Manufactured Home Down Payment Highlights

The Down Payment

The amount you have available for a manufactured home down payment will affect what types of loans for which you can qualify. Down payments typically range from as low as 0 down(in park) 5% on land to 30% percent for bad credit mobile home borrowers.

Tips for Accumulating a Down Payment

Save Look for ways to reduce your monthly expenditures to save toward a down-payment. You could enroll for an automatic savings plan at your bank to have a portion of your payroll automatically transferred into savings. Most people save a couple of years for their down payment. Borrow the down payment from your retirement plan Check the provisions of your retirement plan. You can borrow funds from a 401(k) plan for a down payment or make a withdrawal from an Individual Retirement Account. Be sure you understand the tax consequences, repayment terms and/or possible early withdrawal penalties. Move You may be able to save additional funds if you can move into less expensive housing. Reduce other higher interest rate debt Paying off credit cards will initially reduce your savings, but the money you will save from higher interest rates will pay-off in the long run. Make a deal with the seller In some circumstances, it is appropriate to ask the seller to carry a second-mortgage to cover your down payment. Typically, you will pay a slightly higher rate for this second mortgage. Sell some investments Get a second job and save your earnings Skip a year's vacation Gift from Family Parents and other family members are often anxious to help children buy their first home and may have the means to give you a gift of money for a portion or all of your down payment.

Alternative Sources

No-down and low-down Mortgages FHA Loans The Federal Housing Authority (FHA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), plays a significant role in helping low- to moderate-income families qualify for mortgages. FHA assists first-time buyers and others who would not qualify for a conventional loan, by providing mortgage insurance to private lenders. Interest rates for an FHA loan are usually the going market rate, while the down payment requirements for an FHA loan are lower than conventional loans. The required down payment can be as low as 3 percent and the closing costs can be included in the mortgage amount.   VA Loans VA Loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Service persons and veterans can qualify for a VA Loan, which usually offers a competitive fixed interest rate, no down payment and limited closing costs. While the VA does not issue the loans, it does issue a certificate of eligibility required to apply for a VA loan.   Piggy-back Loans A second mortgage that closes with the first. Often the first mortgage is for 80% of the purchase price and the "piggyback" is for 10%. The home buyer covers the remaining 10% with their down payment. (Some lenders will write a second mortgage of 15% or even 20% of the purchase price.)   "Carry Back" Mortgage In the case of the seller "carrying back a second mortgage", the seller loans you part of his or her equity. In this scenario, you would finance the majority of the loan with a traditional mortgage lender and finance the remaining amount with the seller. Typically you will pay a slightly higher interest rate on the loan financed by the seller.

Housing Finance Agencies These agencies offer special loan programs to low- and moderate-income buyers, buyers interested in rehabilitating a home in a targeted area, and other groups as defined by the agency. Working through a housing finance agency, you can receive a below market interest rate, down payment assistance and other incentives. The primary mission of Housing Finance Agencies is to boost home ownership in targeted areas, among first-time buyers and those with little money for down payments. Most of these non-profit agencies were funded with state government seed money and now operate independently. Click here for a list of Housing Finance Agencies.

Documenting Your Down Payment Documenting that the down payment comes from your savings and that you will have savings and/or assets over and above the down payment gives the lender confidence in your strength as a borrower and your ability to repay the loan. Take extra care to document the sources for any monies to be used for the down payment or closing costs. Acceptable Down Payment & Closing Costs Sources Cash in a bank account Mutual funds / stocks / IRA / 401K Proceeds from the sale of another property Gift from an immediate relative   Click here to learn more about verifying your down payment, closing costs, income and debt.

 Mobile Home Loans Q & A  

• What is the Fico range for good, fair & bad credit rating with manufactured lending?
  Good credit is usually defined as the borrowers with few if any past or present collections, good income & credit over 680 fico. Fair credit borrowers would have more deragatories, lower income & credit from 600 fico to 679. Generally bad credit is those clients with a previous bankruptcy or significant ongoing collections and/or leins, significant debt, lawsuits amd/or past or present ongoing foreclosure and a credit score of 599 and below. (in some cases credit score is not the only determining factor for a fair credit loan. We will always try to qualify you fair credit first)
• What is debt to income ratio?
  Debt to income ratio is the calculation used by us to determine how large of a loan balance your income can support. Typically this calculation is figured by adding all your bill's minimum payments due each month, your space rent & new mortgage payment divide by your gross income.
• What is the lowest down payment I can put down: for good credit 5% down on land home & in park. In some case we allow for 100% financing when getting the home at a significant valuation.
• What loan term will be best for me?
  This depends on your goals. If your goal is to pay off the home quicker then a shorter term is suggested. If your goal is lowest payment then a longer term is best.
• What will my closing costs be?
  Good credit borrowers never pay points & the closing cost for these borrowers is usually $1300 to $1800. Bad credit borrowers will usually have to pay points. Typically, our closing cost ranges from $2700 to $4800 depending on the loan size. (In some cases bad credit borrowers may require more closing cost depending on overwhelming negative factors)We do have no closing cost programs.
• Can I consolidate bills? Yes. In some cases we actually may have to pay bills to get your debt versus income inline.
• Can the seller assist with down payment?
  Not on good credit loans. In CA, OR & WA we have a program where the seller can assist with securing part of the risk in a bad credit mobile home purchase loan... they may also assist with closing cost, repairs, fire insurance and home warranty. We do allow gift for down payment. 
• What items must be prepaid?
  There are no pre-pay items. Typically we allow you to finance into your new bad credit purchase loan up to 2 year of fire insurace, 2 years of a home warranty program, closing cost and up to 6 months of space rent.
• How long is quoted interest rates good for?
  Called a rate lock, under normal instances we lock the rate for 60 days which is free to the client. 
• How long will the approval take?
  With a complete file and motivated client approvals take 30 minutes with loan closings in as quick as 3 days for bad credit & 7 days for good credit.
• Will the loan have a prepayment penalty?
  Absolutely not. Even with a bad credit standing we won't be assigning a pre-pay penalty. 

• Experience.
  Founded in 1999, LoanJunction.com has processed and funded 10's of thousands of mobile home loans.
• Customer Service.
  We are only as good as our last clients says we are. That's why with every customer we'll move mountains for the privilege to be your lender. With caring staff, 24 hour customer service & online account management we intend to move mountains for you for years to come.
• Financial Resources.
  LoanJunction.com is a national lender drawing upon over 4 billion in investment capital for our clients needs. 
• Track Record.
  You don't get to be a proud AAA rated Better Business Bureau company by doing things the wrong way. We intend to keep it that way.
• Community Support.
  We have a larger responsibility to support our clients long after the transaction is done. Please visit our Park Crime Prevention Page to join us in keeping our park communities safe and crime free; Also As rent control advocates, no one is more out spoken about keeping our parks free of exuberant & predatory rent increases.
• Technology.
  With an eye on the 22nd century, our client management services are second to none. Our award winning online operations coupled with 24 live customer service, automated bill pay and rate decrease notifications we stand at the forefront of mobile home lendings' long awaited technological revolution.
• Hands On.
  There are no substitutions for rolling up the sleeves to get the job done right. That's why each client is assigned a proven & considerate account executive to oversee the loan transaction from start to finish. This is your guy or gal in the trenches with their "hands on" approach.
• Accountability.
  Each staff member is 100% accountable to you and your needs. Whether the loan has unforeseen difficulties, or tough measures need to be taken, our staff from the president on down will always field your calls and/or concerns.

Last Updated:  Thursday, January 03, 2008 

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