What Buyers Need to Know in Today’s Lending Environment

If you’re planning to finance a manufactured home this year, it’s essential to understand the manufactured home mortgage guidelines for 2025. Each loan type—FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac—has specific rules that can affect your eligibility and timeline. At North Star Mortgage Network, we help you navigate these complex guidelines with confidence and clarity.

General Requirements for Manufactured Home Loans

Here’s what’s required across most agency-backed loan programs:

  • The property must be a single-family dwelling legally titled as real estate
  • Eligible for owner-occupied or second home use (no investment properties allowed)
  • Must meet minimum square footage requirements
  • Built on or after June 15, 1976
  • Permanent chassis, utilities, and pitched roof required
  • Title must be surrendered, and taxes assessed as real estate
  • Property must be affixed to a permanent foundation
  • Appraisal with HUD tags or data cert required (depending on agency)
  • All structural changes must be approved by an engineer or appropriate authority

Manufactured Home Mortgage Guidelines 2025 by Loan Type

Fannie Mae Guidelines

  • Accepts single-width, multi-width, and MH Advantage units
  • Second homes permitted if multi-width
  • Appraisal must include either HUD tags or paper data certification for existing homes
  • Structural modifications must be reviewed by a licensed professional
  • Allows community land trusts only for MH Advantage homes

Freddie Mac Guidelines

  • Community land trusts are not allowed
  • Home must be permanently affixed and meet HUD codes
  • Appraisal for pre-2008 installations must verify compliant foundation
  • No temporary buydowns allowed
  • Structural changes require engineering certification or state agency approval

FHA Guidelines

  • For refinances, home must be permanently installed for at least 12 months
  • Requires foundation engineer certification per HUD’s PFGMH
  • Missing HUD tags must be verified via IBTS
  • Skirting must meet permanent material requirements
  • Appraisal must disclose any structural additions or solar installations

VA Guidelines

  • Only agency that may accept homes moved after initial placement
  • Appraisal must include at least one of: two HUD tags or a data plate
  • Structural cert only required if appraiser requests it

USDA Guidelines

  • Existing homes must be under 20 years old at time of closing
  • Must meet USDA and HUD foundation standards
  • Title surrender is required

Required Documentation for Underwriting Approval

To submit your loan for underwriting, you’ll need:

  • Signed 1003 loan application
  • Borrower Authorization
  • ALTA Form 7 title endorsement
  • Proof of title surrender
  • HUD tag and/or data certification photos
  • Full appraisal (Form 1004C or 70B) unless a streamline
  • Closing Protection Letter
  • Signed statement verifying the home is real property
  • Structural Certification if required
  • Legal documentation for any community land trust (if applicable)

Tip: Start the title surrender process early to avoid closing delays. Without it, the loan will not fund.

North Star Mortgage Network is Here to Help

Understanding the manufactured home mortgage guidelines 2025 can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At North Star Mortgage Network, we work with all major loan types and lenders that support manufactured housing. Our experience ensures your transaction is smooth, compliant, and on schedule.

Have a question or need to get pre-approved? Let’s talk today.

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