lost title

[ua0908]

I bought my mobile home in 1995 did some extra additions to it at the time of purchase. The house was appraise as a home on permanent foundation. I never know anything about the house and the title. (first time home buyer).

Now I am trying to refinance and this company wants the title to be deactivated. Well Fleetwood Homes in Arizona filed bankruptcy in 2009 and all records are gone. my 1st mortgage company that did the orginal financing is not in business either.

I live in New Mexico I don't know if that would make a difference in the laws.

Any advice on how to get a title for my home?

TSnyder

[David Oxhandler]

Each state has its own unique laws governing manufactured home ownership, registration and taxation.

Some states considered manufactured homes personal property, like an automobile. In some states manufactured homes can be considered "real property" which means it is part of the real estate, like any site built home. A few states offer the owner options.

"According to New Mexico state law, all manufactured homes have to be assessed for property taxes. Each county assessor in New Mexico requires a copy of the mobile home vehicle registration or the home's title, along with the property's current address or location.

After buying a MH, the owner must bring the title or registration certificate to the office of the county assessor. At that point, the owner must pay taxes on the mobile home. If a owner sells his MH, he will be released from the tax burden once the current year's taxes are paid and the seller gives the assessor the new buyer's name and mailing address information. The paperwork must also be taken to the Motor Vehicle Office.

If a mobile home owner also owns the land on which his land sits, the land value appears on a separate tax assessment. The mobile home owner will receive two tax bills: one for the mobile home and one for the land.

If the mobile home owner would like to have the mobile home assessed as real property attached to the land (and thus receive one tax bill), then the owner must petition the county tax assessor. The owner must show that the mobile home's tongue and axles are removed, that the home is anchored to a permanent foundation, and that moving the manufactured home is not economically feasible. The county assessor will do a physical inspection to determine if the manufactured home meets the criteria for real property. If so, the assessor will require that the current year's taxes are paid on the manufactured home. Once it is paid, the structure's status will be changed to a permanent structure."

(Source: New Mexico Property Tax Laws For Mobile Homes)

Unless you have been paying an annual personal property tax on the home the title most likely has been "retired". Contact your county assessor's office. They should have the records and will be able to certify the title status to the lender.