Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991 TAG: 9103060263
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: The term "mobile home" is no longer commonly used in the industry that perfers to call the units "manufactured homes." Indeed, this term was adopted in 1980 by the United States Congress to describe a type of house that is constructed in a factory to comply with a building code developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Manufactured Housing Institute of Arlington recommends this list of questions to ask before making a purchase.
\ Warranty protection:
What warranties are offered by the home manufacturer, the retailer, the transporter, the installer, and the appliance manufacturers?
Are the warranties in writing?
Do you know what is and is not covered by the warranties?
Who performs the service under the warranties?
\ Placing your home
If you intend to place your home on your own land, are there zoning regulations or restrictive covenants that prohibit the location of a manufactured home?
Are electric, gas, water and sewer lines available on your homesite, or will you have to make other arrangements to provide necessary utilities?
If you place your home in a rental community, who will be responsible for ground maintenance, snow removal, and other such services?
\ Choosing your home
How do you want your home to look?
What size home and floor plan do you want or need?
Will state laws on transporting oversize loads prevent you from moving your home?
What custom options and features are available?
What appliance packages are available?
What energy-efficiency options are available?
\ Installing your home
Will someone inspect your site before installation to see that everything has been prepared properly?
Is your site accessible by the truck(s) transporting your home?
Who will transport your home to the homesite?
Does the transporting company provide a written warranty for any damage that occurs during transporting?
What foundation options are available and required?
Will there be an experienced installation crew to ensure that your home is properly leveled and secured to the foundation?
Will your home need any finishing touches, such as landscaping?
Who is responsible for securing utility connections?
\ Inspecting your home
Have you thoroughly checked over your home, both inside and out?
Do all the doors, windows, and drawers close properly?
Do all appliances and faucets work?
Did you make a list of all problems when you moved in, and did you report them to your retailer and manufacturer?
For more information on these questions, contact the Manufactured Housing Institute at (703) 979-6620.
by CNB