Manufactured Housing
Definition and meaning of Manufactured Housing in real estate.
Manufactured housing refers to single-family residential dwellings that are built entirely in a controlled factory environment and then transported to a home site.
In more detail
These homes are constructed on a permanent steel chassis and must comply with the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, commonly known as the HUD Code. This regulatory distinction separates them from modular homes, which are built to local state codes, and traditional site-built homes.
Manufactured homes offer an affordable path to homeownership, but buyers should note that financing options can differ significantly depending on whether the home is classified as personal property or real property. To qualify as real property, the home must typically be permanently affixed to land owned by the home buyer.
Key facts
| Category | Property Types & Construction |
|---|---|
| Governing code | Federal HUD Code |
| Structural base | Permanent steel chassis |
| Financing requirement | Varies based on land ownership and foundation type |
A buyer purchases a double-wide manufactured home, has it delivered to a plot of land they own, installs it on a permanent concrete foundation, and secures a standard mortgage by converting it to real property.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a manufactured home and a mobile home?
Officially, the term mobile home refers to factory-built homes constructed before the federal HUD Code went into effect in the mid-1970s, while those built after are manufactured homes.
Can you get a standard mortgage for a manufactured home?
Yes, but the home must be permanently attached to a foundation on land you own, and it must be legally classified as real property rather than personal property.
Do manufactured homes appreciate in value?
They can appreciate in value, especially when the homeowner owns the land beneath the home and maintains the property properly, though historically they appreciated slower than site-built homes.