Research & Writing Assignment:
According to the Internachi article “An Introduction to Foreclosures” most mortgages have an acceleration clause which allows lenders to demand immediate or accelerated payment of outstanding debt if the borrower falls behind on monthly payments or violates agreed upon terms. Crazy!
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The photo shows a pre-fabricated pier used with what appears to be a permanent block foundation. The pier appears to be installed correctly without the use of shims, although we are unable to visually verify the size or existence of footings due to the vapour barrier covering the ground. The photo also shows an anchoring strap secured from the frame of the home to an anchoring point at the foundation as required.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Tie-downs for manufactured homes are necessary safety devices that help protect the home from overturning during times of high winds. Some of these tie-down methods may go over the roof of the home while others attach to the underside of the frame. The challenge is that while we may be able to see that tie-downs are in place, it may not be possible to tell what type of ground anchor has been used or if it has been installed to the correct depth in the ground.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Setting a heated building on piers with a vinyl skirt and belly pan is a poor way to do things when the weather gets below 0*. They have less initial cost but will perform poorly and last half as long.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I inspect manufactured homes for compliance before a loan is approved. The report identifies the house. The crawlspace is entered at several points by removing a siding panel. Pictures and measurements are taken of the piers and anchors to show that it is an approved installation.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Mobile homes us a flexible conductor line for the main power supply. This will join to a fixed power termanel with the main disconnect at the same location. A maximum of a 50 amp service is what will be found on a mobile home.
Research & Writing Assignment:
manufactured homes were once called mobile homes or trailers. They are inexpensive, small, and are held to less stringent standards than modular and site-built homes. They are built under HUD spec. Their advantages are their mobility and affordability, but you are buying a product with lower standards than any other form of building.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The non metallic sheathed wiring underneath the home, is running through holes in the steel main frame without the protection of a bushing or sleeve. The wiring should have a protective sleeve that it runs through to prevent the cutting of the wire sheathing and arcing against the metal frame.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When studying manufactured housing standards, I learned that the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulates all building standards of manufactured homes. Since June 15th, 1976 all manufactured homes have to meet these federal construction building standards that are adopted by HUD. This national code is called The National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The image shows an older mobile home.Although it appears to be well maintained, certain factors need to be taken into consideration. These factors are specific to mobile homes and not for residential home inspections. For example, was the mobile home built prior to 1976?
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose an image from the Illustration Gallery in the electrical album. Although there are some differences in mobile home criteria, the electrical systems should be inspected thoroughly to ensure all safety devices are installed and operating correctly. For safety’s sake, the same goes for all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Foundation supports seem adequate; they are place strategically throughout the structure in key points especially supporting the marriage line. The skirting and ventilation is adequate as well as the insulation for the subzero temperatures we receive at this location. I noted the absence of a vapor barrier in the inspection report and the homeowner laid a new vapor barrier under the entire crawl space.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Banks treat modular homes different from manufactured homes in the lending rate. Although this particular manufactured home was on a permanent basement foundation for over 40 years, it is considered a manufactured home. The telling features were the original I beams and transportation chassis as well as other features unique to manufactured homes.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Homeowners warranty will not be honored if the homeowner does not perform the necessary maintenance requirements. The warranty does not cover for the set up and transportation of the manufactured home. But you may be able to purchase a warranty for this if purchased from a retailer
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Manufactured home must be anchors and tie-down to keep them in place during a storm or hurricane, manufacturer homes are relativity lightweight.They are not build on foundation but frames, so for safety and damage prevention, they are anchor and tie down to secure the home foundation.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Manufactured home must be anchors and tie-down to keep them in place during a storm or hurricane, manufacturer homes are relativity lightweight.They are not build on foundation but frames, so for safety and damage prevention, they are anchor and tie down to secure the home foundation.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The manufactured home has a skirting all around the bottom of it with no holes, the holes that were there have been sealed to prevent moisture and rodents from getting the manufactured home and causing damage to the manufactured home
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
All exterior hose bibs must be protected with a non-removable backflow prevention device which can be purchased at any home improvement store for around $11. When installed, the set screw must be tightened until it shears off which prevents removal.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Polybutylene was a water supply piping that was commonly used in the 80’s and 90’s. It is notorious for leaking and should be completely replaced regardless of what any plumber may tell you. Over 1-billion dollars in class-action lawsuits have been paid out.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This writing assignment is based on the manufactured and mobile home course. According to the general interior section it is stated that there is to be a minimum of two passage entry/exit doors on each manufactured home. The home that was inspected was a triple wide unit. This unit had three entry doors at various locations that were remote from each other. There was a front door, a side door, and a back area sliding glass door. The clear minimum door opening for a manufactured home is to be 28 inches wide and 74 inches tall. Both the front and side doors exceeded the minimum standards. The clear opening measured 35 inches wide by 79 inches tall. Both doors had the required door handles, lock assembly with inside door thumb deadbolt activation (passage latch), and both doors opened to the inside. Both of the doors had a storm door that opened to the outside with a door safety check. The weather stripping was tight. The rear sliding glass door measured 72 inches wide by 78 inches tall. No interior keys were needed to unlock any door from the inside. None of the three doors were located in a room that could be locked (such as a bedroom). Free access or passageway was not blocked or hindered.
