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I have an opportunity to get a good deal on a lot in a small town which has a older double wide on it. The trailer has not been lived in for some time. I have seen photos but going to look at it in person Sunday. Property is in Arizona.
The double wide is affixed to the property but the owner does not have a title to it nor is it on the property deed. Its been on the property for many years before the current owner bought the property. The owner is a friend of a friend and its not listed for sale.
The parcel is a good deal without the trailer. But better with it. It appears it could be fixed up and used as a rental. But I will know more when I go out there Sunday. I am going to look for the VIN number when I go out there Sunday and research who last owned it. Its in a somewhat remote area. And I was told previously when I was checking properties out there that its quite expensive to move a trailer even even a few miles away. Assuming this could even be moved in its condition.
My only concern is if I fix up the trailer could the trailer owner try to claim it? Would they have any right to go on the property? Or should I assume that the trailer is so old that the cost of someone wanting to move it off the property and take it away would be more than its worth and highly unlikely for this to happen.
Also is there any mechanism of filing for a abandoned vehicle and get it titled myself? If I do find the owner can I demand they move it or give it up since it would be sitting on my property. Any advice would be appreciated. I would pay them a couple hundred bucks just to sign it over to me. Or a little more if necessary.
It's VIN - Vehicle Identification Number. Saying or writing "number" a second time is redundant.
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My only concern is if I fix up the trailer could the trailer owner try to claim it?
Of course. It's still owned by whoever has title to it.
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Would they have any right to go on the property?
Sure. As long as there is no criminal intent they have the right to access their mobile home.
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Or should I assume that the trailer is so old that the cost of someone wanting to move it off the property and take it away would be more than its worth and highly unlikely for this to happen.
Sure, you can "assume" that, at your peril. Just remember Murphy's Law. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.
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Also is there any mechanism of filing for a abandoned vehicle and get it titled myself?
I think so. Check with the DMV for the process. Do that before you buy the property.
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If I do find the owner can I demand they move it or give it up since it would be sitting on my property.
You can "demand" anything you want to "demand." If they don't comply you'll probably have to spend lots of money on some sort of legal process.
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I would pay them a couple hundred bucks just to sign it over to me. Or a little more if necessary.
I suspect that they already know it would take many thousands to dispose of it so count on spending big bucks to resolve the situation. Or put the onus on the seller to remove it or obtain title as a purchase contingency.
Check out the following search results on how to find the VIN on a mobile home.
We've seen and done transactions with many older and newer mobiles on it, sometimes missing the data on them... and I've never heard of anyone worrying about someone coming to claim the house. Most often when manufactured homes are placed on property, the title is eliminated. Look for that language in the county records.
That said, even when the title has been eliminated, the HUD data plates are asked for as part of the process of financing. If this is something you're going to worry about, or a bank is wanting the data plates and serial numbers in order to secure financing, there are a couple places to look.
On the county side, see if there is anything in the county paperwork that indicates dates or permits on anything. There may be more information than you think, including original permitting that may have serial numbers, or even septic or power hookup permitting that may have dates and numbers.
On the house, look on each end of the house for data plates on the outside. If it hasn't been removed or re-sided you should be able to find data plates for each side... and they should be sequential for a double wide. If they are there, then great. Also look on the inside or kitchen cabinets, if original, or near the electrical panel, for a data sheet. If it's there, then great. If they are not, you can order new data Certificates from IBTS linked below, if you can sleuth the information needed for them. Read here:
That said, even when the title has been eliminated, the HUD data plates are asked for as part of the process of financing. If this is something you're going to worry about, or a bank is wanting the data plates and serial numbers in order to secure financing, there are a couple places to look.
Its a cash transaction. No financing. I have no intent on every selling the property but that is a consideration if I ever do sell and a bank is involved.
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Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook
On the county side, see if there is anything in the county paperwork that indicates dates or permits on anything. There may be more information than you think, including original permitting that may have serial numbers, or even septic or power hookup permitting that may have dates and numbers.
I am thinking there was a regular house there at one point. And that is how it would have power. It has sewers in that area. The county seat is far from there and there are lots of unpermitted work is done. However the power company inspects before power is turned on. Thats for the info in finding the VIN. See what happens Sunday.
Note - you don't say how old but it does tend to make a big difference if the mfh is pre or post 1976.
Not sure on how old it is. Might be close to that date.
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