Buying a Mobile Home to Rent Out without a Retired Title

Buying a Mobile Home to Rent Out without a Retired Title

Kent County, DE · Member since 2014 · 147 posts · 22 votes

I am considering purchasing a mobile home to rent out to a tenant. I would be purchasing the land and the mobile home. The land is a little over an acre and the mobile home that is currenlty on it, is a singlewide that was built in the 80's. From my initial research, it appears that the title for the mobile home has not been retired. From what I understand, most lenders will not lend on a mobile home (on land) that has not had the title retired. I'm not sure what completely goes into the process of retiring a title (I will find out tomorrow) but does it make sense to buy a mobile home that does not have a retired title (through owner financing or cash purchase)? I feel like doing so would affect any potential refinance options down the road.

Could I purchase the the property with the intent to have the title retired later on so that I am able to refinance later? Note: the home is currenlty on a permanent block foundation from what I can tell. Meaning no skirting around it.

Could I negotiate with the seller to have the title retired before hand so that I can just use bank financing to begin with?

Thank you in advance.

0Reply
34 views

7 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Saint Joseph, MI · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 27 votes
    8y

    I purchased a double-wide with the same issue. I was able to go through a little hassle and also about $1000 for an insurance surety bond to get a lost title issued. Then I was able to retire the title. I knew this before I bought it so I factored that into my purchase price.  This was also in Michigan so not sure about your states rules. 

  • Kent County, DE · Member since 2014 · 147 posts · 22 votes
    8y

    @Robert Cheek Thanks for the response. So you determined that it would be more beneficial for you to retire the title. Did you have to do anything to the property to get it retired or was it already on a permanent foundation and it already met your county's guidelines/requirements?

  • Saint Joseph, MI · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 27 votes
    8y

    it was already on a permanent foundation. Nobody came out to do an inspection so that didn't really matter.  

  • Saint Joseph, MI · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 27 votes
    8y

    My biggest reason for getting the title retired was to resale the home. I bought it for 25k and sold it for 75k on a land contract sale. By doing the work on the title i was able to maximize the sales price.

  • Real Estate Broker · MI · Member since 2014 · 594 posts · 183 votes
    8y
    Sean S. I would advise to have a title company do an Abstract Title on the land and the mobile home providing it’s been converted as actual real estate. Spend a little money up front to confirm any deed restrictions to the land. You will want to know if there are any easements and other appurtenances that run with the land since it sounds like there may be other mobile homes around. Any financial institutions will probably require a survey and abstract title given you’re wanting to buy a mobile home. I would also advise contacting mobile home companies within your state and ask their opinion regarding any other concerns you have. They may be able to connect you to their financial resources. Just a thought.
  • Kent County, DE · Member since 2014 · 147 posts · 22 votes
    8y

    @Robert Cheek That is a good plan. I might be able to follow a similar path to increase value. I will do my homework on this. Thanks for the information.

  • Kent County, DE · Member since 2014 · 147 posts · 22 votes
    8y

    @Scott Matthew C. Thanks for the tips. I will be looking into them as part of my due diligence process.

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.