Purpose of this page
This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of New Mexico. 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico.
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 New Mexico mobile home closing
Verify seller has the Title and he/she is listed as owner: Ask to see the mobile home Title during your initial walk through of the mobile home. The seller may be willing to text message a picture of the title to you to verify information.
Check for back taxes: Contact the local County treasurer’s office or Assessor’s office in the county the mobile home is located. Call with the mobile home’s serial number or VIN to verify any back-due taxes on the mobile home.
Check for hidden liens: Contact the local Motor Vehicle Division’s office in the county the home is located. Call with 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 in the “Lien’s Holder’s” section of the title.
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?
Missing Title or No Title? Contact your local MVD office for more help. Have the mobile home’s VIN or serial number before you call.
Prior to your New Mexico mobile home closing – Continued
Tax Certification, signed by the County treasure or assessor’s office: Manufactured Home Tax Status Certification form (MVD-10063). This form will be signed by a county worker at the local county treasurer’s office or assessor’s office after the current year’s taxes are paid. This tax certification shows taxes are paid and current. Seller should ideally obtain this prior to closing to give to seller. Notice: This signature is provided by the county treasurer or assessor. This signed form will be needed to transfer ownership as described below.
Tax receipts will not be acceptable in lieu of the Manufactured Home Tax Status Certification form.
If the seller fails to obtain a signed Tax Certification form from the county treasurer then [as buyer] it is important to act smart. 1.) Fill out all forms needed as described on this page. 2.) Call local treasurer’s office to find out back tax amount and total fees to obtain a signed Tax Certification. 3.) Close with seller and take title. Get all forms signed by seller(s). Pay money to seller, however deduct taxes owned to Treasurer’s office from money to seller. 4.) Now go to treasurer’s office to pay back taxes and obtain a signed Tax Certification. 5.) Next, see below.
At Closing
Paperwork needed: Title (must have), Bill of sale (must have), New Mexico Title Application (must have), Manufactured Home Tax Status Certification (must have – signed by county treasurer.) Notary is not needed. One title per mobile home; a single-wide and double-wide will have 1 title.
All parties must sign exactly as their names are typed or written. If the word “OR” is used to separate the owners’ names, only one of the owners must sign. However if the word “AND” is used to separate the owners’ names, both owners must sign.
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 – Transferring New Mexico title ownership
Bring signed forms (Title, Bill of sale, Title Application, and signed Tax Certification) to your local MVD office in the county to pay transfer tax and transfer ownership. Find a local MVD office near you. Only buyer(s) must be present at MVD office to transfer title, however ideally buyer and seller go to MVD office together to transfer title to help expedite any last-minute issues that arise at the MVD office. All forms should already be signed. Notary is not needed.
Fees: Most fees start from $12 and up. Sales tax of approximately 3% is charged on purchase price at MVD.
At many MVD offices a new title be printed for you immediately as you wait. Some MVD offices will send your new title in the mail within 1-3 weeks after transferring ownership at MVD office.
If for any reason a lien needs to be placed on the title, this will be done at the MVD office 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 lienholders will then transfer the title to you once they are paid in full.
If you are the seller: It can be wise to go with the seller to the MVD office 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.
If you are the buyer: Aim to transfer ownership through the MVD office soon after you purchase the mobile home to avoid a penalty or complications when you eventually do transfer ownership/title.
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
