Housing: What to Look For When Buying a Manufactured Home

Many consumer complaints involving manufactured homes are about allegations of dealer fraud or misrepresentation.

When buying a manufactured home follow these steps:

1. Read carefully all the documents before signing. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions. If you don’t understand what the documents say, tell the salesperson that you want someone else to check the documents before you sign them.

2. Make sure the house you buy is the same model, year, and size you agreed to buy. This includes being approved for the home you initially wanted.

3. Make sure, the salesperson did not falsify any loan application information. Be careful about the designation of down payment in the loan application. An example of this practice is calling the down payment “a sales fee.”

4. Make sure that the actual price of the home is the price originally quoted.

5. Make sure that the terms and conditions of the sale are the same or better than those discussed.

6. Make sure that there are no additional costs, fees or higher interest than agreed. Example of costs and fees include insurance, warranties, property insurance, and home or appliance repair plans.

7. Do not sign blank documents.

8. After you sign the documents, get copies of all sale documents and contracts.

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