Missing HUD Tags on manufactured homes, a big problem for FHA financing

According to HUD missing HUD tags on a manufactured home can pose a BIG  problem for FHA loans, here are some places to look for info:

"HUD does not reissue tags for manufactured homes. However, the Department can issue a letter of label (tag) verification for units for which it can locate the necessary historical information. The label numbers can be found on a data plate inside the home in one of three locations: on or near the main electrical panel, in a kitchen cabinet, in a bedroom closet. The data plate has a map of the United States to let the consumer know the Wind Zone and Snow Load for which their home was built.

Effective January 2007 you may request letters of label verification from the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), by visiting IBTS' website at http://www.hud.gov/utilities/intercept.cfm?http://www.ibts.org/label_req.htm or via fax at: 703-437-6894. The processing time is expected to be 3-5 business days and costs $50.

You may be able to obtain the data plate by contacting the In-Plant Primary Inspection Agency (IPIA) and the manufacturer. The IPIA is a third party inspection agency that works in conjunction with the Department to inspect manufactured homes during the manufacturing process to ensure that the manufacturer meets the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. To obtain a list of inspection agencies, visit here: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/mhs/mhsid.cfm "