Have you ever considered putting your mobile home up for sale in Texas? Have you ever thought of buying a mobile home from the prior owner? A mobile home title transfer must be signed and filed for both processes. Before getting into the details, you need to be aware of the following facts about the mobile home title:
Whether you're considering purchasing a mobile home or selling the one you own, you'll need first to grasp what a mobile home title is. After all, there's usually no legal method to transfer ownership of a mobile home without a certificate of title. What is the significance of this document, and what happens if you don't have it? Here are the most important things to know about mobile home titles before buying or selling one.
1. INFORMATION LISTED IN THE MOBILE HOME TITLE:
It should include the following information regarding the property in a mobile home title:
So if you don't have the certificate of title for the manufactured house you own or wish to buy, you're missing out on important information.
2. A TITLE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT ANY LIENS ON THE MOBILE HOME:
A mobile home title, like a house or automobile title, can reveal whether the present owner has any liens on the property; this means they still pay taxes or fines. You don't want to buy a mobile home with liens that you are unaware of because you could be held responsible for those charges; this is why it is so important for buyers to seek to examine the certificate of title. In most situations, if liens encumbered the property, the owner will not possess the title. The lien holder often keeps it until the debts are settled. So, if the home's seller can show you an identification free of liens, you should be ready.
3. SOME MOBILE HOMES NEED MORE THAN ONE TITLE:
You now see why having a mobile home title is so important. Did you know, though, that you might require more than one? Depending on where you live, you may need a label for each property's width. A single-wide mobile home requires only one title, whereas a double-wide requires two. In most states, a triple-wide mobile home requires three titles, as you might expect. So, before transferring ownership of this personal property, double-check that you have the correct number of titles!
4. SOME STATES HAVE EXTRA REQUIREMENTS FOR MANUFACTURED HOME TITLES:
In state-specific rules, some states treat mobile home titles differently than others. In some locations, you won't need to take any additional processes to transfer ownership during a mobile home sale after you've got a title. You need to have the following documents on hand:
If the manufactured home is affixed to a solid foundation, it is no longer considered personal property in many states. It becomes real property at that point and must be recorded with the county clerk or assessor, This means the owners must pay annual property taxes on the home, and the lender treats it differently than a mobile home that isn't attached to the ground. So, before you buy or sell a mobile home, it's a good idea to look out for the titling requirements in your state.
5. GET A DUPLICATE TITLE EASILY:
If you can't identify the original title, you'll have difficulty selling a mobile home in most states. Fortunately, getting a replacement copy is simple. For a duplicate title, contact the DMV or a Local titling business. You can receive the title to sell your manufactured house as long as you're willing to verify you own it and pay a nominal price.
6. BEFORE YOU MAY SELL THE MOBILE HOME, THE CURRENT OWNER MAY BE LISTED ON THE TITLE:
One of the most typical problems for mobile homes is that the buyer rarely rushes to transfer the title into their name. Years may pass before they finally decide to make the change—and that may only be when it's time to sell the mobile home! So, what should you do if you sell your manufactured home and discover that your name is still missing from the title? Before legally selling the house, you'll need to transfer ownership into your character.
Now you know everything necessary for a mobile home title. Now, move forward toward mobile home title transfer.
A document that transfers ownership of a mobile home from one person to another is known as a mobile home title transfer. While this may appear to be a straightforward notion, how this process is handled differs from other property types and varies by state.
Depending on where the mobile home is located, state law may require it to be treated as real property, such as a brick and mortar home. The process becomes more challenging when the mobile home is moved together with the land it sits on.
WHAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO BEGIN THE TRANSFER PROCESS?
Depending on the state, the office in charge of title transfer for mobile homes will differ. You may be obliged to attend the Department of Housing if your state recognizes mobile homes as real estate.
Transferring a mobile home title can be broken down into four main steps.
Before transferring your mobile home title, you need to decide what the terms of the exchange will be. If you're selling a mobile home, this may be as simple as agreeing on a price with a buyer. In cases of inheritance or other reasons for transferring, additional stipulations may have to be met before the transfer occurs.
Transferring title to a mobile home varies from state to state, and there may be differences across counties, so be sure you're aware of the laws in your area. The following documents are likely to be required:
Proof that the mobile home's property taxes have been paid may be required. This verification is usually available from the local taxing authority.
If your state requires a title application, the buyer and, in some situations, both parties must fill it out and sign it.
This paperwork will prove that the buyer and seller have agreed to sell the mobile home. It will often include the serial number or VIN of the mobile home, buyer and seller information, purchase price, purchase date, and buyer and seller signatures. This document may be required to be notarized in some states.
The seller must get a lien release with payment confirmation if there are any outstanding liens on the mobile home.
A warranty deed will be necessary to transfer title if your state is one of the few that recognizes mobile homes as real property.
SIGN THE DOCUMENTS:
The next step is ensuring you've signed all the relevant documentation and reviewed every sale step. Remember, signing isn't just transferring the mobile home; it's facilitating all aspects of the transaction. If there's something about the exchange you need more information on, withhold your signature until you can make necessary changes to the agreement.
If your state requires the transfer notarized, ensure you schedule a date and time when a notary can be present.
The mobile home and any money associated with the sale should have changed hands. All you need to do now is make the transfer official by filing all the documents you gathered and signed. Before you file, make copies of the documents for your records. If at any point some part of the transfer is contested, you now can quickly reference the original documents.
A notary public can notarize a mobile home title transfer, but it must file all necessary documents with the departments. Even if your state does not require the exchange to be notarized, doing so is highly recommended as it involves a third party who can give evidence during disputes.
Given the complexity and regional variations of Mobile Home Title Transfer, it can become a daunting task. Contact us for support by navigating the process.
