Purpose of this page
This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of Arizona. 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 Arizona 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 Arizona.
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.
Prior to your Arizona mobile home closing
Verify seller has the title(s) and he/she is listed as owner: Ask to see the title(s) during your initial walk through of the mobile home. The seller may be willing to text message a picture of the title(s) to you to verify information.
Check for back taxes: Drive down to your local County treasurer’s office in the county the home is located. Calling will typically not work as this information is not usually provided over the phone. Make sure to have the mobile home’s serial number or VIN to verify taxes are current. Taxes must be current prior to title transfer. If purchasing the home and the taxes are past due then you may want to deduct this amount from the purchase-price you will give to the seller. This way you can pay the back taxes at the time you transfer title in the near future.
Check for hidden liens: Drive down to your local MVD office in the county the home is located. Calling will typically not work as this information is not usually provided over the phone. Make sure to have the mobile home’s serial number or VIN to verify there are no unexpected liens you don’t know about. These liens may or may not be listed on the mobile home’s title(s) in the “Lien’s Holder’s” section of the title(s).
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
Prior to your mobile home closing – Continued
Tax clearance letter from the local county treasurer’s office: Seller should provide buyer with a Tax clearance letter from the local County treasurer’s office stating that the mobile home’s taxes are current and paid. Buyer will need this tax certificate prior to transferring title(s) with the state.
If the seller has not done this yet then go with the seller/owner to the local county treasurer’s office to pay the back taxes and obtain a Tax clearance letter.
If the seller is unable or unwilling to provide this Tax clearance letter then the buyer should 1.) double-check the amount of taxes due by going down to the local county treasurer’s office. 2.) Confirm the buyer may pay these back-due taxes without the homeowner present. 3.) The seller should deduct this dollar amount of back taxes from any monies paid to the seller. 4.) Sign and date Titles and Bill of Sale. 5.) THEN go to the county treasurer’s office to obtain Tax clearance letter. 5.) Proceed below.
At Arizona mobile home title Closing
Paperwork needed: Title or Titles (must have), Tax clearance letter (explained above), Bill of sale (You may create this by hand or this generic Bill of Sale here.) Notary IS needed on Bill of Sale and Title(s). One title per section of mobile home; a double wide will have 2 titles.
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 Arizona title closing – Transferring ownership
Bring forms to your local MVD in the county to pay transfer tax and transfer ownership. Only buyer(s) must be present at MVD to transfer title, however ideally buyer and seller go to MVD to transfer title to help expedite any last-minute issues that arise at the MVD. All forms should already be signed.
Notary IS needed on Bill of Sale and Title(s).
Buyer will likely be able to walk out of the MVD with a new title(s) in hand.
If for any reason a lien needs to be placed on the title, this will be done at the MVD while talking with the clerk that is helping you. The clerk will want to know the name of the lienholder and their address. The new title will be sent to the lienholder’s address. The lienholder will then transfer the title to you once they are paid in full.
Taxes moving forward for new owner: A yearly tax bill will be sent to owner.
Failure to transfer ownership to new buyer at MVD within 15 days of closing date will result in a small fine when title(s) is finally transferred.
If you are the seller: It can be wise to go with the buyer to the MVD to make sure the ownership is transferred correctly so that taxes and liability is 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 immediately 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
