Buying a Mobile Home in Delaware

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It always pays to know what resources are available when making a big purchase. Especially when it’s your family home! From where to find the best dealer, to how to title your home, our series continues this week with a look a Buying a mobile home in Delaware. If you missed last week’s installment, Buying a Mobile Home in Missouri, be sure to check it out.

Delaware By the Numbers

According to 50states.com Delaware is known as the first state and is 49th in the nation in size. It only spans 1,982 square miles. Mobile Home Village also offers the following 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 has the following requirements regarding titling mobile homes.

Within 60 days of buying a used mobile home or a new manufactured home, you must apply to the DMV for a placement permit.

The dealership must submit the application for a certificate of title and any other related documents. They must also pay all fees to the DMV for the purpose of securing a title.

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.

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: ten.prdduhobfsctd-787a16@ofni

Phone: 571-882-2928

Fax: 888-819-5191

Mail (preferably certified)

ATTN: 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:

1. Job loss or serious reduction in hours worked
2. 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:

1. 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
2. Be 90 days or more delinquent on the home loan and or lot rent of their primary residence at the time of the application.
3. Prior to hardship, Debt to Income ratios will also be considered in determining eligibility.
4. Eligible properties include manufactured homes titled with the State of Delaware’s Division of Motor Vehicles on owned or rented land.
5. The property must be located in Delaware.
6. 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
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. 

Learn more about mobile home additions and the three most popular materials used on older mobile home roof-overs. 

 

Related: Looking for some inspiration to add a porch to your mobile home? Check out our 45 Great Manufactured Porch Designs.

 

Hopefully, you enjoyed exploring the mobile home buying in Delaware process. The Manufactured Housing Assistance program in the state is a testament to the willingness the state has to help mobile home owners! Next week we travel all the way across the country to explore Buying a Mobile Home in Oregon. Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading Mobile Home Living.