Recent updates to the selling guides for Fannie Mae’s MH Advantage® and Freddie Mac’s CHOICEHome® programs deserve real recognition for promoting the development of more affordable homeownership opportunities. Under the guidance of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continue to listen to manufacturers, lenders, and advocates and act on that feedback to make homeownership more accessible.
By aligning MH Advantage and CHOICEHome standards for modern factory-built homes, the Enterprises are promoting consistency, transparency, and efficiency across the market. For homebuilders, this reduces friction and uncertainty. For lenders, it simplifies underwriting and delivery. And for homebuyers, it means clearer pathways to fair, equitable mortgage financing for high-quality factory-built homes.
We also applaud the new exception for infill lots, which recognizes the realities of building in established neighborhoods. When an existing infill lot cannot accommodate features like an attached garage, driveway, or sidewalk, those elements are no longer required. This practical update removes unnecessary barriers to placing homes on vacant or underutilized lots within developed communities – precisely where attainable homeownership options are often most needed.
Paired with the allowance of single-section CrossMod® homes, these changes are a big step toward supporting more affordable development in existing neighborhoods. It’s encouraging to see FHFA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac continue to identify solutions that work better for homebuyers, builders, and lenders while helping the factory-built housing market reach its full potential.