Mortgage How-To's and Why

To secure a traditional mortgage (e.g., Conventional or FHA) for a manufactured home, it must be legally converted from personal property (like a vehicle) to real property (part of the land). This process is known as **"affixation."**

The general steps include:

• Own the Land: You must own the land the home is on, or have a long-term lease.
• Install a Permanent Foundation: The home must be permanently affixed to the land. This typically involves removing the wheels and axles and building a foundation that complies with state and local codes.
• Meet HUD Standards: The home generally needs to have been built after June 15, 1976, to meet HUD Code standards and have the necessary certifications.
• Surrender the Title: In most cases, you will need to surrender the original certificate of title to the state.
• File Legal Documents: You must file the required legal documents with your local government. This often includes an affidavit of affixture or a similar declaration to show the intent to permanently dedicate the home as real property.
• Record New Documents: Once the conversion is complete, the home will be taxed with the land as a single parcel of real property. You may need to update your property tax records to reflect it as an improvement.
• Connect Utilities: Ensure the home is connected to permanent utilities like water, electricity, and gas.