Aside from your standard Single Family Residence, Condo, and Townhome, there are 2 other types of homes that will come up while you show your buyers property, modular and manufactured homes. There is a difference between manufactured home loans and modular home loans. It is important that you understand these types of homes, and the traditional types of financing involved, and more importantly, the lenders that can close your loan.
Manufactured housing is a type of prefabricated house that is mostly assembled at factories and then transported to the sites of use.
Below is a picture of a manufactured home.
The construction of all manufactured homes marketed in this country are strictly regulated by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards ( or the HUD Code). Manufacturers, in most cases, view the HUD Code as minimum performance standards.
They can also exceed these standards in their basic designs with upgrades for energy efficiency and overall performance. The HUD Code not only covers the construction of the home, but also heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, and thermal and electrical systems.
Manufactured homes are also affordable. Manufacturers purchase their building materials in volume, in a controlled environment, utilizing a system engineered production method. There are no costly weather delays in the construction process. These homes are less labor-intensive to make and also require a shorter production time in relation to your standard single-family home on a lot.
The incident of fire is actually lower in a HUD Code Manufactured Home, and construction requirements for wind resistance are equal to and even more stringent than the requirements for manufactured homes sold and placed in high wind areas.
Just like buying a brand new single-family home, most manufacturers’ homes come in a variety of floor plan designs to meet almost anyone’s housing needs.
Modular homes are sectional prefabricated buildings, or houses, that consist of multiple sections called modules. These modules are six-sided boxes constructed in a remote facility, then delivered to their intended site of use. Using a crane, the modules are set onto the building’s foundation and joined together to make a single-family residence or building. These modules can be placed side by side, end to end, or stacked up to six stories in height, allowing a wide variety of configurations and styles in the building layout.
Below is a picture of a Modular home
Many lending institutions resist consideration of modular homes as equivalent in value to site-built homes. To get approved for your next Modular home purchase, click here.
In the United States, all modular homes are constructed according to the International Building Code (IBC), IRC, BOCA, or the code that has been adopted by the local jurisdiction.
The materials used in modular homes are the same as in site-constructed homes. All modular homes are designed to sit on a perimeter foundation or basement.
According to manufacturers, modular homes are designed to be stronger than traditional homes by, for example, replacing nails with screws, and adding glue to joints.
We can explore manufactured home loans and modular home loans depending on your needs and wants.
