Purpose of this page
This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of Maine. 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 Maine the process to transfer a mobile home title from one owner to the next is sometime fairly simple and straightforward. Please see the steps and tips below when considering purchasing or reselling a mobile home in the state of Maine.
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.
Interesting Maine Fact: As of January 1, 2010 mobile homes that are 1994 model year and older are title exempt. As of January 1, 2011 vehicles that are 1995 model year and newer will require a title.
1994 or older: No Title needed.
1995 or newer: Title needed.
Mobile Homes (1994 and older)
Step 1: Verify seller has a previous Bill of Sale and he/she is listed as purchaser: Ask to see the Bill of Sale during your initial walk through of the mobile home. The seller may be willing to text message a picture of the Bill of Sale to you to verify information. Verify with the park manager that this seller does have the right to sell the mobile home.
Step 2: Verify there are no hidden or unexpected liens by traveling to your local Registry of Deeds. While at the Registry of Deeds ask how to look-up the owner’s name. Look for any “UCC” files against this name and this property address.
Step 3: Verify taxes are current by calling the local tax collector’s office. Use the mobile home’s address or VIN to locate records. You may also double-check the seller you’ve been speaking to is the person listed as tax payer on the home’s file.
Step 4: Get Bill of Sale signed and notarized.
Step 5: Go to local tax collector to notify them of sale and that you are the new owner. Show notarized Bill of sale. No fee likely needed.
—-End of No title needed section.—-
Mobile Homes (1995 and newer) – Prior to your Maine mobile home closing
Verify seller has a 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. If inside a preexisting park, verify with the park manager that this seller does have the right to sell the mobile home.
Lost or Missing Title on a mobile home 1995 and newer? Call the local Motor Vehicle branch office with the mobile home’s VIN or serial number. Explain the situation concerning the lost title to the clerk over the phone and ask for instructions moving forward. The seller will likely need to sign and submit a Duplicate Title Application and fee to the local Motor Vehicle branch office to obtain a new title.
Check for back taxes: Contact the Motor Vehicle branch office (see list below) 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 Motor Vehicle branch 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?
At a Maine Closing with Title
Paperwork needed: Title (must have), Bill of sale (You may create this by hand or this generic Bill of Sale here.) Buyers and seller’s signatures must be notarized on the Bill of Sale. If possible take the seller’s previous Bill of Sale to keep so that you may show (if needed) a chain of ownership from one owner to the next.
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 Maine ownership with Title
Buyer: Additional form only signed by purchaser: Application of Maine Certificate of Title. Print and sign. Take this filled-out and signed form with you to the local Motor Vehicle branch office. Only the buyer must sign this form. No notary is needed on this form.
Bring forms (Title, Bill of sale, and Application of Maine Certificate of Title) to your local Motor Vehicle branch office in the county to pay transfer tax, fees, and transfer ownership. Only buyer(s) must be present at Motor Vehicle branch office to transfer title, however ideally buyer and seller go to Motor Vehicle branch office to transfer title to help expedite any last-minute issues that arise at the Motor Vehicle branch office. All forms should already be signed. Notary IS needed on Bill of sale.
If you are the seller: It can be wise to go with the buyer to the Motor Vehicle branch office to make sure the ownership is transferred correctly so that taxes and liability are not in your name moving forward. Some buyers wait years to transfer title/ownership.
If for any reason a lien needs to be placed on the title, this will be done at the Motor Vehicle branch 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 lienholder will then transfer the title to you once they are paid in full.
Taxes moving forward for new owner: The owner will receive a tax bill in the mail yearly, or you may go to the local tax collector to pay taxes.
If you are the buyer: Aim to transfer title ownership through the Motor Vehicle branch office soon after you purchase the mobile home to avoid a penalty 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
