Complete Buying Guide for Factory Built Homes

Whether you’re looking to buy a mobile home, manufactured home, or modular home right now or later down the road, we want to help you understand what the buying process looks like.

Factory built homes are great for those of you who are budget-minded, looking for a starter home, downsizing, needing a ranch or lake property, or even an ADU or guest house. When it comes to buying a mobile, manufactured, or modular home, the process is a little different from buying a previously constructed single-family home or townhome.

In this guide we will take a look at what this home buying process looks like by breaking it down into three parts:

1. Five Steps you Need to Complete in the Home Buying Process
2. Financing Considerations
3. Home Site Selection and Home Site Preparation

Five Steps you Need to Complete in the Home Buying Process

Determine your Family’s Needs

You will want to have an idea of some general features you need, i.e. how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Most mobile homes now all have at least 2 full bathrooms.  Do you need a living room and family room, or just a larger “great room”?  What would you consider as being the key area for you in your new home, are there special needs or considerations such as furniture size, bedroom size, special needs, etc.?

Determine a Budget

Typically, lenders use a budget calculator to determine what your payment capacity is, you can find several programs online that will help you do that.  A general rule of thumb is that your monthly payment will be about 1% of the amount you borrow, the lenders will take into account your current debts to determine what your manufactured house payment limits are.

Choose a Builder

There are many different builders that produce a wide range of products; some focus on building as inexpensively as possible while others concentrate on a combination of affordability and quality construction.  It’s important that you have defined what your priorities are before visiting a mobile home dealership. What is on your top 5 list of features you are looking for in a home? When you visit the dealership do you experience someone who wants to help you find your home or someone who just wants to earn a commission? Did they listen to you? What are their google reviews like?

Find your Dream Home

Once you’ve developed your “shopping list” it’s time to have fun, when you visit your manufactured home dealership, share with them the things you are looking for; be as detailed as possible. That will help your home consultant narrow down the search and help you find your new home sooner.  Don’t hesitate to ask questions, your home consultant should be able to help guide you through the process in a friendly, informative, and professional manner.  Don’t be afraid to share information, you can’t go to the doctor and have him guess what your needs are.

You can start your search online and take a look at the current floor plans available from New Vision Mfg. Here New Homes for Sale in Oklahoma City at USA Housing

Design your New Home

“The design of manufactured and modular homes has come a long way from the long, dark trailers of yesteryear. Manufactured home exteriors can match any style, from traditional ranch homes to cozy log cabins to chalets to cool coastal retreats.”

Depending upon the model of your home, you can choose paint colors, cabinet colors, and kitchen countertops, you may be able to customize some additional features as well, like adding stainless steel appliances or a farm sink and gooseneck faucet.

 

Financing Considerations

Financing a manufactured home, mobile home, or modular home is much different than financing a residential home; here are some critical topics that you’ll need to consider when applying for a new home loan.

Credit Scores

One of the two most common questions we get is “What kind of credit score do I need to buy a mobile, manufactured, or modular home?” Great question. Most lenders have minimum scores that they are looking for; there are lenders who can work with bruised credit that is below 575 while others are looking for scores above 620 to 640. Sometimes lower credit scores can be overcome by increasing the amount of the down payment. When you talk with your home consultant it will be helpful to know where you stand in terms of credit score.

Important Note:

Keep in mind our home consultants are not Licensed Mortgage Loan Originators; however, part of their job is to help assemble the information that you need to make the application and then help the lender in collecting any other documents they may request to evaluate the application.

Down Payments

Down payments for mobile, manufactured and modular homes will depend on the type of loan and your overall credit profile. There are zero-down programs such as VA, USDA, and even a few available from non-government-backed sources, but typically, you should prepare for a minimum of 5% to start with. The down payment total won’t be called for until closing, so you’ll have some time to save a bit more.

There are Two General Types of Home Loans

Government-backed loans

FHA, VA, USDA

Non-Conforming loans

basically, function similarly to private banks

• Land/home will use the land value in the transaction
• Home only or Chattel loans will only consider the valuation of the home as collateral.

Using Land vs Home-Only Transactions

Your financing considerations will vary depending on your land situation; do you own land, or do you need land?

You Own Land

Many people use land as a down payment for mobile, manufactured, and modular homes. Doing this can help secure a traditional mortgage and lower interest rates.  In fact, oftentimes lenders can use the land equity to offset cash down payment requirements. USA Housing has done several loans with Zero Cash Down when the land equity and credit were acceptable to the lenders.

You Need Land

If you don’t have land, most dealerships can help you in locating a suitable homesite. Are you looking for private land or would it be more beneficial for you to consider a leased land option? Depending on the type of loan package, you may be able to include the land purchase into your home package.

Leased Land

Using leased land for your new home is a viable consideration, most communities provide favorable sites with amenities that may include swimming pools, playgrounds, yard maintenance, garbage service, and city sewer services.

You can also do “home only” loans or chattel. While these loans typically have shorter loan lengths, and a bit higher interest rate, they can be a good choice because they also have lower closing costs. They keep the land “out of the deal” and only involve the house as collateral.

Securing Financing

Make a “good faith deposit”

Statistics show that presenting a good faith deposit increases the likelihood of getting favorable approval. The deposit shows your good intentions to make the purchase and also demonstrates to the lender that you have part of, if not all of the down payment on hand. Actual down payment requirements are determined by the lender based on your credit profile and the type of loan you are trying for.

Zero Down Offers

There are some “zero down” loans available but it’s still good to do a deposit to show good faith. That deposit can either be refunded at closing or can be applied to the loan at closing, whichever you choose. Check with your manufactured home dealership and make sure that the deposit is 100% refundable if the mobile home loan is not approved or if you change your mind.

Provide income

When you fill out the application provide accurate information on your income, detailing all sources; the lenders are looking for “pre-tax” figures.  If you are paid overtime, you will list that amount separately from your “regular” pay.  Usually, to be counted, overtime must have been earned for at least 2 years prior.

Supply all documentation needed

Documentation is KING: Lenders will want you to provide different documentation, expect to provide your last 2 years of w2s, 30 days’ worth of pay stubs, picture ID, copies of SSI awards letters or pensions, and a copy of the deed or land lease.  Additionally, the bank may ask you to provide other documents as well. While this may seem burdensome, it is an essential part of buying a home.

Shop lenders

Credit scores are usually only affected once when you make multiple applications within a 45-day period. I usually suggest that you approach at least 2 different lenders so you can get a comparison of offers. Things to consider when you review your lender response are terms of the home loan, interest rate, and fees. Sometimes it makes more sense to look at loan offers with lower loan fees even if the rate is higher.

Determine your payment

I know a common question, “What will my mortgage payment be?” You can use a general rule of thumb when estimating what your payment will be. Your mortgage payment amount will be a result of 3 factors.

• Credit scores
• Amount of down payment
• Term on the loan – how long is the loan for?

Here is a calculator that can help in determining your payment

Again, be mentally prepared to provide additional documentation that the lender may require. Understand that your manufactured home consultant is not the bank, but they are there to help expedite the process.

 

Home Site Selection and Home Site Preparation

Let’s review what considerations come into play during the home site selection and home site preparation processes for your mobile, manufactured, or modular home.

Site Selection for Mobile, Manufactured & Modular Homes

When considering a home site location be sure to check on any local zoning or deed restrictions, some home sites that are within city limits may require modular construction standards to meet city code for single-family dwellings or specialized permits.

Site Preparation for Mobile, Manufactured & Modular Homes

Once you’ve found your land, here are some items you need to consider while preparing your mobile home site.

Note the lay of the land

When you are doing site prep for a mobile home, you’ll want to take note of any obvious indications of where the drainage may occur. You do not want to put your home in a low-lying area that could allow for water to accumulate under the home.

Note any obstacles that may make delivery more complicated

We suggest that you walk the property and get several different vantage points, are there any trees or other natural features that may affect the placement of the home?

Check on “set back” requirements

Knowing how far from the property lines you have to place your mobile home can avoid costly mistakes.

Determine what utilities need to be installed

Does your selected home site already have water, sewer/septic, and electrical available? If your selected home site does not have all of these available, does your manufactured home dealer provide these general contracting services in addition to the cost of the home? Or will you have to secure those services outside of your purchase agreement? Be sure that the bids are from contractors who have the proper licenses and approvals to do the work in the area where you are putting your home.

Will you need a foundation?

Some lenders do not require a concrete foundation as part of the home package, while others do. Modular houses will always require an engineer designed and inspected foundation. It is recommended by most manufacturers, that any new manufactured home going on private property should have a “home pad” installed to help insure proper water drainage.

Have a home site inspection

It’s a good idea to have your mobile home dealer do a physical site inspection at your proposed location to help identify any setup or home site preparation issues beforehand.

Choose skirting and underpinning, steps, and decks

What type of skirting will be put on your home? You have a wide range of choices including vinyl, metal, hardboard, masonry, or other manufactured products. Some lenders have different requirements so be sure to check with your manufactured home dealer about what you are getting.