Purpose of this page
This page discusses transferring a mobile home’s ownership from a seller to a buyer in the great state of South Carolina. This is not intended in situations where the land the mobile home sits on is included in the sale. If the land is included in the sale please reach out to a local real estate attorney to help facilitate your closing. However if you are dealing with an individual mobile home located in a pre-existing mobile home park, on somebody’s rented land, in a lot, or somewhere else than please see the information below.
In the state of South Carolina the process to transfer a mobile home title from one owner to the next is fairly simple and straightforward. Please see the steps and tips below when considering purchasing or reselling a mobile home in the state of South Carolina.
Disclaimer: This page is not intended for mobile home investors. The reason this is mentioned is because you may require extra documents and agreements if you are a mobile home investor. These extra documents would include an after closing agreement if the seller was remaining in the home for a bit after closing, personal property trust agreements, a promissory note or lien paperwork, power of attorney, and more. Below is the minimum paperwork required to successfully transfer ownership from one party to another.
Prior to your South Carolina mobile home closing
Verify seller has the title(s) and he/she is listed as owner: Ask to see the title(s) during your initial walk through of the mobile home. The seller may be willing to text message a picture of the title(s) to you to verify information.
Check for back taxes: Contact the DMV office in the county the home is located. Call with the mobile home’s serial number or VIN to verify taxes are current. Taxes must be current prior to title transfer. If purchasing the home and the taxes are past due then you may want to deduct this amount from the purchase-price you will give to the seller. This way you can pay the back taxes at the time you transfer title in the near future.
Check for hidden liens: Contact the DMV office in the county the home is located. Call with the mobile home’s serial number or VIN to verify there are no unexpected liens you don’t know about. These liens may or may not be listed on the mobile home’s title(s) in the “Lien’s Holder’s” section of the title(s).
If inside a mobile home park aim to speak with the community manager to 1.) become park approved, 2.) verify the seller is current on all payments, 3.) ask for a copy of the park rules, 4.) ask if lot rent is increasing in the near future, and 5.) if the park manager see any needed improvements to the mobile home if/when you purchase the home?
At Closing
Paperwork needed: Title(s), Bill of sale (You may create this by hand or this generic Bill of Sale here.) No notary is needed. One title per section of mobile home; a double wide will have 2 titles.
Pro Tip: If purchasing the mobile home perform one last walk through before closing and handing over any money. The seller wants your money just as bad as you want the property. If there are any surprise repairs needed or trash/furniture you may have to remove then adjust the price accordingly
After closing – Transferring South Carolina title ownership
Additional form needed, only signed by purchaser: Application for Title/Registration of Mobile Home (SCDMV Form 400): This form should be printed, filled in, and signed by the purchasers of the mobile home. No notary needed. This form will be given to the clerk at the local DMV in the county the mobile home is located.
Bring forms to your local DMV in the county to pay transfer tax (see bullet point below) and transfer ownership. Only buyer(s) must be present at DMV to transfer title, however ideally buyer and seller go to DMV to transfer title to help expedite any last-minute issues that arise at the DMV. All forms should already be signed. No notary is needed. For a small extra fee you may be able to expedite the title and walk out of the DMV with a new title in your hand.
Interesting SC fact: If a mobile home is bought/sold between two private individuals (no dealer involved), sales tax is not required.
If you are the seller: It can be wise to go with the buyer to the DMV to make sure the ownership is transferred correctly so that taxes and liability is not in your name moving forward. Some buyers wait years to transfer title/ownership.
If for some reason a lien needs to be placed on the title, this will be done at the DMV while talking with the clerk that is helping you. The clerk will want to know the name of the lienholder and their address. The new title will be sent to the lienholder’s address. The lienholder will then transfer the title to you once they are paid in full.
Taxes moving forward for new owner: The future owner will receive a tax bill in the mail yearly.
We hope that the information above has been helpful. If you notice any errors or improvements please contact us immediately at support@mobilehomeinvesting.net. As always, if you have any follow-up questions or concerns never hesitate to reach out or comment below any time. All the best.
Love what you do daily,
John Fedro
