How To Transfer A Mobile Home Title In Wisconsin?

Purpose of this page

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

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 Wisconsin fact: There is a public record for manufactured housing in Wisconsin. Click here to access the search database at the Safety and Professional Services website for manufactured homes. The information that can be learned from this search includes owners names, year of home, length, width, vehicle ID, last legal action recorded on the home, date of last action, and the mobile home’s make.

Prior to your Wisconsin 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(s) to you to verify information.

Check for back taxes: Contact the Department of Revenue’s office to inquire about personal property taxes for this specific mobile home. 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 Department of safety and professional service’s office at 608-266-2112. 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? Contact the Department of safety and professional service’s office at 608-266-2112 to ask for further instructions moving forward. Have the mobile home’s VIN or serial numbers available when you make this phone call.

At Closing – If Wisconsin title IS present.

Paperwork needed: Title (must have), Mobile Home Certificate of Title Application and instructions (must have), Bill of sale (Not necessary but recommend. You may create this by hand or use 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

At Closing – If no Wisconsin title is present.

Paperwork needed: Statement of Mobile Home Transfer or Bill of sale. Plus, the Mobile Home Certificate of Title Application and instructions (must have). No notary is needed. One title per mobile home; a single-wide and double-wide will have 1 title.

After closing – Transferring Wisconsin title ownership

Transfer title via mail: Gathered together all signed forms (as outlined above) and mail them to the address below.

State of Wisconsin
DSPS – Manufactured Homes Unit
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935

Include the correct fee. See a photo of “Section D” below, as in the Title application form.

Overnight or Walk-in: The address for overnight delivery, walk-in service, or fast service as referred to in section D of the Title application form please see the address below. If you are able to walk into the Madison office then you will walk out with a new title same day.

DSPS – Manufactured Homes Unit
1400 East Washington Ave
Madison, WI 53703

No sales taxes owed for private sales of use mobile home.

If for any reason a lien needs to be placed on the title, this will be done in “Section C” of the Mobile Home Title application above. The new title will be sent to the lienholder’s address. The lienholder(s) will then transfer the title to you once they are paid in full.

Buyers: Mail all forms as soon as possible to avoid penalties or complications.

Sellers: Make sure to stay in communication with the buyers to verify that they have mailed all forms to the state in order to change ownership. Verify this ownership change has made online using the Wisconsin mobile home online search database. Some sellers wait months or years to transfer ownership. This can cause property taxes to accrue in your name while you technically still own the mobile home. If the buyers refuse to transfer the ownership into their names you may want to mention that as the mobile home owner you will resell it to another buyer that is willing to transfer the property into their name.

Taxes moving forward: The new owner will receive a yearly tax bill in the mail.

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