Purpose of this page
This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of Alaska. 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 Alaska 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 Alaska.
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 Alaska 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: Contact the local Treasurer’s office or Department of Revenue in the municipality the home is located. Call with the mobile home’s serial number or VIN to verify taxes are current. Taxes may need to be paid/current prior to title transfer. If purchasing the home and the taxes are past due then you may want to deduct this past-due amount from the purchase price you will give to the seller. This way you can pay the back taxes after you transfer title in the near future.
Check for hidden liens: Contact the 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.
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?
No title or missing title? If the owner does not have a Title then the owner may need to have a vehicle inspector complete a Verification of Vehicle Form 811. Contact the local DMV office in your area to ask for further instructions moving forward. Have the mobile home’s VIN or serial numbers available when you make this phone call.
Prior to your Alaska mobile home closing – continued
See paperwork needed to close below. Download the Mobile Home Title Package and Instructions (along with all the forms listed below). Download this entire package to fill out and sign all the forms required. If the mobile home seller is in possession of the mobile home’s title then please follow the green highlighted column below. If the mobile home’s seller does not have possession of the current title follow the blue outline below. If unsure, contact the local DMV office in your area to ask for further instructions moving forward.
At Alaska Title Closing
Paperwork needed: Title (must have), Bill of sale (Must have – You may create this by hand or this generic Bill of Sale here.), and Owner affidavit (In downloadable package above.) Notary IS needed on the Owner Affidavit form. 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 ownership
Bring all forms to your local DMV in the county to pay fees and transfer ownership. 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. Notary IS needed on the Owner Affidavit form.
Same-day title service when you walk into a local DMV office. This means the new owners will walk out of the DMV office with a new title in their hands.
3rd-party Tag and Title offices (that also help process mobile home titles) will likely charge extra fees compared to the traditional DMV. These offices can help transfer your title too.
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 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 yearly tax bill in the mail.
After closing – continued
Sellers (must do): Step 1.) It can be wise to contact the DMV to make sure the ownership is transferred correctly so that liability is not in your name moving forward. 2.) It can also be wise to contact your local Treasurer’s office or Department of Revenue in the municipality to make sure the ownership is transferred correctly so that taxes are not in your name or responsibility moving forward. Some buyers wait years to transfer title/ownership.
Buyers (must do): Contact your local municipality’s finance department or tax collector. Depending on your local county the department that handles mobile home taxes will vary. However in every area the local municipality needs to be alerted of who now owns the mobile home. As the new mobile home owner you may have to submit a tax statement to the local municipality letting them know who/where to send the yearly tax bill. Tip: Call quickly as a small penalty may be applied to your tax bill for waiting more than 10 days past closing to alert the local municipality of the home ownership change.
Bonus: If you are an owner and only want a duplicate title.
Occasionally mobile home Titles are lost, stolen, or destroyed. To order a duplicate mobile home title in Alaska please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Print, sign, and notarize the Affidavit of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Title (Form 809)
Step 2: Bring your ID, the notarized Affidavit of Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Title form, and $15.00 to your local DMV.
Step 3: Your new title should arrive via mail within 2-4 weeks.
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
