Purpose of this page
This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of Oregon. This is not intended in situations where the land the mobile home sits on is included in the sale. If the land is included in the sale please reach out to a local real estate attorney to help facilitate your closing. However if you are dealing with an individual mobile home located in a pre-existing mobile home park, on somebody’s rented land, in a lot, or somewhere else than please see the information below.
In the state of Oregon the process to transfer a mobile home title from one owner to the next is fairly simple and straightforward. Please see the steps and tips below when considering purchasing or reselling a mobile home in the state of Oregon.
Disclaimer: This page is not intended for mobile home investors. The reason this is mentioned is because you may require extra documents and agreements if you are a mobile home investor. These extra documents would include an after closing agreement if the seller was remaining in the home for a bit after closing, personal property trust agreements, a promissory note or lien paperwork, power of attorney, and more. Below is the minimum paperwork required to successfully transfer ownership from one party to another.
Interesting Oregon fact: Oregon stopped using Titles and the DMV to process mobile home titles in 2005. Now mobile home ownership transfer is handled by the state through the local Code Department.
Prior to your Oregon mobile home closing
Check for back taxes: You must first know the mobile home’s VIN or serial number.
If you are a mobile home buyer contact the local county tax office in the county where the home is located. Once you are at the county tax office you will need to obtain a valid clear tax certification. This clear tax certification form will be provided by the county. If there are back taxes owed this should come from the seller or the seller’s profit. Important: Call the local county office to confirm if this can be done by only the buyer, only the seller, or if both parties have to be present to obtain this tax certification.
If you are a mobile home seller obtain a valid and certified tax certification from the local County tax assessor. You will need to give this tax certification to your future buyers so they may transfer ownership into their names.
Check for hidden liens: Verify there are no unexpected/hidden liens with the home address or VIN through the code department at 503-378-4133.
If inside a mobile home park aim to speak with the community manager to 1.) become park approved, 2.) verify the seller is current on all payments, 3.) ask for a copy of the park rules, 4.) ask if lot rent is increasing in the near future, and 5.) if the park manager see any needed improvements to the mobile home if/when you purchase the home?
At a Oregon Closing
Paperwork needed: No title(s) needed, Bill of sale is optional. (You may create this by hand or this generic Bill of Sale here.) No notary is needed. Only 2 forms needed are the Manufactured Home Ownership Document Application for New and Used Homes (state form 2952) and the certified tax certification from the local County tax assessor.
Pro Tip: If purchasing the mobile home perform one last walk through before closing and handing over any money. The seller wants your money just as bad as you want the property. If there are any surprise repairs needed or trash/furniture you may have to remove then adjust the price accordingly
After closing
By mail: Quickly submit the Manufactured Home Ownership Document Application for New and Used Homes (state form 2952), tax certification from the county, and $55 fee to the state at P.O. Box 14470, Salem, OR 97309.
Go inside: Walking into one of the 3 addresses below with application, tax certification, and fee is the quickest way to handle this transfer process. The buyer must be present when walking in the documents and fee.
Fax: You may also fax in the application to 503-947-2333. When faxing in the application the credit card information must be complete for the processing fee. Allow 2-4 weeks for a new proof of ownership form to arrive via mail to the mailing address you supplied on the Manufactured Home Ownership Document Application for New and Used Homes.
Taxes moving forward for new owner: This yearly bill will be mailed from the county tax office.
More info: http://www.oregon.gov/bcd/man-home-own/Documents/ManHomeOwnDocTransacGuideInteractive.pdf
https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/man-home-own/pages/man-home-own-forms.aspx
If you are the seller: It can be wise to go with the buyer to the local Code Department office to make sure the ownership is transferred correctly so that taxes and liability are not in your name moving forward. Some buyers wait years to transfer title/ownership.
We hope that the information above has been helpful. If you notice any errors or improvements please contact us directly at support@mobilehomeinvesting.net. As always, if you have any follow-up questions or concerns never hesitate to reach out or comment below any time. All the best.
Love what you do daily,
John Fedro
