The Difference? RV, Park Model, HUD Manufactured Home? Part 1

The Difference? RV, Park Model, HUD Manufactured Home? 

                                 Part 1

The following information is based on California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) jurisdiction only. For those reading this outside the State of California be sure to check this with your own State MH jurisdiction for their policies and procedures.

Just to set the record straight I thought I'd clarify some often spouted MISNOMERS often referred to in the "FACTORY BUILT HOUSING INDUSTRY". There's a lot of confusion in the Real Estate Industry about the various definitions of the RV, Factory Built Housing Industry i.e. Trailers vs, Mobilehomes vs, HUD Manufactured Homes, vs Modular Homes, vs Modular Multi-Story or Mid-rise Developments.

To better inform those who might be interested in selling, purchasing or investing in this industry we are going to provide some information in a 4 part series that just may help Real Estate Professionals,  prospective buyers and/or investors better understand the myriad differences that exist.

So let's get this show ON THE ROAD (Pun intended). I don't think anyone will have a problem identifying the photo above as a Recreation Vehicle aka "RV".

But, Did you know that this is also an "RV" albeit it's officially referred to as a "PARK MODEL". However, like an RV a Park Model cannot be permitted as an "Additional Dwelling Unit" (ADU) aka "Granny Flat" and therefore is not allowed to be permitted or permanently installed on a real estate lot or parcel.

Unlike their big brother the , Park Models are built under the ANSI code and cannot exceed 400 square feet of living space.

Infact Park Models are not permitted to be installed on a foundation system because they are considered an RV. Many folks in some Southern California "Manufactured Home Park Communities" unknowingly purchased "Park Models" thinking they were "HUD Manufactured Homes".

Sadly when they had the opportunity to purchase the lots/spaces the Park Models were placed on they couldn't obtain conventional long term FHA/ VA or Reverse Mortgages because the homes could not legally be placed on a foundation system. 

Big OOPs.

So if you're a RE Professionall be very careful whence selling someone what you may think is a "HUD Manufactured Home". Or worse yet purchasing a property with a Park model on it thinking it's a "MANUFACTURED HOME"

Always check the INSIGNIA PLATES or HUD LABEL on the rear of the home (provided it wasn't re sided over). If you're not sure what you're looking for take a photo of the insignia and email or text it to a Manufactured Home Dealer for verification. Or better yet the Manufactured Home Jurisdiction i.e. HCD for California in your State. 

You can also look for the DATA COMPLIANCE PLATE (81/2X11) usually located somewhere inside the MH i.e. under the kitchen sink, in one of the laundry room cuppards or in one of the bedroom closets. However, don't knock yourself out if you don't find one as a remodel could have covered it up or removed it altogether.

And Buyers Always Beware of exactly what it is you are about to purchase. That's what "due diligence" is all about. So don't be afraid to use it.

In Part 2 we will discuss the difference between a "TRAVEL TRAILER", "MOBILEHOME", "HUD MANUFACTURED HOME" and a "MODULAR HOME"