Expert: Karyn Foley - 7/14/2008

Question
I live in Sunnyvale, California. I owned a mobile home in a trailer park, and I sold it without an inspection. We've gone to HCD and transferred the title already. After taht the landholder asked me to give him an inspection report, but the mobile home is not me. Do we still need an inspection? Is an inspection necessary?

Answer
It is up to a buyer to order, pay for, and conduct an inspection report.  I do know, however,that with real property a seller needs to make a full and complete disclosure and there is a form for that purpose and it is mandatory and legally required.  Mobile homes, I believe, are still considered not real property; you need to check with a real estate attorney to confirm this, and to inquire as to whether or not full disclosures are legally bound for a mobile home owner.  The ethically issue, or moral code, is something only you could answer. I would hope that you treated your buyer as fairly and as honorably as you would insist on being treated.  Please do your homework on this, even though it is after the fact.  The small amount it may cost you now to do what is right after finding out what is necessary, may end up being much cheaper than any problems your buyer could or may cause for you.  This questions is the reason that most people have a professional behind them when they sell something, even a mobile home.