Purpose of this page

This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia.

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 may 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 West Virginia 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: Contact the local tax assessor’s office in the county the home is located. Call with 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: Contact the local DMV 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(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?

Lost or Missing Title? Call the local DMV 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 or Titles (must have), Bill of sale (You may create this by hand or this generic Bill of Sale here.) Buyers and sellers must sign and date. No notary is needed.

Disclaimer, Number of titles: If the mobile home is a double-wide or triple-wide then be aware of the serial numbers or VIN numbers. A double-wide is 2 sections of mobile home, and a triple-wide is 3 sections of mobile home. These different sections should be represented by an A, B, and C (for a triple-wide). This means that you will see 3 VINs or serial numbers that differ by on last letter. Example: 455693291A, 455693291B, 455693291C. For this reason it is important to make sure you see these A and B or A, B, C letters when looking at a double-wide or triple-wide title(s). Important: There may be only 1 title to a double-wide or there may be 2 titles. If there is 1 title, both serial numbers or VINs will be listed. If there are 2 titles for a double-wide then each serial number will be on a different title. If you only see an “A” or “B” VIN or serial number when you are purchasing a double-wide aim to call the local DMV to inquire if there should be 1 or 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 closing – Transferring West Virginia title ownership

Buyer’s signature only: Print and fill-out the Application for Certificate of Title form.

Forms to bring to DMV: Title(s), Bill of Sale, the Application for Certificate of Title form, and payment for transfer fee. Bring signed forms to your local DMV office in the county to pay fees transfer ownership. No taxes on the transaction are paid to DMV. 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.

You may choose the “Insta-print” option when at the local DMV. This is a free service that takes approximately two hours to print out your new title(s). This way you can walk out of the DMV with a new title in your hand. Be aware this service does take at least two hours. Otherwise the title(s) will be mailed to the new owner within 1-2 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 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 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.

Buyers (must do): Contact your local tax assessor’s office to let them know you are the new owners of the mobile home.

Taxes moving forward for new owner: A yearly tax bill will be mailed to owner on record around July 31st.

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