Its common practice for many to purchase with FHA or VA (if eligible of course) terms, simply because they are more favorable in small or no down payment situations and gradually build enough equity to one day refinance out of the government backed loan into a conventional.

Pretty common for homes in this area of that vintage.

While not impossible or relatively uncommon it is not all that common due to the nature of the security instrument and the ordinary course of business most Mortgagee and Servicers conduct in the state.  

It is not really an opinion but a real estate history lesson. 200k in 20 years is commonly worth 800k in nearly every area of triple AAA properties.

If the home being purchased stays in the park, it's common protocol for all prospective residents.

Is their a common equation or 'rule' people shoot for? 

That's a common tile and even if it doesn't match you can have the tile and tub refinished.

An agency that is so fat with political patronage mgmt that it cannot get out of its own way.

15 percent is a common profit margin for a most custom home builders in my area using a cost plus contract to build.

I'll talk to my realtor again to see if she has any suggestions.Is this kind of issue common?