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- Mobile, manufactured, and modular homes are similar, but there are key differences that will affect the financing available.
- Many programs require the home to have at least 400 square feet of living space.
- Depending on your situation, a personal loan may be a better choice than a home loan.
- Read more stories from Personal Finance Insider.
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Mobile homes are a better fit for some homebuyers than traditional houses. You may have a lower budget, want a smaller space, or need to move the home later.
Some lenders offer mobile home loans, but financing for these types of homes are different from traditional houses.
Mobile home vs. manufactured home vs. modular home
The terms "mobile home," "manufactured home," and "modular home" are often used interchangeably, but there are a few key differences. And the type that you choose will determine the kinds of mortgages you can select to finance the purchase of one.
All three are built in a factory and shipped to the site, whereas traditional houses are constructed directly on the property.
Mobile homes and manufactured homes are very similar in structure and appearance. The main difference between them is when they were made. Those built before June 15, 1976, are classified as mobile homes, while those built after then are classified as manufactured homes.
Manufactured homes are also built according to safety standards set by the Department of Housing and Urban Developement (HUD). That's the main difference between them and modular homes, which follow safety standards regulated by the local or state government.
7 ways to finance a factory-made home
You have several options for loans depending on your down payment, credit score, and size of the home. The best fit could also come down to whether you want a mobile, manufactured, or modular home.
1. Fannie Mae
The Fannie Mae MH Advantage Program is for manufactured homes. You'll receive a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and this program offers lower interest rates on manufactured home loans than you may receive elsewhere.
You need a 3% down payment and at least a 620 credit score. The home also must meet certain criteria — for example, it must be minimum 12 feet wide and have 600 square feet of living space.
2. Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac also has loans for manufactured homes, and you can choose between a variety of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate terms. Like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac requires the home to meet criteria. The home must be at least 12 feet wide with 400 square feet of living space.
3. FHA loans
You can get an FHA loan for either a manufactured or modular home. You'll get an FHA loan through a traditional lender, but it's backed by the Federal Housing Administration.
There are two types of FHA loans for manufactured and modular homes: Title I and Title II.
Title I loans are used to purchase a home but not the land it sits on. The amount you can borrow depends on which type of property you are buying, but it has relatively low borrowing limits. A Title I loan could be a good option if you're working with a smaller budget.
Title II loans are used to buy both the home and the land underneath. The property must meet certain standards, such as having 400 square feet of living space.
4. VA loans
Loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs are for qualifying active military members, veterans, and their families. You can use a VA loan to buy a manufactured or modular home.
You don't need a down payment when you get a VA loan, and the minimum credit score required will depend on which lender you use.
5. USDA loans
You can use a loan backed by the US Department of Agriculture to buy a manufactured or modular home. The home needs to have at least 400 square feet of living space, and it must have been constructed on or after Jan. 1, 2006.
As with a VA loan, you don't need a down payment, and the credit score you need will depend on the lender.
6. Chattel loans
Chattel loans are types of loans for various types of properties, including cars and boats. You can use a chattel loan to buy a mobile, manufactured, or modular home.
These loans have higher interest rates than the other types of loans on this list, plus shorter term lengths. But a chattel loan could be a good option if you don't qualify for other types of home loans, or if you know you want a mobile home rather than a manufactured or modular home.
7. Personal loans
Lenders set limits on how you can use funds from a personal loan. Depending on which lender you use, you may able to put the money toward a mobile, manufactured, or modular home.
A personal loan may be cheaper upfront than a home loan, because you won't have to pay for most closing costs. Personal loans usually charge higher interest rates than home loans, though, especially if you have a poor credit score.
To choose between these mobile home loan options, think about which type of home you want to buy. Then see which programs you qualify for.
Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF
Personal Finance Reviews Editor
Laura Grace Tarpley (she/her) is a personal finance reviews editor at Insider. She edits articles about mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, wealth building, and borrowing and savings tips for Personal Finance Insider. She was a writer and editor for Insider's "The Road to Home" series, which won a Silver award from the National Associate of Real Estate Editors. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). She has written about personal finance for over six years. Before joining the Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU. You can reach Laura Grace at . Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »
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