Check your manufactured home skirting vents prior to buying or selling!

Manufactured Home Owner “Check your Skirting Vents prior to Buying or Selling a Manufactured Home”.

I want to talk about manufactured home owner ventilation and moisture prevention in this particular blog post. I will post future blogs addressing air duct types, air duct maintenance, and air pollution prevention but this blog is pretty specific to skirting vents and ground moisture. 
Considering a pre-owned manufactured home purchase? Here is a bit of information to consider regarding skirting vents and proper ventilation for a manufactured home owner. Skirting vents are installed to provide an escape route for condensation build up and prevent toxic mold from forming. Whether a manufactured home is on a solid slab foundation or what is considered a dirt set, exposure to moisture is a real concern and something you should be looking for in every climate and region. If you have a sealed crawl space with electric crawl space fans consider a back up power source in case you’re in an area with frequent power interruption.
Manufactured homes built today have a protective moisture barrier covering the whole underside of the home and it’s insulation but moisture can still find a way into your home if not vented properly. Crossover heat ducts, utility ports, and even aftermarket installed phone or cable lines allow easy access for moisture to enter your home. Vapor barriers are required to cover the entire slab or crawl space as well but you have to consider what happens when the moisture has entered the crawl space due to rain run-off, a slow water line leak, natural condensation, ground moisture, or just living in a moist climate. Without proper ventilation the moisture just stays on top of the plastic with no chance to evaporate except up into your home. Manufactured homes are usually very well insulated and the vapor barrier attached to the belly of the home will prevent you from inspecting the floor joist for water damage, condensation, or mold so inspecting the crawl space and current venting is something to have an inspector check closely when purchasing a pre-owned manufactured home.
All skirting vents should be inspected regularly by a manufactured home owner for moisture, rodents, debris, or pet invasion. If you live in an area with heavy snows you should be sure to keep vents clear so melt-off won’t enter through your venting into your crawl space. Rodents and pets have been known to burrow into heat duct crossovers during cold weather and this can really affect heating bills and home comfort. It’s also kind of nasty to think about too. You can prevent rodents from entering through your venting by using a steel screen mesh and attaching this to the vents or screening the skirting area around the backside of the vent to ensure a strong fit with no gaps. The heat crossover is what connects the two halves of a double wide manufactured home to the heat source and something you should inspect every year. I have also witnessed these crossovers sitting on the vapor barrier in a puddle of water so it’s something to inspect for damage as well. Rodents have easy access to crossovers not raised off the ground barrier. Crossovers should be elevated under the home by metal hangers and at least 6″-8″ off the ground. Manufactured home crawl spaces are required to provide 18″-36″ access so this should not be a problem in most cases.  
Unless ordered as a steel crossover duct, most models will have a standard insulation wrapped crossover that is vulnerable to moisture and rodents. Some manufacturers have used a crossover duct that is installed when the home is joined during set-up to avoid these issues but it’s not common in pre-owned homes. These crossover ducts should be replaced any time damage occurs or even as preventative maintenance. Crossovers like the one shown will usually be under $70.00 and can be installed easily by a furnace specialist or licensed contractor familiar with manufactured homes if you have no desire to crawl under your home. One of the first signs of trouble is heat on one half of your home only. It is not uncommon to have one side become disconnected over time and start heating your crawl space or provide no heat to your home. That all depends on which side falls off. If your furnace is running constant but no air flow from your heat vents, this is probably one of the first things to consider.
Vents should also be raised above the ground and not vulnerable to water run-off or debris build-up. The vents make a nice pocket for leaf accumulation and an easy access for water if too close to the ground. This becomes a common issue on older manufactured homes because of vegetation. We don’t remove old bark or gravel during the spring yard work but it’s not uncommon to add a few yards of groundcover for weed control so over time the vents become vulnerable to debris. Keep all vegetation a minimum of 18”-24” away from your home to avoid a pest infestation and a work order from the home inspector.
Vent wells are a great solution for skirting vents too close to the ground and easy to install. Most local hardware stores will charge under $35.00 each and they can be purchased in a variety of sizes. Vent wells are easy to install and will prevent debris build-up and water penetration. Contractors will have no problem with installation and something you should consider, especially if you have no desire to do it yourself. Home inspectors love to see vent wells and clean crawl spaces. Previous moisture issues and water damage are easy to spot and not so wise to try to cover up. Idaho laws require a manufactured home owner to disclose any prior water damage prior to selling so check it out before you put your home on the market. I always recommend not only a home inspection, but a home inspection done by someone who understands manufactured homes for those clients considering the purchase. All inspectors have specialties and asking a few questions will also help your inspector look for areas of concern. You as the buyer pay for the home inspection so ask questions about any defects or damage noted during an inspection in order to get a full understanding of what repairs may be necessary. When obtaining FHA loan aproval, your appraiser will also provide an inspection report to the lender but I would not recommend depending on this inspection alone. Be present when the home inspection is completed with your Realtor so details are not forgotten or overlooked. Inspectors will provide a written inspection report for the buyer. Examine this report and the pictures provided closely and ask questions if you have any.
I hope this manufactured home owner blog post will offer some solutions or make you aware of conditions you may not have considered. Like any home, a manufactured home needs to be maintained in order to keep its integrity. The cost of maintenance is much less than the cost of replacement.
I’m an Idaho Realtor specializing in Relocation, First Time Home Buyers, Moving up to the Next Home, and Manufactured Homes. ” I WANT TO BE YOUR AGENT”. Over the years I have sold hundreds of homes and many were manufactured homes. I have 10 years prior manufactured home experience including a dealer’s license, resale manufactured home business, and 7 years as a successful general manager prior to becoming a licensed real estate broker/agent in 2004. I do believe manufactured homes are a great way to go for many people and I believe I bring a vast amount of experience to the table for the buyer or seller considering buying or selling a manufactured home. All manufactured homes are inspected by HUD but not all manufactured homes are created equal. Why not work with a Manufactured Home Friendly Realtor that can offer experience, knowledge, and options that others simply may not be able to provide. You never know, I just may save you THOUSANDS… not only when you purchase… but also when it comes time to sell…
Contact me today so we can discuss how I can represent you as your exclusive Realtor. I work with buyers and sellers in ADA, Gem, and Canyon County but if you are in an area I do not service, I will be happy to provide a Realtor referral with experience. “YOUR AGENT MATTERS”
Jeff Clancy
Realtor, ABR, SRS, E-PRO
web: http://TheIdahoMove.com
email: Jeff@TheIdahoMove.com
208-591-1101

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Buying a Manufactured Home in a community? Check out the rules and regulations first….

Have you considered buying a manufactured home in a community or on leased land? Make sure you get approval from the community manager and check out the terms of the land lease. Rules and regulations are going to be part of any community and should be considered prior to making a purchase. Do you have pets? Do you own an RV? How many cars do you have? Do you have a home based business? Can you afford periodic lease increases? What is your credit score? Do you have any felony convictions? These are all questions to ask yourself and consider before you get too far….. Most communities have rules and regulations in place in order to protect your home investment and the other residents of the community. Some managers will enforce community rules and regulations with a little bit of flexibility but never count on it. What is in writing is what counts. This can benefit you greatly when it comes to resale of your manufactured home. If the homes in the community are well maintained, yards are in order, no beater cars leaking oil in the street, no drug activity, and residents have had a tenant screening, your chances of having good neighbors really increase dramatically and so does the resale of your home.
One of the great benefits of owning a home in a community is the land tax savings. You will have a personal property tax on your manufactured home but it is typically much less without land ownership. When you purchase a home in a community you pay a land lease but not a property tax on the land. The owner of the community will typically pay all land tax on the community, maintain roads, street lighting, and the utility access to the community. Most pools, common areas, and clubhouses are also maintained by the community making it possible for you to enjoy nice amenities without the hassle, work, and time for the upkeep. For senior and families alike, manufactured home communities can offer a fun, friendly, safe atmosphere in order to make some great friends, enjoy annual events, and live a life in an upscale community at an affordable price.
Just remember to check out the rules, regulations, community qualifications, and make any purchase or sale contingent on tenancy approval!!!

Work with a professional Realtor who knows manufactured homes. Contact me if you need buyer or seller representation in Idaho.
Jeff Clancy
Realtor, ABR, SRS, E-PRO
web: http://TheIdahoMove.com
email: Jeff@TheIdahoMove.com
208-591-1101

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