Shipping Container Homes Financing

[Desmond Dunn]

I am currently in Raleigh, NC looking to purchase land to build a custom Shipping container home on.  I wanted to find a lender before I continue down this path as this will be the first of many shipping container projects that I want to get done.  Has anyone had any luck with financing shipping container single family and multifamily properties.

[Chris Martin]

I would think planning and zoning would be the bigger obstacle, rather than financing. Since you plan to build multiple ("first of many") the question becomes how zoning applies to your project(s). Are these arranged on the same parcel? Multiple units per parcel? Do they share common walls? Does your structure meet all applicable building codes? Once these are known you can try to fit into the exiting financing structures, either through a GSE (e.g. Fannie Mae Modular, Prefabricated, Panelized, or Sectional Housing Eligibility) or other commercial underwriting. Is your project is geared towards a profit making venture vs. as a hobby project? Like any other real estate venture, if you can show profitability above incumbent methods then you may be able to raise private money and not worry about traditional lenders. 

There are other topics on BP about containerize housing. You may find more answers there.