FHA/VA/USDA Loans versus Conventional Loans
Skirting Requirements
FHA/VA/USDA Loans
HUD has published substantial detailed requirements in its 1996 Guidelines as well as subsequent memorandum on the subject of skirting.
The engineer must, after the inspection, certify that the skirting is intact, structurally sound and braced.
Vinyl skirting panels with weed eater holes larger than ½ inch must be replaced.
Other types of skirting panels that have holes in them large enough for mice or other rodents to enter must have those panels replaced.
The skirting must have one vent for each 150 SF of living area and must also have a manway on hinges with a latch.
Conventional Loans
Even though damaged skirting replacement is not required in Texas for conventional loans, the buyer should be aware of the following:
1. Damaged skirting increases the likelihood that rodents and other vermin will be able to get into the crawlspace and cause severe damage to ductwork, insulation and electrical at high costs and inconvenience.
2. Close to 80 % of MH buyers, due to lower costs, have to use FHA or VA financing and damaged skirting will disqualify this home from those buyers at such a future time as the buyer may sell the home.
3. FHA/VA HUD foundation requirements are due a major costly upgrade, with preliminary draft versions of that upgrade released September, 2016….. these new requirements will add $ 2,000 to $ 4,000 in additional foundation costs for FHA, VA and USDA financing.
4. By bringing the home to current FHA/VA guidelines compliance, the buyer will have that home grandfathered against those future cost increases.