Manufactured homes can be an excellent and affordable path to homeownership, but they come with a few unique requirements that can catch buyers and sellers off guard.

The good news? Most delays can be avoided with a little preparation.

If you’re buying or selling a manufactured home in Arkansas, here are the most common issues I see and how to stay ahead of them.

For Sellers: How to Prepare Your Home Before It Hits the Market

1. Locate a Previous Foundation Certification

One of the biggest hurdles for financing on manufactured homes is the foundation certification.

Many sellers don’t realize that traditional financing allows lenders to use an existing engineer’s foundation certification report regardless of its age, provided the home has not been moved or structurally altered since the report was completed.

Before listing your home:

  • Search your records for a previous foundation certification.
  • Ask prior owners if they have a copy.
  • Provide the report to your agent upfront.

If no report exists, consider obtaining one before listing. While there is a small cost involved, identifying any issues early is often far less expensive than discovering them in the middle of a transaction.

2. Verify Whether the Home Has Been Detitled

In Arkansas, manufactured homes must be converted from personal property to real property before they are eligible for most traditional mortgage financing.

This process is called “detitling.”

Before listing your home, contact the Arkansas DMV and provide your home’s serial number to determine whether the home has already been detitled.

Knowing this information early can prevent surprises once a buyer applies for financing.

3. Locate the HUD Data Plate and HUD Certification Labels

Most manufactured homes built after June 15, 1976, have HUD certification labels and a HUD data plate.

These items help verify the home’s identity and compliance with federal standards. You also need the serial number in order to check the title status.

Where to look:

HUD Certification Labels (HUD Tags):

  • Usually located on the exterior rear corner of each section of the home.
  • Often silver or red metal plates attached to the siding.

HUD Data Plate:

  • Commonly found inside a kitchen cabinet.
  • Inside a bedroom closet.
  • Near the electrical panel.
  • Utility room or laundry area.

Having these numbers available can save valuable time during the loan approval process.

For Buyers: What to Expect When Financing a Manufactured Home

Foundation Certifications May Be Required

Depending on the loan program, a foundation certification may be required to verify the home meets HUD permanent foundation standards. The truth is, the foundation certification is generally due within

If a previous certification exists, we may be able to use it. If not, a new report may need to be ordered.

This is one of the most common causes of delays, especially when engineers are booked several weeks out.

Detitling Issues Can Delay Closing

Another common issue occurs when the home has never been properly detitled and converted to real property.

Historically, this process can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks, which can significantly delay closing and create frustration for everyone involved.

There May Be Solutions Available

The good news is that we now work with a specialized partner company that can assist with detitling and affixation requirements in many situations.

As long as the current owner has access to the title, the process can often be handled much more efficiently than traditional methods, helping keep transactions on track.

Every situation is different, but having options available can make a huge difference when timelines matter.

The Bottom Line

Manufactured homes are financeable, and FHA financing is absolutely possible. The key is identifying potential issues before they become last-minute obstacles.

For sellers, that means locating foundation reports, confirming detitling status, and gathering HUD information before listing.

For buyers, it means understanding that manufactured homes have additional requirements and working with a lender who knows how to navigate them.

If you’re considering buying or selling a manufactured home in Arkansas and want to know what issues could affect financing, I’m always happy to review the property and help you create a game plan before you spend money on inspections, appraisals, or engineering reports.

Contact The French Team at 479-326-1443

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