How to Refinance Your Mobile Home With Bad Credit

Refinancing your home may be ideal if you have bad credit and don’t qualify for traditional loans. But what if you own a mobile home? You still have some options to refinance, but they differ from what you’d use to refinance a traditional home.

Here’s what all mobile homeowners need to know.

Research Your Options

A conventional loan probably isn’t your best option if you have bad credit. Even if there is no minimum requirement for income, credit score, and down payment to qualify, a minimum of 620 is typically required to qualify for a conventional loan. 

Here are some of the best ways to refinance a mobile or manufactured home with a credit score below 620.

1. Chattel Loans

A chattel loan finances a mobile home as personal property, not real estate. Because of this, interest rates are often much higher than what you’d pay a mortgage lender, but qualifying is much simpler. The result is a higher monthly payment. 

These rates are significantly higher than the other options, ranging from 7.75% to more than 10%. Terms are up to 20 years.

The minimum credit score requirement is 575.

The minimum loan amount is $35,000. The maximum loan amount is $275,000. New single or multi-section manufactured homes are eligible.

Here are some chattel loan lenders:

_{Disclaimer: Some or all of the products featured in this article are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. All opinions are our own.}

21st Mortgage Corporation

Minimum credit score requirement: None

21st Mortgage is a full-service lender specializing in manufactured and mobile home loans. They’re an ideal option for borrowers with credit scores below 575. There is also no maximum debt-to-income ratio requirement. Well-qualified buyers may qualify for 0% down, but a down payment between 5% and 35% is required for most borrowers. In most states, there is no age restriction on the home being refinanced. However, they aren’t available everywhere. Loans are unavailable in Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the Illinois counties of Cook, Kane, Peoria and Will. A cash-out refinancing option is not available in Texas. Investment properties are limited to 10-year terms.

Cascade

Minimum credit score requirement: Borrowers below 600 are subject to additional requirements

Cascade offers a range of modular and manufactured home financing options and has programs available for both top qualifying applicants and prospective home buyers who can afford a home today but have had credit challenges in the past. Cascade’s FHA modular and manufactured home purchase loans require as little as 3.5% down or land equity instead of this amount.

Cascade offers a program called LandSmart designed to help qualified buyers finance the purchase of both the land and home. They offer chattel loans, FHA loans, V.A. loans, and construction to permanent financing.

CountryPlace Mortgage

Minimum credit score requirement: 620

On average, CountryPlace Mortgage’s interest rates were similar to those of other lenders (+0.08%). On the other hand, its loan-related closing costs are higher than those of different lenders, with a difference of +$264. For refinancing, they are similar to other lenders for conforming, FHA and V.A. loans. Overall, combining interest rates and closing costs, reviews indicate that CountryPlace Mortgage tends to be an expensive lender for conforming, FHA, and V.A. purchase mortgages. However, it could be a viable option if your credit score is lower than other lenders’ requirements.

Triad Financial Services

Minimum credit score requirement: 550

Triad has been in business for over 60 years in the manufacturing home marketplace. They can do single-wide and double-wide homes with or without a permanent foundation. This allows financing for homes on rental land, trailer parks, leased property, or family land. They can do up to 95% LTV on a primary residence purchase, finance the first year’s homeowner insurance, finance homes 1976 or newer only, and take about 2-3 weeks to close for the home only and 4-5 weeks for land and home. All loans need to go through an approved dealer.

Credit Human

Minimum credit score requirement: 660

Credit Human funds loans from single-section to multi-section or modular homes. They have competitive fixed rates and flexible terms, and no prepayment penalties. Their lending focuses on home-only transactions where land is not used for collateral and specializes in home-only loans, purchases, refinancing, and cash-out refinancing. Available in 38 states.

2. Personal loans

Because mobile homes are usually much cheaper than traditional homes, you might be able to refinance using a personal loan.

The catch: Personal loans have higher interest rates than other types. But you don’t have to provide any collateral, so your home won’t be at risk if you default. The paperwork is usually more straightforward, and you won’t have to pay closing costs.

Rates can range from 3% to more than 30%, depending on your credit score. You will need a credit score of around 600 to qualify. Terms can last up to a maximum of 12 years.

Here are some of the top personal loans for bad credit:

Upgrade

Minimum credit score requirement: 600

• APR: 7.96 to 35.97%
• Available in every state except Iowa, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 
• Loans range from $1,000 to $50,000 and are funded as soon as the next business day. 
• The lender charges origination fees between 2.9% and 8%
• High annual percentage rates (APRs) compared to competitors
• Low minimum loan amounts
• Charges origination fees
• Offers direct payment to third-party creditors
• No prepayment penalty fees
• Allows joint applications
• Applicants with higher scores are more likely to avoid the company’s highest APRs.
• They can offer eligible applicants a secured loan to make qualifying or access a lower rate easier.

Upstart

Minimum credit score requirement: None, but borrowers with scores of 580 or higher have the best shot at approval

• APR: 6.5% to 35.99%
• Loan amount: $1,000 up to $50,000
• Loan terms: 36-60 months
• Credit check: Yes, they make a hard inquiry after a profile submission to verify you meet their credit minimum
• Application process: Apply online. The Upstart loan timeline includes around 1 to 14 business days to get approved for an Upstart loan and another 1 to 3 business days to receive the funds after approval.
• Prequalification: Upstart says borrowers can prequalify and see their rate in five minutes. They can expect approval to take one business day.
• Other important information: No prepayment penalty, origination fee that can be up to 8% of the loan amount, no mobile app, and no co-signed, joint, or secured loans offered. The minimum income requirement is $12,000.

RocketLoans

Minimum credit score requirement: 580

• APR: 8.416% to 29.99% (with autopay discount)
• Loan amount: $2,000 to $45,000
• Loan terms: 36-60 months
• Credit check: Yes, the prequalification process only requires a soft credit check
• Application process: Online and receive funds in two to four business days.
• Prequalification: Offers same-day approval, and same-day funding may be possible
• Other important information: No prepayment penalty, rate discount on autopay, no co-signers or co-applicants.

Avant

Minimum credit score required: 580

• Origination fees: You may be required to pay an origination fee as high as 4.75% (average is 0.5-1%). Many personal loans do not have origination fees.
• They refinance personal loans
• Income documentation may be required
• The loan amount is relatively low, up to $35,000
• Their APR ranges from 9.95% to 35.95%.
• Licensed to do business in 42 states
• most of Avant’s customers have fair-to-good credit scores ranging from 600 to 700
• Next-day delivery of funds

3. V.A. Loans

Minimum credit score required: Typically about 620

Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, these loans offer ultra-low interest rates but are only available for military veterans and service members.

The maximum loan term is 25 years. 

V.A. Refinance Fees

V.A. cash-out refinancing allows borrowers to qualify for a loan amount (or cash out) equivalent to 100% of the appraised value of their home. You can then use the money for debt consolidation.

A V.A. cash-out refinance costs 2.3% of the total loan unless it’s not your first V.A. loan. The funding fee is 3.6% on subsequent V.A. loans.

4. USDA Loans

Minimum credit score requirement: No minimum, but borrowers with scores of 640 or higher have the best odds of approval

The U.S. Department of Agriculture backs USDA loans. They are designed to promote homeownership in underdeveloped parts of the U.S., so they’re only available in designated rural areas. The mobile home must be less than one year old.

5. FHA Loans

Minimum credit score requirement: 580

The Federal Housing Administration guarantees FHA loans. They offer flexible guidelines and a low-down payment option. They’re a good option for first-time homebuyers but also available to repeat home buyers. Interest rates are competitive.

Loan terms range from 20-25 years. 

6. Conventional Loans for Bad Credit

Minimum credit score requirement: 620

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back conventional loans. Most borrowers will need a minimum credit score of 620 and at least 5% equity in the home to qualify.

However, some conventional lenders target borrowers with bad credit. For example, 21st Mortgage Corporation offers mobile home loans and refinancing with no minimum credit score requirements and prepayment penalties.

Conventional loans can have fixed or adjustable rates, and you can sometimes get cash-out refinancing. Interest rates are comparable to other home loans. Loan terms are up to 30 years.

READ MORE: 5 best conventional mobile home loans

Refinance Options If You Don’t Own the Land on Which Your Mobile Home is Located 

If you rent the property your mobile home is on, you still have a couple of options.

FHA Title 1 Loans

To qualify, you must:

• Use the mobile home as your primary residence
• The mobile home must be set on a permanent foundation
• Lease from an FHA-compliant site
• Have an FHA-eligible lease

Meet with a Mortgage Broker

Talk to a mortgage broker if you have bad credit and are unsure about your loan options. They research loan options and negotiate with lenders on your behalf. A broker can also pull your credit report, verify your income and expenses, and coordinate the loan paperwork. In short, they can streamline the process for you.

READ MORE: How to refinance a mobile home without land

What are Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Modular Homes?

There are three different types of homes.

• Manufactured homes: Manufactured homes are usually built in a factory. Traditional homes are built onsite. Once completed, manufactured homes are moved to their final destinations on a truck and placed onto foundations, making them permanent. You must own the land on which the manufactured home foundation is built.
• Modular home: Modular homes are primarily constructed in a factory, but the house is transported in pieces to the home site, where construction is finished. Once built, the modular home can’t be moved.
• Mobile home: A mobile home is built in a factory but on a permanently attached chassis. It is then transported to the site by being towed or on a trailer. They are often left permanently or semi-permanently in one place but can be moved. You can rent mobile home space or own it.

READ MORE: Manufactured vs. modular homes — what’s the difference?

What Does ‘Real Property’ Mean?

Refinancing will be much easier if your mobile home is permanently affixed to a foundation. That’s because the house will be considered “real property.” The owner of real property has all the rights of ownership, including the right to possess, sell, lease, and enjoy the land, also known as the bundle of rights.

Mobile homes not permanently affixed to a foundation are considered “personal property.” If this is the case, your primary option is a chattel loan.

How to Refinance a Mobile Home Loan

First, you’ll have to make sure you meet the requirements:

• Have the mobile home anchored on land you own (not in a mobile home park)
• Have the mobile home has to be attached to land you own and not rented in a mobile home park
• Have at least 400-600 square feet of living space, depending on the loan program
• The manufactured home must be “double-wide (minimum 20 feet wide)” with at least 600 square feet of living space.
• Secure the mobile home to a permanent foundation that meets standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 
• Have the mobile home titled as real property (real estate)
• The mobile home is taxed as real property
• The mobile home was constructed after June 15, 1976
• Ensure that the mobile home is without axles, wheels, or a towing hitch
• The home must have a HUD tag and a metal plate certification label placed on the home’s exterior. It must also have a data plate and a paper label you’ll find inside the house.

Six Steps to Refinance Your Mobile Home

Assuming the home is permanently affixed to land you own and meets all requirements, you should

• Determine the type of mobile home you own
• Figure out whether it is considered “real property”
• Choose the purpose of the refinancing 
• Choose the right loan program for your circumstances
• Shop for the best loan rates and terms
• Apply for prequalification

Want more information about refinancing your mobile home? Check out this video:

Should You Refinance?

Unless you opt for a personal loan, you must pay closing costs to refinance your original loan. These can be significant. You must ensure your new loan costs less than the current one. Interest rates are trending upward as well. Ensure you aren’t refinancing at a higher rate unless you have no choice. You will want to use a mortgage refinance calculator to determine whether you’ll save money.

The Bottom Line

Refinancing a mobile home is challenging enough. If you have bad credit on top of that, it makes it a more significant challenge but not an impossibility.

If you can bring your scores up, that would be ideal. But we have offered some alternatives that will make refinancing your mobile home with bad credit a possibility.

FAQs