Selling a mobile home in any state can be accomplished with a little assistance. The good news is if you have a mobile residence in Michigan that you are selling, the process is not too difficult. The market for a mobile home or manufactured home is actually somewhat balanced as there are retirees, young families, and empty-nesters that are all looking to live in Michigan. That said, you still need to do a few things to get your mobile residence sale-ready, like cleaning and finding a reputable real estate agent who has prior experience selling/buying mobile homes or manufactured homes.
In addition to these two tasks, there are several things you can do to make sure the entire process runs a little more smoothly. Thus, to better assist you in selling your mobile home, let’s go over some pointers.
Selling a Mobile Home in Michigan
As briefly mentioned, you need to get your mobile home ready to list and show. Thus, you should take a second and create a list of all the necessary items that need your attention. Once you have come up with a pertinent checklist, then your very first step in preparing your mobile home or manufactured home for the market, i.e., get ready for some thorough cleaning. This should include removing unnecessary clutter, putting larger bulky items you are not using away or donating them, and a deep clean of both the inside and outside of your residence. Note, it is highly recommended that you place half of your belongings in storage to make your place look less cluttered and more open. You may even want to consider hiring a professional cleaner, replacing major appliances, and having your exterior power washed.
After a good cleaning, the next item on your to-do list is, of course, making the necessary repairs. Obviously, you should only attempt minor repairs that you know how to fix. In other words, major maintenance items or projects, you should leave to the professionals and for good reason. The reality is that any maintenance or repairs you have done will need to be inspected by a third-party later on in the process. Therefore, instead of doing the repairs yourself and finding out later that you need to have them redone by a professional so they are up to code, save yourself the trouble—by having them done right the first time. With that said, once the general maintenance portion of the program is taken care of, your next job is to determine your mobile home's value.
The easiest way to determine your home's value is by reaching out to your lending institution for assistance. They should be able to quickly tell you what you still owe and what mobile homes that are similar to yours in the area are going for. Of course, your investigative work should not end there; rather, you should also reach out to a real estate agent and an appraiser to get an accurate picture. Note, another viable route is to obtain a mobile home valuation report online.
Agent
Speaking of a real estate agent, the easiest way to sell your mobile home is to work with an agent. They can guide you through your prep work, repairs, and staging your place for open houses. Moreover, an agent can point you in the right direction in terms of finding the right home inspector and appraiser. They can also assist you with other administrative tasks like contacting the local power company for an energy audit, and more.
Though working with an agent is optional, it is important to note that if you are selling a mobile home with the property or land that it is situated on, then you need a real estate agent license in most states. The reason is that this particular type of transaction is considered to be a real property sale. On the other hand, if you are not selling the land with your mobile home or manufactured residence, you may feel as though a real estate agent is just an additional expense. But the truth is their assistance is vital to ensuring that you receive a fair price and that everything that needs to be taken care of is. One prime example, where an agent’s help is an asset is when it comes to prep work and advertising/marketing.
Prep Work and Advertising
Preparing manufactured or mobile homes for sale in Fenton MI can be fairly easy if you have a plan. Thus, it is highly recommended that you sit down with your team of professionals to devise the best approach. After you have handled all the necessary items like repairs, appraisals, and the inspection, the next step is to promote your mobile home. Of course, it can be tempting to list your home online and think there is really not much more to it. But it is this type of thinking that will have your mobile home on the market for weeks, if not months. Thus, to ensure that you sell quickly, you need to sell to the right buyers and present your home in a favorable light. This means listing locally, taking photos, sprucing up your home’s curb appeal, and more.
That said, you do not have to go at it alone; your agent can help you with your home’s presentation and promotional materials. So do not hesitate to reach out for guidance or assistance here. Having a seasoned professional guide the way will help you sell your mobile home or manufactured home in record time.
Michigan Paperwork
Lastly, you will need to have your home title, a bill of sale, proof of paid taxes, and a certificate of occupancy. This particular caveat helps buyers secure the necessary financing. Having all of these things will make selling your mobile home here practically effortless. By now, you are aware that mobile homes are not considered real property, if they are sold without the land they are sitting on. As a result, a mobile home title is generally issued by your local DMV. Thus, selling a mobile home or manufactured home is very much like selling a car.
Moreover, the bill of sale is required because a mobile residence is essentially a piece of personal property. Thus, you need to provide the buyer with notarized proof of purchase if you will. Similarly, you need to give the buyer proof/evidence that the home’s taxes are up to date. It is highly recommended that you get all the necessary documentation like the proof of up to date property taxes prior to listing your mobile home.
Finally, the state of Michigan requires what is known as a certification of occupancy. As a result, you will more than likely be required to provide the buyer with your certificate at the time of sale. Other important documents may include proof of periodic fire safety inspections and more. If you are selling a mobile home in a mobile home park, there are also a few related items you will need to take care of with them (every mobile home park has its own set of rules and regulations).
Take Away
Ultimately, selling a mobile home or manufactured home can seem like a lot of work in the beginning. But with the right people by your side, a plan, and the correct documentation, you should have no trouble at all getting your home on the market. Being able to sell your manufactured or mobile home quickly, however, depends on the current market, your listed/asking price, and how well you have prepared your mobile home for sale.
