"I have a 1964 Double-Wide: Can you help me?"

A real estate agent in Vallejo called me today about a new listing that she just took. She has a 1964 mobile home.

Before I could answer her question (the answer is No), the agent said quickly, "It was built in 1964, but it has a new roof with a seven-year roof cert".......or something like that.

Unfortunately, the DOM (date of manufacture) as it shows on the HCD Title Search is the controlling fact here, as far as lenders are concerned.

It is common to find older mobiles from the 1960's and early 70's that have had extensive remodeling, and look "almost new".

The underwriters have a very "cookie cutter" attitude about "ageing" (the age of the home).

Extensive remodeling matters very little to underwriters. Of my three main lenders, only one will consider pre-Hud mobiles. This lender's rules are pretty darn strict: 1970 & newer.

However, there is a bank that is headquartered in Goleta, CA, with a branch in Roseville, that finaces older mobiles in parks that were built in the 1960's. I referred this agent to this lender. I wish that this lender would do business with me directly, but they prefer to deal directly with the customer.

If you have a pre-1970 mobile home in a park, go ahead, PLEASE, call me, or email me.

Frequently, if I can't help you with the loan, then I will refer you to someone who might be able to help.