Mobile Home Living in Delaware

It always pays to know what resources are available when making a big purchase, especially when it’s your family home. Learn all about mobile home living in Delaware: where to find the best dealer, how to title your mobile home, and other important statistics and information.

If you missed last week’s installment, Buying a Mobile Home in Missouri, be sure to check it out.

Mobile Home Living in Delaware: Statistics

Delaware is known as the first state but is one of the smallest, ranking 49th in the nation in size. It only spans 1,982 square miles!

Here are some important statistics about the 1st state:

The average price of a pre-owned home: $68491
Average model year of a pre-owned home: 2005
Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1331
The average sites in a mobile home community: 212
The average year a community was developed: 1977
Number of age-restricted communities: 7
Number of all-age communities: 111

Buying a Mobile Home in Delaware

Owner Resources

As with any big purchase, mobile home buying requires a ton of research but this article will cut a little work off your to-do list.

Of course, you want to purchase from dealers and agents that are knowledgeable and reputable. Admittedly, that’s not easy but if you gather references and call previous clients you should be able to find a good one.

And last, but not least, you want to place your home on a property that is a perfect fit for your home. That’s where state associations become so valuable.

Delaware’s Manufactured Housing Association is a good resource for the prospective or current mobile home owner. They have listings of licensed dealers, communities, and other great resources. Appropriately named, First State Manufactured Housing Association is a wealth of information.

First State MHA
PO Box 1829
Dover, DE 19903
(302) 674-5868
www.firststatemha.org

The Mobile Home Titling Process in Delaware

According to the AAA Digest of Motor Laws, Delaware requires titles to be updated within 60 days of buying a used mobile home.

When buying a new manufactured home, the dealership will do the title paperwork for you. They will also pay all fees.

Make Sure the Seller of a Used Mobile Home has Paid all Taxes Up to Date

Like most states, Delaware will not transfer a title to a new owner until ALL taxes have been paid in full so make sure you check with the local, county, and state tax agencies to make sure the seller is current on all taxes owed.

You can find the steps to transfer a mobile home from one Delaware resident to another at the State of Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles site.

You can learn more about mobile home titles here.

Who to Contact if You Have a Problem

The state of Delaware does not administer its own HUD dispute resolution program for mobile homes. However, if you have an issue with a manufacturer or installer that cannot be resolved, the National HUD dispute resolution program in DC may help. It’s important to remember the following if you are considering filing a complaint:

The retailer, manufacturer, installer, HUD, or the State Administrative Agency was notified of alleged defect(s) within one year after the date the home was first installed.
The home was not reinstalled.

You can submit your request the following ways:

Online
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 571-882-2928
Fax: 888-819-5191
Mail (preferably certified)

Manufactured Home Dispute Resolution Program
1676 International Drive
Suite 501
McLean, Virginia, 22102

Delaware’s Manufactured Housing Assistance Program

While researching the ins and outs of buying a mobile home in Delaware we were pleased to find information regarding a statewide program in place to help mobile home owners from losing their homes due to a loss of 15% or more of their income. The Manufactured Housing Assistance Program is for homeowners who have the following hardships:

Job loss or serious reduction in hours worked
Injury or illness of a primary caregiver or primary income earner

To apply for the program you will need to contact one of the counselors in your area. Take a look at the qualifications for the homeowner and the property:

Maximum household income for eligibility are as follows:
- County: New Castle
- Maximum Household Income: $93,265
- County: Kent & Sussex
- Maximum Household Income: $85,560
- Income limits as of 1/2013 and are subject to change annually
Be 90 days or more delinquent on the home loan and or lot rent of their primary residence at the time of the application.
Prior to hardship, Debt to Income ratios will also be considered in determining eligibility.
Eligible properties include manufactured homes titled with the State of Delaware’s Division of Motor Vehicles on owned or rented land.
The property must be located in Delaware.
Commercial, second homes, rental, or any other forms of business property are not eligible.

Be sure to contact them for more information.

First State Manufactured Housing Association

First State Manufactured Housing Association

1675 S. State Street
Suite E
Dover, DE 19901
Office: 302-674-5868
Fax: 302-674-5960

A Glimpse into Mobile Home Living in Delaware

Amazingly, almost half Delaware’s population is within close proximity to water. How awesome is that? Likewise, it is easy to find mobile homes for sale in Delaware that have water views at Zillow.