Given their competitive price point (compared to other methods of construction) and quick build times, buying a manufactured home in the Dallas - Fort Worth area can be a wise decision. With any purchase of that size (the cheapest manufactured home in the Dallas metro area starts just shy of $60,000), it is good to make sure that you’ve done your research before making a decision.

Before buying a home, some key things that you should understand are: What are the regulations like in the Dallas area? How will you pay for your home? Where will you place your home? Where can I buy a mobile home in Dallas - Fort Worth? What homes are available in my area? Once you are able to answer these primary questions, you can feel more confident that you are making an educated decision.

To help buyers learn what the market for manufactured homes is like in the Dallas - Fort Worth area we have created a guide to cover the most important steps of the process. Below, our guide is broken into sections on local manufactured housing regulations, financing, a list of local sellers, and a list of the popular manufactured home brands in Central Texas (along with links to an in-depth review of each builder).

Manufactured Homes for Sale in Dallas

Dallas - Fort Worth Manufactured Housing Regulations

Before deep-diving into the world of Dallas manufactured housing, it is important to be clear on what exactly a manufactured home is. A manufactured home is a house that is built off-site to federally set HUD building code. This code was implemented in 1976 with the intention of standardizing and regulating the construction of what, at the time, was called mobile homes. 

Because manufactured homes are built to a different set of standards from other site-built and prefabricated homes, they often face different zoning restrictions. As such, it is important to understand your city’s regulations regarding manufactured homes. Below we have included links to manufactured/mobile home zoning information for different cities in the Dallas Ft. Worth area.

• Arlington Mobile Home Zoning Regulations

• Dallas Mobile Home Zoning Regulations

• Fort Worth Mobile Home Zoning Regulations

• Frisco Mobile Home Zoning Regulations

• Grapevine Mobile Home Zoning Regulations

• Plano Mobile Home Zoning Regulations

If you plan to place your home outside of an area specifically zoned for manufactured housing, you should first check with your local zoning board. That way, you can check that your property is zoned accordingly.

Financing a Manufactured Home in Dallas - Fort Worth

One important question when buying a manufactured home is how will you pay for it. In the Dallas area, we typically see manufactured homes cost between $63 - $152 per square foot, with an average cost of around $82 per square foot. Add to that costs for permitting, shipping, and installation, and depending on where you are placing it, site development costs and even the most affordable manufactured home require a significant amount of capital.

While the option always exists to pay for your home with cash, for many, this is not a realistic option. So what financing options are available for a manufactured home in Dallas? Unlike site-built homes and modular homes that can be financed with a construction loan and mortgage, manufactured homes are often not eligible for this type of financing. And while individuals can access alternative financing through options like personal loans or lines of credit, this is not always sufficient (or the best option).

When looking to finance a manufactured home with products intended for mobile homes, some loan types to look for include:

• FHA Title I Loan

• Use: Can be used to purchase or refinance a manufactured home, a developed lot on which to place a manufactured home or a manufactured home and lot in combination. The home must be used as the principal residence of the borrower. Also, buyers can lease a lot as opposed to purchasing it. When the land/lot is leased, HUD requires the lessor to provide the manufactured homeowner with an initial lease term of 3 years.

• Max Loan Amount(s):

• Manufactured home only - $69,678

• Manufactured home lot - $23,226

• Manufactured home & lot - $92,904

• Max Loan Term:

• Manufactured home only (or on a single-section lot) - 20 years

• Lot only - 15 years

• Manufactured home on a multi-section lot - 25 years

• Requirements: Borrowers must meet the lender financing requirements (for criteria like credit score and LTV).

• FHA Title II Loan

• Use: Must be used to purchase a manufactured home and a building lot on which to place it.

• Max Loan Amount(s):

• Max Loan Term: Up to 30 years

• Requirements: The home must be at least 400 square feet, must be built and remain on a permanent chassis, and be the borrower’s primary residence. Borrowers must meet lending criteria related to LTV and credit score.

• Fannie Mae MH Advantage Program

• Description: Loan to cover the purchase of manufactured homes that meet certain building criteria. Typically, interest rates tend to be lower than other loan products

• Max Loan Term: 30 years

• Borrower Requirements: up to 97% LTV, minimum 620 credit score

• Home Requirements:  labeled as an MH Advantage eligible home, at least 600 square feet, be placed on owned, not leased, land

• Freddie Mac Home Possible Mortgage Program

• Description: Conventional financing for low and moderate income buyers of manufactured homes. Can be used for either primary or secondary residences.

• Max Loan Term: 30 years

• Requirements: A minimum of 5% down payment and buyers must meet lending criteria such as minimum credit scores and LTV amounts.

• Chattel Mortgage

• Description: A loan for a manufactured home or other piece of movable property such as machinery or car

• Max Loan Term: 20 years

• Borrower Requirements: Must meet borrower requirements (minimum credit score 575) & the home must remain on a permanent chassis.

Depending on your personal circumstances, buyers in rural areas may also be able to receive a USDA-backed loan to purchase a manufactured home in Dallas. Alternatively, veterans may also be able to receive a VA loan.

To find a HUD approved lender in the Dallas - Fort Worth area, you can search their lender database. Because many of these loans have special requirements, both for borrowers and for the homes themselves, it can be helpful to work with a lender in the Dallas area who is experienced in financing manufactured housing.

Manufactured Home Retailers in Dallas - Fort Worth

Thanks to Dallas’ large market for manufactured housing, you have a number of retail centers in the Dallas - Fort Worth area to choose from. As each location specializes in selling manufactured homes, there are several criteria that you can use to compare retailers. This includes proximity to your location, past customers’ reviews, and what brands of homes they sell. In Dallas - Ft. Worth, manufactured homes are sold at the following locations:

While the home you purchase is influenced by personal preference (size, style, budget), in Dallas you have many retailers to choose from. To determine the best sales center for your project, some questions you might want to ask include:

• How long is the home covered under warranty?

• What services are completed by the retailer vs. 3rd parties?

• In the event that you are placing your home on undeveloped land, can the retailer complete the necessary site work (land clearing, preparing utility connections, laying a foundation)? If they do not, can they recommend a qualified contractor?

• Are you able to work with them to develop a personalized manufactured home or do you have to buy a model directly from their lot inventory?

• If you can order a personalized manufactured home, how long is the waiting period until it is ready and can be shipped and installed?

Manufactured Home Brands for Sale in Dallas

(Best Manufactured Homes in Texas)

Athens Homes ● Buccaneer Homes ● Cavalier Homes ● Cavco Homes ● Champion Homes ● Clayton Homes ● CMH Manufacturing ● Deer Valley Homes ● Fleetwood Homes ● Golden West Homes ● Hamilton ● Heckaman Homes ● Homeco ● Homes of Merit ● Jessup Housing ● Karsten Homes ● Legacy Housing ● Marlette Homes ● Meridian Homes ● MHE ● New Vision Manufacturing ● NXT Homes ● Oak Creek Homes ● Oakwood Homes ● Palm Harbor Homes ● Redman Homes ● Ritz-Craft Homes ● Schult Homes ● Skyline Homes ● Solitaire Homes ● Southern Homes ● Southern Energy Homes ● Sunshine Homes ● Tiny House Outlet ● TRU ● Wide Shed

Floor Plans for Sale

For more resources related to new prefab home construction in Dallas - Ft. Worth area, see our articles on:

• Modular Homes for Sale in Texas

• Tiny Homes for Sale in Texas

• Container Homes for Sale in Texas

• Guide to Building a Prefab Home in Dallas - Fort Worth

Or, for project-specific assistance with your project, speak with a member of our Prefab Coaching program.