?
We have a good pier and beam system in place but its the joist that concerns me.
Doors may need to be special ordered because of their size, they aren’t usually the same size as doors for stick-built homes. As far as cabinets and other things you should be able to use the same products you would for any other home. Homes built after the early 70’s usually have good bones and can hold about anything.
I have a question, in the process of buying a mobile home built in 1999. It seems to be in very good condition except for the roof and the skirting . I want to work on those things first before replacing and refreshing the place. I was told by the owner who is selling to me that everything I buy has to be for mobile homes because it can’t take the weight of regular home stuff for example the storm door needs to be replaced and he told me I couldn’t just buy one at Lowe’s or Home Depot it had to be ordered from a mobile home store on line. same for cabinets and such. Is that true?
our park was bought by Cobblestone Investments has anyone had experience with these folks?
Our park recently introduced a rule that says when you sell after signing the sale agreement you have to give the park owner a chance to buy it for the same price. In effect you have to tell your buyer, yes you can have it and sign a contract with a waiver that the park owner can buy it first? Does this sound legal?
Also after moving in I heard that any time someone tries to sell the owner of the park keeps denying the prospective buyer until the homeowner finally sells to the park owner for a fraction of the price to get out. The place I purchased was a fixer-upper for 9k and after I purchased I found out the owner only gave the previous owner $500. this was after the previous owner had 2 prospective buyers with higher offers and the park said they did not qualify. For obvious reasons I am now doing the bare minimum on the fix-up since I feel like anything I improve will end up in the pocket of the park owner.
Who to talk to ? I purchased a manufactured in 2014 my railings were written up on yearly inspection “not in compliance” this is the first time since the purchase (7yrs ago) am I not grandfathered in ? Built in 79’ deck is 31 ins at high point off the ground railings are 34” h
I am currently trying to attach a Gator Pipe ( awning pipe) structure
on the out side of my Mobile home as a awning structure to replace a retractable awning. My question is, is this, is there usually a header board below the roof line to be able to attach 4 flanges to support the 1 1/4 in pipe? The siding on the home has been redone with Hardie Board which turned out beautifully but in order to keep the flange secure it needs to be screwed into some kind of header or a stud. Preferably a header.
I have a question how much force would it take to break one of the bricks underneath the mobile home that help support it ? Only reason I’m asking is because my truck slowly rolled into the back of a mobile home and all I did was dent the skirting. It was on level ground there was no force.
Hi May,
The first thing I would do is get the home releveled. It kinda sounds like the roof has separated a bit which is common with double wides that are unlevel and could cause the interior walls to get water damaged. Once the home is level, you’ll reroof. It’s up to you whether you want to reshingle or replace with a metal roof (both have pros and cons) but make sure that the deck is healthy before you add the new roof (this will require the old shingles to be removed). Once the new roof is on you can replace the interior water damage. After that, you should have healthy home that will last many years. Best of luck!
Okay, so I have a question that I hope you can assist me with. We currently live in a ’99 Fleetwood manufactured home. We purchased it in 2009. A few years ago we noticed a softening internal wall. Obviously we called out insurance who stated that the marriage line was faulty and had been installed incorrectly all those years ago. They recommended treating the wall, which we did. My husband noticed this year that the roof needs to be replaced and unfortunately there is now a hole in the ceiling. After checking throughout our home, it appears that at least six walls are now damaged and there are five rooms with ceiling mold or waving and one room with a hole in the floor. We’re are currently trying to figure out what our best option is moving forward from here. We can try to roll out current mortgage into a new one for a new modular/manufactured home. This is tough though because we owe $65k still and will more than double our house payment. So my question is can our current home be remodeled at this point and is it with it? And do you have any suggestions on where to start? (Located in Oklahoma)
Hi Timothy,
Usually, anytime you ask to have a title altered they will charge a fee. In some states, I’ve heard of it costing up to $100. Perhaps when they are re-registering the title (it has to be reprinted and re-files) that they are changing the start and end dates for the tax year to start over?
It’s common to charge a fee so maybe they are just calling the title alteration fee a used tax fee? Perhaps your state bases taxes on the number of occupants in the home or on the title somehow? I’d call and ask them for an explanation.
Let me know what you find out (and what state you’re in). Best of luck!
I went to Secretary Of State to add some one to my Title for a manufactured home and the Title is a clean Title but I was told to add someone else to my Title that I had to Pay a used Tax and a Transfer fee.I am very confused because I already paid the taxes on buying the place when I purchased it so by adding someone else to my Title with my name still on it I don’t understand why they are trying to charge me a used Tax.Please help