Mobile homes or manufactured homes can be a great investment and people might be surprised to find out just how nice you can make one. While they are often good options for those looking to live in an affordable residence, they also come with their unique situations and certifications, depending on whether or not they are permanently affixed for free-moving. So if you’re planning on selling a mobile home in Utah, you have to be strategic in how you go about it, especially if you’re looking to sell your house fast.
So let’s take a closer look at what mobile homeowners need to know if they want to sell. Whether you want to try to sell it on the housing market or sell it fash for cash to a home buyer like Cash Quick Buyers, you want to make sure you’ve got everything in order so that you have a smooth and easy sale.
How To Sell A Mobile Home in Utah
Selling Mobile Home Laws in Utah
If you’re going to sell a mobile home in Utah, you need to be aware of all the specific guidelines and rules that are in place for those kinds of residences. The first thing to know is that there’s a difference between a mobile home permanently affixed to a foundation and one that is movable. If it’s affixed and not going anywhere, many of the same rules that apply to any home sale apply here. But if it’s not affixed, it’s what’s known as “chattel,” or personal property. In this instance, it’s treated a bit more like a car, requiring property title documentation as well as certifications that come with a residential property. So it’s important to be very clear about the type of mobile home you own.
You should also know the difference in how Utah defines a manufactured home and a mobile home. Per state guidelines, a manufactured home is one that was built on or after June 15, 1976, and is built on a permanent chassis, designed to be used as a residence and including plumbing, heating, AC, and electrical systems. Meanwhile, a mobile home is one built before June 15, 1976, which was prior to the time when houses were required to be in code with the Federal Manufactured Housing and Safety Standards Act (HUD Code).
It’s also worth noting that a used manufactured or mobile home is exempt from sales tax. If it’s a new manufactured or mobile home, sales tax will be collected at 55% of the sale price.
Paperwork for Selling a Mobile Home in Utah
Selling a mobile home in Utah is not the same as selling a single-family home or a townhouse. There are specific documents that you need to be aware of when it comes to a manufactured or mobile home that is being sold in Utah.
The most important documentation to be aware of is the title. If your mobile home is chattel and not affixed to a permanent foundation, then it acts much like a car and has a title of ownership. Just like you would with a car or truck, you’d get this from the Utah DMV and it needs to be updated anytime the mobile home is sold or changes ownership. Once the sale is final, you and the buyer will sign the title and then the buyer will register it with the Utah motor vehicle department and become the new official owner.
Another document that will need to be signed when you sell a mobile home in Utah is the bill of sale. This is the document that proves a sale has taken place. If your mobile home is considered chattel, you may need to provide the seller with a bill of sale that has been notarized. Once it’s ready, you and the buyer will need to sign the bill of sale. If you are selling on the market and the buyer is using a lender to purchase the mobile home, that lender or bank will probably require a notarized bill of sale, so be prepared to pay for that.
Documentation that the mobile home is currently on state or municipal taxes is something else that you’ll want to have handy. Make sure you are aware of what the requirements are in your municipality, city, and in Utah, and then be sure to provide the buyer with all of that. It’s a good idea to get this together beforehand so you’re not scrambling. Anything to delay a sale gives the market buyer a reason to back out.
Utah provides a certificate of occupancy to anyone who buys a mobile home and registers it with the state. You’ll want to provide that to the buyer, so long as one is required in order to complete the sale. You might also be required to provide proof that the house has passed fire safety inspections. Check with your local municipality to be sure you’re meeting all of their requirements. A lender may also require these things even if the city or county does not.
Transferring a Mobile Home Title
As we’ve mentioned, a mobile home sale is going to require a title if the property is chattel and not tied to a foundation. The seller should sign and transfer the title to the buyer once the two sides have agreed on a price and met all the contingencies required. Then, the buyer will take the title to the DMV in Utah and register as the new owner.
It is possible to sell a mobile home in Utah without a title. A form called the Application for Duplicate Utah Title can be signed by the seller and buyer to replace a paper title if the original title is lost or does not exist. That form should then be taken to the DMV and registered by the new owner.
Some important things to make sure of on an Application for Duplicate Utah Title is to note the correct VIN number that matches the mobile home’s data plate, to make sure the seller signed over their ownership of the mobile home correctly, and that the purchase date and purchase price are correct.
How To Sell a Mobile Home in Utah
If you’re going to sell a mobile home in Utah on the housing market, there are some tried and true things you should consider if you want the best chance at not being listed for months on end. First, find a good real estate agent who specializes in mobile homes. You want someone who knows the specifics of mobile homes but also understands the local market and how to get the best price possible.
One thing you can consider in order to make the mobile home more attractive to market buyers is to “de-title” the property. This is when you attach a mobile home to a specific piece of land and will replace the vehicle title with a warranty deed that the owner will receive. Then you own the house and the land. This won’t work if your mobile home is part of a mobile park that is owned by someone else, so be sure you’re allowed to do this before you consider it.
You should consider bringing in an inspector to give the mobile home a good look and identify any problems or repair needs. Better to be aware of these issues up front than be surprised when the buyer finds them on their own inspection. This also gives you the option to pay for needed repairs or consider dropping your listing price to account for the issues.
Price your mobile home accordingly. You’ll want to work with your real estate agent or local expert to make sure you do it right. If you price your mobile home too low you might scare off potential buyers wondering why it’s “too” cheap. If you price your mobile home too high you could sit there for months waiting for an offer.
Selling to Mobile Home Investors
Another option, if you want to sell your Utah mobile home fast, is to sell your mobile home to an investor. There are plenty of investors out there who want to buy mobile homes, renovate them, and flip them for a profit. You’ll want to do your research and find the best one to work with. Look for recommendations from people you trust, good testimonials from previous clients, and a strong presence online and with the local Better Business Bureau. Don’t be afraid to contact them directly to find out if they’re legit and always trust your instincts.
Selling to Cash Home Buyers
If you are looking to sell your mobile home fast, a great option is to sell your mobile home in Utah to cash home buyers. Cash Quick Buyers buy mobile homes for cash and we can buy your mobile home as fast you want. We can make you an offer within 24 hours and we move at your speed. The great thing about selling to a cash home buyer is that we buy mobile homes as-is, so we don’t require any repairs, cleaning, or renovations. We buy mobile homes in their current condition! And our offers are no-obligation, so you don’t have to feel like you have to say yes. But if you do accept our offer, you decided if we buy your house immediately or if you want to wait a little bit. And once the sale is final, we put cash in your hands!
Finding the Right Mobile Home Buyer
Have you ever seen one of those “We Buy Houses” signs on the side of the road? Or perhaps you’ve got a phone call from someone saying they’d like to buy your house for cash. Or maybe you did a web search for “how to sell my Utah mobile home for cash” and found home buyers in your area. However you’ve found them, it’s important to do your research. If you’re going to go this route, you want to make sure you work with a cash buyer with a good reputation and who understands how to walk you through the steps necessary to sell your Utah mobile home as-is fast. Ask simple questions, verify the answers, and make sure other people are satisfied with the work they’ve done. And if the cash buyer can’t provide this information to you, that could be a red flag about their ability to pay you cash fast and make you a fair offer.
Conclusion paragraph
As you can see, there are a lot of boxes to check when it comes to selling a mobile home in Utah, especially if you’re going to sell it on the open market. But if you want to avoid the hassle, avoid real estate agent commissions, and avoid dealing with market buyers, consider reaching out to Cash Quick Buyers today and we’ll make you a fair offer on your mobile home!