39 Comments

1. I have recently purchased a piece of property which has a trailer on it. I am in the process of selling the trailer and do not have a title. I have found the sticker with a partial vin number on it and the DMV has not been able to help with a partial vin. I have the HUD id number which is still on the trailer. Can HUD supply me with the vin since I have the HUD id number?

2. I have a 1972 auburn trailer it is missing the data plate and certificate of compliance. What can i do????

   1. Hi Kandace,

      There’s not a whole lot you can do and since the home was built before 1976 I don’t think there would be a certificate of compliance. Unless you are trying to sell the home you shouldn’t need to worry about any of this, though. You would want to make sure you have a title produced through your state DMV to prove ownership (though, technically, titles are used as proof that the home could be transported on public highways).

      Start by calling your state’s DMV and tax assessors office. One of them will be able to help you. Best of luck!

3. If a single wide 16×80 is set up on blocks or jacks (or both) what would you say is a maximum height from the ground ? I want to be able to comfortably get underneath if it needs work. I bought one in a rural area which was already set up but the ground wasn’t properly leveled. Working under the North end of the home was a real horror show. Hey ….. This is the best site I’ve ever seen about mfg homes ! :-)

   You can delete or modify this part if you want: Would you send me a nice clear closeup of the paper data plate so I can read the fine print ? Thanks

4. We recently had a mobile home painted and the painter painted over the State issued tag. We tried cleaning it off but now the numbers and letters are gone. What can we do? Do we need to order a new tag?

   1. Hi Reyna,
      I’m pretty sure that unless you plan on selling the home I wouldn’t worry about it. The tags simply prove the home was properly inspected at the factory. In order to get a new one you will have to pay and it isn’t cheap (as stated above).

      Best of luck!

5. would a double wide have two hud labels affixed on the outside?

   1. Yes, I understand that there is one HUD label for each section. Titling used to be the same (one title for each section but most states have changed that to just one title per home now).

6. I was researching a home with a tag number that started ULI. I found that it stands for Underwriter’s Laboratory. The only manufacturer that used ULI was Skyline, although not all Skyline homes have a number that begins ULI. Some are numbered differently.

   1. Hi Joan,

      I had to research a lot for this post because I’m not that knowledgeable about it. I do remember reading that ULI was one of just a handful of inspection companies in the US. There is an inspector at every factory so I’d say that the numbers without ULI on it were built in a factory that had a different inspector/inspection company.

      Sorry I can’t be more help.

7. I recently bought a Fleetwood 1680sqft double wide HUD label no. RAD965245 and RAD965246. It is on a private city lot with a block foundation. When I bought it I fixed it up and cleaned the brush and lot up to make it look nice…. the county assessor must have thought I did a good job because the property taxes more than tripled.. I am trying to find out how much the trailer cost new so I can show the assessor that it didn’t cost as much new as they say it’s worth now. Any idea where I can find that info. I’ve looked on the fleetwood web site and even call four different dealers to no avail.

   1. Hi Glen,

      I’m sorry but every home is different based on specs and location and I don’t have any way to look up your numbers. You may be able to get a range of manufactured home prices for the year your home was built from a consumer or government housing statistic site (HUD or US Census, maybe?). You may want to double check that your home is actually permanently installed – just because it has a nice skirting made of the block doesn’t necessarily mean it is installed permanently (tie downs are a more important aspect to installation). That will have a bigger impact on your taxes (at least in WV it does).

      Best of luck!

8. Hello,

   I am trying to buy a home that the real estate agent says is a modular home. It is a Fleetwood Highland Park Model 5602L built in 1991 and on a permanent foundation (cinder block perimeter). The City officials say it is a modular home, but the bank disagrees and says it’s a manufactured home, not a modular. Is there any way to tell for sure?

   Thank you!

   1. Hi Kaye,

      Modular homes are different from manufactured homes because they must meet both local and national regulations. I’m not very knowledgeable about modulars unfortunately.

      I would suspect that your bank knows best though. They have access to the Fannie Mae DO system and from what I’ve seen that system knows everything about housing. They can type in model numbers or whatever and bring up all the info about it (all manufactured homes must be inspected and recorded by a licensed HUD agent at the factory so that info ties in with the system).

      You may find more info on that model at the Fleetwood website here.

      Best of luck – let me know what you find out.

   2. Did you find out what your home was? I am in insurance and have a several things to look at to determine. The best way is that the home would have a Deed if Modular and a Title if Manufacturer.

   3. Hi Sunshine!

      I would love to ask you a couple of questions. I’m not that knowledgeable about mobile home insurance and titling/deeding and every little bit of info can help. Would you mind if I emailed you? (I’m Crystal, the founder of Mobile Home Living by the way).

      Thanks so much for commenting!

9. My double wide is listed as real estate, but in trying to sell this home, HUD is asking for a tag. The house has been remodeled and no papers are in the house and they put siding on the home. I have checked with my counties personal property ,and real estate offices and they have no title. Any suggestions on how to proceed to get a tag?
   Thanks, Linda

   1. Hi Linda,

      I’m pretty sure they want you to pay the IBTS a couple hundred dollars to have the home certified (or recertified). Fortunatley, you can order it over the phone or on their website. Click here for the website and then click on more information.

      Best of luck!

10. How do I find out who manufacted the home from the tag number? ULI 020988

    1. Hi James,

       I’ve looked for a few minutes and I just can’t find any HUD tag or serial number that begins with ULI. I did find that ULI typically means Universal Loan Identifier in the housing world. I’m not familiar with ULI as being a factory inspection agency (which is what the first 3 letters on a regular manufactured home tag number represent). Sorry, I can’t help.

11. I went to the DMV to find a ‘lost’ title. My parents bought this doublewide in 1996. Long story short , our names were not on the title. Found out it is registered to someone else with the same serial# since 1998. How does this happen and what to do?

    1. Hi Vicki,

       I have no idea how that could happen – it’s a new one on me! Has the taxes been paid since 1986? In my state (WV), a title is really just a certificate that states the tax was paid and the state has given the owners permission to transport the home but it is used to prove ownership. You’ll want to find out what your state requires to have the title transferred. Usually, a bill of sale will be all the proof you need.

       The DMV or the tax assessors office should be able to help. Best of luck!

12. This is a seasoned and important article and I commend you for it. We are retired and now in Florida. Looking at the huge array of manufactured homes around Florida and have toured 4 factories to see their production. This is the first time we clearly was presented with the differences between manufactured Double-wide homes and Modular home clarification. Not one of the factories brought this to our attention.

    In fact we found one really nice double wide home with an added room and front porch finished interior. However, When we asked about it being modular the sales personal stated no it a manufactured house. he was being honest there. He failed though to explain the difference and thus I began my research between Modular and Manufactured double-wide homes so I could be an educated buyer before investing $200,000.

    As you stated it is overwhelming at times, but now even though I have been acquainted with some of the housing industry before you have provided some additions to the puzzle. Something that more people need to read before purchasing. Your article is appreciated and for your readers they need to graduate to reading and researching Appraisers evaluations of manufactured, Modular and site built homes.

    Your investment and equity depends on your knowledge and how the appraisers classify Modular (not manufactured homes) the same as site built. Modular homes have an inside hidden seal designating higher quality workmanship and resale value whether frame on or frame off.

13. Hello I live in a 1987 Forrest park and need a a Digram drawing of the rooms and measurements of the inside of my trailer for getting a septic system put in

    1. Hi Penny,

       There are some good apps and software that will help you do that. Room Sketcher seems to be the favorite but you can Google floor plan maker and get a list of all of them.

       Best of luck!

14. We recently bought a 2004 Holly Parks. I am trying to find their website to see if there is some warranty on the roof. Do you know if they are still around?

    1. Hi Cathy,

       It looks like Holly Parks closed. I found this: “Holly Park was part of the IBS network that is now closed. They produced great mobile homes and average modular homes. They had been increasing their focus towards modular homes which helped to increase their quality and options available to home buyers. We feel they best served mid-range home buyers. If they do reopen they would be worth a consideration.”

       Usually, homes only have a 1-year warranty. Best of luck!

15. I recently bought a mobile home in the thumb of Michigan. The name on the unit is Academy and I was told that it was manufactured in 1969/1970. I am trying to find a manual for it, but I can’t find anything when I do an internet search on Academy Mobile Homes. Can you steer me in the right direction? Thanks for all of your help . . . your site is awesome for a new owner!!!!!!!!

    1. Hi Sue,

       If you can’t find it at the link I shared on the bottom of the post you won’t find it online until someone kind soul uploads it (and that usually never happens). Sorry!

16. I have a certificate label and a serial number of a mobile home. How would you find out who holds the title?

    1. Hi Katie,

       It differs by state but in WV, you will pay $10 for a title search and just to be safe check your county/state’s DMV and or local record’s dept for a tax record.

       Best of luck!

17. I recently purchased a used 1996 Norris mobile home. QWhere can i find a diagram or specs on the sewer and water lines

    1. Hi Debra,

       It’s not easy finding manuals for manufactured homes and if you do find them they likely aren’t going to have the information you want. As far as sewer goes, that information is dependent on location and local code. The supply lines will have a single inlet, usually close to your water heater under the home.

       We have a few manuals here that may help you. Water lines are fairly basic so there should be some useful information in one of the manuals.

       Best of luck!

18. I purchased a double wide last year. Paid cash. It was built in 1985.I recently applied for a reverse mtg loan. Unfortunately have been unable to locate hud tags in or out of the house.. Found a 5 x 7 form that has been painted over in master bedroom closet It appears to have raised letters Maybe metal Could this be what I am looking for?

    1. Hi Donna,

       Most data plates are larger than 5×7 but that could be a good start. It may have your model number.

       Unfortunately, your home is not likely to qualify for a reverse mortgage as federal regulations require manufactured homes to be built after 1990 (I could be wrong though). Here’s an article that may help you: https://mobilehomeliving.org/getting-a-reverse-mortgage-on-a-manufactured-home/

       Best of luck!

19. I own a 1969 Kropf double wide. So what about mobile homes like mine, that were manufactured prior to HUD standards?

    1. Hi Jennifer,

       Since your home was built in 1969 it is considered a mobile home and there were no codes or regulations required of the builders. The builders basically regulated themselves though there were some general suggestions that the mobile home association had but nothing was mandatory. There were no rules stating that data plates had to be used but a lot of state highway departments did issue titles as a certificate of transport. Buyers or transporters paid a fee to receive a certificate stating the home could be transported on the highway and people often used those as titles or certificates of ownerships.

       Kropf was a well known and liked builder. They had a few models that were known for issues but in general, they were a trusted builder. Their designs were unique which is why they are one of my favorite vintage brands.

       PS I would recommend that you have the home re-wired and new breaker box installed if you haven’t already. The products available now are far safer.

       Thanks so much!

20. Thanks for the info! I have always wanted to know if my 1976 Artcraft was manufactured to HUD standards. 1976 is the first year they started(about half way into the year). Here the information was practically staring me in the face!
    My Data Plate was located in the master bedroom behind the door that accesses the breaker box(which is not in a closet). Thought I would mention it in case it could help someone else.
    Thanks for the awesome site!

    1. Awesome! Thanks for the info!

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