Why does a lender ask whether a manufactured home was moved?
Because a move can affect how the home is financed and what the lender wants documented. Some programs may allow qualifying relocated homes subject to conditions, and your lender decides what applies to your file.
What worry sits behind the question?
Moving puts stress on the frame, the connections between sections, and the supports at the new site. A lender may want an engineer to say in writing whether the home was damaged, altered, or weakened by the move. That is the question a structural integrity report answers.
What might the lender ask for?
- Records of the move and the installation.
- Identifying records for the home.
- An engineer's report, in the words of the lender's written request.
- Any earlier reports, so the scope can be compared.
The exact wording matters. "Structural integrity report" can mean different things across loan programs, and a foundation certification is not necessarily the same assignment. Ask the lender to put the requirement in writing.
What should you tell the lender?
Tell the truth about what you know, and say what you do not know. If the move history is unknown, say that rather than assuming. Mention additions, big alterations, and any earlier engineer's report. These are things to discuss, not a test you are scoring yourself on.
Does an engineer's report guarantee a loan?
No. It supports the lender's review. The lender looks at the complete file and decides whether the home and loan meet its requirements, and we cannot promise eligibility or approval.
What if the lender has not said anything about a move?
You can still raise it. If you suspect a move, tell the lender early. Waiting until late in the process can leave little time for records or an inspection. Our guide on records that show a home was moved helps you collect what you can.
Who signs the report?
An engineer licensed in the state where the home sits: Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, or Indiana.
What should you do next?
Ask the lender for its written condition, then send it to us with the address. Our structural integrity report covers the inspection and the signed report. Send us the request. We reply within one business day.