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.
New lender rankings, a Puerto Rico manufacturing network, a new Caribbean air link and stronger Philippine factory output
A recent nationwide review of mobile and manufactured home lenders names a clear leader, while separate economic and transport moves in the Caribbean and Asia suggest shifting support for manufacturing and regional travel. The lender review highlights loan choices and qualification ranges for mobile‑type homes, a Puerto Rico initiative launches a 14‑center Manufacturing HUB to help small and midsize producers access training and capital, a regional carrier is adding a daily St. Croix–San Juan link with multiple round trips, and preliminary government data from the Philippines shows faster factory output growth in May.
Top-line findings from the lender review
A consumer finance review compared nearly two dozen lenders that offer financing for mobile homes, manufactured homes and park models. The review used public data, lender websites and direct checks with lender representatives, and it scored companies on a one‑to‑five scale across weighted categories including loan options, credit and property requirements, geographic availability and ratings and reviews.
The firm identified CrossCountry Mortgage as the top lender, earning a perfect 5 out of 5. The profile shows a wide array of loan products, high loan amounts, flexible credit and down payment rules, options for land and property requirements, and service across all 50 states. Customer review tallies cited for the lender include large numbers of positive Zillow reviews.
Other notable lenders with high scores include Cascade Mortgage (4.5), which offers LandSmart portfolio loans to buy home and land together and construction‑to‑permanent loans for building on purchased land; 21st Mortgage, a long‑standing specialist that ranks highest by loan volume over many years; and Manufactured Nationwide, which offers government, jumbo, renovation and home equity products and can provide up to $50,000 in extra funding around closing, though it requires owned land rather than rentals or park sites. Other lenders covered include Credit Human, Guild Mortgage, Rocket Mortgage (noted as limited to FHA, VA and conventional options for these home types), CIS Home Loans and several regional players.
The review notes that financing mobile and manufactured homes differs from traditional property lending. Options mentioned include government‑backed mortgages, conventional loans, chattel loans and even personal loans in some cases. General qualifying ranges cited include credit scores from roughly 500 to 680 and down payments up to about 35 percent; lenders may require specific home foundations or owned land and typically consider debt‑to‑income limits. Readers are directed to review the full methodology for details on scoring and data sources.
Puerto Rico launches Manufacturing HUB
A new Manufacturing HUB network will operate through 14 service centers across Puerto Rico to support small and midsize manufacturers. The program brings together a local small business and technology center, a university partner and federal small business resources to provide technical assistance, training, and access to capital guarantee programs and economic incentives.
The initiative will offer in‑person and online courses on supply chain, continuous improvement, human resources, quality, and process standardization. Planners say the HUB aims to help entrepreneurs learn about available aid, business planning and how to use incentive programs and capital access tools. The launch event attracted more than 70 business owners and support organizations and included practical presentations from local manufacturers on incentive use and operational challenges.
New daily air link between St. Croix and San Juan
A U.S. Part 135 scheduled carrier will begin daily nonstop flights connecting St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport with San Juan’s international field, starting September 15, 2025. The schedule is designed to provide three round trips per day to serve leisure, business and medical travelers, and to offer flexible timing for connections.
Aircraft arriving in San Juan from St. Croix will use a private aviation entry point to speed processing and avoid the main terminal, with a complimentary shuttle offered to transfer passengers to the main terminal for onward flights. The carrier has operated other short Caribbean routes since 2023 and positions this expansion as a way to improve regional access, boost visitor flows and provide faster access for island residents to urban services.
Philippine manufacturing shows faster growth in May
Preliminary manufacturing statistics show the volume of production index rose 4.9 percent year over year in May, faster than April and the prior‑year month. The value of production index was reported at 4.5 percent. Food manufacturing led gains and was the single largest contributor to the value index uptrend.
Several industry divisions posted strong annual gains in May, including leather and related products (+62.0 percent), wood and bamboo articles (+26.1 percent), tobacco products (+18.6 percent), electrical equipment (+13.9 percent), furniture (+13.1 percent) and transport equipment (+13.5 percent). Chemicals showed a reported shift to an annual decline. Average capacity utilization was reported at 76.9 percent, with roughly one‑third of factories operating near full capacity.
Methodology notes, context and disclosures
The lender review used public records, lender sites and communications with lender representatives to verify data and applied weighted categories to produce a one‑to‑five score for each lender. Scoring weights included loan options (20 percent), property requirements (20 percent), and other factors such as credit and land requirements, geographic reach and ratings or reviews.
Other context: some jurisdictions have recently adjusted zoning to allow more manufactured housing and trade groups have proposed federal amendments to address zoning and placement barriers. Declining housing inventory in some markets has been cited as a driver for greater interest in factory‑built housing as an affordable option.
Affiliate disclosure and lender notes
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a fee if you click on the links below. Compensation does not determine ranking. Not all brands are included.
Note: RateGravity Inc. DBA Own Up is listed with NMLS #1450805 and is described as offering a streamlined, 100 percent online loan application. © RateGravity Inc. DBA Own Up.
An ad‑style line in the reviewed material referenced finding an actual rate at Rocket Mortgage (NMLS #3030). CrossCountry Mortgage is listed with NMLS #3029; Cascade Mortgage is NMLS #89599; 21st Mortgage is NMLS #2280; Manufactured Nationwide is NMLS #411500; Credit Human is NMLS #486243; Guild Mortgage is NMLS #3274; CIS Home Loans is NMLS #93140.
Administrative contact block
Connect Physical Address
Money Group, LLC; Distrito T‑Mobile; 250 Convention Blvd; San Juan, PR 00907
Mailing: Metro Office Park, 7 calle 1, Suite 204, Guaynabo, PR 00968
FAQ
How do financing options differ for mobile and manufactured homes?
Financing can include government‑backed loans, conventional mortgages, chattel loans tied to the home, and sometimes personal loans. Requirements vary by lender and by whether land is owned or leased, and whether the home has a permanent foundation.
What should buyers expect for credit and down payment requirements?
Reported qualifying ranges across lenders include credit scores from roughly 500 to 680 and down payments up to about 35 percent. Exact thresholds depend on the lender and program chosen.
What services will the Puerto Rico Manufacturing HUB provide?
The HUB will deliver training and advisory services across 14 centers, both in person and online, covering supply chain, quality, human resources and process standardization, and will help firms access capital guarantees and incentive programs.
When does the new St. Croix–San Juan air service begin and what are its features?
Service begins September 15, 2025, with three round trips daily. Passengers arriving in San Juan on this carrier can use a private aviation entry point and a complimentary shuttle to the main terminal.
What did the Philippine manufacturing data show for May?
Preliminary results showed the volume of production index up 4.9 percent year over year and the value of production index up 4.5 percent, with several sectors recording double‑digit gains and overall capacity utilization near 77 percent.
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do financing options differ for mobile and manufactured homes?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Financing can include government-backed loans, conventional mortgages, chattel loans tied to the home, and sometimes personal loans. Requirements vary by lender and by whether land is owned or leased, and whether the home has a permanent foundation.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What should buyers expect for credit and down payment requirements?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Reported qualifying ranges across lenders include credit scores from roughly 500 to 680 and down payments up to about 35 percent. Exact thresholds depend on the lender and program chosen.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What services will the Puerto Rico Manufacturing HUB provide?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The HUB will deliver training and advisory services across 14 centers, both in person and online, covering supply chain, quality, human resources and process standardization, and will help firms access capital guarantees and incentive programs.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “When does the new St. Croix–San Juan air service begin and what are its features?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Service begins September 15, 2025, with three round trips daily. Passengers arriving in San Juan on this carrier can use a private aviation entry point and a complimentary shuttle to the main terminal.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What did the Philippine manufacturing data show for May?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Preliminary results showed the volume of production index up 4.9 percent year over year and the value of production index up 4.5 percent, with several sectors recording double-digit gains and overall capacity utilization near 77 percent.”
}
}
]
}
Key features summary table
| Topic | Key items | Numbers and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile/manufactured home lender review | Top scorer, scoring method, loan types covered | CrossCountry Mortgage: 5/5; review of nearly two dozen lenders; scores weighted across six categories |
| Puerto Rico Manufacturing HUB | Program scope, partners, services | 14 service centers; university and SBA partnership; training, advisory, access to incentives |
| Fly The Whale St. Croix–San Juan route | Start date, frequency, terminal access | Effective Sept 15, 2025; three round trips daily; private entry via Jet Aviation and shuttle to main terminal |
| Philippine manufacturing May data | Production and value growth, sector highlights, capacity | VoPI +4.9% YoY; VaPI +4.5% YoY; capacity utilization 76.9%; major gains in food, transport equipment, leather, wood |
For readers seeking lender specifics, program requirements, or details on the Puerto Rico HUB and regional air schedules, consult lender disclosures, official program pages and carrier notices for current terms and effective dates.
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 CA News
CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER The CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructioncanews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in California and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rose Parade, Coachella, Comic-Con, and the California State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the California Building Industry Association and Associated General Contractors of California, plus leading businesses in technology and entertainment that power the local economy such as Apple and Alphabet. As part of the broader network, including constructionnynews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape across multiple states.
