Category: State Guides

Buying a mobile home is a big decision. That’s why for the past couple of months our state guide has been taking a look at things you need to know about the buying process. Last week, Buying a Mobile Home in Montana was our focus, and this week our attention turns to helpful resources you can use when Buying a Mobile Home in Ohio.

The Facts About Mobile Home Living in Ohio

According to a recent article, there are over 194,000 mobile homes in Ohio, which make up almost 4% of the total housing in the state. Mobile Home Village offers these other statistics about mobile homes in Ohio as well:

• The average price of a pre-owned home:   $54655
• Average model year of a pre-owned home:   2006
• Average pre-owned home size in square feet:   1304
• The average sites in a manufactured home community:   97
• An average year a community was developed:   1969
• Number of age-restricted communities:   151
• Number of all-age communities:    1008

Helpful Resources to Have When Buying a Mobile Home in Ohio

Ohio’s State Association

The Ohio Manufactured Home Association is an excellent resource for potential buyers and mobile homeowners. They offer information about commonly asked questions including:

• How much home can I afford?
• What financing is available?
• Where will I place my home?
• Are there other costs involved in buying a mobile home in Ohio?

You can also find licensed dealers that are in good standing within in the state. For more information visit their site or contact them directly.

Ohio Manufactured Homes Association
244 Bradenton Avenue
Dublin, Ohio 43017-3540
(614) 799-2340

Titling Requirements

Ohio requires that mobile homes in the state have a certificate of title if it is on leased property (such as a mobile home community). The title application needs to be in the county that the home is in and made within 30 days of purchase. You will need to have the application, the certificate of origin of the home, how much it is selling for and all the required fees.

Typically if you are purchasing a new home, the dealer will take care of all of this for you. Like most states, if you are attaching the mobile home permanently to property, you will want to archive the title and attach a deed to the home and property and pay any taxes due.

In either case, you will need to contact the local auditor’s office in your county to obtain the necessary forms and find out the exact fees due.

Resolving Warranty Issues

As we have talked about before, all new mobile homes include a 1-year manufactured home warranty. The warranty covers defects from the manufacturer as well as issues that may go wrong during installation.  Be sure to keep good records of any communications (preferably communicate in writing) so that you have a paper trail showing you have tried to resolve your issues within the first year.

There are times however that you aren’t able to get your problems taken care of by dealing directly with the dealer. In those cases, you will want to file a dispute with the state to get it resolved.

Contact them directly or visit their site to learn more about filing a complaint:

Manufactured Homes Program
6606 Tussing Road
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-9009
614-644-2223
Fax 614 -644-2618

Ohio Department of Commerce Manufactured Home Division

In early 2018 Ohio dismantled the Manufactured Home Commission in the state and reorganized under the Ohio Department of Commerce which is now handling certifications and licensing of manufacturers, dealers, and installers as well as any warranty issues that cannot be resolved between consumers and dealers.

Just like on the Ohio State Association page, the Ohio Department of Commerce Manufactured Home Division site is full of information for consumers and professionals alike. If you have any questions about whether buying a mobile home in Ohio is right for you this is a great place to start the research process.

The Mobile Homes of Ohio

One of our favorite sources for finding cool mobile homes available across the country is Zillow. There are currently over 500 mobile available on the site, including tiny homes, homes in mobile home communities, and many homes that include land. Here are just a few that we found:

Related: Mobile Home Doorway Awnings: Cooling Your Home in Style.

As you can see buying a mobile home in Ohio can be a wise investment. The state appears to take a big interest in the manufactured home industry and making sure that consumers are protected. Also, there is an abundance of homes available no matter what you may be looking for.

Our state guide series continues next week with a Look at what you need to know when buying a mobile home in Texas, stay tuned.

Thanks for reading Mobile Home Living®.

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
gro.vrhmtmobfsctd-4d4c3e@ofni

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: ten.prdduhobfsctd-42cf1c@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

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®.

Our state guide series has been taking a look at information that is good to know if you are considering buying a mobile home. Last week our focus was on Buying a Mobile Home in Kentucky, and this week we are sharing valuable resources to know about when buying a mobile home in Washington.

Mobile Home Living in Washington by the Numbers

Over 7.5 million people are living in the state of Washington. According to Statemaster, around 7.5% of those people reside in a mobile home. Some other interesting facts about Washington from our friends at Mobile Home Village include:

• The average price of a pre-owned home:   $110796
• Average model year of a pre-owned home:   1999
• Pre-owned home size in square feet:   1484
• Average sites in a manufactured home community:   77
• The average year a community was developed:    1979
• Number of age-restricted communities:     294
• Number of all-age communities:      551

Resources You Can Use When Buying a Mobile Home in Washington

Ask an Expert

Washington has an abundance of resources when it comes to mobile homes. The Manufactured Housing Communities of Washington Association provides resources to Mobile Home Communities and Managers. Their mission is to promote a successful relationship and communication between communities and residents.

They also have in place The Northwest Housing Association, which is full of resources about factory built homes. You can find information about reputable dealers, lenders, insurance options and many other services for potential buyers.

There are also some helpful checklists, worksheets, and videos to help with the process.

NORTHWEST HOUSING ASSOCIATION
1530 Evergreen Park Drive S.W.
Olympia, WA 98502
360-357-5650
gro.gnisuohtsewhtronobfsctd-84989f@ofni

Register Your Mobile Home

According to AAA’s Digest of Motor Laws, if you are placing your mobile home on your personal property, a title is not necessary. Instead, the home and property are registered within the county property records where it is located. Keep in mind, all fees and taxes must be paid when it is registered.

If the mobile home is located within a community or on rented property, the home will need to be titled through the Washington DOL. You can find all the necessary forms to title or eliminate the title on the Washington State Department of Licensing page.

Keep in mind, if you are buying a new mobile home, the dealer will usually take care of all the paperwork and filings for you. You will want to double check that everything is handled.

Getting Your Issues Resolved

Warranty Issues

As we have mentioned before, all new mobile homes come with a one-year warranty. Any issues that occur in that first year can usually be handled by contacting the dealer. You will want to keep good records of any communications (preferably communicate in writing) so that you have a paper trail showing you have tried to resolve your issues within the first year.

Unfortunately, there are times that the dealer is unwilling or unable to resolve your issues. When that happens, you will want to reach out to the Washington Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program. You can complete the form and email, fax, or mail it to:

Mail: Dealer Investigations–Olympia
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9039
Olympia, WA 98507-9039
Email: vog.aw.lodobfsctd-41407f@srelaed
Fax: (360) 570-4953

Issues Within a Mobile Home Community

Washington state enacted a law in 2007 to help protect the relationship between tenants and landlords within their mobile home communities. The Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program is in place to protect both the tenant and the landlord when there are issues that cannot be resolved. Visit the site to learn more about how this program works and to access information regarding filing a complaint.

Washington Mobile Homes Offer Some Awesome Views

Zillow currently offers over 1200 mobile and manufactured homes for sale in Washington. Many of these mobile homes are found in some of the cool scenic areas of the state. So whether you are looking for a vacation spot or a forever home, there are plenty of options available when buying a mobile home in Washington.

Related: 14 Great Mobile Home Exterior Makeover Ideas for Every Budget.

Very well maintained single wide.

Stay tuned for next week’s installment when our attention turns to things to know when buying a mobile home in Montana.

Thanks for reading Mobile Home Living®.

Our series continues this week with the resources you need when you are buying a mobile home in Kentucky. In case you missed it, last week the series provided valuable information about buying a mobile home in Colorado. Things like where to find a reputable dealer, who to turn to if there is an issue, and whether you will need to title your mobile home can all be found in our weekly series.

Mobile Home Statistics in Kentucky

According to Statemaster statistics, mobile homes make up almost 14% of housing in the state. Other facts we learned about Mobile Homes Living in Kentucky from Mobile Home Village include:

• The average price of a pre-owned home: $68116
• Average model year of a pre-owned home: 2007
• The average pre-owned home size in square feet: 1473
• Average number of sites in a manufactured home community: 97
• An average year a community was developed: 1977
• Number of age-restricted communities: 10
• Number of all-age communities: 278

Buying a Mobile Home in Kentucky Resources

Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute

There are many things to consider when you are buying a mobile home. Where to purchase, where to finance it, and where to place it after buying are just a few things to think about. That’s why state manufactured housing associations are such an excellent resource. The Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute includes listings on their site for:

• Dealers and Manufacturers
• Communities
• Financing and Insurance
• Transporters/Installers

To be included on the site, the business must be certified or licensed and in good standing within the state. This is valuable information when you are making your mobile home purchase.

Does My Mobile Home Need a Title?

Like most states, Kentucky requires a mobile home that is not attached to the owner’s property to be titled. Titles are processed through the Kentucky DMV and can be filed in your local county clerks office.

If the home is permanently placed on real estate, it then converts into real property, and a deed is attached. The following are required to convert the home:

• The Affidavit of Conversion to Real Estate must be filled out by the owner, signed and notarized
• The title must be in the owner’s name that is processing the affidavit of conversion
• There cannot be any outstanding property tax on the mobile home
• All liens must be satisfied before converting a mobile home. Termination statement must be completed by the financial institution and signed, then submitted to the clerk.

Be aware, when purchasing a new mobile home from a retailer the title is usually handled at that time. Be sure to ask during the closing to be sure.

Addressing any Issues With Your Mobile Home

There are times after your new mobile home has been installed that things aren’t quite right. Whether it is a defect from the manufacturer or something went wrong during installation, you need to know what to do to get your issues resolved. Your first call should be to the dealer that you purchased the home from, each new home comes with a one year warranty just for these kinds of problems.

If you aren’t able to successfully get your issues resolved you may have to reach out to the HUD Manufactured Home Dispute Resolution Program in your state. Kentucky is one of 25 states that administers its own program, and you will need to file a complaint form with the Department of Housing, Building, and Construction
Manufactured Housing Division, to begin the resolution process. You can also contact them directly with any questions.

Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Division of Building Code Enforcement
Manufactured Housing Section
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-5412
Phone 502-573-1795 Fax 502-573-1059

The Mobile Homes That Makeup Kentucky

Every week in our series we like to showcase a few of the homes that are available. This week there were almost 600 mobile homes for sale on Zillow, each offering different setups and designs.

Related: Visit our Homeowner’s Guide to Mobile Home Siding.

There are many excellent resources available if you are considering buying a mobile home in Kentucky. There are also plenty of mobile homes to choose from for sale in the state. Thanks to more financing options, buying a mobile home is becoming easier all the time!

Next week our series continues with resources when you are buying a mobile home in Washington. Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading Mobile Home Living®.