Why Can’t I get a Mortgage or even move a Pre-1976 Trailer?

Since June 15, 1976, manufactured homes (mobile homes or trailers) were constructed to meet Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards and issued a red HUD tag, a certification label. You cannot retrofit an older trailer and get a HUD tag.

Technically, trailers constructed prior to these standards are mobile homes, HUD certified trailers constructed after the standards went into effect are manufactured homes. But people use these words pretty interchangeably.

Trailers built before June 15, 1976 do not meet the HUD standards and cannot be accepted as compliant with the HUD Code.

Moving an Older Trailer

There are zoning rules about pre-1976 trailers. Many areas will not allow you to bring one in from another county. Sometimes you can buy an older trailer and move it within the county. Some allow you to put an older trailer in a trailer park that already has older trailers. Before you buy an older trailer, find out about zoning or you may not be allowed to hook up utilities.

Mortgage on an Older Trailer

FHA and most other mortgage insurance companies will not insure mortgages on manufactured homes built prior to June 15, 1976.

What Can You Do?

What can you do? If it is possible, bring your home up to the current housing code. You might be able to find a licensed engineer willing to inspect your home for compliance. That doesn’t get you a HUD tag, but it might be enough to help you get a loan.

Or, you may be able to get private financing.