Fha Title Ii Manufactured Home Loans
FHA loans exist to help credit challenged borrowers buy affordable housing.
If youre buying a manufactured home, check out the FHAs Title II program. This program resembles the FHAs traditional mortgage for site-built homes.
The financing is insured by the Federal Housing Administration which allows borrowers with credit scores as low as 580 get loans with 3.5 percent down. Youd need to use the home as a primary residence.
As with conventional financing, FHA Title II loans work only for homes permanently attached to land you own . The home must also meet HUDs post-1976 safety rules.
The FHA can also help you buy the plot of land for your new manufactured home through a process that resembles a construction loan.
Most private lenders offer loans backed by the FHA. As with Freddie and Fannie loans, you may need to shop around to find a lender that underwrites FHA Title II manufactured home loans.
What Is A Mobile Home Loan
A mobile home loan is a loan for factory-built homes that can be placed on a piece of land. Styles may vary from modest trailers to dwellings that look like houses attached permanently to the land upon which they sit.
Mobile home loans differ from a traditional property loan because most lenders and counties do not consider them real property, but rather personal property. In fact, in many counties, a mobile home is taxed by the department of motor vehicles rather than the property tax assessor. In most cases, if you want to buy a mobile home and place it on land that you lease, your loan will more closely resemble a personal loan, with higher interest rates and shorter terms than a traditional home mortgage.
There are exceptions, however, and weve included them in this list. Some home lenders do have loans for mobile homes if they are attached to the homeowners land. Others, and there are fewer of them, will lend on a mobile home even if it sits on land you lease.
What Is A Manufactured Home
Manufactured homes are built in a factory and then taken in one or more sections on a chassis or permanent frame to a dealer, plot of land or manufactured home community. Many people think a manufactured home is mobile, but manufactured homes are typically not moved after being installed at a site.
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What Credit Score Do I Need To Buy A Mobile Home
The lenders weve reviewed and selected as the best can work with low credit scores in the 500 and 600 range. A credit score lower than 500 may not qualify at all.
Of course, higher credit scores will always get you better rates and terms. Credit scores in the 700s and 800s will get the lowest interest rates.
If you have a credit score on the lower end, look for a lender that is strong in the USDA, FHA, and VA programs. Conventional loans will not be so forgiving of scores below 700. You may get your loan approved, but it will carry higher rates and a term of 20 years or less.
Types Of Manufactured Home Loans

eLEND provides a special program with affordable manufactured home loans that are backed by the Federal Housing Administration . eLENDs FHA manufactured home loans provide the security of fixed interest rates and are available for single and double wide manufactured homes on owned land throughout much of the United States.
In addition to FHA manufactured home loans, we also provide a wide variety of other mortgage programs that include:
Your eLEND mortgage specialist can help you determine which mortgage programs you qualify for and which product and interest rates mortgage companies are offering are best for you. Your eLEND consultant can also help you use a home loan calculator to determine what your monthly payment would be under different mortgage programs, and to answer the question on the top of every homebuyers mind: How much mortgage can I afford?
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How To Buy A Mobile Or Manufactured Home
Unlike traditional mortgages, personal loans for mobile homes dont require collateral or land ownership.
Edited byAshley HarrisonUpdated July 1, 2022
Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. By refinancing your mortgage, total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”
If youre looking to purchase a home at a lower cost, you might consider buying a mobile or manufactured home. These are a type of home thats constructed off-site before being transported to the final property.
In 2020, the average cost of a manufactured home ranged from $54,300 up to $120,300, according to Homes Direct much less than the prices typically associated with purchasing a traditional house. There are also several financing options available to help you pay for your manufactured home.
Heres what you should know about mobile home financing:
Fannie Mae Manufactured Housing Loan
Best for: Borrowers who want to finance a permanent residence
Fannie Mae backs two types of loans for manufactured housing: Standard Manufactured Housing for homes and MH Advantage. MH Standard applies to properties that dont meet specific requirements while MH Advantage refers to properties that do.
With an MH loan, you can finance up to 97% of your loan-to-value ratio found by dividing the amount you borrow by the appraised value of the property. You could have up to 30 years to repay an MH loan.
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Cons Of Using A Personal Loan To Purchase A Mobile Home
And here are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
- Smaller loan amounts: Personal loan amounts typically range from $600 to $100,000 less than you might get with a mortgage.
- Shorter repayment terms: Youll generally have one to seven years to repay a personal loan, depending on the lender. This means your monthly payments might be higher compared to a longer mortgage term.
- Higher interest rates: Because personal loans arent unsecured, they tend to have higher interest rates compared to secured loans like mortgages.
Learn More: How Personal Loans Impact Your Credit Score
Apply For A Mobile Home Loan
Before you apply for a mobile home loan, there are a few steps youll need to take. You should first obtain an estimate for the loan amount you need, which will depend on the total cost of the mobile home youre interested in purchasing or building. Youll also need to decide on what type of mobile home loan you want to pursue. Some government-backed loan programs like VA or FHA loans, may have lower down payment requirements.
Before you apply for a loan, you should make sure that you have enough saved up for a down payment and that you meet certain minimum credit score and debt to income ratio requirements. If possible, you should see if there are any loans that you can pre-qualify for without affecting your credit. Be sure to secure quotes from multiple different lenders so that you can compare rates and get the best deal possible.
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What Are The Interest Rates To Refinance A Manufactured Home
According to Freddie Macs Primary Market Mortgage Survey, there were about $1.6 trillion in first-lien refinance originations in the first half of 2021. This was a 33% increase in refinance activity compared to the first half of 2020. Borrowers who refinanced their first-lien mortgages in the first half of 2021 lowered their mortgage rate on average by more than 1.20 percentage points.
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How Much Do Mobile Home Loans Cost
How much your mobile home loan costs depend on variables like loan amount, loan type, and interest rate. Your interest rate will likely be the most expensive cost, ranging from 2.5% for a VA or USDA loan to over 12% for a non-government-backed loan.
A down payment is another cost to consider. Some loan programs offer zero down payments or down payment assistance if you qualify. Other loans require anywhere from 3.5% to 35% of the purchase price as a down payment.
If youre financing a mobile home on a leased lot, you will need to consider how much the land is costing you and how much youre paying for utilities and mobile home insurance.
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What’s The Minimum Credit Score Needed For A Mobile Home Loan
Keep in mind that if you want a mobile home loan, you will need to meet some minimum qualifications. If the mobile home is attached to property that you own, you might qualify for a government-backed loan with a minimum FICO score of 500. However, credit score requirements vary by lender and loan type, and may be as high as 620 or even 680. Talk with your lender about their requirements before applying for a loan.
Cons Of Manufactured Homes

- Financing can be difficult to secure: Not all manufactured homes qualify as real property, which means you might not be able to secure a traditional mortgage or manufactured home loan. You may end up having to pay higher interest rates to finance a manufactured home purchase.
- There are location limitations: Manufactured homes donât come with their own lot to stand on. To live in your home, youâll also need to secure a plot of land for it, whether thatâs in a manufactured home community or standalone lot. And that means added costs on top of the home.
- Negative stigma: There is still a negative connotation to manufactured homes and parks, even though the safety and aesthetics are miles above what they were several decades ago.
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Usda Manufactured Home Loans
USDA Rural Housing loans require no down payment. This loan program is friendly to manufactured home buyers as long as the home is brand new.
The home will also have to be permanently attached to its foundation, built to HUDs post-1976 standards, and at least 400 square feet.
Like all USDA loans, USDA manufactured home loans work only in rural and suburban areas and only for buyers who fall within income limits.
Low-income home buyers can get loans directly from the USDA.
Moderate-income buyers can use USDA Guaranteed Loans which come from private lenders.
Real Property Versus Personal Property
Real property must include land, along with property that cant be quickly or easily removed from the land things like a house, an in-ground pool, or a paved driveway.
Property that can be moved and used elsewhere a car, a boat, or a true mobile home, for example is considered personal property.
How can you learn whether an existing manufactured home is real or personal property? By finding out how the current owner pays taxes.
If the taxes go to the DMV, the home is considered personal property. In addition, a home on leased land wont be considered real property. If youre buying a new home from a dealer, youll need to place the home on land you own or land youre buying.
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Manufactured Home Loan Programs
Homeownership is affordable with Guilds manufactured home financing options. We offer a variety of manufactured home loans to best suit your unique homebuying situation. As a less expensive route to homeownership, manufactured homes provide opportunities to buy when youre ready instead of putting that dream on hold.
At Guild, weve focused on providing affordable housing options for you going all the way back to our builder roots over 60 years ago. When our company was founded in 1960, we made it a priority to offer affordable housing options for first-time homebuyers. Were still dedicated to these solutions for you today.
If youre ready to purchase your first home or move up, manufactured homes and CrossModsTM are an affordable option in todays competitive market. You can customize your home to suit your style preferences just like you would in a traditional single-family home with driveways, car ports, detached garages or porches. Instead of waiting to buy, you can enjoy newer features and amenities in your brand-new home at a lower price point.
Understand The Cost Of A Mobile Home
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average price of a new mobile home was $118,700 in July 2021. The average price for a single-wide was $76,000 and the average price for a double-wide was $137,800.
When applying for a mobile home loan, there are several different costs that you should keep in mind. These include any required down payment, as well as the cost to rent or purchase land. Down payments typically range from 10% to 20% of the total cost of the home, although some programs offer loans to borrowers with even lower down payment requirements. Other costs to consider including closing costs and fees associated with the loan.
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Determine Which Type Of Home You Need To Refinance
The terms may seem interchangeable. For lenders, there are significant differences:
- Manufactured homes: Manufactured homes are usually built in a factory. Traditional homes are built onsite. Once completed, manufactured homes are moved to their final destinations on a truck and placed onto foundations, making them permanent. You will need to own the land on which the manufactured home foundation is built. It could be single-wide or double-wide.
- Modular home: Modular homes are primarily constructed in a factory, but the house is transported in pieces to the home site, where construction is finished. Once built, you cant move a modular home.
- Mobile home: A mobile home is built in a factory but on a permanently attached chassis. It is then transported to the site by being towed or on a trailer. They are often left always or semi-permanently in one place but can be moved. You can rent space in a mobile home community or own the land on which its located.
To refinance a manufactured home using a traditional mortgage, the home must meet these requirements:
- Have at least 400 to 600 square feet of living area
- Be permanently affixed to a foundation
- Be taxed as real property
- Display a Department of Housing and Urban Development certification label, a HUD data plate, a HUD seal, or an MH Advantage sticker confirming the home meets HUD safety standards.
Choose the type of loan, an FHA, conventional, chattel, or personal loan. Youll have to compare the different lenders offerings.
Financing Manufactured Homes Versus Mobile Homes
Whats the difference between mobile homes and manufactured homes?
People tend to use these terms interchangeably, but there is a difference. The difference matters when youre trying to finance a new home:
- Mobile homes: Built prior to June 15, 1976, these homes will not qualify for a mortgage loan it may be hard to get any secured financing at all
- Manufactured homes: Built on or after June 15, 1976, following government safety regulations. These homes might qualify for a mortgage loan. And if not, there are some other alternatives
That June day in 1976 is important because its when the Department of Housing and Urban Development started regulating the safety of manufactured homes.
Homes built to HUDs safety standards usually have a HUD tag attached to them.
But, even if the manufactured home youre buying was built to HUDs standards, it may not qualify for a traditional mortgage. If the home cant clear a few more qualifying hurdles, you may need an alternative form of financing.
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Who Should Get A Mobile Home Loan
Consider a mobile home loan if youre interested in living in a mobile home but cant afford to pay for one in cash. You might also want a mobile home loan if youd like to own a home but might not qualify for a loan on a traditional home.
Its not a good idea to get a mobile home loan if youre not sure if living in a mobile home is right for you. It may be a better idea to rent one first and see how you like it. If you plan on renting a lot, you may need to pay cash for the mobile home or expect to get a personal or chattel loan with a higher interest rate.
Do You Have To Own Your Land When Buying A Mobile Home

When you purchase a mobile home, it is not necessary to own the land, but it will open up more loan options for you.
Mobile homes are sometimes located in a mobile home park where the park owner holds title to the land and you lease it. In these cases, the homeowner leases a plot of land but owns the mobile home itself. Many lenders will require you to sign a three-year lease minimum for the land before they will lend on the mobile home.
Alternatively, owners of mobile homes can place mobile homes on land they own or land they are buying in conjunction with the mobile home. When you own the land and the home, your loan rates and terms will be better, and youll have more lending options.
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