Expert: Dick Dennis - 9/14/2007

Question
We purchased a trailer in April '05 from the manager of the trailer park where we live. we bought the trailer with the assumption that we would receive the title within the first month we lived here and we would sign a lease at that time.We did sign a purchase agreement. we refused to pay lot rent until we received a title, We have yet to see a title or sign a lease or pay rent. Everytime we ask her(the manager) about it she just
gives us run around answers. We have homesteaded the property and kept current with property taxes. She has sent us CRP's for '05 and '06 (falsifying tax documents!)I just kept these for my own records instead of filing for refunds. We learned from our neighbor that used to know the previous owners that the mortgage foreclosed (that's why they left) and also they had a lien on the property. Could this be the reason that we still have not received a title??? Does the lien have to be repayed before we can attain a title? We contacted the DMV and asked them about the title and they said that the title is registered to someone but not the park manager, they couldn't tell us who because of privacy reasons. How do I get my title?  What do we do?


Answer
Since land was not included in the purchase of your trailer, technically this is NOT a real estate matter. I strongly suggest you consult with an attorney familiar with mobile homes and force the manager to give you title/and or give you back your money for the purchase. If the purchase was $7500 or less, then you would take this matter to small claims court. Stories such as this is the reason why it is a good reason to have an attorney on your side when you purchase mobile homes or property in general. I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis       dixiedee13@verizon.net