Expert: Dick Dennis - 8/12/2010

Question
My fiance' purchased a manufactured home over 10 years ago for $44,000.  There was no written agreement for this real estate transaction, except the check that was used for the purchase. The land the home is on was purchased seperately and the deed to the land is in fiance's name.  The seller never signed the title to the home or the paperwork for title change. My question is: Who legally owns this house now?  this transaction occurred in texas

Answer
Oh boy, Kim, it appears your fiance may have been taken. Whenever you buy real estate of any kind it definitely should go through a closing process in which a title insurance company makes sure the property being purchased is owned by the seller as represented.

It appears your fiance was as green as broccoli. I would strongly recommend he goes to a good TX real estate attorney to see if there is something that could be done. Just make sure he brings all paperwork with him.

As of right now, it would appear that the land and manufactured home is in somebody else's name. That means your fiance cannot sell it. I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis
dixiedee13@aol.com