Real Estate Financing...

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How in the heck am I going to finance that?

 One of the very first loans I ever closed was on a Manufactured Home.  I'll never forget that customer.  He was a former applicant from somebody who had left our firm and I was calling to follow-up with him.  Thus began a 30 minute tirade on his part that left my ears ringing louder than the phones around me.  He used more explicatives than a George Carlin rant.  What was his major gripe?  It was simple.  NOBODY would help him refinance his property.  His rate was in the double digits, yet his credit, equity position, job & housing history....along with his assets were impeccable.  I could see his point.  After 30 minutes, he calmed and asked if I could help.  I said, "I'll sure try."  I washed my ears out with soap and went to work.  That was some 7 years ago and it was a wrestling match at the time, yet we got it done.  Thus, the journey began...

I began doing some research into Manufactured Housing.  Seemed that years back, lenders had a horrible time with defaulting loans on that type of property.  States like Florida & Texas had a bunch of issues and between the defaults and the depreciation that the Property Type sometimes entails, lenders ran fast and far away from wanting to finance Manufactured Homes of any kind.

Manufactured Housing offers an affordable way for people to buy a home.  And after seeing some of these homes, they are absolutely spacious & extremely nice.  The price range I'm accustom to seeing and financing rests between $50,000 & $250.000.  The last one I closed was late last month the borrower got a fixed rate of 6.875%....not too shabby for a property type that is deemed so very hard to finance.

Yet, there was and is a need.  So, Manufactured Housing is alive and well and living at First Choice Equity Group Inc!  It is just one of the many things we can do.  Below are some of the guidelines and parameters...

Single Wides, Double Wides,

Triple Wides

  

*Purchases 100% LTV

  

*Cash Out Refinances To 90% LTV (640 Score)

  

*Minimum Credit Score 620

  

*Second Homes

  

*Rural Properties

  

*Mobile Homes In Parks

  

* Pre 1976 Models Allowed

 

So, don't be shy.  If you own or are looking to buy a home and see a Manufactured Home that tickles your fancy, feel free to get a hold of me.

 

  

28 commentsJason Sardi, Mortgage Banker • March 12 2008 03:48PM

Comments

Jason, these can be extremely challenging to finance.  One question...can you do these nationwide?
Posted by Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate about 1 year ago
No Lola, I cannot....as of yet.  Only in Pennsylvania.  If you have a few preferred lenders out there though, feel free to give them my email address and I can at least point them in the right direction.
Posted by Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans) about 1 year ago

I AM shy, and I don't think I'll ever consider buying one. Can I still call you?? ;-)

Hopefully this will point those in PA to the right guy!! 

 

Posted by Allentown PA Real Estate Broker * Jennifer Monroe * about 1 year ago

Jason,

Yes it's true Manufactured Home owners are people, too!

Soap in the ear is not necessarly a good thing! Next time go to the sink, tilt your heqd so that the ear that had been closest to the offender is down and gently use the spray on the other ear, letting the water drip through. When finshed gently dab the ears dry with that soft paper from your living room.

I was going to echo the second coment: "If you have a few preferred lenders out there though, feel free to give them my email address and I can at least point them in the right direction."  Then I saw it was your's, o'well.

Bill

Posted by William J Archambault Jr (The Real Estate Investment Institute ) about 1 year ago

Jennifer - Call me anytime my dear.

Bill - Thanks for the advice, I'll keep that in mind the next time we speak as well:-)

Posted by Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans) about 1 year ago

It works, I used it after our last call.

Bill  :-)

Posted by William J Archambault Jr (The Real Estate Investment Institute ) about 1 year ago

Jason...  I've never lived in a trailer but know people in Maine that do and I never understood the stigma the goes with a mobile home.  True there are plenty of trashy parks but a well kept home on it's own lot or in a decent park it a great alternative to renting. 

Posted by Dan Cummings - Connecticut's Running Realtor (Raveis Real Estate) about 1 year ago
Jason, I love manufactured homes, HECK I sold them for 12 years.  Financing is easy as long as the land is included for me and rate well rate is only 1/4 more conventional and no hit on FHA
Posted by Joe Adams (Major Mortgage USA/Branch Manager) about 1 year ago

Jason,

You never stop amazing me... I thought these loans were a thing of the past... that you for the info...

Posted by Rick Kellow about 1 year ago

Sardi...

I have always wondered if when you wash your ears out with soap and then sneeze...Do you get bubbles? :)

Ha! Ha! Made you smile. Again :)

TLW...ROAR! 

Posted by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.) about 1 year ago

Jason - you forgot the best part of that 1st loan. It was an incredibly nice singlewide............................ with a fireplace?? Now I wouldn't recommend having a fireplace in your single wide. But this client had enormous pride of ownership and a surprisingly nice place too! Nice write!

Posted by Scott Geary Your Pennsylvania Mortgage Source (Infinity Home Mortgage Company Inc) about 1 year ago
Jason..Nice to know you do these types of loans. It is extremely difficult to find Brokers who will handle Manufactured Housing. I have only found two and they are both from out of state and the rates were not as low as you quoted.
Posted by Guilford Connecticut Real Estate Agent, Sandra Cummings (William Raveis Real Estate) about 1 year ago

Jason,

I'm not sure but I believe they were a popular item here until we had a few whopping hurricanes and then I think the banks didn't want the liability to insure then.....IE no loan approval. The structures were a liability due to the fact that some were damaged badly from major wind. I imagine they are risky.

Posted by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (Keller Williams Properties) about 1 year ago
I have never sold a manufactured home?  However, I did go Delaware a few years ago with a friend and she was looking into buying one near Bethany and I was amazed at how modern and big these homes were?  Good for you Jason for looking out for the folks!
Posted by Audrey June-Forshey, GRI, Gaithersburg, MD (RE/MAX Realty Group) about 1 year ago

Jason, I read the beginning of your post and I am transported back in time to the beginning of my mortgage career. What a nightmare.

by the way, did you get the 10 solicitation emails that I sent to you and will you be joining all 10 today? 

Posted by Danny Thornton (R & D Management) about 1 year ago
Jason:  Finding a lender here in North Florida for Mfg homes is tough....tougher every year.  I wish I had a go-to-guy here for that.  We can do FHA for them here but with strict requirements.  They are tough - especially if they are on large parcels of land.  If the land is worth more than the mfg home...it's darn near impossible.
Posted by Christine Bohn, Gainesville, FL Residential Realtor® (RE/MAX Professionals, Inc.) about 1 year ago
I know what you mean.  We could find NOBODY to finance mobile homes.  I have finally found a friend who is a mobile home dealer and he knows a lady in Texas who knows her stuff and she can get them financed.  Now I just don't have anybody to sell one to!
Posted by Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) about 1 year ago
Jason, When I first started as well I used to get some phone calls about Manufactured homes and you are right in Florida the Lenders might say they will do it but try and close one.  I have found these are a real niche product.  (not my niche)
Posted by My Favorite Mortgage.net - Matthew J Blum about 1 year ago
40% of housing in NC is manufactured - great reminder.
Posted by Eleanor Thorne 919-649-5057 Cary Mortgage Loans (First Financial Services, Inc) about 1 year ago

Bill -  You look spectacular in a robe;-)

Dan - I've seen a lot of these homes that were much nicer than your run of the mill stick-built homes.

Joe - Yup, but when they aren't on their own land...they can be difficult, but do get done.

Rick - Thanks man.  Nope, they are alive and well.

TLW - Only twice, while I won't go into the semantics of the body's fundamental reaction...I will tell you I stray away from potty mouth's:-)

Scott - That one was memorable, was it not?

Sandra - If only I were licensed in your area....

Neal - That's the shame of it man, I remember reading that the hurricanes & the nature of the structure had a lot to do with it.

Audrey - You aren't alone, many are surprised at the wonderful condition these homes are in.  Thank you!

Danny- Actually, I got 11 and of course I'm joining.  I'll return the favor as I've created 15 new groups that will point to you my next 48.5 posts that will be featured on the dashboard of the Wall-street Journal if I get enough people on my side.  Please forward my email to the entire state of California:-)

Christine - You are probably right there.  It may not be a bad idea to contact some Mortgage Professionals from Active-Rain to see if they can help your clients out.

Barbara - Oh, the freaking irony....

Matthew - Let me know if you need an outlet, I may be able to help.  Even though it's not a niche of yours, could be of benefit to those that you come across.

Eleanor - Wow, interesting statistic.  We have a pretty healthy market for manufactured housing in Pa as well.

Posted by Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans) about 1 year ago

Jason...  nice reminder to so many out there.....   I am doing a doublewide in PA as we speak, a 95% cash-out FHA.....  a very easy to understand post...

jeff belonger
Posted by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc) about 1 year ago

Jason,

Can you finance this beautiful Condo community???

 Thanks,   Fran

Posted by Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ (Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.) about 1 year ago

Jeff - There are still several avenues to go with Manufactored Financing, that's for sure.  Hey, why didn't you refer that to me:-)?

Fran - Refer that one to Belonger above you:-)

Posted by Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans) about 1 year ago

Out here in California we have some manufactured homes that may even fool an appraiser they look so much like a regular single family residence. I don't do the pre-1976 thing...but I have a team mate who does. See ya, Jason.

Posted by Hemet Home Loan Guy, Joey Aszterbaum (Jolynne Photography) about 1 year ago

I know what you mean Joey, sometimes it's so hard to tell.  Talk to you soon man.

Posted by Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans) about 1 year ago

Jason - Now, this is an interesting issue.  With so many people loosing their homes, how many of them will resort to Wheel Estate?

I believe manufacted homes increase in sales when the economy goes down.

Are these the fruits from this mess?

 

Posted by Douglas Garbe, Real Living Real Estate Solutions (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) about 1 year ago
Wheel Estate!?!  Nice one Douglas:-)  We may see an increase in sales and I'm not sure if these are the fruits from the mess, but they are certainly a nice option for some out there.
Posted by Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans) about 1 year ago
Oh Jason I could have used your help way back when... had a person (friend of a friend) who insisted on a manufactured home and the loan process was so painful.
Posted by Chuck Willman, Arizona Realtor® 480.292.0600 (Gentry Realty) about 1 year ago

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