When you want to sell a mobile home in California, there are a few things that you need to consider. Buying a home is more complex than in other states, mainly due to the hot real estate market and regulations. If you need to know how to get a title for your mobile home, here is what you can expect.
Need to sell your mobile home in California? Our team at Home Nation sells and purchases manufactured homes in the state!
Titling Your Mobile Home in California
Since 1976, many states now have requirements for mobile homes to be titled. The title contains all pertinent information about the mobile home, such as a serial number, identification number, make, model, year, owner's name, and lienholder information. Think of a title like the equivalent of a personal vehicle title. In many cases, these homes are considered a vehicle. For that reason, you will need to title your mobile home. However, California only requires you to title the vehicle in certain situations.
Related: How To Increase the Value of Your Mobile Home
If you have a mobile home not attached to a permanent foundation, it will need to be titled and registered annually. All of the titles must be obtained by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). You will have to fill out the necessary forms to get a title for your mobile home.
Most mobile homes in the state are considered personal property, but there is an exception to the rule. If you have a mobile home on a permanent structure, it is actually deemed as real property. This designation includes permanent structures like homes and land. When the mobile home is permanently affixed to a site, it is now classified as real property. For those homes located on a permanent foundation, you do not need a title.
While there are different title requirements for mobile homes in the state, you still need to register the structure. All mobile homes in the state of California must be registered with the HCD. There are several ways to register your home: in person or online.
If you decide to head to the Department of Housing and Community Development in person, you will need a driver's license and a completed registration form. After those forms are completed, pay the registration fee. You can follow the same process online for a title.
Some owners have not registered their mobile home due to title issues or back taxes, but there is a program known as "Register Your Mobile Home California" that can help with these problems. With this program, the state waives certain back taxes and fees so that owners can legally register their mobile homes.
Why should you register your mobile home? First, many mobile home parks will not allow you to park your home if it is not registered. Along with that, registration can help you to transfer your title legally.
If you want to improve the home, you will need a building permit with the proper registration form. Insurance requires legal registration. Finally, water and electricity utilities will only hook up a registered mobile home. With all those requirements, it is important to legally register your mobile home in the state of California.
Related: To Find Your Mobile Home Vin Number
California Mobile Home Replacement Titles
If you want to sell your mobile home, you will need a title. Unfortunately, there are situations where you cannot locate the title. With that, you can always contact the HCD. You will have to fill out more paperwork and bring in all necessary documents to prove you are the rightful owner. There will be a replacement fee to print another title for your mobile home.
Transferring Ownership of a Mobile Home in California
Now that you have your registration and title, you can legally sell your mobile home in the state of California. In most states, mobile home title transfers are handled through the Department of Motor Vehicles. That is not the case in California. You will need to contact the HCD for all of the necessary forms to transfer ownership of your mobile home. Some of the forms required for a title transfer include:
-
Bill of Sale signed by the owner and purchaser
-
California Multi-Purpose Transfer Form
-
The original title for the mobile home
-
Tax clearance certificate from your local county assessor's office
Don't forget to check with your local government to see if you need any other forms for the transfer. Some counties require specialized forms to complete the transaction. In addition to that, you will need to pay a fee for the title transfer. Once again, these fees will vary according to your local county.
If you have a mobile home affixed to a permanent foundation, it is considered real property. You just need to transfer the title in the same way as a site-built structure for those homes.
Related: What Is The Difference Between a Mobile Home, Manufactured Home, Trailer, and RV?
Quit Claim Deeds and Mobile Homes
You might have heard about a Quit Claim Deed in the real estate industry. This legal document can transfer the interest of real estate property from one person to another. But the deed only conveys the interest from the grantor. In many cases, these deeds do not guarantee that the grantor owns a title or the property.
That might sound complicated. Fortunately, mobile home title transfers are pretty straightforward. You cannot use these deeds to transfer a title for a mobile home. These deeds only transfer real property like land and houses. Mobile homes and cars are not considered real property in the state. All you have to do is transfer the title of ownership.
Mobile home titles are easy to obtain and transfer. Some situations can be confusing, but you just need the proper paperwork to complete the transaction to get a title for your mobile home.
Do you need to sell your mobile home, or are you searching for a new one? Reach out to our team at Home Nation for the best selection of used and new mobile homes!
