Buying a new home is exciting and rewarding because you’re building your safe haven. Your new home will be your peaceful and secure sanctuary. It’s where you’ll create memories and build something lasting for you and your family.

Having a home that looks and feels the way you want is important, and manufactured homes deliver on both style and functionality. Manufactured homes offer modern designs with in-demand features for beautiful, functional spaces.

Since manufactured homes are built in an efficient factory setting, they’re often available at more affordable price points than site-built homes. They can be built faster, too, thanks to the efficiencies of factory-built construction.

Ready to explore manufactured homes? Let’s dive into how to buy a manufactured home. 

1. Think About Your Home Size, Location, and Budget
2. Visit a Manufactured Home Retailer
3. Get Financing from a Lender
4. Choose Your Home and Select Custom Features
5. Time for Installation and Move In!

Get started by researching thinking about your must-haves in your new home, which will affect the size of the home you’re looking for.

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Laundry/utility room or home office
• Walk-in pantry or walk-in closets
• Extra areas for storage 
• Overall desired square footage

You’ll also want to look into the manufactured home add-ons that are most important to your family, such as a garage, carport, porch, or deck.

READ MORE: What Should I Research Before Buying a Manufactured Home

Next, consider your options for buying land. Some people already have land before they visit a retailer, while others like to connect with a retailer before they purchase property.

Some retailers offer land-home packages, where land is included with the purchase of your home. If you’d like to buy land separately, connect with a real estate agent in your area who specializes in land purchases or check out real estate websites for land that’s currently on the market.

You’ll also want to put together an estimate of your budget. There are a few different things to keep in mind: the manufactured home, the land (if you don’t already own property), delivery services, and setting and finishing services.

It’s okay if you don’t know exactly how much to budget for each of these items at this point. Your local retailer will be able to provide a breakdown of the different options and how they factor into your budget. Use our estimated monthly payment calculator to break down how much you can budget per month.

One of the most important parts of buying a manufactured home is visiting a retailer.

Champion Homes sells homes through a network of independent retailers, and your retailer will be your trusted resource as you go through the purchase process. They’ll be available to recommend the best floorplans for you, answer all your questions, and ultimately help you pick out your new home!

The retailer will sit down with you to discuss your needs, style, and budget. Then they’ll show you manufactured home models that best fit what you’re looking for.

Touring manufactured homes is one of the most fun parts of the process, and we recommend touring at least two homes at the retail center to get a sense of what you’re looking for. 

Once you decide on the home you want to buy, you can purchase your new home on the spot, return to the retail center to purchase the home at a later date, or work with the retailer to purchase your home over email.

READ MORE: What Do I Expect When I Visit a Manufactured Home Retailer?

 It’s a common misconception that it’s complicated to get a loan for a manufactured home – but the process is similar to getting financing for a site-built home.

Chattel loans and FHA Title I loans are the two of the most popular options for people buying a manufactured home they’re going to place on leased land in a community or park.

Combination loan options for financing a manufactured home and land include FHA Title II loans, VA loans, and USDA loans.

Traditional home financing is available through Fannie Mae’s Manufactured Home Advantage™ program and Freddie Mac’s CHOICEHome® program for certain types of manufactured homes that meet the requirements of the programs. These traditional mortgage options offer competitive rates and down payments for buyers with fair to good credit, offering a new path to homeownership. 

Construction loans are available for homebuyers needing to finance the manufactured homebuilding process. They’re short-term loan that allows for the construction of the manufactured home with funds drawn as the project progresses and converts to a permanent mortgage once the home is completed.

There are many large companies who specialize in manufactured home financing, which simplifies the process of identifying a reputable lender. Manufactured home lenders tend to operate regionally, and a lot of your options will likely be specific to your area of the country.

Applying for a manufactured home loan is straightforward, and it’s comparable to the process for obtaining site-built financing. You can apply online or in person if the lender has a location near you.

READ MORE: How Do I Finance a Manufactured Home? 

Your retailer will help you select your final floorplan and place the order with the manufacturer. One of the most fun parts of this process is getting to pick out your personalization options for your new home!

Two of the most common options for customizing a manufactured home are adding a porch or an entertainment center.

Many manufactured homes will come with pre-designed floorplan options you can select from for the kitchen and bathroom. This allows you to customize the set-up without changing the overall dimensions of the room. Your independent manufactured home retailer can give you more information about the options available for the specific home you’re interested in.

Your floor plan will come with standard colors and materials for exterior and interior finishes. The standards can be a good starting point as you’re exploring the many options that will be presented to you.  

Each customizable element will usually come with “good,” “better,” and “best” options you can pick from. Typically, the highest quality, most premium finish will be the “best” option.

READ MORE: Can I Customize a Manufactured Home?

After your home is built in the factory, it will be delivered to your property for installation. 

Manufactured home installation involves two parts: setting and finishing. Setting is when the home is placed and secured onto footers, also known as piers.

Finishing is when the home is prepared to be “move-in ready,” including connecting utilities, installing steps and railings, setting up HVAC, and more. If you’ve chosen to do any onsite add-ons, like a garage, carport, or deck, those will also be done during the finishing process.

READ MORE: How Does the Installation Process Work for a Manufactured Home? 

The manufactured home installation process takes an average of four to five weeks for a single-section home and six to seven weeks for a multi-section home.

The independent manufactured home retailer where you purchased your home most likely will have a few installation businesses they typically work with. In some cases, independent manufactured home retailers will have a part of their business where they install homes with their own set crew.

It's important prior to purchasing your home that you ask the retailer if setting and installation services are included. If not, make sure you ask who you can contact to arrange them.

Once setting and finishing are complete, your home is ready for move-in. Now your vision has become a reality, and it’s time to relax and enjoy your space!

Visit our Find-a-Retailer page to find the retailer or dealer closest to you. Your manufactured home retailer will help you find the best home for you. You’ll also be able to tour homes at the retail center to narrow down your options. Your retailer will help you purchase your home and pick out customization options.

Check out our Find-a-Home page to browse manufactured home floorplans and layouts from Champion. You can take 3D tours, view photos, and see the floorplans. You’ll also be able to search for your future home based on features like a kitchen island, walk-in pantry, porch, and more. 

Ready to take the next step? Find the best Champion home for you, or contact a Champion retailer in your area. You can also contact our Homebuyer & Homeowner Assistance line Monday-Saturday 8am – 8pm EST at 877-201-3870, or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you.