Economics

Mobile and manufactured homes can offer an affordable path to homeownership. But just because they come with lower price tags than traditionally built homes doesn’t mean you won’t need help financing the purchase. As with standard properties, there are many loans that can help you finance the cost of your mobile or manufactured home. From government-backed and conventional mortgages to chattel loans and even personal loans, you have several options to fund this type of home. If you’re looking to buy a mobile home or manufactured home, here are the best lenders to help you do it. What to know about mobile home loans There are many types of manufactured and mobile home loan options, including conventional mortgages, government-backed mortgages, personal loans, chattel loans and more. The right type of loan will depend on the type of property you’re buying, its location and the year it was built. Requirements for mobile home loans can vary widely, and some lenders allow credit scores as low as 500. How we chose our top picks Money reviewed over 20 mobile home and manufactured home mortgage lenders throughout the U.S., using publicly available data, lender websites and lender representatives to confirm data accuracy. We then used factors such as product variety, home and land requirements, credit requirements, reputation and geographic availability to score each lender on a one-to-five scale. What you see below are the top companies that emerged. Please read our full methodology to learn more about our approach. Our top picks for the best mobile home loans of October 2025 CrossCountry Mortgage: Best Overall Cascade Mortgage: Best for Buying Land + Property 21st Mortgage: Best for Customer Service Manufactured Nationwide: Best for Loan Variety Credit Human: Best for Existing Homeowners Guild Mortgage: Best for Low Credit Borrowers Pros Wide loan variety and high loan amounts Low credit score and down payment minimums Flexible land and property requirements Serves all 50 states Great reviews and ratings Cons Mobile home loan info is sparse on its website No advertised interest rates HIGHLIGHTS Loan products Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, non-QM, chattel, home and land loans Maximum loan amount $3.5 million Terms 10-30 years for fixed-rate loans, 3-10 years for adjustable-rate loans Credit score minimum 500 States served 50 Home requirements Primary residences, second homes, investment properties, new homes, used homes, permanent foundation, non-permanent foundation Land requirements Owned land, leased land Why we chose it: CrossCountry Mortgage (NMLS #3029) is the clear winner for best mobile home lender, scoring a perfect 5 out of 5 on our rating scale. The lender boasts a wide variety of loans and high loan amounts. Its credit, down payment, property and land requirements are flexible, and it serves all 50 states, too. Its ratings are also notable, with a whopping five stars on over 22,000 customer reviews on Zillow. Pros Several loan options Low credit score requirements Flexible land and property requirements Great reviews and ratings Cons Only serves 40 states No advertised interest rates No conventional loans HIGHLIGHTS Loan products FHA, VA, chattel, construction-to-permanent, home-and-land loans Maximum loan amount Not disclosed Terms Up to 30 years Credit score minimum 575 States served 40 Home requirements Primary residences, second homes, investment properties, new homes, used homes, permanent foundation, non-permanent foundation Land requirements Owned land, leased land Why we chose it: Cascade Mortgage (NMLS #89599) scores a solid 4.5 out of 5 on our rating scale — the second-highest score out of all mobile home lenders we analyzed. The company offers flexible home, credit and property requirements, and its ratings and reviews are strong. If you’re looking to finance land as part of your home purchase, it’s a top-notch choice. The lender’s LandSmart portfolio loan lets you purchase your home and land simultaneously, or if you’re hoping to build a property on land you’re buying, its construction-to-permanent loan is another solid option. Pros Deep experience in mobile home lending Flexible land and property requirements Low credit score minimum Great reviews and ratings Cons Only serves 46 states No advertised interest rates No government-backed mortgages HIGHLIGHTS Loan products Home-only loans, home-and-land loans, refinancing Maximum loan amount Not disclosed Terms Up to 25 years for home-only loans; up to 30 years for home-and-land loans Credit score minimum 575 States served 46 Home requirements Primary residences, second homes, investment properties, new homes, used homes, permanent foundation, non-permanent foundation Land requirements Owned land, leased land Why we chose it: You can’t find a lender more experienced in mobile home lending than 21st Mortgage (NMLS #2280). The lender has issued the most mobile and manufactured home loans by volume for the last 14 years, according to the Manufactured Housing Institute, and judging by its reviews and ratings, 21st excels at customer service. The lender boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.6 rating on Google, and it can even provide insurance for your new home. Pros Wide loan variety High loan amounts Serves all 50 states Great reviews and ratings Cons Higher credit score minimum than other lenders analyzed No leased land or mobile home parks No non-permanent foundations HIGHLIGHTS Loan products FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction, cash-out, rehab/renovation, home equity Maximum loan amount $3 million Terms Up to 30 years Credit score minimum 640 States served 50 Home requirements Permanent foundation required Land requirements Owned land, no leased land or mobile home parks Why we chose it: Manufactured Nationwide’s (NMLS #411500) lineup of loan options is unmatched, offering a slate of government-backed loans, jumbo loans and even renovation and home equity options. It also provides up to $50,000 in extra funding (before or after closing) and serves customers nationwide. Just take note: Manufactured Nationwide doesn’t allow for rented or mobile home park land, so you’ll need to own or purchase land to use this lender. Pros Wide loan variety Flexible land and property requirements No loan maximums Cons No government-backed loan options Higher credit score minimum than other lenders analyzed Only serves 41 states Customer reviews could be better HIGHLIGHTS

* Company reviews and categories are based on information collected between March and April 2025. The sample rates currently featured are based on the most recent government data on reverse mortgages, issued in June 2025. Reverse mortgages are one of the many tools you can use to access your home equity and turn it into cash — but not everyone can use them. With reverse mortgages, only homeowners of a certain age are eligible. For the government-backed kind — called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) — you must be at least 62 to qualify. Other lenders offer proprietary options that allow seniors 55 and up to apply. For those who are eligible, they can be helpful tools as you enter retirement, giving you access to much-needed cash at a time when your income might be limited. And the best part? They come with no monthly payments. Are you considering a reverse mortgage? Here are the best lenders to choose from. What to know about reverse mortgages Reverse mortgages allow you to turn your home equity into cash. You can receive the funds as a one-time payment, monthly payments, a line of credit or a combination of these options. Only seniors are eligible — those 62 and up for HECMs and 55 and up for proprietary programs. There are no monthly payments with reverse mortgages. You only repay the money once you sell the house, move out permanently or die. Major banks or credit unions don’t typically offer reverse mortgages, so you’ll need to shop around to ensure you get the best deal. How we chose our top picks Our editors and writers reviewed over 20 reverse mortgage lenders throughout the U.S., using government data, lender websites and lender representatives to confirm data accuracy. We then used factors such as product variety, interest rates, reputation, maximum loan amounts, age requirements and geographic availability to score each lender on a one-to-five scale. What you see below are the top companies that emerged. Read our full methodology to learn more about our approach. Our picks for the best reverse mortgage companies of October 2025 Finance of America: Best Overall Northwest Reverse Mortgage: Best for Comparison Shopping Longbridge Financial: Best for Coverage Options South River Mortgage: Best for Refinancers Guild Mortgage: Best for Low Rates Fairway: Best for Homebuyers Best reverse mortgage companies reviews Pros 55 age minimum No notable regulatory actions or lawsuits Strong reviews and ratings Cons Middle-of-the-road interest rates Not available in all 50 states HIGHLIGHTS Product types HECM, proprietary/jumbo reverse mortgage, second-lien credit line Maximum loan amount $4 million Minimum age 55 Average HECM rate (June 2025) 6.33% Why we chose it: Finance of America (NMLS #2285) scored the highest among all the reverse mortgage companies we considered, earning a 4.4 out of 5 rating. Its loan product variety, wide availability, strong ratings and variety of online resources and tools make it a good option for a large swath of potential borrowers. It also has a strong reputation in the industry and has no NMLS actions or notable lawsuits to its name within the last five years. Pros Wide variety of products 55 age minimum Strong reviews and ratings Cons Only available in 28 states No rate data available HIGHLIGHTS Product types HECM, HECM for purchase, proprietary/jumbo reverse mortgage (four different kinds) Maximum loan amount $4 million Minimum age 55 Average rates (June 2025) Not available Number of states served 28 Why we chose it: If you’re looking for choices, Northwest Reverse Mortgage (NMLS #347051) is the company to consider. The niche mortgage broker offers access to an expansive list of reverse mortgage options, including HECMs for purchase and four kinds of proprietary and jumbo reverse mortgages, including some from Finance of America and Longbridge (other winners on our list). The only drawback is its limited geographic availability. Borrowers in just 28 states can use Northwest’s services. Pros 55 age minimum Available in all 50 states Strong reviews and ratings Cons Middle-of-the-road interest rates HIGHLIGHTS Product types HECM, HECM for purchase, proprietary/jumbo reverse mortgage Maximum loan amount $5 million Minimum age 55 Average rates (June 2025) 6.16% Number of states served 50 Why we chose it: Regardless of where you live in the U.S., Longbridge Financial (NMLS # 957935) is a solid choice for reverse mortgage loans, lending to borrowers in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. The lender recently announced a new proprietary reverse mortgage product called Platinum Preserve, which allows borrowers to reserve a portion of their home equity, setting aside 10% to 40% of equity for the future while maintaining a fixed rate. With strong reviews and ratings, Longbridge is a great option for new borrowers just starting out. Pros Low interest rates Lots of experience in HECM refinances Strong reviews and ratings Cons Not available in all 50 states HIGHLIGHTS Product types HECM, HECM for refinance, proprietary/jumbo reverse mortgage Maximum loan amount $4 million Minimum age 55 Average rates (June 2025) 6.25% Number of states served 28 Why we chose it: If you already have a HECM and are considering refinancing to access more cash or get a better interest rate, South River Mortgage (NMLS #1854524) is worth a look. The lender has extensive experience with HECMs for refinancing, strong online ratings and no regulatory actions against it. South River also came in with some of the lowest average interest rates of all the lenders we analyzed. Pros Low interest rates Very strong reviews and ratings Wide product variety Cons Not available in New York HIGHLIGHTS Product types HECM, HECM for purchase, HECM for refinance, proprietary/jumbo reverse mortgage Maximum loan amount $4 million Minimum age 62 Average rates (June 2025) 6.12% Number of states served 49 Why we chose it: Among large, nationwide reverse mortgage lenders, Guild Mortgage (NMLS #3274) offered the lowest HECM rates, with an average of just 6.25% in February 2025. Guild is also highly accessible, serving 49 states, has no regulatory actions against it in recent history, and boasts strong customer

The financial professionals who contribute to Kiplinger’s Adviser Intel recently wrote about myths about annuities, Boomers’ retirement reality check and OBBB changes to federal student loans.

If you’re about to insure your first motorcycle and you already own a car, you’ll find some aspects of the process and the policy to be similar. In other respects, though, the coverage will be nearly as different as traveling on two wheels rather than four. The similarities between insuring a motorcycle and a car begin with the overwhelming likelihood that you’ll be required to do so. Only New Hampshire (the sole state without mandatory car insurance) and Florida don’t require that motorcycles be insured. (Both states do, however, require bikers — and drivers — who don’t carry insurance to prove that they have sufficient financial resources to cover potential liability in an accident.) Auto and motorcycle insurance share the same basic components. The core — and usually mandatory — protection is liability coverage (including bodily injuries and property damage to others). In addition, you can protect your car or bike against accident damage with collision coverage, and against non-collision events like theft or fire with comprehensive coverage. Other options cover injuries you or your passengers sustain in an accident. Also, as some owners of sports cars and RVs do, you can choose to insure your motorcycle for only part of the year. This can reduce your annual premiums, but may be too risky in other respects to be worth the savings. While these basics are roughly similar, motorcycle insurance departs from insuring a car in other, important ways. These can affect the cost of a policy and the protection it offers. Here’s a rundown of some key differences and what they may mean to you. Policies generally cost less Generally, you’ll pay less to insure a motorcycle than a car. One big reason why is the lower propensity for motorcycles to injure other people or damage their property. That reality makes liability coverage generally less costly for two-wheeled vehicles. (Of course, one counterpoint to that is the injury record for motorcycles. Motorcycle riders and passengers are five times more likely to be injured in accidents than people in cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.) The lower value of motorcycles compared with cars also helps keep premiums down. While it’s possible to pay as much for a motorbike as for an automobile, the average bike in 2024 was only a quarter as expensive as the average car: $12,000 compared with $48,000. That lower value reduces the cost of many claims under the collision and comprehensive components of motorcycle insurance. You must look into coverage for your passengers When insuring a car, mandatory bodily injury liability coverage may cover costs like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if your passengers are hurt in an accident. With motorcycle insurance, by contrast, passenger coverage isn’t always a given. Depending on where you live, your required liability coverage might extend to your passengers. But that’s not standard coverage like it is with car insurance. It’s also possible that your passengers who are injured in an accident where another driver is at fault will be fully compensated for their injuries from that driver’s insurance (assuming you don’t live in a no-fault state). The odds are you’ll have to pay extra for passenger protection. There are two options: You can buy personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers up to a certain limit, regardless of who caused the accident. The other option is medical payments coverage, or “MedPay.” This type of coverage is more limited in scope than PIP, including medical bills but likely not lost wages or other expenses. However, it’s important to note that not all states offer PIP or MedPay coverage. If your insurer doesn’t offer these options when you’re shopping for a policy, you should ask about this coverage, which is recommended even if you only ride with a passenger occasionally. Accessories coverage can be especially important Compared to a car, there’s more opportunity — and, for many, more appeal — to personalizing a factory-equipped motorcycle with modifications like custom graphics, seats, wheels and exhaust systems. If such a tricked-out bike is in your garage or on your bucket list, it’s important to review what’s covered under the standard terms of your insurance policy so you can add any coverage that’s needed to protect your investment. While some motorcycle insurance policies, especially ones that include collision and comprehensive components, include custom parts or equipment (CPE) coverage, it’s not always a given. You may find it worthwhile to purchase a special CPE add-on. This additional protection may also be a good idea if the types of accessories or value of the CPE coverage that comes standard with your policy falls short of what you’d need if you have to repair, restore or replace your modifications. You also need to consider the possibility of theft or damage to your motorcycle helmet, especially if you have one of the high-end models that can cost up to $1,000. If your helmet is stolen from or damaged in your home, for example, it may be covered under your homeowners insurance, subject to your deductible of course. But if it’s damaged while you’re on the road or storing the helmet on your parked bike, your homeowners insurance may not provide coverage for it. To fully protect the helmet, you’ll need to review the coverages under your motorcycle insurance policy, and purchase a CPE add-on as necessary.

From financial gifts to Roth withdrawal rules, here’s what income stays tax-free under the new Trump 2025 tax bill, and some information on what’s changed.

Did someone say spooky season? As you plan your Halloween costume and — let’s be honest — your candy diet for October, don’t forget to take a look at the Social Security payment schedule. Roughly 68 million Americans receive Social Security benefits every month, including about 9 out of every 10 people age 65 and up. Funds aren’t just for older folks, though. Payments go out to retirees, survivors of late workers, those with little to no resources, disabled workers, the blind, dependents and more. The average Social Security payments for those various groups of people vary, but data from August shows the typical retirement benefit was about $1,955. When will I get my October Social Security payment? Your Social Security payment date is determined by your birthday. If you were born on the first through the 10th of the month, you can expect to get your Social Security check on the second Wednesday of every month — in this case, Oct. 8. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th of the month, you can expect to get your Social Security check on the third Wednesday of every month — in this case, Oct. 15. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you can expect to get your Social Security check on the fourth Wednesday of every month — in this case, Oct. 22. Why are there two October SSI payments? Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, payments are usually paid on the first of each month. But because Nov. 1 falls on a Saturday, the November SSI payment has been moved up to the previous business day. This means beneficiaries will technically get two SSI checks in October: one on Oct. 1 and another on Oct. 31. This is a relatively common occurrence that has already happened several times this year. There’s nothing to worry about — beneficiaries are still receiving their full SSI payment for November; it’s just arriving at a different time than normal. Folks who get both SSI and Social Security, as well as those who initially claimed Social Security prior to May 1997, will receive their Social Security benefits on Nov. 3 as scheduled. Where is my October Social Security payment? Check the payment schedule above. If you think your money is missing, you can reach out to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA has both local offices and a toll-free national number. The national phone number is 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Pro tip: The agency says wait times are shortest in the morning, late in the week and late in the month. In any case, the SSA asks that you wait three mailing days before contacting it about a missing Social Security payment. Why is my October Social Security payment different? The SSA has begun cracking down on overpayment (when it sends more money than a person should technically receive). The agency announced it intended to start issuing overpayment notices on April 25, requesting the excess be paid back, and recipients who didn’t respond to them would see their benefits reduced by 50% 90 days later. That was July 24, meaning clawbacks have begun in earnest for some overpaid beneficiaries. Here’s Money’s expert-approved advice on what to do if you receive a Social Security overpayment notice. Another factor that could affect your Social Security check size is the fact that the SSA is sending out bigger monthly checks to nearly 3 million beneficiaries thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act, a law signed in January. The act eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which were intended to prevent folks with pensions from “double-dipping” on federal benefits. Payments were recalculated for certain recipients; most of these folks began receiving their increased checks in April. If you qualify for higher Social Security payments, you don’t have to do anything — the adjustment should have been automatic. What is DOGE doing with Social Security? President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, previously acting as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, spent the first half of the year on a quest to slash what they saw as excessive government spending. In February, Musk said he’d found “crazy things” in a “cursory examination” of the Social Security system, including “people in there that are 150 years old.” This is not entirely true: Although improper payments do (occasionally) go out, there are no 150-year-olds receiving benefits. Musk has since left the White House. This spring, a federal judge blocked DOGE staffers from accessing beneficiaries’ sensitive personal information in their bid to build an extensive database with details from the SSA, IRS and other agencies. But in June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned this ruling, giving DOGE access to data including medical records and Social Security numbers. These developments come amid a modernization effort at the Social Security Administration. Commissioner Frank Bisignano has said he intends to make the SSA a “digital-first” agency that leverages artificial intelligence for tasks like handling disability claims and answering the phone amid concerns about staffing. “Your bias has to be — because mine is — DOGE is helping make things better. It may not feel that way, but don’t believe everything you read,” the Federal News Network reported he said in late May. When will the 2026 COLA be announced? The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2026 will likely be announced Oct. 15. Intended to help benefits keep pace with rising costs, the Social Security COLA is based on inflation data from the third fiscal quarter, which includes July, August and September. Experts currently predict the COLA will be 2.7% or 2.8%. Once announced, the COLA will take effect for 2026, meaning it will first show up in a few beneficiaries’ Social Security payments in late December. The rest will see the raise starting in January. What is the SSA payment schedule for 2025? You can find the SSA’s

Here’s a list of federal tax deductions and credits that you can’t claim in the 2026 tax year. Plus, high-income earners could get hit by a ‘surprise’ tax bill.

Bank of America stock has been a massive buy-and-hold bust.

Delve into Morgan Housel’s new book for an understanding of the psychology that drives what we buy — and why that can lead to smarter money decisions.