Freddie Mac expands financing for relocated manufactured homes, drawing praise from Nevada real estate leaders

Nevada REALTORS® applauded a significant policy change by Freddie Mac last week that expanded conventional financing options for manufactured homes relocated from their original sites, a move expected to boost affordable homeownership across the state.

Freddie Mac updated its mortgage requirements to permit eligible conventional financing for manufactured homes that were moved from another location. For decades, conventional financing was largely unavailable for such properties, leaving prospective buyers with limited options, such as cash purchases or VA loans for eligible veterans.

Real estate leaders noted the change aimed to remove a long-standing barrier in the housing market, expanding the pool of qualified buyers while improving the marketability and value of manufactured homes. Officials highlighted that these properties serve as a crucial source of affordable housing, particularly in Nevada’s rural communities.

“This is a tremendous victory for manufactured housing, rural communities and affordable homeownership,” Nevada REALTORS® CEO Tiffany Banks said. “A manufactured home doesn’t become less of a home simply because it was moved. What matters is whether it is structurally sound, properly installed and meets the appropriate safety and property requirements.”

Banks emphasized that expanding conventional financing for eligible homes gave qualified buyers more choices while protecting the value of an essential segment of the housing supply.

The previous restrictions affected more than just prospective buyers. Because the pool of qualified purchasers was severely limited, existing manufactured-home owners often found it difficult to sell their properties, which negatively impacted local marketability.

Banks credited the organization’s executive board—particularly Board Treasurer Marissa Lostra—for collaborating with manufactured-housing industry leaders, real estate professionals, lenders and legislators to address and ultimately help overturn the financing restrictions.

Nevada REALTORS® President Sarah Scatinni noted that manufactured housing remained one of the few viable paths to homeownership for many lower- and middle-income families.

“This is about more than another mortgage product,” Scatinni said. “It is about giving families more choices, protecting existing affordable housing and recognizing manufactured housing as a legitimate and important part of America’s housing solution.”