United States, October 1, 2025
News Summary
A national review of financing options for mobile and manufactured homes highlights a range of government-backed, conventional, chattel and renovation loan products and wide variation in land and credit requirements. Puerto Rico launched a 14-center Manufacturing HUB network offering training, advisory services and capital access for small and midsize firms. A regional carrier will begin daily nonstop service linking St. Croix and San Juan with multiple round trips, boosting connectivity. Philippine manufacturing data show accelerating output and value growth driven by food and transport equipment sectors. The briefing underscores implications for housing access, supply chains and regional connectivity.
Quick take: A nationwide review of mobile and manufactured home lenders highlights top loan options and rules to watch, a new manufacturing support network launched in Puerto Rico, a regional airline expanded service between St. Croix and San Juan, and Philippine factory output showed steady gains in May.
Mobile and manufactured home lending — what the review found
A recent, wide-ranging review of mobile and manufactured home mortgage lenders analyzed almost two dozen companies across the country and scored each on a one-to-five scale. Reviewers used public data, lender websites and direct contacts with lender representatives to confirm details. The review rated lenders across six weighted categories: loan options (20%), property requirements (20%), geographic availability (15%), land requirements (15%), credit score requirements (15%) and ratings/reviews (15%). Readers are encouraged to read the full methodology to understand the approach.
The review notes that mobile and manufactured homes can provide an affordable path to homeownership, but financing often resembles that for site-built homes and varies by lender and by the type and location of the home. Available financing types include government-backed and conventional mortgages, chattel loans, and in some cases personal loans or other specialty products. Typical qualifying factors are credit score, debt-to-income ratio, loan-to-value, and down payment. The review reported general qualifying ranges: credit scores from about 500 to 680, down payments up to 35%, and the expectation that debt-to-income should usually be 50% or lower to ensure payment ability. Some lenders require owned land or a permanent foundation; others allow leased land or placement in parks.
Top-rated lenders from the analysis include:
- CrossCountry Mortgage (NMLS #3029) — highest score, 5 out of 5. The firm was noted for a wide mix of loan products, higher loan amounts, flexible credit, down payment and property rules, and a nationwide footprint serving all 50 states. Customer review counts were strong on major review platforms.
- Cascade Mortgage (NMLS #89599) — 4.5 out of 5. Noted for flexible home, credit and property terms and for portfolio products such as LandSmart that let buyers purchase home and land together. Also offers construction-to-permanent loans for building on bought land.
- 21st Mortgage (NMLS #2280) — highlighted for long experience and high loan volume in the sector; reported to be a top issuer for many years and to carry strong business ratings and customer reviews. Also offers insurance options tied to loans.
- Manufactured Nationwide (NMLS #411500) — offers government-backed, jumbo, renovation and equity options, and can provide up to $50,000 in extra funding before or after closing; serves customers nationwide but requires owned land (no rented or park land).
- Credit Human (NMLS #486243) — provides refinancing, cash-out refinance, home equity loans and first mortgages; allows both owned and leased land and can finance primary, second and vacation homes.
- Guild Mortgage (NMLS #3274) — noted for a low credit score minimum among analyzed lenders (around 540) and strong customer reviews; serves 49 states and offers a 17-day express closing option.
- Rocket Mortgage (NMLS #3030) — commonly appears on general mortgage “best of” lists but, for mobile or manufactured homes, its products are usually limited to FHA, VA and conventional loans, which may not fit many mobile-home purchases.
- CIS Home Loans (NMLS #93140) — wide variety of loans and strong reviews but a limited geographic footprint (about 26 states) and an owned-land-only requirement kept it from scoring among the highest.
The review also flagged that not every lender will finance every type of mobile dwelling. For lending purposes, three categories commonly appear: mobile homes, manufactured homes (based on build date and standards), and park model homes. Those differences, plus whether land is owned or leased or whether the home has a permanent foundation, will affect which loan products are available.
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Puerto Rico launches a Manufacturing HUB network
A new Manufacturing HUB initiative launched to support small and midsize manufacturers across Puerto Rico. The program, created in partnership with a major university and the U.S. Small Business Administration, will operate through 14 service centers that form a network of business development hubs. The centers will offer training, advisory services and help accessing capital guarantee programs and local economic incentives.
Planned offerings include in-person and online courses on supply chain management, continuous improvement, human resources, quality and process standardization. The program aims to help companies develop business models, secure capital and tap technical assistance. More than 70 business owners and support organizations attended the launch, which included presentations and practical advice from local entrepreneurs. Organizers framed the effort as a way to boost local manufacturing, strengthen talent, and expand access to regional markets.
New St. Croix–San Juan flights to boost travel and business ties
A regional carrier operating under U.S. Part 135 is adding a daily nonstop service linking St. Croix’s airport with San Juan International Airport, effective September 15, 2025. The route will offer three round trips daily, targeting leisure, business and medical travelers. Passengers arriving in San Juan through the carrier will use an exclusive entry at Jet Aviation, with a complimentary shuttle to the main terminal for onward connections. The carrier began Caribbean regional operations in 2023 and has expanded since, saying the San Juan link will improve access to Puerto Rico’s cities, services and tourist offerings and strengthen regional economic ties.
Philippine manufacturing: May output rises
Preliminary industry survey results showed improvement in Philippine factory output for May. The volume of production index (VoPI) rose 4.9% year over year in May, up from 4.3% in April and 4.2% in May of the previous year. The value of production index (VaPI) increased 4.5%, also faster than recent months. The acceleration was led largely by food product manufacturing, which posted double-digit growth and contributed notably to the VaPI increase.
Other sectors with strong year-over-year gains included leather goods, wood and bamboo products, tobacco, electrical equipment, furniture, computers and electronics, fabricated metals and basic pharmaceuticals. Chemicals and chemical products moved from previously reported gains into a reported decline in the preliminary May reading. Year-to-date VoPI and VaPI stood at 1.8% and 2.3%, respectively. Average capacity utilization was 76.9%, with about 35% of establishments operating at 90–100% capacity, 40.7% at 70–89%, and 24.4% below 70%.
Context on housing supply and manufactured-home policy
Housing inventory declined by about 1.3% in August, and economists continue to note a lack of affordable homes as a major supply challenge. Some industry groups have proposed changes to federal legislation and urged local zoning reforms to reduce barriers that can block placement of manufactured homes. Recently, several states enacted zoning changes aimed at making manufactured housing easier to place where it was previously restricted. Analysts say broader acceptance of factory-built homes could help ease local affordability shortages.
Notes on sources and dates
The items summarized here were compiled from multiple reports, press releases and published updates with mixed dates. Readers should check original lender terms, program details and official announcements for the most current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What loan types are commonly available for mobile and manufactured homes?
A: Options commonly include government-backed loans (FHA, VA), conventional mortgages, chattel loans for homes not treated as real estate, renovation or equity products in some cases, and sometimes personal loans for smaller purchases.
Q: Which lenders scored highest in the reviewed ranking?
A: The top-scoring lender earned a perfect five out of five and was recognized for product variety, flexible credit rules and national reach. Several other lenders scored highly for niche products like land-and-home loans and construction-to-permanent financing.
Q: What services will the Puerto Rico Manufacturing HUB provide?
A: The HUB network will offer training, technical guidance, help with accessing capital guarantee programs and local incentives, plus seminars on supply chain, quality standards and workforce issues via 14 service centers.
Q: When does the new St. Croix–San Juan air service start and how often does it run?
A: Service is scheduled to begin on September 15, 2025, with three round trips offered daily and an exclusive arrival process through a fixed-base operation at the San Juan airport.
Q: How did Philippine factory output perform in May?
A: Preliminary figures showed a 4.9% annual rise in production volume and a 4.5% rise in production value, driven mainly by stronger food manufacturing and other expanding sectors.
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Key features at a glance
| Topic | Key points | Dates / Timelines | Numbers to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile/manufactured home lending | Nationwide review of nearly two dozen lenders; scored by loan options, property & land rules, credit, availability and reviews. | Review is recent; check lenders for current terms. | Score scale 1–5; credit range ~500–680; down payments up to 35%. |
| Puerto Rico Manufacturing HUB | Networked service centers offering training, advisory help and access to capital and incentives. | Program launch and rollout via 14 centers (launch event attended by 70+ stakeholders). | 14 service centers; 70+ attendees at launch. |
| St. Croix–San Juan air link | New nonstop service designed for leisure, business and medical travel with exclusive arrival handling. | Service effective September 15, 2025. | 3 round trips daily; exclusive Jet Aviation arrivals with shuttle to main terminal. |
| Philippine manufacturing (May) | Production and value indices improved; several sectors posted strong gains led by food manufacturing. | Preliminary May results; YTD figures reported through May. | VoPI +4.9% (May); VaPI +4.5% (May); capacity utilization 76.9%. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- News Is My Business — SBTDC launches Manufacturing HUB (Puerto Rico)
- Wikipedia: Puerto Rico manufacturing
- Travel and Tour World — St. Croix to San Juan air link (Fly The Whale)
- Google Search: St. Croix San Juan air service
- GMA Network — Philippine manufacturing posts faster growth (May 2025)
- Google Scholar: Philippine manufacturing growth May 2025
- News Is My Business — Puerto Rico legislator calls for review of toll contract (manufacturing)
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Puerto Rico toll contract manufacturing
- NM Political Report — Diminishing returns in the San Juan Basin (energy)
- Google News: San Juan Basin diminishing returns
Author: Construction TX News
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