Mobile home
An older term for a home built before 1976, when federal standards for factory-built homes changed. Financing is harder for these, and many lenders won't touch them.
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Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
A home built before 1976 predates the federal standards, and most lenders will not finance one. Selling means a cash buyer or a specialized lender, and the price reflects that.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your 1972 mobile home on a rented lot draws cash offers from buyers who want it as-is, and no offers from anyone who needs a loan.
| The home | Who can buy it |
|---|---|
| Built before 1976 | Cash buyers, or a specialty chattel lender |
| Built after 1976 on a permanent foundation | A wider set, including FHA buyers |
| In a park on a rented lot | A personal-property sale, whatever the year |
The year built decides who can finance it, and financing decides who can buy.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That mobile and manufactured mean the same thing. The 1976 line separates them, and lenders draw it firmly.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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