Selling MH, no title, options?

[snickerz]

Hello all,
New to the site. Hoping someone can help me out, or point me in the right direction.

Long story short. I have a double wide on my property. I'd like to sell and move. It currently sits on a permanent block foundation. I bought the property just like a traditional home with a deed to transfer ownership. There was no title. I'm now being otld that I need a title to transfer ownership if I move the MH. I live in PA. I'm filing the appropriate paperwork with the state to begin the search. However, I know for sure the previous 2 owners have passed away so the search will be difficult at best. can I sell this thing with a Bill of sale? The attorney I used for the initial transaction is clueless. Anyone know of a good attorney who is familiar with this.

Hope someone out there can help

[rmurray]

Most title states require you produce title, your document of ownership....I assume you owe no money on this package....If you do it would have to be paid first....Many title states have a procedure for the original owner to title and then retire the title to make it part of the deed...If yours does they might have some sort of title recovery system..The title office should be able to help...Most states have a lost title system to create a new title..often this process is long..months..Most title states would NOT consider a bill of sale a legal document...

Why would you even think of selling the home without the land..the greatest part of the value is in the package of both the land and the home...You will be giving up tens of thousands of your equity..This is much like selling a brick house and keeping the land...no one ever considers this because the losses are so large...

[admin]

Every state has different rules about manufactured housing titles. For the most informed opinion contact your state manufactured housing association. We have listings for most states HERE on this web site.

The current information for the PA association is

Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association.
P.O. Box 248
315 Limekiln Road
New Cumberland, PA 17070
888-242-7642
(717) 774-5596 fax
e-mail [email protected]

[snickerz]

Thanks for the feedback, It's appreciated.

Regarding the decision to separate the house from the land. That was our intention when we bought the property. The land is worth 3X the house. It's a nice little home. But, it's very small and very basic. With kids we need much more room. We are looking at several modular builders now & will liely go that route.

I'm in PA if that matters regarding the title. I found a little more out since yesterday. I've begun a title search with the state. I'm not holding out for much luck there. I was informed that when a MH is placed on a foundation the title can be retired (proper term?) and a deed is issues. Apparently there is a small piece of documentation issued by Penn Dot and that's it. The title is gone. I was told that it may be possible to go to the court of common pleas to have one issued. Not sure if that is possible or how long it will take. I'm getting killed on this. I have buyers with cash in hand. A mover lined up and a wife & kids that want more room.
If nothing more I'm learning something.
Again any info is useful and much appreciated

[bizziedoll]

I know this sounds basic, but have you identified for sure that it is a manufactured home and not a modular? A modular will still have a serial number just like a manufactured home and it can have the same framing system underneath. If it is a modular than there would never have been a title to begin with. If you know the name of the manufacturer, I would call them and ask for their assistance....they will need the serial number to look up the documentation.

[epdyer]

Our law firm deals with these matters. We are in Pittsburgh, PA. If you find you need help, please call. Erin P. Dyer 412.361.1000.

[snickerz]

Great question.

Actually one of the first things I did was try to determine exactly what I bought. The transaction was "unique" with the previous owner leaving town and all his belongings (quite literally( behind. The manufacturer is "Hart" according the their customer service person it's considered a "HUD Doublewide" Unls I'm really missing something that's a mobile home.

Keep the suggestions comming!

[snickerz]

I'll be in touch