Expert: Dick Dennis - 6/12/2008

Question
About a year and a half ago,I sold a mobile home and 5 acres.  The mobile home title is being held in escrow. I recently drove by the place and the mobile home is no longer on the 5 acres.  How are they able to do this without notifying me?  Location is Spokane County, Washington

Answer
Unless the mobile home was destroyed in a fire or other manner, they were not permitted to separate the two unless they fully paid for the property (home and land). Have they been paying you for the balance they owed you (I assume they only gave you a down payment and were supposed to pay you off monthly)?

If not, it is time to sit down with a real estate attorney. He/she can contact the proper authorities and search where the buyers are. Here in California, a mobile home is regarded the same as a motor vehicle . . . until it is connected to land and sold as such. If Washington has the same law, then I strongly suggest you contact that attorney FAST. They could have sold off the mobile home separately in a scam. Or (giving them the better of the doubt) they are preparing to build another house on the property. I wish you well.

Dick Dennis