Things to Know When Buying a Mobile Home in Montana
For the past few months, our state guide series has been providing valuable information and resources for buying a mobile home across the country. Last week, we took a look at resources you can use when Buying a Mobile Home in Washington. It continues this week with a look at essential things to know you are buying a mobile home in Montana.
Mobile Home Living Statistics in Montana
Montana is the 4th largest state in the country but is only home to a little over 1 million people. Of those 1 million people Statemaster estimates that almost 13% of those people live in a mobile/manufactured home. Some other interesting numbers from Mobile Home Village offers insight into the state:
- The average price of a pre-owned home: $52625
- Average model year of a pre-owned home: 2007
- Average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1347
- The average sites in a manufactured home community: 68
- An average year a community was developed: 1974
- Number of age-restricted communities: 9
- Number of all-age communities: 187
Resources for Buying a Mobile Home in Montana
State Associations
The Montana Manufactured Housing and RV Association is the professional organization in place in the state that keeps manufacturers, dealers, transporters and other manufactured service providers up to date with the latest laws, licensing requirements, and regulations concerning manufactured homes.
Although they do not include a consumer section on their site, we recommend contacting them if you have questions about area manufacturers or dealers as they will be able to point you in the right direction.
Montana Manufactured Housing & RV Association
P.O. Box 4396
Helena, MT 59604
Phone: 406-442-2164
Fax: 406-442-8018
[email protected]
Registration Requirements in Montana
Montana’s titling requirements are relatively straightforward. If you manufactured home was built in 1977 or later a title is required from the Department of Justice, Motor Vehicles Division. If you buy a used mobile home built before 1977, you must complete an ownership change request that is specific for the older mobile home.
As in most states, if the home is on a permanent foundation, it will then be classified as real property. A form must be filed with the County Clerk’s office where the home will be attached. For any questions about which forms you need or how your home is classified, you can contact the Montana Department of Revenue.
Keep in mind, if you are buying a mobile home in Montana from a dealer they will usually handle all the form filings for you. Just be sure to confirm when closing the sale.
Issues After Purchase
Contact Your Dealer
If you are buying a new mobile home, the home includes a one year manufactured warranty. Any issues or defects from the factory or the installation are usually taken care of by contacting your dealer. They typically have a staff that handles any problems that occur.
Keep in mind you will want to keep a record of any correspondence (typically contact them in writing via certified mail) so that you will have a paper trail in case your issues aren’t handled properly.
Dispute Resolution Program
If you aren’t able to get your issues resolved, you will need to utilize the HUD Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program. Montana doesn’t administer their program. Instead, they are a part of the federal program that is in place. You can submit your complaint the following ways:
Online
Email: [email protected]
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
The Mobile Homes of Montana
Every week in our state guide series we like to give you a peek into some of the mobile homes you might find available in the state. This week there were only around 200 homes available on Zillow, but they included some gorgeous mobile homes with awesome views.
Related: Tiny Home Designs That Make Downsizing Look Good.
If you are considering buying a mobile home in Montana, we hope our resources will help you before, during and after your purchase. With so much open land in Montana, it is sure to continue to be a top choice for mobile home buyers.
Our series continues next week, with a look at buying a mobile home in Ohio.
Thanks for reading Mobile Home Living®.
