Purpose of this page
This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of Missouri. 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 Missouri 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 Missouri.
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 Missouri mobile home closing
Verify seller has the title and he/she is listed as owner: Ask to see the 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: In Missouri the yearly property taxes follow the owner of the mobile home, not the mobile home itself. This means that if there are any back-due property taxes owed on the mobile home, these back-due taxes will not have to be paid by the new buyer before transferring ownership. The new buyer will start with no taxes owed. The back-due taxes will follow the seller and a warrant will be issued for these previous owners if property taxes are not paid. For this reason the new buyer does not have to verify if back taxes are due. However if a buyer or seller would like to verify if taxes are owed, please contact the county treasurer’s office in the county the home is located. Call with the mobile home’s serial number or VIN to verify taxes are current.
Check for hidden liens: Contact the Department of Revenue office in the county the home is located. Contact the Department of revenue at 573-526-3669. 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?
Lost or Missing Title? Call the local Department of Revenue office to explain the situation and ask for instructions moving forward. Have the mobile home’s serial number or VIN before you call.
At Closing
Paperwork needed: Title (must have), Bill of sale (You may create this by hand or this generic Bill of Sale here.) No notary is needed. One title per mobile home; a single-wide and double-wide will have 1 title.
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 Missouri title ownership
Bring forms (Title and Bill of sale) to your local DMV to transfer ownership and pay any transfer fees. Only buyer(s) must be present at DMV to transfer title, however ideally buyer and seller go to DMV to transfer title to help expedite any last-minute issues that arise at the DMV. All forms should already be signed. No notary is needed.
Title should arrive in the mail within 2-4 weeks.
If for any reason a lien needs to be placed on the title, this will be done at the DMV 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.
If you are the seller: It can be wise to go with the seller to the DMV 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 DMV soon after you purchase the mobile home to avoid a penalty or complications when you eventually do transfer ownership/title.
Taxes moving forward: The new owner will receive a tax bill in the mail yearly.
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
