Manufactured Home FAQs 

We’re here to answer all your questions.

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How do I buy a manufactured home?
New manufactured homes can only be purchased through licensed retailers. You can find a list of retailers under Find a Professional. Each retailer has a website you can use to browse floorplans, images, and starting prices. Retailers have model homes on their lots that you can tour in person, and most offer a “spec room” where you can look at examples of countertop, cabinet, and flooring materials as you begin to customize your own home to fit your household’s needs and budget. You’ll work with a salesperson at the dealership of your choice, and this home whiz will guide you through the process.

Check out our list of Retailers found under Find a Professional.

How do I finance a home?

Financing options vary, depending on whether you’re financing the home with land or the home only. Some loans are specialized, such as Fannie Mae’s MH Advantage® and Freddie Mac’s CHOICEHome® loans, and require certain features to be included in the home. So, you might use a conventional loan, a specialized loan, or a home-only loan. A lender who specializes in financing manufactured homes can help guide you through your options based on factors including your credit, budget, and installation site.

Check out our list of Lenders found under Find a Professional.

Are grants available to help me buy a home?

The state of Oregon offers various types of assistance for those who qualify. We encourage you to research potential grants and incentives offered through the state agency Oregon Housing & Community Services and nonprofits such as CASA of Oregon, DevNW, and Energy Trust of Oregon. Visit our Resources page for Helpful Links to access these sites and more.

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Where can I put my home?
The simple answer is: on land you own or in a manufactured home community. When you’re placing a home on land you already own or plan to purchase, just like site-built home construction, you’ll have costs beyond the price of the home itself—and questions to answer before you start investing your hard-earned money. Gather information from sources such as your county, a general contractor, and others. Good questions to investigate include (but aren’t limited to): Is there a water source? Can power, septic, and other infrastructure be placed at this site? What permits are required? What type of foundation will the soil require, and what is the slope and grade of the land? Are there local zoning ordinances or deed restrictions?

If placing your home in a community, you will own the home but rent the land underneath. These communities may offer lifestyle amenities and location preferences that suit your needs. A big advantage of moving your new home to a manufactured home community is that the site work is already done. But make sure to check the terms of any lease and the community’s rules and regulations before you sign on the dotted line.

When do I move in?
Most homes are completed by the factory in one week, and you’ll receive an estimated completion date from the retail sales pro you’re working with. But other factors affect when you get to move in. The installation site has to be prepared—you need permits to be approved, the land to be ready, and utilities to be installed. Working with a quality contractor is important. You may rely on a general contractor for site prep and another contractor for the installation of your home, or you might work with a contractor who is licensed for both.

Once the site is ready, a specialized trucking company will transport your home to the installation site where the home installer can put on the finishing touches. If you purchased a multi-section home, the installer will “marry” the sections. Once your home is placed, utilities are turned on, and everything passes final inspection, it’s time to move in!

Is there assistance for replacing my older manufactured home?
Yes! Examples include the Manufactured Home Replacement program through Energy Trust of Oregon and the Manufactured Housing Replacement Program through the Oregon Housing & Community Services. Visit our Resources page for Helpful Links to access these sites and more.

Knowing the Myths from the Facts

Manufactured homes are not safe.

Myth

Today’s manufactured homes are built to federal standards requiring smoke detectors, escape windows, and incombustible materials around furnaces and kitchen appliances. Many site-built homes do not contain these safety features.

Fact

Manufactured homes are built with inferior materials and construction quality is poor.

Myth

We build with the same materials as found in site-built homes, but your home will be constructed in a controlled factory environment where materials are not vulnerable to weather conditions and employees are uniquely skilled for each aspect of the process.

Fact

Manufactured homes don’t appreciate in value.

Myth

Independent appraisal studies confirm that manufactured homes appreciate in value the same as other forms of housing with key factors including condition and location of the home.

Fact

Manufactured homes lack “curb appeal” and are unwanted additions to neighborhoods.

Myth

Today’s manufactured homes are dramatically different in appearance from the “mobile homes” and “trailers” sold two decades ago. We offer a variety of exterior designs that are fully compatible with any neighborhood architectural style.

Fact

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